TITLE PAGE

Title Page: (Arrangement):

Daniel Ludlow was asked to prepare some papers on the Title Page for The Second Annual Book of Mormon Symposium in 1986. After reviewing all previously published commentaries on the Book of Mormon he noted:

I soon became convinced that the title page of the Book of Mormon is one of the least studied and least understood parts of this holy scripture. Articles and comments on the title page are, indeed, few and far between. Perhaps more disturbing, some of us may have been applying a misleading "personal interpretation" to the origin and the meaning of some of the statements in the title page because of the lack of thoughtful consideration.

Ludlow obtained copies of the title pages from all the major editions of the Book of Mormon: 1830, 1837, 1840, 1852, 1879, 1920, 1981. He also studied the earliest available sources of the title page text. The earliest available source is the "printer's manuscript," which is largely in the handwriting of Oliver Cowdery. It is now in the possession of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He obtained a copy and made a typewritten copy of that manuscript page, listing its text word for word and letter by letter (see illustration #1 below). He also obtained copies of the two other early documents which contain the title page. The earliest is a handwritten copy on the copyright application form of 11 June 1829 (see illustration #2 below). One will note that in the space on the application form for the title of the book, the Prophet Joseph Smith included all of the text of what we now call the title page. You will also note that the text is written with some capitalization and a considerable degree of punctuation, but is not divided into paragraphs.

The later of these two documents is the Wayne Sentinel dated 26 June 1829 (see illustration #3 below). You will note that the text is separated into an introduction and two paragraphs. The Wayne Sentinel was published by the E. B. Grandin publishing concern. Undoubtedly this 26 June 1829 version reflects the punctuation and paragraphing that had already been determined for the first printing of the Book of Mormon. One will notice in the reproduction of the title page in the 1830 first edition (see illustration #4 below) that the wording, the essential punctuation, and the paragraphing are identical to that in the article already published in the Wayne Sentinel . These two versions established the pattern of publishing the title page in three sections: a brief introduction and two paragraphs. This same format has been used in all subsequent editions published in English.

Title Page (Arrangement) [Illustration #1]: A typewritten copy of the title page of the Book of Mormon as it appears in the Printer's Manuscript. The spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are as shown. [Daniel H. Ludlow, "The Title Page," in The Book of Mormon: First Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, p. 21]

Title Page (Arrangement) [Illustration #2]: The copyright application of 11 June 1829 for the Book of Mormon. Note that in the space on the application form for the title of the book, the Prophet Joseph Smith included all of the text of what we now call the title page. Note also that the text is written with some capitalization and a considerable degree of punctuation, but is not divided into paragraphs. [Daniel H. Ludlow, "The Title Page," in The Book of Mormon: First Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, p. 23]

Title Page (Arrangement) [Illustration #3]: An excerpt from the Wayne Sentinel dated 26 June 1829 regarding the future publication of the Book of Mormon and containing the text of what we now call the title page. Note that the text is separated into an introduction and two paragraphs. [Daniel H. Ludlow, "The Title Page," in The Book of Mormon: First Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, p. 24]

Title Page (Arrangement) [Illustration #4]: A reproduction of the title page in the first edition (1830) of the Book of Mormon. Note that the wording, the essential punctuation, and the paragraphs are identical to that in the article already published in the Wayne Sentinel. [Daniel H. Ludlow, "The Title Page," in The Book of Mormon: First Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, p. 25] [See also The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Deseret Book Company, 150th Year Anniversary Facsimile of the 1830 Edition of the Book of Mormon, 1980] [See also John W. Welch & J. Gregory Welch, Charting the Book of Mormon: Visual Aids for Personal Study and Teaching, Chart 165]

One change was made in the title page in the second edition (1837). The clause "An abridgment taken from the book of Ether" was moved from the last part of the first paragraph to the beginning of the second paragraph, bringing the two elements about the book of Ether together. This clause has remained in this position in all subsequent editions in English.

The 1840 edition of the title page is virtually identical to the 1837 edition, except that the word Moroni appears after the second paragraph. The name Moroni also is printed in the same place both in the LDS edition of 1852 and in the RLDS editions of 1874 and 1908. [And also the 1999 Restored Covenant Edition--see the illustration #5 below]

Title Page (Arrangement) [Illustration #5]: A reproduction of the title page in The Restored Covenant Edition (1999). Note the name "Moroni" at the bottom. [Zarahemla Research Foundation, The

Restored Covenant Edition, Title Page]The only other changes between the 1830 and the 1981 editions in the words used, spelling, or word order are shown as follows:

"who are a remnant" instead of "which . . ."; "spirit of prophecy" instead of ". . . prophesy"; "by way of the Gentile" instead of "by the way of . . ."; "who were scattered" instead of "which . . .";"Which is to show" instead of ". . . shew";"what great things the Lord hath done" instead of "how . . .";"if there are faults they are the mistakes of men" instead of "if there be fault,

it be the mistake";"judgment-seat" instead of "judgment seat;"Translated by Joseph Smith, Jun." instead of "By Joseph Smith, Junior, Author

and Proprietor"

Interestingly, changing the number of paragraphs might lead to additional insights as we ask such questions as: (1) who the author is (or who the authors are) of the various statements of the title page, and (2) when the various statements were written. For example, publishing the title page in two paragraphs and adding the word Moroni in some editions undoubtedly influenced virtually all early students of the Book of Mormon to conclude that Moroni was the only author of the title page. According to this reasoning, one would conclude that the title page must have been written sometime after about A.D. 385 when Moroni received the plates from his father, Mormon. This view has been expressed by different scholars, including Dr. Sidney B. Sperry, who concluded that Moroni wrote the entire title page at two distinctively different times in his life:

In the opinion of the writer this statement [Mormon 8:12-13] was Moroni's original farewell. . . . It is quite likely that at this point Moroni wrote the first paragraph (as we now have it) of the title page of the Book of Mormon. . . . He did not write the second paragraph of the title page at this time for the very good and sufficient reason that he had not yet abridged the Book of Ether which is mentioned therein.i

[After reviewing the contents of Mormon 8:14-9:37 Sperry adds] Having finished his task of abridgment, Moroni then proceeded to add another paragraph to his title page.

According to Dr. Sperry, Moroni then proceeded to give us the text now found in Moroni chapters 1 through 10.

Ludlow notes that virtually all other scholars and students of the Book of Mormon who had written commentary up until his 1986 presentation had reached exactly the same two conclusions: (1) the title page was written entirely by Moroni, and (2) he wrote it at two different times in his life. But Ludlow takes a different approach. In order to illustrate that approach he proposes changing the title page into a brief title and six paragraphs. (see illustration #6 below).

Title Page (Arrangement) [Illustration #6]: A Proposed Arrangement of the Book of Mormon Title Page. Ludlow's proposal consists of a brief title and six paragraphs. [Daniel H. Ludlow, "The Title Page," in The Book of Mormon: First Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, pp. 28-29]

Ludlow proposes that in reading the first proposed paragraph (see illustration), one should change one's mind-set and assume that Mormon wrote it rather than Moroni. After all, Mormon was the major abridger or compiler of the writings in our present Book of Mormon. Surely, he would have been justified in writing a preface of some type for his work. It is plausible that everything in the proposed first paragraph could reasonably and logically have been written by Mormon. He was the only writer who had written on the plates that he refers to throughout the record as the "plates of Mormon."

Ludlow asks that one now read the proposed second paragraph, assuming

i. Sidney B. Sperry in A Book of Mormon Treasury (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1959), pp. 123-24.

that Moroni is its author. He has received the plates from his father and has engraved on the plates the text of Mormon chapters 8 and 9. Then he adds these words to the title page that his father had written:

Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile, the interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

The assumption that Mormon wrote the first paragraph and Moroni wrote the second paragraph helps explain other difficulties that scholars have pointed out. Note, for example, the close parallels in wording and though patterns between the last sentence of the first paragraph and the sentence now comprising the second paragraph of the six parts proposed. If Moroni had written both of these sentences, why would he have repeated himself so closely?

In the traditional printings with only two paragraphs, the second paragraph appears to pertain only to the initial phrase "An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether," although most readers have quoted them as though they pertain to the entire Book of Mormon. The paragraphing suggested by Ludlow would indicate that they do indeed pertain to the entire book, which, according to him, is the most logical interpretation.

Ludlow does not suggest that the present paragraphing of the title page is necessarily wrong. However, the decision to publish the title page text in two paragraphs was not determined by the Prophet Joseph Smith but by John H. Gilbert,ii the typesetter at E. B. Grandin's publishing house, before Gilbert had the opportunity to read and study the entire Book of Mormon. Thus he would not have understood the separate and different contributions of Mormon and Moroni in the Book of Mormon. That first setting of the type in "the forepart of June 1829"iii obviously established the two-paragraph pattern followed in (1) the 26 June 1829 article in the Wayne Sentinel; in (2) the first edition of the Book of Mormon; and in (3) all subsequent editions of the Book of Mormon in English.

Thus Daniel Ludlow believes that we may at least consider dividing the text of the title page into more than two paragraphs, knowing that the Book of Mormon is true and that the paragraphing of the title page in no way detracts from its divine nature. [Daniel H. Ludlow, "The Title Page," in The Book of Mormon: First Nephi, The Doctrinal Foundation, pp. 19-33]

Note* See the arrangement of the Title Page in The Covenant Story. [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [For more commentary on the Title Page, see the commentary on Mormon 8:12, and Moroni 1:1]

ii. Concerning the setting of the type for the title page, Mr. Gilbert has written:In the forepart of June 1829, Mr. E. B. Grandin, the printer of the "Wayne

Sentinel," came to me and said he wanted I should assist him in . . . printing 5000 copies of a book. . . . Hyrum Smith brought the first installment of manuscript, of 24 pages, closely written on comon folscap paper. . . . The title page was first set up, and after proof was read and corrected, several copies were printed. (Wilford C. Wood, Joseph Smith Begins His Work, Introductory section (Salt Lake City: Wilford C. Wood, 1958.)

iii. Ibid.

Title Page (Position):

Joseph Smith wrote that "the title-page of the Book of Mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left-hand side of the collection or book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated."iv In the 1830 edition, the title-page was thus positioned at the end of the text. It was later moved to it's present position at the front of the Book of Mormon. The idea of a title-page at the end of the text was counterintuitive in the early nineteenth century when title pages appeared at the beginning, not the end, of books.

William Hamblin notes that in a recent study of the cultural dependence of Greek civilization on the ancient Near East, Walter Burkert maintains that one of the connections which linked these cultures was a practice called "subscriptio." This practice "connect[ed] the layout of later Greek books with cuneiform [Near Eastern] practice, [which is] the indication of the name of the writer/author and the title of the book right at the end, after the last line of the text; this is a detailed and exclusive correspondence which proves that Greek literary practice is ultimately dependent upon Mesopotamia. It is necessary to postulate that Aramaic leather scrolls formed the connecting link."v

If the existence of the practice of subscriptio among the Greeks represents "a detailed and exclusive correspondence which proves that Greek literary practice is ultimately dependent upon Mesopotamia [via Syria]," as Burkert claims, cannot the same thing be said of the Book of Mormon--that the practice of subscriptio represents "a detailed and exclusive correspondence" which offers proof that the Book of Mormon is "ultimately dependent" on the ancient Near East? [William J. Hamblin, "Metal Plates and the Book of Mormon," in Pressing Forward with the Book of Mormon, F.A.R.M.S., 1999, pp. 21-22]

Title The Book of Mormon:

According to Raymond Treat, the title "The Book of Mormon" might have more meaning to it than one might think. Someone acquainted with the story of the Book of Mormon might assume that the name "Mormon" simply refers to the man who compiled the book. However, although Mormon acknowledges that "my father's name was Mormon" (Mormon 1:5), he tells us in 3 Nephi 5:12 that he was not named after his father, rather he was named after the land in which the restoration of Christ's covenant and church took place:

And behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among this people: Yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression. (3 Nephi 5:12)

[And] if they will repent and hearken unto my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them, and they shall come in

iv. History of the Church, 1:71, emphasis added, see 6:366.

v. Walter Burkert, The Orientalizing Revolution: Near Eastern Influence on Greek Culture in the Early Archaic Age (Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press, 1992), p. 30.

unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance. (3 Nephi 21:22)

[See Raymond C. Treat, "Covenants: Key to the Restoration of the House of Israel," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol. 2, pp. 52-53]

So perhaps it is coincidence, perhaps not, that the title of the Book of Mormon was changed in 1986 to read, "The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ." If we focus on the idea that the name Mormon was associated with a restored covenant, and if the word "testament" means a covenant witness, then we might read the title according to Mormon's own definition as "The Book of the Restored Covenant, Another Covenant Witness of Jesus Christ." When this meaning is understood, the Book of Mormon can better be viewed in its rightful place alongside two other published witnesses of Christ's covenant with his children: The Old Testament (the "Old Covenant") and The New Testament (the "New Covenant"). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on 3 Nephi 5:12]

Title Page The Book of Mormon [Another Testament of Jesus Christ] (Illustration): (a) Book cover of 1830 Edition. (b) Book cover of the 1981 Edition. [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Desert Book Company, 150th Year Anniversary Facsimile of the 1830 Edition of the Book of Mormon, 1980; and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 1981]

Title Page Sealed up by the Hand of Moroni:

[See the commentary on Moroni 10:1-2]

Title Page That They May Know the Covenants of the Lord (Purpose):

According to Raymond Treat, the main purpose of the Book of Mormon is to restore a knowledge of the covenants made anciently with the house of Israel to a remnant of the house of Israel. One way to demonstrate that this is the primary purpose of the Book of Mormon is to point out that the book begins (and ends) with the covenant. In the title page we read:A written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel [the covenant people]; B and also to Jew [the rest of the house of Israel] and Gentile [everyone else] . . .A' to shew unto the remnant of the house of Israel [the covenant people]

[1] what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers, and [2] that they may know the covenants of the Lord that they are not cast off

forever, B' and also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile [the rest of the house of Israel and the whole

world] [1] that Jesus is the Christ, [2] the Eternal God manifesting himself unto all nations.

[See Raymond C. Treat, "Understanding Our Covenant," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol. 2, Zarahemla Research Foundation, p. 34] [See the commentary on 1 Nephi 1:1-2] [See Mormon 7]

Title Page To the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel [Tribe of Joseph]; and also to [the] Jew [Tribe of Judah] (Illustration): Genealogy of the House of Judah and the House of Joseph. [Tom Cryer, Visual Sermons, p. 125, Unpublished]

Title Page--Preface That they may know the covenants of the Lord (Illustration): Title Page (Purpose). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Collection]

As one begins to discover the covenants in the Book of Mormon, in both their literal historic setting and in their prophetic spiritual patterns, he will also begin to discover the real story contained in the pages of the book. And as readers come to know the truth of the story contained therein, they will also come to know the truth of the Christ-centered covenants.

Nearly 2600 years ago, the prophet Nephi quoted to his brothers the prophecies of Isaiah concerning the covenant relationship of the Lord with the House of Israel. Afterward, they asked him an intriguing question: "What meaneth these

things which ye have read? Behold, are they to be understood according to things which are spiritual, which shall come to pass according to the spirit and not the flesh?" (1 Nephi 22:1)

Nephi answered them with the following: "Wherefore, the things of which I have read are things pertaining to things both temporal and spiritual." (1 Nephi 22:3)

One might wonder, Why did Nephi give such a response? Is there truly a reason why Isaiah's prophecies would need to be acted out both in the temporal history of mankind and also in the spiritual life of man? Nephi, himself, provides a clue: "Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for . . . all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him." (2 Nephi 11:4)

While the Book of Mormon is a history, full of geographical, cultural, and chronological statements, and although Mormon said that he was "commanded" by the Lord to write what he did (3 Nephi 26:12), did the Lord have a purpose in such temporal details being recorded in the text? The Lord has said: "And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations." (D&C 52:14) "And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual . . . : all things bear record of me." (Moses 6:63)

If, according to the title page of the Book of Mormon, we are promised that the verses contained therein will eventually help lead to the "convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ," and if Nephi did not "write anything upon plates save it be that [he thought] it be sacred" (1 Nephi 19:6), then perhaps the historical and cultural references within the text might provide a fascinating, even divine perspective to the intended message of the book.

With the help of a prophetic blessing of the prophet Ezra Taft Benson to those who would read the Book of Mormon, and with an ever increasing flow of articles and books dealing not only with gospel perspectives, but cultural and historical perpsectives as well, the things of the Book of Mormon can now be appreciated and studied as Nephi intimated to his brothers that scriptures should be, in both a "temporal" and a "spiritual" covenant setting. Towards that end, my work has led me to the development of Step by Step through the Book of Mormon, which consists of three companion study texts:

1. The Covenant Story, which highlights pertinent historical, cultural, and covenant verses in the Book of Mormon text such that (a) the reader becomes aware of the multiple historical and cultural phrases that give substance to the truthfulness of the book; and (b) the reader is helped in understanding the book's covenant setting and the Lord's covenant way.

2. A Collection of Cultural Commentary, which correlates the text with pertinent cultural comments, and indexes current comments, maps, and illustrations from available published books and articles.

3. A Collection of Cultural Illustrations, which contains an ongoing and updated collection of current maps, charts, and illustrations that give understanding to the commentary and provide an invaluable resource for teaching those concepts.

Using this system, a student or teacher of the Book of Mormon can have ready access to those cultural ideas that will lead them towards a deeper understanding of the book's divinely planned and divinely recorded covenant setting.

By giving this study system to the readers of the Book of Mormon, I hope to convey to them a world of understanding that has greatly enhanced my testimony of that book, and has deepened my wonder and appreciation for the Lord's "new covenant" (D&C 84:57).

Title Page To the Convincing of the Jew and Gentile That Jesus Is the Christ (Purpose):

According to Ezra Taft Benson, the major mission of the Book of Mormon, as recorded on its title page, is "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations." Let us consider some of the attributes of our Lord, as found in the Book of Mormon, that show that Jesus is the Christ. [The following are only part of those given in President Benson's speech.]:

He is the Exemplar: He "set the example. . . . He said unto the children of men: Follow thou me" (2 Nephi 31:9.10).

He is Generous: "He commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation" (2 Nephi 26:24).

He is the Healer: "The "sick, and . . . afflicted with all manner of diseases, . . . devils and unclean spirits, . . . were healed by the power of the Lamb of God" (1 Nephi 11:31).

He is Humble: "He humbleth himself before the Father" (2 Nephi 31:7).He is Joyful: "the Father hath given " Him a "fulness of joy" (3 Nephi

28:10).He is Kind: He has "loving kindness . . . towards the children of men"

(1 Nephi 19:9).He is the Liberator: There is no other head whereby ye can be made

free" (Mosiah 5:8).He is Loving: "He loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own

life" (2 Nephi 26:24).He is Obedient: Obedient unto the Father "in keeping his

commandments" (2 Nephi 31:7).He is the Resurrection: He brought to pass "the resurrection of the

dead, being the first that should rise" (2 Nephi 2:8).He is the Ruler: He rules "in the heavens above and in the earth

beneath" (2 Nephi 29:7).He is Sinless: He "suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the

temptation" (Mosiah 15:5).

. . . Now, my beloved brethren and sisters, let us read the Book of Mormon and be convinced that Jesus is the Christ. Let us continually reread the Book of Mormon so that we might more fully come to Christ, be committed to Him, centered in Him, and consumed in Him. [Ezra Taft Benson, "Come unto Christ," Ensign, November, 1987, pp. 83-85]

According to Susan Black, by earnestly seeking, we can discover that the Book of Mormon writers wrote primarily about our Savior. They wrote of him because of their conviction of his divinity, for they knew him. . . . He is so important to the Book of Mormon prophets that as they wrote their testimonies of the promised Messiah, they mentioned some form of his name on an average of every 1.7 verses. These prophetic scribes referred to Jesus Christ by, literally, 101 different names from the

first reference to him as "Lord" in 1 Nephi 1:1 to the final name in the Book of Mormon given him as "Eternal Judge" in Moroni 10:34. Each of the 101 names signified to the prophets a different attribute or characteristic of him and was used appropriately to convey their recognition of who he is and what his mission represents. As a result, his profound character, his singular mission, and his divine relationship to us are most clearly revealed. [Susan Easton Black, Finding Christ through the Book of Mormon, p. 5]

Note* Further research by Alan C. Miner has revealed more than 500 descriptive titles given for the Lord in the Book of Mormon. [See Appendix B] [See the commentary on 1 Nephi 1:1]

Title Page To the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ (Purpose) [Illustration]: Descriptive Titles for the Lord (Chronological); Descriptive Titles for the Lord (Alphabetical). [Alan C. Miner, "To the Convincing of the Jew and Gentile That Jesus Is the Christ"] [See Appendix B]

Title Page To the convincing of Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ (Illustration): Jesus the Christ. [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel Art, #240]

Title Page That Jesus Is the Christ:

The word "Christ" comes from a Greek word for "the anointed." Literally translated, the Hebrew "Messiah" or the Greek "Messias" also means "Anointed one." Thus Christ is the Anointed One. (See Psalms 2; Acts 4:23-30.)

According to Adam Clarke the name "Christ" points out the Saviour of the world in his prophetic, regal, and sacerdotal offices:

In ancient times, anointing was used on three occasions, viz. the installation of prophets, kings, and priests into their respective offices. . . . But why should such an anointing be deemed necessary? Because the common sense of men taught them that all good, whether spiritual or secular, must come from God, its origin and cause. Hence it was taken for granted, 1. That no man could foretell events unless inspired by the Spirit of God. And therefore the prophet was anointed, to signify the communication of the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge. 2. That no person could offer an acceptable sacrifice to God for the sins of men, or profitably minister in holy things, unless enlightened, influenced, and directed by the Spirit of grace and holiness. Hence the priest was anointed, to signify his being divinely qualified for the due performance of his sacred functions. 3. That no man could enact just and equitable laws; which should have the prosperity of the community and the welfare of the individual continually in view, or could use the power confided to him only for the suppression of vice and the encouragement of virtue, but that man who was ever under the inspiration of the Almighty. Hence kings were inaugurated by anointing with oil. . . . As no man was ever dignified by holding the three offices, so no person ever had the title, the anointed one, but Jesus the Christ. He alone is King of kings, and Lord of lords: the king who governs the universe and rules in the hearts of his followers; the prophet to instruct men in the way wherein they should go; and the great high priest, to make atonement for their sins. Hence he is called the Messias, a corruption of the word ha-mashiach, the anointed one, in Hebrew; which gave birth to ho Christos, which has precisely the same signification in Greek. [Adam Clarke, Clarke's Commentary: Matthew--Revelation, p. 371]

Title Page: [By Joseph Smith, Junior, Author and Proprietor]:

Brent Anderson and Diane Wirth note that some have suggested that Joseph Smith admitted that he was the author of the Book of Mormon because the title page of the first edition lists him as "Author and Proprietor." This language, however, comes from the federal copyright statutes and legal forms in use in 1829 (1 Stat. 125 [1790], amended 2 Stat. 171 [1802]). In the preface to the same 1830 edition, Joseph Smith stated that he translated Mormon's handwriting "by the gift and power of God." The position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has invariably been that the truth of Joseph Smith's testimony can be validated through the witness of the Holy Ghost. [D. Brent Anderson and Diane E. Wirth, "Authorship of the Book of Mormon," in To All the World: The Book of Mormon Articles from the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, (Daniel H. Ludlow editor), p. 15]