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Book of Mormon — Lost 116 Pages

Martin Harris was instrumental to the Book of Mormon. He was:

• A Book of Mormon witness
• Joseph’s scribe for the first 116 pages
• Financer of its first printing



Martin’s Skeptical Wife

Joseph Smith allowed Martin to bring home the first 116 pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript to show to his skeptical wife. She was concerned that he was being gullible with his investment in the project. The manuscript went missing in Martin’s home.
• Joseph’s mother recorded this event.


Martin Harris, having written some one hundred and sixteen pages for Joseph, asked permission of my son to carry the manuscript home with him, in order to let his wife read it, as he hoped it might have a salutary effect upon her feelings.... After leaving Joseph he arrived at home with the manuscript in safety. Soon after he exhibited the manuscript to his wife and family.... When Joseph sent for him, he went immediately to the drawer where he had left it, but, behold it was gone! He asked his wife where it was. She solemnly averred that she did not know anything respecting it.

— Lucy Mack Smith Joseph Smith’s mother Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith, pp. 117-123

• If Joseph truly translated from the gold plates, then we would expect him to be able to reproduce another nearly identical translation.
• However, if Joseph was just making the story up, then he could only rehash major themes of the 116 pages, but not the finer details from memory.



Joseph Smith’s Response

Joseph needed a way to reproduce his story without all of the details, for fear of being exposed as a fraud.
• His solution was to claim that God had forbidden him from producing a second translation, citing the risk of the original being altered and used against him.
• Lucy recorded Joseph’s explanation.


There is no doubt but Mrs. Harris took it from the drawer, with the view of retaining it, until another translation should be given, then, to alter the original translation, for the purpose of showing a discrepancy between them, and thus make the whole appear to be a deception.
	— Lucy Mack Smith Joseph Smith’s mother Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith, p. 123

• Joseph then claimed that the Book of Mormon narrators left a second, less detailed record, that conveniently covered the same period as the missing 116 pages! Joseph would translate from these plates—called the ‘Small Plates of Nephi’—and revert back to the more detailed large plates when he was caught up.



1830 Book of Mormon Preface

The original 1830 Book of Mormon included this preface explaining the lost 116 pages. It was removed in subsequent editions.



TO THE READER—           As many false reports have been circulated respecting the following work, and also many unlawful measures taken by evil designing persons to destroy me, and also the work, I would inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon; which said account, some person or persons have stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exertions to recover it again—and being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the words, that they did read contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should translate the same over again, they would publish that which they had stolen, and Satan would stir up the hearts of this generation, that they might not receive this work: but behold, the Lord said unto me, I will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish his evil design in this thing: therefore thou shalt translate from the plates of Nephi, until ye come to that which ye have translated, which ye have retained; and behold ye shall publish it as the record of Nephi; and thus I will confound those who have altered my words. I will not suffer that they shall destroy my work; yea, I will shew unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the Devil. Wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, I have, through his grace and mercy, accomplished that which he hath commanded me respecting this thing. I would also inform you that the plates of which hath been spoken, were found in the township of Manchester, Ontario county, New-York. THE AUTHOR

— Joseph Smith Mormonism founder Book of Mormon (1830), Preface