Joseph Smith Papers: Histories, 1832-1844, Vol. 1

Read Joseph Smith's history as told by Joseph Smith himself. Winner of the Best Documentary Editing/Bibliography Award from the Mormon History Association in 2013.

This book presents the six personal and church histories written, dictated, or closely supervised by Joseph Smith, founder and first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book includes accounts of Smith's foundational spiritual experiences, including his first vision of Deity, the ministering of the angel Moroni to him, the discovery of the gold plates and translation of the Book of Mormon, and the bestowal of priesthood authority.

Other histories in this volume give a day-by-day account of the mid-1830s in Kirtland, Ohio, and Joseph Smith's narration of the "Mormon War" and the events leading up his imprisonment in Missouri. Also included is Joseph Smith's original summary of church beliefs and practices, later known as the Articles of Faith.