5RR translated by Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City Utah, 1921. Inscribed by the Prophet Heber J. Grant

Notes

The translation and printing of the Book of Mormon is a foundational event in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. According to church doctrine, Joseph Smith, the founder of the LDS Church, translated the Book of Mormon from a set of golden plates he claimed to have found in 1827 near his home in Palmyra, New York. Smith translated the text through divine inspiration, using seer stones and dictating the translation to scribes. The translation process took about three years, and the first edition of the Book of Mormon was published in 1830 in Palmyra by E. B. Grandin, a local printer. The book was immediately significant to the founding of the LDS Church, as it became its primary scripture alongside the Bible, and its translation was seen by believers as a miraculous event that restored lost Christian truths.

The 1921 printing of the Book of Mormon was a significant milestone in the history of the text, as it marked the first major revision since its original publication in 1830. This edition was produced under the direction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and included changes to clarify language, improve grammar, and standardize the text. One of the most notable aspects of the 1921 edition was the removal of the "lectures on faith," a series of doctrinal essays that had been included in earlier editions but were no longer considered central to the church’s teachings. The revision aimed to make the Book of Mormon more accessible and aligned with the evolving theological understanding within the LDS Church, reflecting a more polished and modernized version of the text. The 1921 printing helped solidify the Book of Mormon as the central scripture for Latter-day Saints, ensuring its clarity and consistency in doctrinal teaching and broadening its accessibility to members worldwide.

Heber J. Grant was the seventh president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving from 1918 until his death in 1945. Born in 1856, Grant was a prominent figure in the early 20th century church and played a key role in its growth and development. He was known for his dedication to work, personal righteousness, and strong leadership, guiding the church through a period of financial recovery, expansion, and increased emphasis on education. Grant was instrumental in implementing a program of church welfare and self-sufficiency, and he was also deeply involved in the church’s focus on strengthening the importance of family, self-reliance, and maintaining doctrinal purity. Under his leadership, the LDS Church saw substantial growth both in the United States and internationally, and he also worked to establish a more professional and organized structure for church administration. His presidency is often remembered for its focus on practical aspects of church life and its commitment to the spiritual and temporal welfare of the church members.

Description

Black pebbled leather limp binding. Gilt lettering on the spine. Inscription on second black leaf. All gilt edges. Housed in a black clamshell with gilt lettering on the spine and a gold ribbon tab. Very fine condition.