Thursday, September 24, 2009

Joseph Smith Papers: Revelations and Translations, an evening with the editors


 

BENCHMARK BOOKS

3269 So. Main Street, Suite 250

Salt Lake City, UT  84115

Phone: 800-486-3112, (801) 486-3111

Email: benchmarkbooks@integra.net

 

 

 

SPEND AN EVENING WITH THE EDITORS

 

           We are thrilled to announce the publication of the long-awaited THE JOSEPH SMITH PAPERS: REVELATIONS AND TRANSLATIONS, MANUSCRIPT REVELATION BOOKS, edited by Robin Scott Jensen, Robert J. Woodford, and Steven C. Harper, published by The Church Historian's Press, 2009. Two of the volume editors will be speaking about the Joseph Smith Papers project and this volume in particular during a special book signing event. Due to the large number of people expected to attend, this event will NOT be held at our store, but rather at the Columbus Center*, 2531 South 400 East in South Salt Lake, on Thursday, October 1, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The editors will speak at 6:00 and answer questions from the audience, signing books before and after that time.

                This new volume is the second overall in the Joseph Smith Papers, but is the first of the Revelations and Translation series which will provide transcripts of many of the earliest manuscripts of Joseph Smith's written revelations and translations, together with reproductions of editions of these documents that were published during his lifetime. This beautiful oversize book (xliii + 707 pp., 9" x 12," weighing 8 pounds!) contains, for the first time ever, the full texts of the original manuscript books, "Book of Commandments and Revelations" and "Book of Revelations" (more commonly called the "Kirtland Revelation Book"), now renamed "Revelation Book 1" and "Revelation Book 2." They are presented in their entirety in full color facsimiles of the original documents, as they appear today, with complete transcriptions in parallel columns. These manuscripts served as most of the original source material for the earliest publications of Joseph Smith's revelations in The Evening and the Morning Star, the 1833 A Book of Commandments, and 1835 Doctrine and Covenants, and in most cases, are the earliest extant revelation texts. The facsimiles clearly show the manuscripts and all corrections and revisions of any kind made to them, and the editors identify the handwriting of the various scribes. Introductions to the series and this volume provide helpful background information on how Joseph Smith received the original revelations and how they were recorded, transcribed, compiled, and finally published.

                James H. Hutson, Chief of Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, calls this volume "a model of documentary editorial practices. . . . The editors have taken pains to present the subject matter with objectivity, with the result that the volume will be a valuable resource for non-Mormon scholars and readers as well as for Joseph Smith's present followers and admirers." Philip Barlow, Professor of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University, notes that "in certain respects this is analogous to our hypothetically gaining access to copies of first-century versions of the earliest biblical manuscripts. With the appearance of this new volume, serious students of the Mormon prophet and of Mormon scripture are more free than ever before to contemplate the development of the revelations' composition and publication."

                We hope you will be able to attend this exciting event which is sure to be fascinating and informative, but, if you can't and would like to have books signed or personalized, we will be happy to take prepaid orders and either hold or ship them to you. Please note that all of our copies of the "Revelations" volume are first printings, signed by all three volume editors.

 

                JSP: Revelations and Translations, Manuscript Revelation Books                    $99.95

                JSP: Journals, Volume 1 (not 1st printing, not signed)                                                 $49.95

(Note: those who subscribe to the series through us may deduct 10% discount on the prices shown, $10 and $5 respectively; please inquire if you are not already a subscriber.)

               

Because of the hefty size and weight of this book, the shipping and handling charges are more than normal, as follows: (1) Media mail: $8 for 1st copy, $4 for ea. add'l (add $1 for delivery confirmation). {2) Priority mail: $12 (1 copy—add'l, inquire). (3) UPS: $14 (1 copy). Insurance extra and recommended.

               

*The Columbus Center (adjoining the Columbus Branch Library) can best be reached by going east on 2700 So. (entering from State Street) to 400 East and turning left (north), parking in the large parking lot at 2531, just west of the Columbus Center. Enter the west door, walk down the hall, turn left and enter the auditorium on your left.

Benchmark Books
3269 So. Main Street, Suite 250
Salt Lake City, UT  84115
801-486-3111
801-486-3452 (fax)
800-486-3112 (orders only)
Hours:  Mon. - Fri., 10-6; Sat., 10-5


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