Books

A single leaf, pp. 423/24, of the first edition of "The Book of Mormon." The leaf measures 11.5 cm x 18.5 cm. This page is from the Book of Helaman. The Book of Helaman is named after the third Helaman mentioned in The Book of Mormon. This Helaman, the son of the second Helaman (a prophet and military leader), was a record keeper and chief judge in the land of Zarahelma. The book of Helaman depicts the Nephites fluctuating between righteousness and wickedness more frequently than at any other time in their history. "The book relates multiple instances of dissension, war, murder, and secret combinations. It also introduces and describes the activities of the Gadianton robbers, whose works of darkness eventually brought about the destruction of the Nephites (see Helaman 2:13-14). The book of Helaman is also unique because it describes a period when 'the more part' of the Lamanites were converted and 'their righteousness did exceed that of the Nephites' (Helaman 6:1). Additionally, it demonstrates the power God gives to His prophets, such as when Nephi received the sealing power from the Lord and then exercised it to induce and revoke a famine (see Helaman 10-11). Furthermore, in its preservation of the words of Samuel, this book contains the only record of a sermon of a Lamanite prophet delivered to the Nephites (see Helaman 13-15). In this sermon, Samuel prophesied the signs of the birth and death of Jesus Christ." - from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (website). A leaf from the first edition of The Book of Mormon, a highly sought after book by historical, religious and Mormon book collectors alike. Crawley I: 1. Flake/Draper 595. Bibliothica Scallawagiana 230. Howes S 631. Mormon 50: 1. Auerbach 1168. Sabin 83088.

The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published by Joseph Smith in 1830.