Has the Church confirmed the release of the lost 116 pages of manuscript?

Question

Gramps,

Has the Church confirmed the release of the 116 pages of manuscript that Joseph Smith translated as being the Book of Lehi?

Solomon

Answer

Hello Solomon,

The Book of Lehi, the 116 pages translated by Joseph Smith, will probably never be received in our generation.  These pages were translated and then lost/stolen after Joseph Smith delivered them to Martin Harris. How these manuscripts were lost/stolen is speculative; although, Joseph (and some others) believed it to be a conspiracy between Lucy Harris and others.  When Joseph discovered the loss of this manuscript we are informed through revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 10):

Vs. 30-31, “Behold, I say unto you, that you shall not translate again those words which have gone forth out of your hands; For, behold, they shall not accomplish their evil designs in lying against those words. For, behold, if you should bring forth the same words they will say that you have lied and that you have pretended to translate, but that you have contradicted yourself.”

In light of this revelation to Joseph Smith, I would be very surprised if we received this portion of the Book of Mormon before the millennium. To directly answer your question, the Church has not made any announcement confirming any translation of the lost manuscripts.

Gramps