Foundations of Faith
Treasures from the Historical Collections of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“Behold, there shall be a record kept among you” (Doctrine and Covenants 21:1). Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints build the foundations of their faith on Jesus Christ and the testimonies of His apostles and prophets. From its organization in 1830 to the present day, the Church has kept records of its history to help each generation see the hand of God and remember Him daily.
The items in this exhibit are priceless foundational records from the Church’s history that document its Restoration and growth throughout the earth. Among the records you will see here are early editions of modern scripture, personal records of modern prophets, and evidence of key developments in Church doctrine and organization.
Accounts of the First Vision
Joseph Smith Journal (1835)
In the fall of 1835, Joseph Smith recounted his First Vision to Robert Matthews, a visitor to Kirtland, Ohio.
Orson Pratt Pamphlet (1840)
Orson Pratt of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles authored the earliest published account of Joseph Smith’s First Vision of Deity in this pamphlet in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1840.
Joseph Smith History (1838)
Joseph Smith published two accounts of the First Vision during his lifetime. The first of these, known today as Joseph Smith—History, was canonized in the Pearl of Great Price and thus became the most well-known account.
Orson Hyde Pamphlet (1842)
Orson Hyde of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles published this account of Joseph Smith’s early visions in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1842.
Modern Scripture
Book of Mormon Original Manuscript (1829)
This page from the original Book of Mormon manuscript contains the story of Nephi trying to obtain the brass plates from Laban, found today in 1 Nephi 4:2–24.
Book of Mormon Printer’s Manuscript (1829)
Because 116 pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript had been lost a year earlier, Joseph and his associates were wary about the manuscript's safety.
Book of Mormon First Edition (1830)
The Book of Mormon was published in March 1830 in Palmyra, New York, under the direction of printer Egbert B. Grandin.
Book of Mormon Liverpool Edition (1841)
This copy of the Book of Mormon belonged to Mercy R. Fielding Thompson. It bears a note by her descendants that on the morning of June 24, 1844, her husband, Hyrum Smith, read from it before leaving Nauvoo with his brother Joseph for Carthage, Illinois.
Book of Commandments (1833)
The Book of Commandments was the first effort to publish in book form early revelations received by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Doctrine and Covenants First Edition (1835)
The Doctrine and Covenants was the second effort to publish in book form revelations received by Joseph Smith.
Egyptian Papyrus Fragment (Second Century B.C.)
In 1835 the Church acquired papyrus scrolls that had recently been discovered in Egypt.
Book of Abraham Facsimile Printing Plates (1842)
This lead plate was engraved by Reuben Hedlock as part of the printing of the book of Abraham in the Church’s newspaper The Times and Seasons.
Pearl of Great Price First Edition (1851)
Joseph Smith published two accounts of the First Vision during his lifetime. The first of these, known today as Joseph Smith—History, was canonized in the Pearl of Great Price and thus became the most well-known account.
Modern Prophets
Joseph Smith Letter (1839)
After three and a half months of unjust imprisonment in Liberty Jail, Joseph Smith wrote this letter to his wife, Emma, on March 21, 1839.
A Proclamation to the Saints Scattered Abroad (1841)
This early proclamation issued by the First Presidency invited Latter-day Saints to gather to Nauvoo.
Wilford Woodruff Journal (1847)
Wilford Woodruff was one of the most prolific diarists in Church history.
Letter from Liberty Jail (1839)
On March 20–25, 1839, after three and a half months of unjust imprisonment in Liberty Jail, Joseph Smith dictated a letter for members of the Church to scribes and fellow prisoners Alexander McRae and Caleb Baldwin.
Brigham Young Letter (1846)
View a copy of Brigham Young’s letter he wrote to his brother Joseph Young on March 9, 1846.
Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Joseph Smith Sr. License (1830)
Joseph Smith Sr. was one of the eight witnesses who saw and handled the gold plates, one of the earliest members of the Church, and one of those ordained to ministerial positions at the first general conference of the Church on June 9, 1830.
Lucy Mack Smith History (1845)
A few months after the deaths of her sons Joseph, Hyrum, and Samuel, Lucy Mack Smith began dictating the history of her life and family.
First Hymnal (1835)
Emma Smith was called by revelation to “make a selection of sacred hymns.”
Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book (1842)
The Relief Society was founded in Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store in Nauvoo.
Articles of the Young Ladies’ Retrenchment Association (1870)
In this charter for a young ladies’ society, the members pledged first and foremost “to sustain each other in doing good.”
A Call to Save Grain (1876)
In the fall of 1876, Emmeline B. Wells accepted Brigham Young’s assignment to lead Latter-day Saint women in a grain storage program.
Farmington Ward Primary Minute Book (1878)
Aurelia Spencer Rogers was named president of the Farmington Ward Primary at its inaugural meeting in 1878.
Gathering Israel
Temples
Architect’s Renderings of Nauvoo Temple (circa 1841–1845)
The distinctive design of the weather vane for the original Nauvoo Temple featured an angel with a trumpet.
Preliminary Sketch of Small Temple Floor Plan (1997)
The concept of small temples has greatly accelerated temple building in recent years.
