By Jerald and Sandra Tanner
In the first number of the Salt Lake City Messenger we furnished proof that the Mormon Church leaders are trying to suppress the photo-offset reprint of the Book of Commandments and the first edition of the Book of Mormon (these books are sold under the title Joseph Smith Begins His Works).
Although the Deseret Book Store (that is the Church bookstore) was ordered by the Church leaders not to sell these books, we stated that since the Mormon Church does not own Bookcraft that they could not stop the distribution of these books from that company. Recently, however, we were surprised to learn that Bookcraft was asked by the Church to remove these books from its list of books available. We also understand that Bookcraft has complied with the request and removed these books from the list. This does not mean that the Church has completely stopped the sale of these books, however, it is another step in that direction.
Modern Microfilm Company will try to supply these books as long as they are available.
The reason the Mormon Church is trying to suppress these books is that Joseph Smith’s revelations and the Book of Mormon have been changed since they were first printed.
Wilford Wood, the man who had these books reprinted, was very disturbed by the fact that the Church was trying to suppress his books. When we told him that the Church was trying to suppress his book, he wrote us a letter in which he stated:
I would like to know if you would permit me to use your letter to show it to President McKay or those responsible for stopping the sale of the book at the Deseret Book Company . . . anyone who is hurt from the original story of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the foundation of the Church upon which it is built will have to pay the consequences for pretending to love the Prophet Joseph Smith and working against him.
We understand that Wilford Wood met with the President of the Church but was unsuccessful in his attempt to get the restrictions removed from the sale of his book.
Originally appeared in:
Jerald and Sandra Tanner, “Continued Suppression,” Salt Lake City Messenger, no. 2, April 1965, 3.