The Joseph Smith Papers

Extensive Repository of Church History to be Researched and Published

A 30-volume historical compilation of the origins and growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes errantly referred to as the "Mormon Church"), is currently in progress. Elder Marlin K. Jensen, Church Historian and Recorder refers to the Joseph Smith Papers Project "the most important Church history project of this generation", a project that, once completed, will appear on its own website: www.josephsmithpapers.org.([1]).

Endorsement from National Historical Publications and Records Commission

In 2007, a prominent division of the National Archives, the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, gave its endorsement to the project, which is now underway with dozens of scholars and researchers examining a plethora of over 2,000 documents written by Joseph and his scribes, and pertaining to the business transactions, early interactions of Church members, journal accounts, litigation, revelations, and other addenda in Church History.

Dean Jessee, a Church historian and scholar, has made the study of early Mormon history and Joseph's life his vocation for years, and serves as one of three general editors of the project, with Ronald K. Esplin acting as the managing editor of the project.

Writers and researchers will be working together at the Church headquarters; to this point they have been pooled in separate groups at the Joseph Fielding Smith building on the BYU campus and, as well, at the Church offices. [2]