E.B. Grandin Building

The E. B. Grandin Building was the location where the Book of Mormon was originally published and it was sold here for the first time on March 26, 1830. E.B. Grandin refused to publish the book at first, but was reassured that this was merely a business matter and that he wouldn't be associated with the religion. E.B. Grandin had been prepared for this particular event in his life though by purchasing a new updated version of the printing press right before he was approached about this transaction.


Oliver Cowdery made a second transcription of the Book of Mormon to ensure that the printer used a copy and not the original. However, for the section between Helaman 13 through Mormon it appears as though the original translation was used.4 Each day, the transcribed copy was carried from the Smith's Log Cabin to the printer in the morning and then carried back to the log cabin that evening.5

John H. Gilbert, the chief typesetter, wrote a description of the printing of the Book of Mormon in 1892 when he was 90 years old.6

In 1978, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased the building from Paul Cherry. It was later dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley on March 26, 1998 as the Book of Mormon Historic Publication Site.


After Martin Harris wrote down what Joseph translated, Joseph asked Oliver Cowdery to make a second transcription of the Book of Mormon to ensure that the printer used a copy and not the original. So, one of these original copies was in the possession of the LDS church, but it was destroyed by water damage. The other copy is actually in the hands of the Church of Christ and they let our church make a copy of it.

So, I should have opened my mouth and asked...but why in the world does the Church of Christ have this, how did they obtain it and WHY would they want to keep it? Weird.



The printing of the Book of Mormon happened mainly in the 3rd floor of the E.B. Grandin Building. The missionary that took us on the tour showed us every detail that went into making one Book of Mormon and it was a lengthy, tedious process. This is a picture of a replica printing press. The original printing press is actually in the Church History Building in Salt Lake City, Utah. I don't really understand why they wouldn't have the original in the actual building it was used in, but I am assuming SLC brings in more tourist than Palmyra, NY.


E.B. Grandin helped to make 5000 Books of Mormon. Here is an original...yowza!