We see today the beautifully and authentically restored
Grandin Building situated in Palmyra, New York.
The restoration of the Grandin Building had as its objective
to maintain the historical integrity of the building
while allowing the visitor to be enveloped in the
history of the time.
This is where the first edition of the Book of Mormon
was printed,
with the number of copies in this first edition totaling
5,000, an unusually large order for the
rural printing business.
Mr. E. B. Grandin had acquired a Smith patented improved
press for New York.
The press featured new technology over the common
presses of the day and offered the Prophet Joseph
Smith the prospects of printing the Book of Mormon
closer to his home.
Let's turn back the pages of history that we might more
fully appreciate one of civilization's greatest
wonders, namely the advent of movable type.
Before Gutenberg discovered the possibilities of movable type,
everything was printed with a quill pen, letter by letter,
line by line, page by page.
It was movable type from which Mr. Grandin
printed the Book of Mormon.
It was tediously composed by the hands of a skilled
compositor who learned from memory and experience every
typeface, font, and size available.
After the page was formed it was inked and printed and then
was available for binding.
The Lord brought forth the Book of Mormon at a period of
time when printing methods would enhance its distribution
far and wide.
Modern-day printing presses now enable the Church to print
and distribute many millions of copies of the Book of
Mormon each year.
May I share with you an experience I had many years
ago in the southern area of the United States?
When, after a stake conference, a woman came forward and
asked, "Do you know Elder Delbert L. Stapley?"
I replied that he and I were Apostles of the Lord, serving
together in the Master's work.
She then handed me a copy of the Book of Mormon which contained
an inscription and the signature
of Delbert L. Stapley.
She indicated the volume had been given to her grandmother
when Elder Stapley was a young missionary.
She added, "Could you present this book to Elder Stapley,
and tell him hundreds of my grandmother's descendants have
been converted by this volume?
And they in turn conveyed the message of the Book of Mormon
to others." I presented that signed copy of the Book of
Mormon to Elder Stapley.
He listened attentively.
When I explained where and how it had been given to me,
quietly he examined his signature and said, "This is
one of the happiest days of my life." It is my personal
testimony that the Book of Mormon changes human lives.
It is indeed another testament of Jesus Christ.
What a privilege to be here at the Hill Cumorah and to
reflect on the momentous events that unfolded on
September 22, 1827, when a plowboy prophet took a horse
and wagon and in the dark of night rode to this hill, where
he received an ancient record from the angel Moroni.
In a remarkably short time, this untutored young man
translated a record detailing 1,000 years of history and
then prepared the Book of Mormon for public
distribution.
The way of Joseph Smith was not without mean-spirited
criticism or monumental effort.
Joseph did not wilt, nor did he waiver.
He later declared, "By the wisdom of God, the plates
remained safe in my hands until I had accomplished by
them what was required.
When according to arrangements the messenger called for them,
I delivered them up to him."
This beautiful area of God's garden attracts literally
millions of visitors,
most of whom come to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant.
The visitor often comes with an attitude of curiosity.
He or she departs with a soul touched by the
Spirit of the Lord.
The Book of Mormon is a new witness of Jesus Christ. Its
message spans the entire earth and brings its readers to a
knowledge of truth.
It answers that piercing, universal question, best
phrased by Job of old, "If a man die, shall he live again?"
Many years ago I was called to the bedside of Robert
Williams, a young man who lay dying.
His wife and their two children stood nearby.
We were all trying to be brave, but tears were in our eyes.
Robert asked me, "Where does my spirit go when I die? " I
offered a silent prayer.
I noticed on his bedside table a copy of the triple
combination.
I reached for the book and fanned the pages.
Suddenly I discovered that I had, with no effort on my
part, stopped at the 40th chapter of Alma
in the Book of Mormon.
I read these words to Robert.
"Behold it has been made known to me by an angel that the
spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this
mortal body, yea the spirits of all men, whether they be
good or evil, are taken home to that God
who gave them life.
And the spirits of those who are righteous are received
into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a
state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest
from all their troubles, and from all care and sorrow."
As I continued to read about the Resurrection, a glow came
to Robert's face.
A smile graced his lips.
And his tired and ill body slept.
I said goodbye to his wife and children.
I next saw them at Robert Williams' funeral.
In those precious corridors of memory, I think back to that
night when a young man pleaded for truth and from the Book
of Mormon heard the answer to his question.
I read the words, but God turned the pages.
Yes, our Heavenly Father does answer prayers
in His own time and in His own way.
I bear an apostolic witness that Jesus is the Savior of the
world and that He and His Father appeared to the Prophet
Joseph Smith to usher in this dispensation of the fulness
of times, and so declare in His holy name, the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.