[MORMONS]. SMITH, Joseph (1804-1844).?The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi??Palmyra: Printed by E. B. Gradin, for the Author, 1830. 8vo. 588, [1, ?Testimony of Three Witnesses], [1, ?And Also the Testimony of Eight Witnesses"] pp. Approximately 7 ? x 4 ?". Bound in near contemporary full calf, spine ruled in gilt, dark green gilt morocco lettering label (binding worn, soiled, scuffed, front board near upper corner restored earlier, ffep. missing, hinges cracking, text toned, soiled, wrinkled, with intermittent creasing, dampstaining, p. 153/154 with small (pin-hole sized) hole at upper edge with no loss to text, several gutters overopened or starting). Still, very good.FIRST EDITION OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, THE MOST IMPORTANT RELIGIOUS BOOK PUBLISHED IN NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICA. Chemised in modern slipcase, with the ownership bookplate and inkstamps on inner chemise of ?J. Eastman Hatch," (1894-1984), a prominent Utah businessman and bibliophile. Hatch was the son-in-law to Charles W. Nibley (1849-1931), who was a successful businessman as well as a member of the LDS Church's First Presidency from 1925 until his death. The Book of Mormon is Joseph Smith's translation (although Smith is referred to ?Author and Proprietor" on the title-page, later editions refer to him as ?Translator") of the golden plates shown to him by the angel Moroni on the hill of Cumorah, near Manchester, NY. This foundational text was printed only two weeks before the Mormon Church was officially established. This copy has the ?Testimony" leaf at the end (not all copies have this leaf), which attests that the eleven men had seen the plates that Smith had shown to them (which are no longer to be found). Egbert B. Grandin, publisher of the Wayne Sentinel, undertook the task of publishing this large (5,000 copies) edition for Smith. Smith ?? delivered a few pages at a time to the typesetter, who supplied all the punctuation and paragraphing?" (Crawley and Flake). It is interesting to note that this first edition of this Mormon Bible forbade polygamy, but later editions changed this stance. Crawley 1. Flake 595. Howes S623. Sabin 83038.Measurements: 10 ?L x 7" W x 2"H.