D & C 19 Publishing the Book of Mormon

Section 19 - Historical Background: After the completion of the translation of the gold plates, Joseph returned to Palmyra to hire a publisher to print the manuscript, but was rejected by publishers in both Palmyra and Rochester. However, in August, 1829, Martin Harris was able to convince Grandin to publish the book but only after Martin securred the printing with one of his farms. Joseph instructed Oliver Cowdery to make 2 copies of the manuscript, one to hold under security and the other to be presented to the publisher. Oliver gradually brought only 26 pages each day for the printer to typeset. Meanwhile, Joseph returned to Harmony to be with Emma. However, in the midst of the printing process in Palmyra, everything came to a sudden stop when Grandin became frightened. He discovered the people of Palmyra had made a pact among themselves to boycott purchasing the book altogether. Without sales, Grandin would not get paid. Under these dire circumstances, Hyrum pleaded with Joseph to return to Palmyra and seek direction from the Lord. This revelation is the result, directed most particularly to Martin Harris.

• Recap: Every person must repent or suffer, which suffering is endless. The Lord then explains the meaning of “endless suffering” and “eternal punishment.” He then describes how terrible the suffering will be unless they repent, in which case they need not suffer at all because Christ has already suffered for the repentant.
• The Lord then directs Martin Harris to teach repentance and not the deeper doctrines as of yet; do not covet, pray vocally and remain humble. He then directs Martin to pay the printer’s debt of $3,000 so the Book of Mormon can be published, and finally to rejoice and sing Hosanna, for the Lord has come!