“Behold Thou Art Hyrum My Son”: The Story of “The Lost Manuscript” of Section 11

Over the past two decades I’ve seen some pretty spectacular books, documents and artifacts pertaining to early Mormon history. I’ve had the privilege of holding in my hands copies of the Book of Mormon that belonged to the prophet Joseph Smith and his brothers Hyrum and Samuel.  I’ve looked through Wilford Woodruff’s reading glasses–and read each of the 805 verses that he marked in his 1876 copy of the Doctrine and Covenants.  I’ve held Jacob Whitmer’s seer stone in my hand.  And, I’ve held and read the earliest known handwritten copy of what is now Section 11 of the Doctrine and Covenants.  I think that most readers would be surprised to learn that the previously-mentioned treasures are currently owned by private individuals and are not part of the collections held by the LDS Church or one of the Utah universities.

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