| 83 It will be seen that the words, of which so much has been said by critics; viz., "By Joseph Smith, Junior, Author and Proprietor," are not a part of the record found on the plates, but are a modern addition.
The reason he is called the "author" is, doubtless, as set forth in the clerk's certificate quoted above, that he might be entitled to the rights of an author under the law.
Observe the words of the clerk: "Be it remembered, That on the eleventh day of June, in the fifty-third year of the Independence of the United States of America, A D. 1829, Joseph Smith, Jun. of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as author," etc.
This was his protection under the law, and by being known in law as the author, he was entitled to the rights of an author; and yet there was no deception, for in his "preface" to the book, which is given below, he fully explains what the work was and his relation to it. No one who reads should misunderstand his claim:-
"PREFACE.
"TO THE READER-
"As many false reports have been circulated respecting the following work, and also many unlawful measures taken by evil designing persons to destroy me, and also the work, I would inform you that I translated, by the gift and power of God, and caused to be written, one hundred and sixteen pages, the which I took from the Book of Lehi, which was an account abridged from the plates of Lehi, by the hand of Mormon; which said account, some person or persons have stolen and kept from me, notwithstanding my utmost exertions to recover it again-and being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the words, that they did read contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written; and if I should bring forth the same words again, or, in other words, if I should translate the same over again, they would publish that which they had stolen, and Satan would stir up the hearts of this generation,
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