Today at the Grandin Press

Bob Lowe’s First Edition copy of the Book of Mormon

  Kathy and I are serving at the Grandin Press today. It’s pretty slow in February, so I’ve only done one tour today—a man from Kalamazoo, MI. He especially liked the first edition copy of the Book of Mormon we have displayed on the second floor. Here’s the story of that book.

   First off, the first edition of the Book of Mormon was printed here in this building. Joseph Smith asked the printer, E. B. Grandin to print 5,000 copies—hard leather bound. That was a surprise to Grandin, since most books were paperback then, and since most major print runs for books were less than 2,000 copies. Joseph knew that the Book of Mormon is a companion to the Bible, a second witness of Jesus Christ. He had been shown the future of this work, and knew that millions would be printed. He was definitely correct, the church announced in 2023 the 200 millionth copy printed—second only to the Bible.

   The first edition copy we have on the second floor was donated by a local historian, Bob Lowe, when he found out the church was restoring this building. He said he’d donate it if it would remain displayed in the Grandin Press here. Lowe was known to come here and sit for hours watching people ooh and aah over his book. He knew it was in a place where people would truly appreciate it. He was correct. He passed away in 2007.

   As I write this Kathy is giving a tour to a mother and daughter from American Fork, UT.

   We love, love, love these tours.