Here permit me to give a brief history of the translation of the Bible, the compilations, &c.

The Scriptures at first were pure and plain, written in Hebrew, on parchment, as the several Seers, Patriarchs, and Prophets received them from the Almighty; but it was a great elapse of time before any portion of them were compiled. They were handed down from the Fathers from the beginning to Abraham, he being a lawful heir to the Priesthood and promises, “the Record fell into his hands,” containing an account of the planet Kolob, the Celestial Residence, the Organization of Intelligences, Election of Great and Noble Spirits in the Eternal Worlds for God’s Rulers on the Earth, Fall of Lucifer, and the spirits “which kept not their first estate,” Organization of this Globe, Fall of Adam, Plan of Salvation, Promise of the Only Begotten, Order of the Priesthood, Celestial Astronomy, History of Enoch, Noah, and the Flood, the first settlement of the land of Egypt, Cause of idolatry, Canaanites, &c., &c. . . .

But thanks and praise be given to Him who rules on high and sways the destinies of men; He has spoken from the heavens in these days, raised up a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, who has by commandment and the aid of the Urim and Thummim, and the power of inspiration, translated and brought back and restored “the most plain and precious things” that have been taken away by uninspired men, under the authority of a corrupt and apostate church, so that the Saints of Latter-days know, understand, and comprehend truth from error, and the inspiration of the Almighty from the wisdom of men.