How a 19th-century pamphlet became a pillar of Mormon doctrine

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: What began as a collection of pamphlets published in Liverpool in 1851 evolved into a cornerstone of Latter-day Saint theology. From controversial Egyptian papyri to the foundational Articles of Faith, this text shapes the identity of the movement and remains a subject of intense scholarly and religious debate.

The Pearl of Great Price is a central part of the Standard Works for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Originally compiled by Franklin D. Richards in 1851, the collection was later revised and formally canonized by the Church in 1880. It contains diverse texts, including the Book of Moses, the Book of Abraham, and Joseph Smith–History, which recounts early events like the First Vision.

The Book of Abraham has been a particular source of tension. Joseph Smith claimed the text was a translation of ancient Egyptian papyri he acquired from a mummy exhibition. However, when fragments of these papyri were rediscovered in 1966—after being thought lost in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire—Egyptologists identified them as common funerary texts from approximately the first century BC. These findings revealed that the papyri bore no resemblance to Smith’s translation, sparking ongoing debate between critics and Mormon apologists.

Beyond the Book of Abraham, the collection introduces unique theological concepts, such as the idea that God organizes pre-existing elements to create the universe rather than creating it ex nihilo. It also provides the textual basis for several core doctrines, including the practice of gathering and the concept of a passible God. While most Latter-day Saint denominations view the text as authoritative, other sects, such as the Community of Christ, do not consider the Book of Abraham to be a religious text.

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