500 Little Known Facts

Much has been said about Martin Harris’ loss of his farm to pay for the printing of the Book of Mormon. What is less known is that although the farm was sold at auction in April 1831, supposedly to pay off the printer’s debt, the editor Pomeroy Tucker judged that Martin could have paid the bill from other resources. It should also be remembered that Martin had to dispose of his property anyway in making his move to Kirtland. And finally, in an interview given to a Utah missionary in 1853 about the loss of $3,000 dollars for publishing the Book of Mormon, Brother Harris replied, I never lost one cent. Mr. Smith paid me all that I advanced, and more too.

Reynolds, 1:436