'WHAT THOU SEEST, WRITE IN A BOOK "-REV 1: 11. THE HISTORICAL RECORD A MONTHLY PERIODICAL. Devoted Exclusively to Historical, Biographical, Chronological 5-8 VOLUMES V, VI, VII AND VIII. CHURCH ENCYCLOPÆDIA, BOOK I. EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY ANDREW JENSON. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. PREFACE. When the author of this work, in 1886, began the publication of the HISTORICAL RECORD, it was his intention during the following four years to give the public a work of reference on Church history, covering the entire period from the Prophet Joseph Smith's birth to the present time. This could have been accomplished by the adoption of a uniform system of brevity throughout; but having to rely on public patronage, in order to make the undertaking a possibility from a financial standpoint, it was found necessary, as the work proceeded, to deviate somewhat from the original plan, and enter more deeply and minutely into matters pertaining to early Church history, which seemed to be of special interest to a majority of readers. Consequently, the four volumes, now completed, will be found to treat mostly upon matters pertaining to the progress of the Church previous to the location of its headquarters in Utah, and the narration of more modern incidents is reserved for a future work. In offering these volumes to the public, the author is aware that he has presented, in the shape of a monthly magazine, something different from anything previously issued from the press, and that, by having entered a hitherto nearly untrodden field, he has labored under many disad vantages; but he has endeavored to be accurate and plain in all statements, and has only sought such sources of information as were considered perfectly reliable. In arranging the several articles with a special view to making the entire work a book of reference, care has been taken to compile under the same headings such matter as might be considered kindred in nature; and by the assistance of the index, which, under the caption of Church Encyclopædia, has been made full and complete, the reader will be able to find any information the work contains in a very few moments. If the Latter-day Saints, to whom this work is respectfully dedicated, will read it under the influence of the same spirit that prompted the author write and compile it, he will be fully satisfied with the result. Respectfully, ANDREW JENSON. |