In presenting Volumes 1 and 2 of Scrap Book of Mormon Literature, the
undersigned places within the reach of many of the saints a compilation
of religious tracts that have been used and distributed by the elders
of the Church in the performance of their missionary labors throughout
different nations of the earth. Some of these tracts are used at
present by the elders and have been instruments in the hands of the
Lord of bringing thousands to a knowledge of the faith. The same may be
said concerning those that are not now used, and which are contained
within the covers of these volumes, which were distributed by the
elders who labored as missionaries in various parts of the earth from
thirty to sixty years ago. A religious tract contains the condensed
thoughts upon the fundamental principles of the Gospel and the authors
of many of these valuable documents, who were active in the missionary
field more than half a century ago, are remembered among the brightest
minds the Church has produced, they have now passed behind the veil to
receive Eternal reward for their faithfulness. There are a few people
in the Church who have bound volumes of religious tracts, which they
have gathered together from time to time and which they prize beyond
the price of money. This can be said by the compiler of these volumes
and the appreciation of the few volumes of religious pamphlets which
he has gathered in many missionary fields, and had bound together,
conveyed to him the thought that many of the saints would appreciate
having within their reach such valuable volumes. There is scarcely a
man in the Church, who has performed missionary labors in his life, who
will not find in these volumes something that will remind him of his
missionary days, when canvassing from house to house distributing the
word of God; and no doubt will bring back fond recollections of his
missionary work. There are no better volumes than these for a family
to have within the reach of their children, to enable them to make
themselves acquainted with the fundamental doctrines of the Restored
Gospel of our Lord and Savior. These documents will be invaluable
to young men and ladies who are preparing themselves for future {4}
missionary work. The Seventies, whose special calling it is to carry
the Gospel abroad, will be benefited by perusing these pages. Many
of the saints, by studying them, will remember the days of their
conversion to the Gospel and will appreciate the manner in which they
are now preserved for future generations. In reading these pamphlets
one must understand that the Church has been a system of growth and
while we have not changed in any manner the originality of the tracts,
the reader will note that in giving the statistics the Church has had
a wonderful growth since the first issuance of the pamphlets. It has
been a labor of love upon the part of the compiler, who sincerely
hopes to produce another volume at some future date that will make the
compilation complete in every respect.
With a heart full of gratitude to God the Eternal Father for honoring
me as He has done, in permitting me to take part in the spread of the
Gospel, and praying His blessings upon those who may read the pages of
these volumes, I remain,
Yours faithfully,