For the first time in the history of the Church, this text assembles together into one handy volume the great majority of Joseph's first-person journal entries which are scattered throughout the seven-volume History of the Church among letter, revelations, notes, and numerous other documents. There has been no attempt to edit or condense any of Joseph's writings, although for the sake of brevity some entries of little historical significance have been omitted. Nothing of doctrinal or controversial nature has been left out.