This publication would not have been possible without the assistance of several individuals. Without the encouragement and support of M. Gerald Bradford, the director of research at the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, this publication would never have seen the light of day. Clark Gee, Brian M. Hauglid, Matthew Roper, Brian L. Smith, John A. Tvedtnes, and my wife, Kathleen, have provided important feedback. Wendy H. Christian, Alison V. P. Coutts, and Angela Clyde of the FARMS editorial staff have been unfailingly helpful in preparing the manuscript for publication. I would also like to thank Carmen Cole for helping make the charts readable; Julie A. Dozier, Paula W. Hicken, Linda M. Sheffield, and Sandra A. Thorne for proofreading the manuscript; Rebecca Sterrett for producing the maps; and Bjorn Pendleton for designing the volume. My sincere appreciation also goes to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for permission to publish pictures of the Joseph Smith Papyri and the Kirtland Egyptian Papers, which reside in their archives, and to whom the intellectual property rights of these materials belong.