The book is exactly what the title says it is - the personal journal or diary of Joseph Smith Junior. It does not contain the usual interpretations and opinions of scholars, theologians, and historians, but Joseph's own account of his revelations, persecutions, disappointments, accomplishments and day-to-day happenings.
Joseph dictated most of his journal entries to scribes including his wife Emma, Oliver Cowdery, Willard Richards and others. The original documents are in the archives of the historical department of the Church in Salt Lake.
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 among letters, revelations, footnotes 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.
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