The Encyclopedia of Mormonism is being promoted by its New York publisher as "a landmark reference work." The first copies of the encyclopedia are off the press and available for purchase.

The encyclopedia, according to its publisher and board of editors, is not an official publication of the Church. Daniel H. Ludlow, editor-in-chief, emphasized that the encyclopedia is not intended as a substitute for the scriptures, other official publications of the Church or doctrines as taught by the apostles and prophets. No member of the Church, he pointed out, should feel he or she must purchase the encyclopedia in order to understand the gospel."The encyclopedia will be of special help to new members in adopting the heritage and perspectives of the Church of which they are now a part," he said.

According to the preface, "Established members will also be well served by the concise presentations of history, scriptures, doctrine and practices that are at the heart of the encyclopedia.

"But lest the role of the encyclopedia be given more weight than it deserves, the editors would like to make it clear that those who have written and edited have only tried to explain their understanding of Church history, doctrines and procedures; their statements and opinions remain their own. In no sense does the encyclopedia have the force and authority of scripture."

Published by Macmillan Publishing Company of New York and consisting of 1,200 articles by 738 writers, the encyclopedia is described by its editors as the most comprehensive reference work ever published about the Church.

The contract author of the encyclopedia is listed as Brigham Young University, with Brother Ludlow as editor-in-chief of a 13-member board of editors. Elders Neal A. Maxwell and Dallin H. Oaks of the Council of the Twelve and members of BYU's board of trustees, were advisers to the project. The joint effort between BYU and Macmillan began in 1987.

Elder Maxwell said: "Those working on the encyclopedia were told that usually an encyclopedia could not be produced in less than 10 years. They did it in one-half the time. Usually about 70 authors contribute to an encyclopedia. For the Encyclopedia of Mormonism there were more than 700 authors, about 10 times the usual number for a work of this size. In fact, there were so many authors in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism that it put an increased burden on the editors, who were told the project wouldn't work with so many authors, but that was also accomplished.

"We're grateful to have such a prestigious publisher as Macmillan. The work of Daniel Ludlow and the senior and supervising editors was outstanding, and we're grateful for all the women and men who contributed.

"As a reference work and accurate information base about the Church, this encyclopedia will be very helpful and informative to people all over the world."

Elder Oaks said: "We are delighted that at last we have an authentic source, prepared by knowledgeable scholars and other authorities, for reference on a multitude of different questions people have about the Church and its members. This should increase personal understanding and the accuracy of references in the media and official and other public reports. We compliment the editors and writers on a great achievement."

BYU Provost Bruce C. Hafen said: "The very idea of compiling the first encyclopedic treatment of Mormonism was full of complications and uncertainties. In addition, this isn't, and wasn't intended to be, an official Church publication. BYU as a university was the contracting party with Macmillan Publishing Company. But through an unusually cooperative relationship with the publisher, the quiet but effective advice of our General Authority advisers, the tireless but thoroughly competent work of a superb editorial team, and the impressive effort of more than 700 authors, a historic project has been completed.

"I believe the encyclopedia will be a continuing blessing not only to the Church but also to the vast worldwide audience for whom the absence of complete information has obscured the light of the gospel."

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism has four volumes and includes pictures, maps, charts, appendices, indices, and a glossary. A fifth volume, which is essentially the triple combination of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, is also available by special order from Macmillan Publishing Company. Brother Ludlow said the fifth volume was added because there are so many references throughout the encyclopedia that refer to scriptures found in the triple combination. Without the fifth volume, most readers who are not LDS wouldn't have access to those scriptures. The publisher and board of editors assume most readers already have access to the King James edition of the Bible, so it is not included.

Brother Ludlow, former director of correlation review for the Church, noted that the encyclopedia has as its primary audience those who are interested in learning more about the Church.

"It has been assumed that the average reader of the encyclopedia would have little, if any, familiarity with the Church," he said. "Thus, needed background on the history, doctrine, scripture, culture, and practice of the Church has been provided within the articles themselves and in the several items included in the appendices. Writers were asked to write at the educational level of a high school graduate-beginning college student."

He further said, "No account of the growth and position of the Church has yet been published in the detail and thoroughness presented in this encyclopedia.

"Many legends and misconceptions have arisen as to what Latter-day Saints believe and teach. This encyclopedia provides a good forum for Latter-day Saints themselves, and for others who have considered and studied the Latter-day Saint position, to explain what they believe, and why."

The encyclopedia contains articles on the history, scripture, doctrine, practice and procedure of the Church. Included are entries on Joseph Smith and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon; the history of the Church; and the distinctive LDS outlook on business, health, family, and faith.

Nearly 250 articles explain the doctrines of the Church, with special emphasis on basic principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Twenty-four articles are clustered under the title "Jesus Christ," and another 16 include His name in the title or relate directly to His divine mission and atonement.

Brother Ludlow explained some of the criteria for selecting topics and how extensively they should be treated in the encyclopedia. He said, "the board of editors tried to place themselves respectively in the frame of mind of interested non-Mormons, recent converts, and established members of the Church. We asked: `What questions might these groups have about the Church, and what topics would they like to have discussed?' Potentially controversial issues presented themselves very early, and it was decided to include them and to treat them as objectively and fairly as possible.

"The best possible contributors were sought for each article, whether members of the Church or not. The non-Mormons selected to prepare articles were nearly all professionals, whereas members of the Church were selected to write on the basis of their expertise, not on whether they were professionals."

Elly Dickason, editor and chief of the Macmillan Reference Division, explained that Macmillan is continually publishing specialized encyclopedias and has a strong record in the humanities - social sciences, history and religion. She said the idea for publishing the Encyclopedia of Mormonism came after Macmillan published a 16-volume work on religions in 1987; some of the people Macmillan worked with on that project were LDS.

"We thought it [the Encyclopedia of Mormonism] would be a worthwhile project to do," she said.

She explained that Macmillan sells basically only to high school, college, university and public libraries. The company, she said, usually does not sell through book stores. However, by special arrangement the four-volume set of the Encyclopedia of Mormonism is being sold for $249 through the BYU bookstore, which, in turn, makes the set available to other booksellers. Inquiries concerning the purchase of the encyclopedia may be directed to the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 117 HRCB, BYU, Provo, Utah 84601; telephone (801) 378-4882.