The loss of the 116 pages is a noteworthy and rather unfortunate event in the early history of the Church. It took place around the summer of 1828.
Martin Harris, a close associate of Joseph Smith, was acting as a scribe for the translation of the Book of Mormon. Once the translation of the Book of Lehi (which comprised the first 116 pages of the golden plates) was finished, Martin asked Joseph Smith if he could take the pages to show his wife and family, hoping that it would help his wife, Lucy Harris, to believe in the divine nature of the project.1
Joseph initially was reluctant, but after Martin's repeated requests and after seeking divine approval three times, he let Martin take the pages. However, Martin was instructed to only show the pages to a few individuals and also make sure the pages were always safe.2
Unfortunately, the pages were lost while in Martin's care. He searched frantically for them but they were never found. The loss distressed Joseph greatly, and for a time, he lost the ability to translate.3
This experience taught Joseph a valuable lesson about the importance of following God's guidance consistently. It was also a humbling experience for Martin Harris, but it's important to note that despite this incident, Martin Harris remained a faithful witness of the Book of Mormon throughout his life. Based on a revelation received later (which is now Doctrine and Covenants section 10), Joseph was directed to not retranslate the lost part because of potential attempts by others to alter the lost pages and discredit the work. Instead, Joseph was guided to translate what is known as the small plates of Nephi, which covered the same period of history.4 The lost 116 pages were never recovered. On her deathbed, Lucy Harris denied having taken the 116 pages.5
