You’re trying to pack for a cross-country move or maybe just a long hike. Space is tight. Every ounce matters. You want your scriptures, but that hefty "quad" combination—the one with the leather cover and the thumb indexes—is basically a brick. This is exactly where the mini Book of Mormon enters the chat.
It’s small. Really small. We’re talking roughly 3 by 5 inches for the standard pocket versions, or even smaller if you’re looking at custom artisan builds.
Honestly, there’s something almost tactile and nostalgic about a tiny book. It feels less like a textbook and more like a personal companion. In a world where everyone is staring at a glowing blue screen to read their verses, a physical, palm-sized book feels like a quiet rebellion. It’s a way to disconnect from the notifications while staying connected to the text.
The Evolution of the Pocket Edition
Portable scriptures aren't actually a "modern" invention designed for backpacks. They’ve been around almost as long as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints itself. Back in 1837, the Kirtland edition was specifically designed to be smaller than the original 1830 Palmyra printing. Why? Because missionaries were traveling by foot and horseback. They needed something that wouldn't weigh down their saddlebags.
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Today, the official "Pocket-size Book of Mormon" distributed by the Church is a staple. It measures about 3 3/8” x 5 1/8”. It’s thin, usually has a soft blue or black cover, and costs about five or six bucks. It’s cheap enough that if you drop it in a puddle while camping, you aren’t heartbroken, but sturdy enough to survive a two-year mission in a humid climate.
But recently, the "mini" trend has gone way beyond the standard blue paperback.
Artisans on sites like Etsy have started taking these tiny texts and giving them a massive glow-up. I'm seeing spiral-bound versions that lay perfectly flat on a tiny airplane tray table. Some sellers, like ZionBoundBooks, even create hand-bound mini editions with nature-inspired covers or floral patterns. They’re basically the "cottagecore" version of scripture study.
Tiny Tech: The Silicon Wafer
If you want to get really technical about what "mini" means, look at what the Electrical and Computer Engineering students at BYU did recently. They etched all 291,652 words of the Book of Mormon onto a 4-inch silicon wafer.
It’s gold-plated. It’s beautiful. You also need a high-powered microscope to read it. While it’s not exactly practical for your morning devotional, it proves one thing: we have a weird, enduring obsession with shrinking this specific book.
Why People are Ditching Digital for Mini Books
You’d think the Gospel Library app would have killed off the mini Book of Mormon by now. It hasn't. If anything, the "analog" movement is growing.
- Focus: When you open an app, you’re one swipe away from TikTok or an email from your boss. When you open a physical mini book, you’re just reading.
- The "Vibe": There is a massive community of people who love "painting" their scriptures. Small paperbacks are the perfect canvas for acrylic markers. It’s a lifestyle thing.
- Missionary Life: If you're a missionary "tracting" (knocking on doors), carrying a giant leather book is awkward. A pocket version is discreet and easy to hand to someone as a gift.
- The Weight: For hikers or travelers, every gram counts. A mini book provides the comfort of the word without the chiropractor bill.
Choosing the Right Mini Book of Mormon
Not all small books are created equal. You’ve basically got three main "tiers" when you're looking to pick one up.
The Budget Buy
This is the standard paperback from the Church Distribution Center. It’s usually under $6. It includes the footnotes and the Guide to the Scriptures. The font is small—we're talking "young eyes only" small—but it’s the most authentic, no-frills experience.
The Artisan Upgrade
These are the ones you find from independent creators. They often take the existing pages and re-bind them with spiral coils or custom hardcovers. The benefit here is that they lay flat. If you’ve ever tried to keep a tiny paperback open while eating a sandwich, you know why this matters.
The "Triple" or "Quad" Mini
Yes, they make the entire set of "Standard Works" (Bible, Book of Mormon, etc.) in pocket size too. These are usually sold as a set of four individual tiny books. It’s like a library for ants, and it’s surprisingly satisfying to look at on a shelf.
A Note on Readability
Let’s be real for a second: the text in a mini Book of Mormon is tiny. If you struggle with fine print, you're going to want a magnifying glass or a very bright reading light. Most of these editions use a font size that’s around 5 or 6 point. For comparison, most novels are printed in 10 or 12 point.
Practical Tips for Your Tiny Scripture Study
If you’re ready to shrink your study habit, here’s how to make it actually work without getting a headache.
- Use Fine-Liner Pens: Don't even try to use a standard highlighter. It’ll bleed through the thin paper and cover three verses at once. Use a 0.05mm Pigma Micron or a dry highlighter.
- The Index Card Trick: Since the margins are almost non-existent, tuck a few small index cards inside the back cover for your notes.
- Protection is Key: Even though they're small, the corners of these books tend to fray in pockets. A small zip-lock bag or a custom fabric sleeve (which you can find for cheap online) keeps it from looking like it went through a blender.
- Lighting: Always read near a window or under a dedicated lamp. Your eyes will thank you later.
Where to Buy
You can find the basic versions at Deseret Book or the official Church Store online. If you want the fancy, spiral-bound, or "painted" versions, check out creators on Instagram or Etsy. Just search for "handbound scriptures" or "mini BOM."
Whether you’re getting one for a kid who’s just starting to read, a missionary heading to the field, or just because you want to keep one in your glove box "just in case," the mini Book of Mormon is more than just a novelty. It’s a 190-year-old tradition of keeping the "good word" close at hand, literally.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Compare sizes: If you already own a standard copy, measure it against the 3 3/8” x 5 1/8” dimensions of a pocket edition to see if it actually fits your carrying needs.
- Test your eyes: Visit a local distribution center or bookstore to see if you can comfortably read the 6-point font before committing to a full set.
- Check independent artists: Browse platforms like Etsy for "spiral-bound Book of Mormon" to find customized editions that offer better durability for outdoor use or travel.