The Mormon Apocrypha

I once again return to the work of Orson F. Whitney. This one is from the April 1908 conference and discusses the purpose and nature of the Gospel. The Gospel has been around since the beginning and is meant to save everyone. Elder Orson F. Whitney The Gospel of Salvation. — A ladder to eternal life. — Joseph Smith's authority. — The mighty problem of Mormonism. — Redemption of the living and the dead. — The Latter-day Saints the friends of humanity. Two ministers of the Christian church were once conversing together, and one of them asked the other this question: " Why is it, my friend, that the people love to hear you preach, and why is it that they do not love to hear me? Why is your chapel always crowded with eager worshipers, while mine is always nearly empty? " His friend answered him in these words: " I believe it is because I am always telling the people that if they will pursue a certain course they shall be saved, while you are always telling them that if t...

    In 2027, the new Hymnbook will be put out. Hymnbooks have been a part of the restoration since Emma Smith complied the first one in 1835. Before the new one comes out in 2027 and adds new hymns and gets rid of some old ones, I wanted to look at the hymns that were left behind previously.   Each Cooing Dove 1. Each Cooing Dove And Sighing Bough, That Makes The Eve So Blest To Me, Has Something Far Diviner Now, It Bears Me Back To Galilee. O Galilee, Sweet Galilee, Where Jesus Loved So Much To Be, O Galilee, Blue Galilee, Come Sing Thy Song Again To Me. 2. Each Flowery Glen And Mossy Dell, Where Happy Birds In Song Agree, Through Sunny Morn The Praises Tell Of Sights And Sounds In Galilee. 3. And When I Read The Thrilling Lore Of Him Who Walked Upon The Sea, I Long, Oh, How I Long Once More To Follow Him In Galilee. Awake! O ye people, the Savior is coming! 1. Awake, O ye people! the Savior is coming: He’ll suddenly come to his temple, we hear; Repentance is needed...

 I wanted to end this month with a short poem from "Harp of Zion." It is about the importance of obedience. Obedience Obedience is the common lot of all!  No being is exempt, not even Christ  Our Lord. Down through all grades, above.  Below, amongst all worlds, cherubim,  And seraphim, and angels round the throne.  Stand in their place and give obedience.  Through delegated power, to those above  Them, each subservient to the other's word,  Until they reach the great Elohim. And he, who in this low probationary State learns not obedience through the things he Suffers, will have to pay the penalty Of his neglect, and have again to come Through other spheres to do his Father's will.

In 1985, the first temple in Africa was dedicated. Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, it was a great step forward for the preaching of the gospel in Africa. Dedicated 24–25 August 1985 by Gordon B. Hinckley Almighty and Eternal Father in Heaven whom we love and worship, on this day of dedication we come unto Thee in the name of Thy Son Jesus Christ. We are assembled in this holy house which we present unto Thee. It has been built through the consecrations of Thy faithful sons and daughters. They have given generously of their means to rear it unto Thee as an expression of their love for Thee and of their faith in the eternal ordinances which Thou hast revealed for the salvation and blessing of Thy children. We pray that Thou wilt accept our offering and that Thou wilt honor this house with Thy holy presence. Let Thy Spirit constantly abide here and touch the hearts of all who shall enter. Beloved Father, our hearts are filled with gratitude on this historic day in the chronicles of...