The Mormon Apocrypha

The Great Depression was a hard time for everyone, including members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So, to read this General Conference must have been hopeful. It goes over how blessed the members are, with inventions like the telephone and light bulb, and the continued growth of the Church. When the talk does discuss the hardships, people were dealing with, it discusses it in a hopeful tone, saying not to despair and that God will help them through it. Elder Melvin J. Ballard  Of the Council of the Twelve Apostles Benefits of Conference It has been my great pleasure now for nearly forty years to be in attendance at the General Conferences of the Church. I count it a liberal education in the science of life to have had this distinguished privilege, not alone from the things that were said, but the spirit that prevailed during those many sessions has brought to me understanding, light and knowledge that I have prized most highly. I have observed that there has a...

For something different, I want to share something I found. While looking up Book of Mormon editions on Archive.org, I found an interesting version of the Book of Mormon. It was created by a man named Gregory Boucher and added to Archive.org on the 19th of January 2025. Here is the description of the book: " This book is a faithful copy of the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ; in addition, this book contains a verse-by-verse collection of commentary on the Book of Mormon, offered by many religious scholars and leaders of the Church.       This book does not purport to be an authorized copy of the Book of Mormon, nor does it claim any authority from current or past leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This being said, it has been my intention to render every verse and footnote available to anyone who reads the Book of Mormon, as well as other additional light and knowledge available to anyone who seeks God’s truth ."  This i...

Here is a conference talk by Elder Joseph F. Smith about love, freedom and being an example to others. I hope you enjoy these words of wisdom.   Elder Joseph F. Smith Patriarch to the Church For the time allotted to me this afternoon I pray that I may have an interest in your prayers that I may bear my testimony to our mutual benefit. There are occasions, great occasions which come to us, which we would fain share with our brethren and sisters. A Memorable Occasion It is frequently said that the Lord has raised up a particular man to perform a particular mission. Every one of us here has heard that discussed and has heard how the peculiar talents of each of the presidents of the Church have been of a special value during his respective mission. I wish that all the members of the Church could have witnessed the council meeting wherein the Presidency was reorganized. If ever there was a time when the Spirit of the Lord was indubitably manifest, it was on that occasion. Everyone prese...

1886 was a hard time to be a Faithful Latter Day Saint. U.S. Laws such as the Edmund Tucker act basically made it illegal to be a Mormon, with the government taking Church buildings and making many church leaders being wanted criminals. John Taylor, the author of this revelation, was no exception. While on the run, he wrote this letter to his son, also called John.  Sept 27, 1886, My son John. You have asked me concerning the New & eve<r>lasting covenant how far it is binding upon my people. Thus, saith the Lord all commandments that I give must <be obeyed by those calling themselves by my name> unless they are revoked by my or by my authority, and how can I revoke an everlasting covenant; for I the Lord am everlasting my everlasting covenants cannot be abrogated nor done away with; but they stand for ever. & have I not given my word in great plainness on this subject? Yet have not great numbers of my people been negligent in the observance of my law & the k...

Sometimes when I look through old conference talks, the Journal of discourses and other church writings, I come across some true gems of wisdom. This one was given by Richard L. Evans, a member of the Seventy who a few years after giving this talk became an apostle. His talk goes over the beauty of repentance, how it is the true cure for sin.   Elder Richard L. Evans Of the First Council of the Seventy I recall President Grant's having said many times, "That which we persist in doing becomes easy." I have presented myself many times at this pulpit these past years, and I am not aware that it has become easy — or even any easier. In all earnestness, if speaking here today to this congregation, and to those outside, is to be less than impossibly difficult, I shall need your help and that of my Father in heaven and I earnestly hope that I may have it. Privilege of Repentance With Brother [Marion G.] Romney, I have been impressed that the theme of this conference has been rep...

Brigham Young gave many a sermon listed within the Journal of Discourses. This is one about the priesthood, given on May 7, 1861, in the Mill Creek Ward. It is within the ninth volume and is the seventeenth sermon.  In order to come to a proper understanding—to see eye to eye—it is necessary that we be instructed, that we may be workmen that need not be ashamed before God and his holy angels. I pray for you continually, that the wisdom of God may rest upon you and upon all his Saints. I am happy for the privilege of meeting with you, and can say, according to the best of my knowledge, that there is a great improvement in the midst of the Saints: they are increasing in understanding. The little apparent difficulty you seem to have here is no difficulty at all. In the rise of this Church, and for years afterwards, if four men had been appointed to live in the capacity of a neighborhood, there would have been more real difficulty in one month than there has been in this Ward since bro...