The Mormon Apocrypha

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, journal of discourses and other church writings, you 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 true 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 ...

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. 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 brother Miller has been its Bishop. This proves that the people are le...

 In Doctrine and Covenants section 109, the Dedicatory Prayer for the Kirkland Temple is given. This was the first dedicatory prayer given in the history of the restored church. But this prayer was not the last. Each of the hundreds of temples dedicated in this dispensation had their own special dedicatory prayer. Repurposed below is a prayer from a more recent dedication. The text and image are from ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org, so if you want to read more of these, check them out. Expect more prayers in the future. by Henry B. Eyring Dedicated 24 March 2024 O God, our Eternal Father, we bow before Thee in solemn prayer. In the sacred name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, and in the authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood, we dedicate unto Thee this sacred structure, the Red Cliffs Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We dedicate and consecrate this beautiful edifice unto Thee for Thy sacred purpose, as a house of holy ordinances where Thine eternal work...

Sharing stories is a major facet of General Conference. Repurposed here is one such example about an old woman who found the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and what she did about it.  Elder Charles E. Rowan, Jr. President of the Texas Mission My brethren and sisters, many years ago, as a young man I went out with a group of men hunting. After the first day's hunt there were many funny experiences told. One of them was this : Two of the hunters were together, two large, fine deer were jumped, and one of the men when he got through had all of his cartridges by the side of him, none having been fired. He had buck fever, it seems that when I stand in this pulpit, I become nervous — I cannot help it — and after it is all over, I wonder if my cartridges are not lying on the floor and nothing said. I bow my head with gratitude to my Heavenly Father for membership in this Church and for the opportunity I have had of coming here and partaking of the splendid spirit and listening to the wor...

  Orson Pratt, the brother of Parley P. Pratt was a very colorful character in Mormon history. He has been called the first Mormon Philosopher. Here is one of his General Conference Talks.         It is many months since I attempted, except on one occasion, to address a public congregation. On account of ill health and other circumstances, I have refrained from public speaking, except at the former meeting held in this house last winter. I do not know whether I shall be able to raise my voice to that loudness that the congregation will be able to understand; I will, however, do the best that I can. I pray my Father in heaven to pour out his Spirit upon me, that what I may say whether it be a few words or many may be indited by the gift and inspiration of the Holy Ghost without which all our preaching is in vain.       I certainly, for one, was very much instructed in our forenoon meeting, especially in regard to the remark...