The Mormon Apocrypha

Many Latter-day Saints wonder what their lives would be without their religion, and within this sermon, Brigham Young ponder the same question, saying that he would have no life. The fruits of the Gospel are too pure and true to live without.  Within this sermon, a group known as the Gladdenites are mentioned. I might go deeper into their history and spiritual writings in a future post, but for now, all you need to know is that they were followers of Gladden Bishop, an elder of the church who was excommunicated for claiming to be the next prophet after Joseph Smith.  I will embrace the present opportunity for making a few remarks, as I expect to leave this city before another Sabbath, to be gone several weeks. You have heard good instructions, counsel, and advice from Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich; I desire to profit by their sayings, and I hope this people will. We see men before us who are old Elders in this Church, veterans in the kingdom of God; I hope they will live man...

Next year, in 2027, the Salt Lake Temple will be opened to the public for the first time in over seven years. To celebrate this occasion in advance, I want to share a sermon from the eleventh volume of the Journal of Discourses. Delivered by Brigham Young in Salt Lake City, it goes over the building of the Salt Lake Temple. I want your attention. I do not know how long it will be prudent to continue our meeting, but we would like to say a great deal more to the people. I will talk to you a little with regard to building the Temple. When br. Heber asks you to come and join us in drawing rock, you turn round and say, “I have paid my tithing; what more do you want? Do you want any donations or extra help? What do you do with the tithing?” This is in the minds of the people, and it is something that I think about, too, but I confess to you that, although I am Trustee-in-Trust and have the management of all this, I know but little about what is done with the tithing. Br. Hunter is Bishop, a...

Located within the first volume of the Journal of Discourses is a sermon delivered by Brigham Young discussing some interesting topics, from what is included in religion to the need to resist temptation.   Myself and my brethren frequently rise to address the congregation in this place, not knowing precisely what may prove the most beneficial and instructing. The same weakness is in me, that is common to the most of my brethren who address you from this stand, that is, a degree of timidity, which arises from a sense of the importance of the work in which we are engaged; but my resolution overbalances this. Can anything be taught that will edify this congregation like the principles of the Gospel? It may be said the life and existence of man, with the varied avocations of his life, from birth to death, are an interesting subject, as much so as the Gospel. But this is connected with the Gospel of salvation, as well as everything else that is associated with his being. The whole morta...