The Mormon Apocrypha

  The belief that man can become God is one of the most unique doctrines in latter day saint Theology. Within the pages of the eighth volume of the Journal of Discourses is a sermon that goes in depth on this controversial belief. Created by John Taylor, it discusses how men are "as a God in embryo." I am always pleased to hear brother Joseph Young speak, because, as the Indian says, “he talks good talk;” and I always like to hear people talk good talk, and things that are calculated to make one feel pleasant and comfortable. A passage of Scripture which he quoted attracted my attention. It is one of the sayings of David— “ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? ” In one point of view, man appears very poor, weak, and imbecile, and very insignificant: in another point of view, he appears wise, intelligent, strong, honorable, and exalted. It is just in the way that you look at a man that you are led to form your opinions concerni...

Here is the second chapter of Meditation and Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Within its pages, it quotes a lot of scripture pointing to the coming of Jesus Christ. Chapter II. The Testimony of Jesus the Spirit of Prophecy— The Declarations of the Ancient Servants of God — Extracts from the Writings and Testimonies of Moses, Job, David, Isaiah, Zechariah, Micah and Hosea, to be found in the Old Testament, with remarks. In the chapter of Luke's Gospel, to which we have already referred, speaking of Jesus, it is written, " Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. " If this be taken in the fullest sense, and we know of no reason why it should not thus be received, there is a great principle developed, which is, that not only Moses, but all the Prophets, testified concerning the coming Redeemer. As elsewhere stated, this must have been the case, for we are told that "the testimony...

The Meditation and Atonement of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was a book written by John Taylor about the purpose of the atonement. I have posted the first chapter for your enjoyment but expect more in the future. Chapter I. Introductory— Christ's Testimony with regard to His Sufferings— Christ came to do the Will of His Father — The Testimony of the Father at His Baptism and Transfiguration. In the last chapter of St. Luke's Gospel is to be found a deeply interesting account of several events that took place on the day that the Redeemer was resurrected. Amongst other incidents, he relates that on that day two of the disciples took a melancholy journey from Jerusalem to the neighboring village of Emmaus. Whilst they walked, the sadness of their hearts found expression on their tongues, and they mournfully rehearsed to each other the story of the crucifixion of their Master. By and by, they were joined by an apparent stranger, who, though none other than the resurrected Savio...

Because of the recent release of the 1886 revelation, I wanted to post a sermon by John Taylor from the 25th volume of the Journal of Discourses. It was delivered in the Bowery in Rexburg, Bannock County Idaho on a Sunday Afternoon on Aug. 17th, 1884. It goes over the history of Christianity to discuss the differences between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and other churches. During the latter part of the sermon, Taylor reminds the audience that members are not the only Children of God on the Earth, everyone is.   I am pleased to have the opportunity of meeting with you in this place, of visiting your homes in these new settlements, and of striking hands and conversing with many of our old friends with whom we have been associated quite a distance from here, and some a very long distance indeed. As Latter-day Saints we have gathered to these valleys of the mountains. We are assembled together for certain purposes associated with our own individual interests; in oth...

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...