The Mormon Apocrypha

Missionary work has been a part of the church for as long as it has been around. The desire to proclaim the gospel is present within many works of the standard works. During one address, Heber J. Grant discussed those scripture of missionary work and the importance of it. He also talked about what things one needs to do in order to become a great missionary. Alma's Cry for Repentance I will read from the 29th chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon: "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! "Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth. "But behold, I am a man and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotte...

A rather interesting take on the Classic LDS Song by Almarcus Soulfire The Spirit of God is one of the most iconic hymns from the Mormon movement. It is almost a theme song of the church. It was written by W. W. Phelps and was included in the first hymnbook of the restoration. It was famously sung at the Dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27,1836 and is still sung today at almost every temple dedication. But did you know that the version in the LDS hymnbook is not the complete version? It actually contains six verses, two more than usually sung in LDS circles. There, only the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th verses are sung, but not the 4th or 5th. The verses are given below. 4. We'll wash and be washed, and with oil be anointed, Withal not omitting the washing of feet. For he that receiveth his penny appointed, Must surely be clean at the harvest of wheat. We'll sing and we'll shout with the armies of heaven. Hosanna, Hosanna to God and the Lamb! Let glory to them in the hig...

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...

W hile this conversation was going on we stood by his south wicket gate in a triangle. Turning to me, [Joseph] said, "I want to tell you something of the future. I will speak in a parable like unto John the Revelator. You will go to the Rocky Mountains, and you will be a great and mighty people established there, which I will call the White Horse of peace and safety." When the Prophet said, "You will see it," I said, "Where will you be at that time?" He said, "I shall never go there. Your enemies will continue to follow you with persecutions, and they will make obnoxious laws against you in Congress to destroy the White Horse, but you will have a friend or two to defend you and throw out the worst parts of the law so they will not hurt you so much. You must continue to petition Congress all the time, but they will treat you like strangers and aliens and they will not give you your rights but will govern you with strangers and commissioners. You will s...

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...