Cannon and O'Higgins: Under the Prophet in Utah, 1911

This is a critical piece about the painful political integration of the church early in the 20th century. The author is a politically connected, former member who lived in Utah.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/mor/upu/index.htm

Parley P. Pratt - Angel of the Prairies

An ostensibly fictional dream vision of P.P. Pratt's regarding the establishment of a vast, Mormon kingdom in the Midwest.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/mor/aoftp/aoftp.htm


From correspondence posted at http://www.sacred-texts.com/mor:

'After having contacted his colleague Marlin Jacobs I received the following answer from Mr. Jacobs to Stan Barker on January 14th 2004:

Stan,



"Angel of the Prairies" was a piece of fiction written by Pratt in Nauvoo. It was transformed into a speech given by Pratt by anti-Mormon lawyer Theodore Schroeder in his defense of the Spaulding Manuscript Theory in the American Historical Magazine, which B. H. Roberts responded to in the same magazine (which changed its name to Americana). We have this series (both Schroeder and Roberts) on the web site.



According to Roberts, Pratt did write "Angel of the Prairies," but only as fiction.



Malin

Conclusion: The document ‘Angel of the Prairies’ is a fictitious story written by Parley P. Pratt and is in no way connected with the theology or revelations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.'

George A. Smith on religious freedom 1852

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses/Volume_1/The_Nauvoo_Legion%E2%80%94Civil_and_Religious_Rights

Some distinctive hymns

Oh My Father
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=292&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=292&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Praise to the Man
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=27&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=27&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

The Spirit of God
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=2&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=2&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Come, Come, Ye Saints
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=30&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=30&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=19&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=19&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Redeemer of Israel
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=6&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=6&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Adam-ondi-Ahman
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=49&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=49&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

I Believe in Christ
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=134&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=134&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Called to Serve
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=249&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=249&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

If You Could Hie to Kolob
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=284&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=284&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Love at Home
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=294&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=294&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Families Can Be Together Forever
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=300&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=300&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Ye Elders of Israel
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=319&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=319&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

As Sisters in Zion
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=309&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=309&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

In Our Lovely Deseret
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=307&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=307&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Joseph Smith's First Prayer
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=26&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=26&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

I am a Child of God
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=1&searchseqstart=301&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=301&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

FROM CHILDRENS SONG BOOK

An Angel Came to Joseph Smith
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=86&searchsubseqstart=a&searchseqend=86&searchsubseqend=a

Book of Mormon Stories
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=118&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=118&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Family History, I am Doing It
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=94&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=94&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Family Night
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=195&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=195&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

The Books in the Book of Mormon
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=119&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=119&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Follow the Prophet
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=110&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=110&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

A Child's Prayer
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=12&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=12&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

The Oxcart
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=219&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=219&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

I Hope They Call Me on a Mission
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=169&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=169&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

I Lived in Heaven
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=4&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=4&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=60&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=60&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

The Church of Jesus Christ
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=77&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=77&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Pioneer Children
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=214&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=214&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Latter-day Prophets
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=134&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=134&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Love is Spoken Here
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=190&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=190&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Keep the Commandments
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=146&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=146&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

Jesus Once was a Little Child
http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=55&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=55&searchsubseqend=ZZZ

King Follett Discourse

Not long before his assassination in 1844, Smith delivered a funeral oration for King Follett, a faithful Latter-day Saint. But the oration became almost immediately a doctrinal manifesto on the nature of God. The provocative teachings of the discourse define the Mormon conception of God to this day.

http://mldb.byu.edu/follett.htm

The Book of John Whitmer

John Whitmer was an early leader in the Mormon movement and a close confidant of Joseph Smith. He was instructed to keep a careful record of the church, and he did so from 1831 - 1838.

http://www.centerplace.org/history/misc/jwhitmer.htm

Evening and Morning Star

Predecessor to Messenger and Advocate, this early Mormon periodical was published in Independence, MO from 1832 - 1833, before it was destroyed by the same mob that drove the Mormons from the state.

http://www.centerplace.org/history/ems/default.htm

Messenger and Advocate

Published in Kirtland, OH. between 1834 and 1837; Predecessor to the Times and Seasons of Nauvoo, IL.

http://www.centerplace.org/history/ma/default.htm

Times and Seasons

The Times and Seasons was an early Mormon periodical during the Nauvoo years of the middle 19th century. It is of critical historical importance, since it was the first to publish such critical discourses as The King Follett Discourse, the Wentworth Letter (the Articles of Faith) and several revelations now located in the Doctrine and Covenants.

http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/default.htm

Lectures on Faith

Joseph Smith was inspired to create a school for the leaders of the Mormon movement. The school was designed to instruct these leaders in languages, grammar, and theology, so that they might more effectively preach the gospel. The Lectures on Faith were part of the curriculum, and they were included in the original publication of the Doctrine and Covenants of the church, but they have since been removed.

http://www.centerplace.org/hs/dc/lectures.htm

Perhaps an important place to start is the scriptures, specifically those scriptures that are uniquely Mormon. Below I've provided links to some of the most distinctive portions of the Pearl of Great Price, a book of Mormon scripture derived partly from what Joseph Smith said were (his own) translations of ancient Egyptian papyri, and partly from Smith's own reflections as the church's leader. I introduce each link with representative summaries and verses taken directly from the scripture.Click on the given link for the entirety of the text.

Critical sections from Pearl of Great Price:

The Articles of Faith

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. - Article 9

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/a_of_f/1

--------------------------------------------

Joseph Smith History (autobio)

Heading:
Joseph Smith tells of his ancestry, family members, and their early abodes - An unusual excitement about religion prevails in western New York - he determines to seek wisdom as directed by James - The Father and the Son appear and Joseph is called to his prophetic ministry. Some preachers and other professors of religion reject account of First Vision - Persecution heaped upon Joseph Smith - He testifies of the reality of the vision. Moroni appears to Joseph Smith - Joseph's name is to be known for good and evil among all nations - Moroni tells him of the Book of Mormon and of the coming judgments of the Lord, and quotes many scriptures - The hiding place of the gold plates is revealed - Moroni continues to instruct the Prophet. Joseph Smith marries Emma Hale - He receives the gold plates from Moroni and translates some of the characters - Martin Harris shows characters and translation to Professor Anthon, who says: "I cannot read a sealed book." Oliver Cowdery serves as scribe in translating the Book of Mormon - Joseph and Oliver receive the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist - They are baptized, ordained and receive the spirit of prophecy.

While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible. - vs. 11-12

It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other - This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! - v. 17

Man may deceive his fellow-men, deception may follow deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave. - Oliver Cowdery's addendum

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/js_h/contents

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Moses 7

Heading:

Enoch teaches, leads the people, moves mountains – The City of Zion is established – Enoch foresees the coming of the Son of Man, his atoning sacrifice, and the resurrection of the saints – He foresees the restoration, the gathering, the Second Coming, and the return of Zion.

And the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them. - v. 18

Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also. - v. 35

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/moses/7

----------------------

Abraham 3

Heading:

Abraham learns about the sun, moon, and stars by means of the Urim and Thummim - the Lord reveals to him the eternal nature of spirits - He learns of pre-earth life, foreordination, the creation, the choosing of a Redeemer, and the second estate of man.

Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with hm: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these my dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; - vs 22- 25

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/abr/3

Project Purpose and Scope

This blog is a preliminary effort devoted to the collection, dissemination, evaluation, and discussion of primary Mormon discourse.

My purposes are primarily scholarly. I am a professor of rhetoric at Iowa State University, and my area of focus is the rhetoric of religion. As a Latter-day Saint, I am especially interested in looking at my own religion as a movement that has navigated a very difficult path using strategic discourse to emerge as a major cultural, political, and religious world institution.

For now, my only intention is to begin collecting links to significant talks and other pieces of discourse relevant to the Mormon movement. Ultimately, I intend to organize various textual artifacts into three chronological categories: the generative period (1820 - 1890), the transitional period (1890 - 1930), and the assimilated period (1930 - present).