Mormon Book Bits #16: Duane S. Crowther, Prophecy—Key to the Future & The Prophecies of Joseph Smith

Editor's note: This is # 16 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne about collectible books. The introduction is here.

            In the 1960s Duane Crowther published (through Bookcraft) his expanded BYU master’s thesis as Prophecy—Key to the Future. The work included fairly specific designations of time periods and sequential events that he believed were associated with the future and the second coming; even a chart on the end-sheets laying it out. This book sold phenomenally well, instantly placing Crowther at the pinnacle of the world of LDS doctrinal writing. His second book on the prophecies of Joseph Smith also enjoyed considerable success. This sales windfall allowed him to establish his own publishing concern, Horizon Publishers & Distributors, a modestly successful company (eventually combined with CFI and then dissolved) located in Bountiful, Utah. At one point he was enabled to say, with Cleon Skousen, that they were the only two authors in Mormonism able to make a living solely on the strength of their literary works.

            Because the books sold so well they began to have a substantial influence on the doctrinal thinking of Church members—who asked for and received counsel from Church leaders on how to view such writings.

One caution on the subject of prophecy came in general conference from President Harold B. Lee, some ten years after Prophecy—Key to the Future came from the press:

“One more matter: There are among us many loose writings predicting the calamities which are about to overtake us. Some of these have been publicized as though they were necessary to wake up the world to the horrors about to overtake us. Many of these are from sources upon which there cannot be unquestioned reliance.

“Are you priesthood bearers aware of the fact that we need no such publications to be forewarned, if we were only conversant with what the scriptures have already spoken to us in plainness?

Joseph Smith, Palatiah Brown, and Doctrinal Speculation

Editor's note: This is number 33 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne, sharing quotes from his book, Determining Doctrine: A Reference Guide for Evaluating Doctrinal Truth. You can read the introductory post here. The first part of each post is a new introduction, placing the quotes in context with contemporary issues. The quotes that then follow are from the Determining Doctrine book, which contains many quotes that are not readily available elsewhere or are exclusive to the book.

Pelatiah Brown was a contemporary of Joseph Smith’s and a doctrinal speculator. His experience with preaching about the beasts mentioned in the book of Revelation and the Prophet’s forgiving comments regarding those public speculations have become perhaps the foremost excuse used by some liberals and dissidents for proclaiming or teaching unapproved, unorthodox, and false doctrine. Because of this, the incident is recounted here in full, followed by comment on it from some modern Church leaders and scholars. Also given is an official doctrinal directive from Joseph Smith in which he did not display such an abundance of toleration toward the teaching of false or suspect/speculative doctrine as some people have used the Pelatiah Brown incident to justify. From Determining Doctrine:

Joseph Smith:

            The subject I intend to speak upon this morning is one that I have seldom touched upon since I commenced my ministry in the Church. It is a subject of great speculation, as well amongst the elders of this Church, as amongst the divines of the day: it is in relation to the beasts spoken of by John the Revelator. I have seldom spoken from the revelations; but as my subject is a constant source of speculation amongst the elders, causing a division of sentiment and opinion in relation to it, I now do it in order that division and difference of opinion may be done away with, and not that correct knowledge on the subject is so much needed at the present time.

            It is not very essential for the elders to have knowledge in relation to the meaning of beasts, and heads and horns, and other figures made use of in the revelations; still, it may be necessary, to prevent contention and division and do away with suspense. If we get puffed up by thinking that we have much knowledge, we are apt to get a contentious spirit, and correct knowledge is necessary to cast out that spirit.

            The evil of being puffed up with correct (though useless) knowledge is not so great as the evil of contention. Knowledge does away with darkness, suspense and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is.

            There is no pain so awful as that of suspense. This is the punishment of the wicked; their doubt, anxiety and suspense cause weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Mormon Book Bits #15: Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness

Editor's note: This is # 15 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne about collectible books. The introduction is here.

From the first biography of Spencer W. Kimball:

In 1969, just before October Conference, Spencer W. Kimball's book The Miracle of Forgiveness was published. The author meant it as a call to repentance and a guide on the road back from sin.

For years he had said he intended to write no book, that there were books enough by others who had more talent. And for fifteen years he stuck by that resolve, despite the urgings of many who wanted him to write. Numerous addresses at general conference and at BYU had been reprinted, sometimes in thousands of copies, but they had been written as speeches and not as books.

The experience which impelled him finally to write a book was the day-by-day counseling of people in trouble, the week-by-week interviewing of members being considered for responsible Church positions, the interviewing of missionaries as he toured the missions.

He often carried home more weight than he could shoulder and tossed sleepless with what he had heard. It seemed that no sin or human weakness existed which had not affected some or many of those he consoled or challenged….

All these experiences with people in great need of repentance and forgiveness led ultimately to a book. He had started with jotting down scriptures for people to study, then he developed some lists for recurring problems. By 1959 he had finally decided that there was need in the Church for "an extensive treatise on repentance." He spent untold hours over the next ten years, primarily during the time in the summer and at Christmas when the General Authorities had no regular assignments and were expected to rest. He never stinted his regular work to write; writing was an extra.

He soon found he had too much material, enough for two volumes. He liked to vacation where he could spread out his papers over several tables. After seven years he had all the chapters roughed out, but the manuscript was still unwieldy.

History of the term “Standard Works”

Editor's note: This is number 32 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne, sharing quotes from his book, Determining Doctrine: A Reference Guide for Evaluating Doctrinal Truth. You can read the introductory post here. The first part of each post is a new introduction, placing the quotes in context with contemporary issues. The quotes that then follow are from the Determining Doctrine book, which contains many quotes that are not readily available elsewhere or are exclusive to the book.

Both the term “standard works” and its meaning have evolved and solidified over many years of Church history. It began in the latter half of the 1800s as a loose term that implied that the fundamental doctrines of the Church were to be found in and measured by the books written for the information, edification, and direction of the Church, especially containing the revelations of its leaders, but also accounts of their lives and sermons. By around 1900, because of the influence of Elder James E. Talmage and President Joseph F. Smith, the different parts of the term began to solidify into one definite meaning. Early variations included “doctrinal standards,” “church works,” “standards of the Church,” “standard church books,” and “standard church works,” but today is almost exclusively given as “standard works.” This term has now come to signify the source of near absolute doctrinal measurement and authority in the Church and is only applied to four books of written and canonized revelations (or scripture): The Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

In fact, today the word “scriptures” is often to be heard or used more than the term “standard works.” While this is not overly concerning, it does tend to blur the line between spoken/verbal/oral scripture, which is given forth every time a righteous person speaks by the power of the Holy Ghost, and the canonized and binding scriptures, which constitute the four books of Latter-day Saints scripture.

Even though the Bible and the Book of Mormon have not been formally sustained in General Conference by the membership assembled, they are formally stated to be the word of God in the Articles of Faith (which have been sustained by the Church) and are so fundamental as to be beyond question books of the scriptural canon. Further, because a book was referred to or designated as a “standard work” in the 1800s, does not make it so now. Certainly no one should regard the Journal of Discourses as canonized scripture.

From Determining Doctrine:

Mormon Book Bits #14: Mormon Books and Elder Mark E. Petersen

Editor's note: This is # 14 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne about collectible books. The introduction is here.

            As quoted from Elder Petersen’s biography:

            From the time Mark went to work at the Deseret News, his typing speed had been legendary. Although he never adjusted to an electric machine, he typed faster than most secretaries and literally destroyed a typewriter every two or three years. When his family sweetly asked why he purchased each new typewriter, knowing very well how he could beat a machine to death, he replied with equal candor that he guessed it just wore out. Whether working on a speaking assignment or a pageant, writing editorials, or preparing a new book, Mark rolled the paper into his typewriter with a flourish began attacking the keys. Someone said that he had his own type system. This was not so. He painstakingly taught himself to type by touch. Emma used to say that he typed as fast as she drove. 

            When he began a book, Mark usually went through ten or twelve sheets of paper before he composed an introduction that pleased him. As he typed and it became apparent that a new start was necessary, he pulled the paper from the roller, scrunched it into a ball, and threw it on the floor. The number of papers discarded across the carpet allowed anyone who dared approach at this critical time to see his approximate rate of progress on the book. 

            When his secretary, Dorene, first worked on a manuscript for him, she was surprised that after the book was finished and a large quantity of the paper he had purchased remained, he asked her to put this paper with the regular church supplies to help ‘pay for the wear and tear on the typewriter.’… 

Defining and Explaining the Latter-day Saint Canon

Editor's note: This is number 31 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne, sharing quotes from his book, Determining Doctrine: A Reference Guide for Evaluating Doctrinal Truth. You can read the introductory post here. The first part of each post is a new introduction, placing the quotes in context with contemporary issues. The quotes that then follow are from the Determining Doctrine book, which contains many quotes that are not readily available elsewhere or are exclusive to the book.

            Scripture—the word of God—has been, is now, and always will be the main source of Mormon doctrine and practice. Its importance cannot be overstated. In combination with faith and the gift of the Holy Ghost it becomes the single most powerful defense that exists against the Adversary, along with his spirit and mortal followers and their temptations and deceptions.

President J. Reuben Clark thoughtfully wrote: “It seems sometimes as if the darkness that surrounds us is all but impenetrable. I can see on all sides the signs of one great evil master mind working for the overturning of our civilization, the destruction of religion, the reduction of men to the status of animals. This mind is working here and there and everywhere.” Elder McConkie saw the same danger and exposed it boldly: “Let me speak plainly. Satan hates and spurns the scriptures. The less scripture there is, and the more it is twisted and perverted, the greater is the rejoicing in the courts of hell.”

            President Boyd K. Packer constantly taught how important and effective the scriptures could be in helping keep people from being deceived and following the popular trends and allurements and fads of our modern (last days) society. One of his favorite passages to quote and vigorously impress upon others was from Paul’s letter to Timothy, which laid out our present corrupt society perfectly:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves—Check!

covetous—Check!

boasters—Check!

proud—Check!

blasphemers—Check!

disobedient to parents—Check! Check!

unthankful—Check!

unholy—Check!

Without natural affection—Check! Check!

trucebreakers—Check!

false accusers—Check!

incontinent—Check!

fierce—Check!

despisers of those that are good—Check!

Traitors—Check!

heady—Check!

highminded—Check!

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God—Check! Check!

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such

turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly

women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[See 2 Timothy 3:1–7]

            So it now is, and worse it will become. Thank Almighty God for the scriptures and those who abide by them. Mormons have a much larger canon than other Christians and believe that it will yet be enlarged further (Articles of Faith 1:9). Elder McConkie taught:

Mormon Book Bits #13: Henry A. Smith, Matthew Cowley—Man of Faith

Editor's note: This is # 13 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne about collectible books. The introduction is here.

“As soon as the [rival] publishing company, Bookcraft, Inc., learned that a book of Brother Cowley’s talks was being published by the Deseret Book Company, they approached me and asked if I would help them get another book out by October conference. They wanted this one to be a biography—a story of his life. I agreed to do it. I began to gather together some of the things I thought would be of interest. However, by this time in my life, I was the manager of Welfare Square and I still had a private business selling baby chicks. I was also the bishop of the ward and had several children still at home. I found myself unable to concentrate long enough to write the book. I prevailed upon Bookcraft to hire a professional writer with whom I might work to get the book out. This was agreed upon, and they hired Henry Smith. Henry came to my office regularly for a couple of months. I gave him materials, told him stories, and directed him to people to interview. He finally took a three-week vacation and went up into the mountains where he wrote the entire book. He did an excellent job. Bookcraft had it printed and on the bookshelves by October. This was a great achievement also. This second book, known as Matthew Cowley, Man of Faith, was also a big seller. For twenty-five years Matthew Cowley Speaks and Matthew Cowley, Man of Faith were reprinted several times. In April of 1986 Bookcraft again reprinted Matthew Cowley, Man of Faith and it was sold out by April of 1988. I bought the last fourteen books of that printing, the same as I had done with the last fifty books of the first printing.

            “Royalties from this book were also given to Sister Cowley and, with the royalties from Matthew Cowley Speaks, enabled her to live comfortably” (Glen L. Rudd, Treasured Experiences of Glen L. Rudd, 114-15).

Henry Smith, the author, wrote: “Like many thousands of others I had learned to appreciate this man for his friendliness and for his genuineness. He had completely won me as one of his friends. I delighted in every association I had with him. Because of this admiration I deeply appreciated the invitation which came to me several months ago from his friends to prepare this biography. I had no hesitancy in accepting, for I had already recognized in Matthew Cowley, a most unusual individual and felt that his was a story which should be told and perpetuated for generations to come. But it was not until I had delved deeply into his life, read his letters and sermons, talked to those who knew him best, and studied some of his diaries that I really discovered how unusual he was” (Matthew Cowley—Man of Faith, ix).

The biography is actually fairly brief, comprising only 180 pages of a 300 page book, and was rounded out with talk transcripts. Glen L. Rudd, who served as a member of the First and Second Quorums of the Seventy, was the real moving force behind the existence of the two books by or about Elder Cowley, and in addition, spent a considerable amount of time during his life preserving the memory of his mentor Elder Matthew Cowley by speaking to many congregations about his remarkable life. There is also a chapter written by Elder Rudd in the book Faith to Heal and be Healed, by this blogger/author (published by Cedar Fort Inc.), containing information about the experiences of Elder Cowley not found in the main published books.

Interpreting the Scriptures

Editor's note: This is number 30 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne, sharing quotes from his book, Determining Doctrine: A Reference Guide for Evaluating Doctrinal Truth. You can read the introductory post here. The first part of each post is a new introduction, placing the quotes in context with contemporary issues. The quotes that then follow are from the Determining Doctrine book, which contains many quotes that are not readily available elsewhere or are exclusive to the book.

           It is one thing to know/recognize what scripture is, another thing to accept it, and yet another to correctly interpret/implement it. Many people err at each step. (Recently we have seen examples of gay activists pitting their interpretation of scripture against that of the prophets and apostles, proclaiming themselves right and God’s chosen prophets wrong. Such is one course to pursue and they will one day learn where such choices lead.) Elder Neal A. Maxwell stated: “Orthodoxy in thought and behavior brings safety and felicity as the storms come, including “every wind of doctrine.” (See Ephesians 4:14.)  Happily, amid such winds the Holy Ghost not only helps us to recognize plain truth but also plain nonsense!  (Ensign, May 1993, 78.)

If it comes from an activist or protestor it is likely plain nonsense. If it comes from a prophet or apostle it is likely eternal truth. When one is not sure, it is well to remember that the current practice of the Church constitutes the interpretation of the scripture. If a leadership handbook says something, even if loud people don’t like it or it is not popular, that is still the current interpretation of the scripture.

Elder M. Russell Ballard taught the following, which contains inspired counsel that should be pondered and thoroughly understood by all:

Too often we hear, “why do the Brethren..?”, or, “why does the Church..?” Instead of, “why do the scriptures teach..?” or, “why does the Lord say..?” We need to remember that when the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve speak with a united voice it is the voice of the Lord for that time. . . . So I am saying to you, when you step out into the noisy world, keep your eyes on us. We will not and cannot lead you astray. Do not ever follow those who believe they know more than Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ about the administration of the affairs of Their Church here upon the earth. . . .

Mormon Book Bits #12: Matthew Cowley, Matthew Cowley Speaks

Editor's note: This is # 12 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne about collectible books. The introduction is here.

“After Brother Cowley’s funeral, the Brethren became concerned about Sister Cowley and her finances. She and Brother Cowley had lived in New Zealand for eight and one-half years, and when they returned home they had no insurance, no savings, and no funds of their own. They had lived on a very limited allowance during the eight years he was in the Twelve and it was obvious that Sister Cowley had little or no finances.

“On Thursday, the day after the funeral, the Council of the Twelve met in their regular meeting in the Salt Lake Temple. Part of their meeting was used to discuss what might be done to help Sister Cowley. At the conclusion of the meeting, I received a phone call from Elder Harold B. Lee asking me to come to his office. When I got there, he and Elder Adam S. Bennion greeted me. They said that the Twelve had decided to do something to help Sister Cowley. The only thing they felt they could do was to publish some of Brother Cowley’s talks in a book and give all of the profits to her. They asked if I would do the necessary work to get the book published and I agreed. However, I said that I had been approached that very morning by Deseret Book Company to do exactly the same thing. Brother Lee and Brother Bennion were pleased to hear that Deseret Book was interested because they said the Twelve were reluctant to get involved in any kind of a financial venture.

“They suggested that I meet with Alva Perry, the manager of Deseret Book, and ask him how much royalty they would give her. They instructed me to ask for double the amount they normally offered as royalty.

Defining Scripture

Editor's note: This is number 29 in a series of posts by Dennis Horne, sharing quotes from his book, Determining Doctrine: A Reference Guide for Evaluating Doctrinal Truth. You can read the introductory post here. The first part of each post is a new introduction, placing the quotes in context with contemporary issues. The quotes that then follow are from the Determining Doctrine book, which contains many quotes that are not readily available elsewhere or are exclusive to the book.

            It is one thing for something to be inspired or revelatory and therefore scriptural, and another for it to be canonized and become binding on the members of the Church—meaning their lives and conduct will be judged by the content of the scripture. The four standard works of the Church are canonized scripture; what is said under the influence of the Holy Spirit at General Conference is true and timely/relevant counsel, but is not canonized scripture, binding on the members. These are distinctions that seem to be lost on some members (and most non-Mormons) but would be helpful to all if understood.

From Determining Doctrine:

From the Doctrine and Covenants:

            And, behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth—

            And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.

            And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. (D&C 68:2-4.)