By James P. Harris IN EARLY 1921, Elder James E. Talmage lED A committee, that included Elders Joseph Fielding Smith and John A. Widtsoe, tasked with overseeing changes to the Doctrine and Covenants. It was this committee that ultimately recommended the removal of the “Lectures on Faith,” which had been bound at the front of …
Tag: James P. Harris
James Talmage on Book of Mormon Geography
By James P. Harris Elder James E. Talmage had a firm belief in the historicity of the Book of Mormon account, yet the record shows that he was uncertain where the events described in the book took place. For instance, in his 1916 masterwork, Jesus the Christ, Elder Talmage appends the following note concerning where …
Discerning a Spirit
By James P. Harris Elder James E. Talmage was cautious when writing about spiritual experiences in his journal. For instance, when he would refer to something profoundly moving that had happened during a meeting of the Twelve and First Presidency, he would typically write something like, “This was a day long to be remembered by …
Of Doormen, Pencils, and a Prophet’s Secret Talent
By James P. Harris In late October 1996, I had the privilege of interviewing John Russell Talmage, the last living child of James and May Talmage. At the time he was eighty-five years old. John passed away in 2001. We spoke for three hours that day, and he allowed me to record the conversation. …
A Vision Becomes Scripture
By James P. Harris Following a 1904 meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve during which “[i]t was moved and unanimously carried that ‘the brethren should not write in their journals that which took place in the Council meetings,’ Elder James E. Talmage became quite cautious in his journal regarding meetings of the Twelve. …
Let the Dead Bury Their Dead
This regular Cornucopia column features incidents from and glimpses into the life and ministry of Elder James E. Talmage as compiled by James P. Harris, who is currently working on a full-length biography of this fascinating Mormon apostle. The column title is adopted from the statement inscribed on Elder Talmage’s tombstone: “Within the Gospel of …
A Pre-World War II Prophecy
This regular Cornucopia column features incidents from and glimpses into the life and ministry of Elder James E. Talmage as compiled by James P. Harris, who is currently working on a full-length biography of this fascinating Mormon apostle. The column title is adopted from the statement inscribed on Elder Talmage’s tombstone: “Within the Gospel of …
Calling an Apostle
This regular Cornucopia column features incidents from and glimpses into the life and ministry of Elder James E. Talmage as compiled by James P. Harris, who is currently working on a full-length biography of this fascinating Mormon apostle. The column title is adopted from the statement inscribed on Elder Talmage’s tombstone: “Within the Gospel of …
Understanding Talmage
This regular Cornucopia column features incidents from and glimpses into the life and ministry of Elder James E. Talmage as compiled by James P. Harris, who is currently working on a full-length biography of this fascinating Mormon apostle. The column title is adopted from the statement inscribed on Elder Talmage’s tombstone: “Within the Gospel of …