Excerpt from Prophets and Patriarchs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints The Biographies of the Apostles and Patriarchs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, by Apostle Matthias F. Cowley, were written for the "Southern Star." When that periodical suspended publication not more than half the letters from Brother Cowley had been published. The biographies which did appear, however, were very popular among the Elders and Saints of the Southern States Mission, and numerous calls came for them from the West. They are written in a simple and easy style, abounding in interesting incidents and valuable historical facts. It was the desire and original intention of the author to submit the biographies of the First Seven Presidents of Seventies and Presiding Bishopric for the readers of this little volume, but not having these prepared for publication, and the opportunity presenting itself, almost without warning, for the publication of those already prepared, it was thought best to leave them for a subsequent edition. As the articles contain much valuable information, and their publication will be instrumental in doing good, I accept as a labor of love the pleasant task of presenting, in book form, all of Apostle Cowley's biographies to the "Star" - those which appeared, those which were ready for publication when the paper suspended, and a few recently prepared. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The hereditary office of Presiding Patriarch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first occupied by the father of the Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith, had long seemed the focal point of a struggle for authority between those appointed and those born to leadership positions. Irene Bates and E. Gary Smith, who conclude that the office's demise in 1979 was inevitable, chronicle its history and find it to be a classic example of Max Weber's theory of the "routinization of charisma". From the creation of the patriarchal office in 1833 to its demise, the authors illuminate the tensions between the leadership circle of the Council of Twelve, headed by Brigham Young, and the potential rival power center of the Patriarch. This struggle is related, in turn, to the one between the Smith family and the rest of the Mormon leadership. Also illuminated are recurrent struggles between the president and the Twelve over the patriarchal issue. Bates and Smith argue that the real source of dissonance between the patriarchs and other church leaders was the impossibility of melding familial authority (the Patriarch) with official authority (the structured leadership of the growing church).

In the last several years a wealth of information has been published on Joseph Smith's practice of polygamy. For some who were already well aware of this aspect of early Mormon history, the availability of new research and discovered documents has been a wellspring of further insight and knowledge into this topic. For others who are learning of Joseph's marriages to other women for the first time, these books and online publications can be both an information overload and a challenge to one's faith. In this short volume, Brian C. Hales (author of the 3-volume Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology) and Laura H. Hales wade through the murky waters of history to help bring some clarity to this episode of Mormonism's past. As Joseph Smith's participation in plural marriage involved more than just the Prophet and his first wife Emma, this volume also includes short biographical sketches of the 35 other women who were sealed to Joseph but whose stories of faith, struggle, and courage have been largely forgotten and ignored over time. While we may never fully understand the details and reasons surrounding this practice, Brian and Laura Hales provide readers with an accessible, forthright, and faithful look into this challenging topic so that we can at least come toward a better understanding. Praise for Joseph Smith's Polygamy: Toward a Better Understanding "Few matters of LDS history have proven to be as faith-sensitive as Joseph Smith's plural marriages. While a number of efforts have been made in recent years to shed light on this challenging phenomenon, nothing has brought greater clarity, enlightenment, and, particularly for believing Saints, spiritual reassurance, than has the work of researcher Brian Hales. He and his wife Laura have now rendered a monumental service to Mormons and interested observers by bringing clarity and better understanding to this topic. I for one am grateful for the context, perspective, and both straightforward and faithful answers provided for so many of the questions surrounding Nauvoo polygamy. It is a book that will be read and discussed for years to come." - Robert L. Millet, Professor Emeritus of Religious Education, Brigham Young University

In summing up his own life a few years before his death, Wilford Woodruff said: “From the beginning of my ministry in 1834 until the close of 1895 I have traveled in all 172,369 miles; held 7,655 meetings; preached 3,526 discourses; organized 51 branches of the Church and 77 preaching places; my journeys cover England, Scotland, Wales, and 23 states and 5 territories of the Union. My life abounds in incidents which to me surely indicate the direct inter-position of God whom I firmly believe has guided my every step. On 27 distinct occasions I have been saved from dangers which threatened my life. I am the father of 17 sons and 16 daughters. I have a posterity of 100 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.” This lion of the Lord lived through, and chronicled his experiences, in nearly eveny significant event in the early history of the church. From Zion’s Camp, through his many missions in the United States and United Kingdom, during the Missouri and Nauvoo periods, across the plains, throughout the early years in the Salt Lake Valley and the building of three temples, and during his time as the president of the Church which included the revelations and Official Declaration that ended the practice of plural marriage. President Woodruff and the journals he kept are one of the most important sources we have for so much of important Church history. This wonderful volume was writted by Elder Matthias F. Cowley and published in 1909 under the auspices of the Woodruff Family Foundation. The original dedication reads: TO HIS NUMEROUS AND EVER INCREASING FAMILY, AND TO ALL WHO LOVE THE NAME AND MEMORY OF PRES. WILFORD WOODRUFF THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED Missionaries, priesthood leaders, lovers of Church history, and anyone with an interest in the lives of early Church leaders and prophets will enjoy the marvelous experiences shared in this book. It has greatly strengthened my faith, and I hope it will do the same for yours.

Explore the Book is not a commentary with verse-by-verse annotations. Neither is it just a series of analyses and outlines. Rather, it is a complete Bible survey course. No one can finish this series of studies and remain unchanged. The reader will receive lifelong benefit and be enriched by these practical and understandable studies. Exposition, commentary, and practical application of the meaning and message of the Bible will be found throughout this giant volume. Bible students without any background in Bible study will find this book of immense help as will those who have spent much time studying the Scriptures, including pastors and teachers. Explore the Book is the result and culmination of a lifetime of dedicated Bible study and exposition on the part of Dr. Baxter. It shows throughout a deep awareness and appreciation of the grand themes of the gospel, as found from the opening book of the Bible through Revelation.