From Deseret News archives:
Collector's edition is a gem
"The Articles of Faith," by Elder James E. Talmage, like his earlier volume, "Jesus the Christ," is an LDS classic. It is a study of the "principal doctrines" of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based on the 13 Articles of Faith written by church founder, Joseph Smith.
Considered necessary reading for both LDS missionaries and faithful members since its publication, it is one of the best-read books among members of the LDS Church, perhaps save only the standard works. And now, Covenant Communications has published a reprint of one of the book's earliest editions.
Elder Talmage was one of the great intellects in LDS history. He was trained in geology, taught at Brigham Young Academy and served as the principal of LDS College. He was also a mining consultant and president of the University of Utah prior to his calling to the church's Quorum of the Twelve in 1911.
In 1891, Elder Talmage met with the First Presidency to discuss the writing and publication of a book on theology, for use in church schools and religion classes. The presidency told Elder Talmage they wanted him to write that book. In his diary, Elder Talmage recorded, "I find myself very busy already, but I have never yet found it necessary to decline any labor appointed to me by the Holy Priesthood."
In 1893, the church's president, Wilford W. Woodruff, formally appointed Elder Talmage to write the book, and Elder Talmage said he wanted "no pecuniary reward" for it. Later that year, Elder Talmage started teaching a religion class, his lectures forming the substance of the book that was to come.
According to James E. Harris, author of the excellent "The Essential James E. Talmage," as well as the foreword to a smaller edition of "The Articles of Faith" that was published by Signature Books earlier this year, the class was probably intended as a sounding board for Elder Talmage's approach to the book. The class was so popular that 600-1,500 people attended.
In 1899, the first edition of "The Articles of Faith" was published by the Deseret News, and quickly more than 10,000 copies were sold. Because the book was so well-received, the First Presidency reconsidered Elder Talmage's request that he be paid nothing for writing it, and since he would still suggest no sum of money, they gave him a gift of $1,500.
In 1924, a second edition was published, for which Elder Talmage made some corrections, including punctuation, grammar and sentence structure, as well as the reconsideration of some church doctrines. The first edition was presented as a series of lectures; in the 1924 edition, these lectures were changed to chapters.
Covenant has rendered a genuine service by publishing this fine collector's edition of the 1924 edition of the book, with illustrations, and a cover painting of Joseph Smith and the First Vision, done by Gary L. Kapp.
There is still virtually no information included on the background and qualifications of the author, which is a shame, and which means any serious reader should perhaps first obtain a copy of James E. Harris' extraordinary book.
E-MAIL: dennis@desnews.com
