Cowley's Talks on Doctrine

In Short

Written in 1902 by Matthias F. Cowley, an Apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this work offers a systematic overview of foundational Latter-day Saint doctrines. It sets out to demonstrate that modern Christianity has drifted into apostasy, losing essential priesthood authority, spiritual gifts, and direct revelation. Through twenty-two structured topics—ranging from baptism and tithing to pre-existence, salvation for the dead, and the Millennium—Cowley constructs an unembellished defense of Joseph Smith’s prophetic mission. It remains a definitive period document of Latter-day Saint missionary literature, valued for its directness and scriptural cross-referencing.

The Story

The intellectual arc of the work moves from historical loss to total restoration and future glory. It opens with an examination of the Great Apostasy, arguing that the divine authority established in the primitive Church was gradually lost following the deaths of the ancient apostles. Instead of maintaining a continuous link of divine guidance, the Christian world fell into a state where institutional authority was replaced by uninspired human traditions. To ground this claim, the argument points to Biblical prophecies of a spiritual famine—a time when people would seek the word of the Lord across the earth but fail to find inspired prophets.

From this premise of loss, the narrative shifts to the necessity of a modern restoration. The text asserts that divine authority cannot be assumed by human intellect or self-appointment; it requires a direct delegation of the Holy Priesthood from heaven. Joseph Smith's testimony is presented as the fulfillment of ancient prophecy, introducing the return of angelic messengers who conferred the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods. This restoration re-establishes the exact organizational pattern of the early Church, complete with apostles, prophets, bishops, priests, teachers, and deacons, each serving specific spiritual and temporal roles within the community.

The central portion of the book systematically outlines the core principles and ordinances required for salvation. Beginning with the initial steps of faith, repentance, and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, it highlights the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost as the mandatory entrance into the fold. The scope of salvation then broadens beyond mortality. The text details the doctrine of pre-existence—that human spirits existed before earthly birth—and pairs it with the principle of salvation for the dead, explaining that proxy ordinances allow those who died without the Gospel to accept it in the spirit world.

In its final movement, the work addresses the practical gathering of Israel, the law of tithing, and the literal reign of Christ during the Millennium. It highlights the Book of Mormon as a sacred, ancient record of the Western hemisphere, providing external archaeological findings and internal prophecies to validate its authenticity. The argument culminates in a vision of the earth’s ultimate destiny: a thousand years of peace where the righteous reign with Christ, followed by the complete renewal and celestialization of the earth as humanity's eternal home.

How It Unfolds

The loss of divine authority The work establishes that mainstream Christianity experienced a widespread apostasy, fulfilling Biblical predictions of a spiritual famine where immediate revelation and inspired prophets vanished from the earth.

The modern restoration Joseph Smith receives heavenly messengers who restore the Holy Priesthood, reinstating the primitive Church's original organization of apostles, prophets, and spiritual gifts.

Essential principles and ordinances Salvation is mapped out through a distinct sequence: faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Ghost.

Scope of the eternal plan The narrative expands the concept of human existence to include a pre-mortal life as spiritual children of God, alongside proxy baptism for deceased ancestors who never heard the Gospel.

Temporal laws and gathering Practical duties like tithing are presented as divine requirements alongside the literal gathering of scattered Israel to their promised lands.

The millennial culmination The arc concludes with the return of Christ, the binding of Satan, a thousand-year reign of peace, and the ultimate transformation of the earth into a glorified, celestial home.

The People

Because this is a theological exposition rather than a character-driven story, its primary figures are the divine beings, ancient prophets, and modern leaders whose actions shape the doctrine.

• Joseph Smith

The foundational prophet of the modern dispensation. He seeks direct guidance from God, receives the restoration of the priesthood from heavenly messengers, and re-establishes the Church after the ancient pattern. He faces widespread cultural and religious opposition, ultimately sealing his testimony before the Church's leadership passes to his successors.

• Brigham Young

The successor to Joseph Smith as President of the Church. Facing potential schisms and apostasy after Smith's death, his leadership is validated before the congregation through a miraculous transfiguration where he speaks with the voice and appearance of the martyred prophet. He guides the Saints for thirty-three years, establishing the Church on the revelations received by his predecessor.

• The Ancient Prophets and Apostles (Amos, Malachi, Paul, Peter, and John)

Biblical figures whose recorded writings serve as foundational witnesses. They foretell both the tragic loss of the Gospel and its eventual end-times restoration, providing the scriptural benchmarks by which modern claims of revelation must be tested.

In Its Own Voice

"Truth in studied brevity has been aimed at, without seeking the least embellishment of diction."

This note from the publisher's preface reflects the book's intent to deliver a straightforward, unadorned explanation of complex doctrines.

"Who, previous to the year 1827, for many centuries has found in his researches an inspired prophet who could stand in the midst of the people and say, 'Thus saith the Lord?'"

Here, the text challenges mainstream Christian theology by pointing out the centuries-long absence of living, inspired prophets prior to Joseph Smith's revelations.

"The spirit and the body must be the soul, as enunciated by the Lord in a revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith."

This quote highlights the book's distinct theological assertion regarding human identity, linking modern Latter-day Saint scripture directly with broader concepts of physical and spiritual existence.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book addresses the problem of divine authority and religious legitimacy. It argues that human wisdom, scholarly research, and traditional councils are fundamentally insufficient to govern the human soul or administer the ordinances of salvation.

The text insists that true religion requires continuous, direct revelation from God to living prophets. It presents the universe as an orderly, purposeful progression: human spirits exist before mortality, undergo testing in physical bodies, and continue to progress after death through proxy ordinances and righteous living. Ultimately, the book seeks to prove that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not a reform movement or a human invention, but the literal re-establishment of God’s ancient kingdom on earth in preparation for the second coming of Christ.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in American religious history, nineteenth-century theology, or the foundational literature of the Latter-day Saint movement will find this volume to be a remarkably clear primary source. Writing in a direct, plain-spoken style, Matthias F. Cowley avoids complex rhetorical flourishes in favor of structured arguments and dense scriptural citations.

The experience of reading the text offers a window into how early twentieth-century Latter-day Saint missionaries framed their faith to the broader public. It reflects an era when religious debates were contested through detailed Biblical proof-texting and clear-cut logical distinctions between traditional denominational views and restored theology.

Modern readers should be prepared for a firm, uncompromising stance toward traditional Christian denominations, as the text explicitly labels post-apostolic Christianity as fallen and unauthorized. Its tone is earnest and confident, characteristic of period apologetics. For anyone seeking to understand the core doctrines of the Latter-day Saint tradition as presented by one of its prominent leaders at the turn of the twentieth century, this brief treatise remains an accessible and illuminating reference.