The Philosophical Basis of Mormonism

The Philosophical Basis of Mormonism is the text of an address by Elder James E. Talmage delivered before the Congress of Religious Philosophies held during the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. Elder Talmage was selected by the presiding authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to represent them at this event. The Church was honored to have been invited, as they were one of three Christian churches who were invited.

Elder Talmage gives a brief history of the Church's name and nickname (the "Mormon" church) and then spends most of the discourse on the existence of God and our relationship to Him, the Fall of Adam, the need for a Redeemer, the establishment of His church in the meridian of time, the apostasy and falling away from said church, and the restoration thereof in our era. He concludes his discourse by discussing the mission of Christ's church in our day to prepare for the Second Coming.

All thoughts and explanations are straightforward and mostly quoted from the Bible, although latter-day scripture is used sporadically throughout Talmage's discourse. This is a great text for somebody who wants to get a snapshot of the Church and its beliefs.