Mormons: How valuable is the Journal of Discourses to your salvation?

Question

The "Journal of Discourses" is a vehicle of doctrine, counsel, and instruction to all people, but especially to the Saints. It follows, then, then, that each successive volume is more and more valuable as the Church increases in numbers and importance in the earth, and its doctrines become more abundantly developed and are brought into practical exercise by His peculiar people. Every step of its advancement is fraught with the greatest possible importance to the human family. No Saint can afford to do without these precious precepts until they are able to exemplify them in their daily lives and conversation.
Author: Brigham Young
Source: Journal Of Discourses
Volume: 11
Section: Preface

"Each successive Volume of these Discourses is a rich mine of wealth, containing gems of great value, and the diligent seeker will find ample reward for his labor. After the fathers and mothers of this generation have made them the study of their lives their children's children will find that they are still unexhausted, and rejoice that this Record has been handed down from their fathers to also aid them in following the way of life.

No one can remain a Saint long, unless he progresses by seeking after the higher knowledge, spirit, and power of those who are set to lead him. A little observation and experience will also satisfy him that he can never fully understand their sayings until he has advanced as far as they have, and sees and comprehends as they do, hence he will ever find their instructions the great fountain from which he must draw the elements of his own progress." (Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 3.)

"It is impossible to give monetary value to the past volumes of this publication, and the best evidence that they are appreciated, is to be found in the fact that they are sought alike by non-members as well as by members of the Church, and in contrast with many works of greater pretentions, book-stalls are searched in vain for even solitary copies.

Those who read the utterances of the servants of God, contained in this book, under the same influence by which the speakers were inspired, cannot fail to receive profit from the perusal. Therefore, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Joseph F. Smith, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 18)

Mr. G: Yes, there are 'plenty' of revelations found in the JoD that aren't found elsewhere. Here are a few:

Heber C. Kimball (1st presidency) prophecy that if the Church ever discontinued polygamy, it would stop being true.

Brigham Young revelation that the moon and sun are both inhabited.

Brigham Young revelation that gold and silver grow like hairs on our heads.

By the way, do you know what the JoD is? It's basically "Conference Talks" of the early Church. Brigham Young himself said that anything he has ever said in a sermon or discourse is better scripture than anything in the Bible.

Answer 1

Haha, too bad these "Journal of Discourses" go against current LDS/Mormon doctrine. It's one of those things that the apologetics can't seem to hide from.

One Nice Guy: In the Journal of Discourses there are many "revelations" that were supposed to be "eternal." Funny now, if these revelations are "eternal" why aren't they followed.
And one of the many premesis of the LDS/Mormon church is that the gospel is unchanging, yet the LDS/Mormon church continues to disregard old prophecies.

Answer 2

I would certainly love to learn more from these, and I have the entire set on my PDA. However, I've only read a handful of articles.

While I do agree that the learning would enrich the lives of latter-day saints, I also suspect that the canon living prophets (e.g. General Conference), and former prophets (e.g. PH/RS curriculum) are more important to us, simply because these are the topics of study in most of our Sunday worship services and classes.

I supsect that we are getting the most relevant material in PH/RS classes where we have been studying the teachings of the prophets for about a decade now.

Perhaps somebody should publish a "Journal of Discourses Classics" book which would make the most pertinent material more accessible to the majority of the membership.

Rebuttal to Conscious-X: Significant Church leaders and historians are very aware of the contents of the JoD, and they don't seem to be fleeing from their testimony of the Church.

Rebuttal to jlleyinnv: I don't see how the so-called "changes" in doctrine are any different than Christianity as a whole. Did not Christ himself change doctrine from the Law of Moses to his law?

Rebuttal to bookratt: I don't think the question was in any way questioning or criticizing. The question was stright-forward in its content, and was answered by me in a deserving manner. The questioner is not proselyting if he addresses his question specifically to Mormons, which he clerarly did. The fact, that you, a non-Mormon responded shows that there is something about the Church that you cannot leave alone. As Joseph Smith stated in one of the fundamental core beliefs called the Articles of Faith, "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." Since we afford you the right to worship your religion, can't we enjoy the same right?

Answer 3

Most Mormons don't read the Journal of Discourses or don't know about it. If you bring the Journal of discourses up; they say that was just Brigham Young opinion. Current prophet of the church can over ride past prophets. Prophet does the thinking for the Mormon people which is sad.

Answer 4

The journal of discourses are good material to read but aren't official Mormon doctrine. Official Mormon Doctrine comes from The First Presidency of the Church.

Their is no new revelation found in the JOD's not found somewhere else.

Answer 5

Most active mormons don't know what the JODs are. If they did, there would be a lot more of them resigning.

Rebuttal to OneN1ceguy:
Actually, talk to Greg Dodge in SLC Church Office Building and you'll see different about the current exodus.

Also, changes in doctrine may not be different from other religions, but the LDS church claims to be the only true church. It's OK for other churches to change doctrine because they are not true. Changes to doctrine show there is no divine revelation. God's laws are universal and never change.

Answer 6

You're proselytizing, not asking a real question.

And, since Mormons can be excommunicated for simply QUESTIONING or CRITICIZING their prophets, especially if they do this in public--and Yahoo answers is a public forum---how in the world do you reasonably expect one to actually answer this in a truthful, heartfelt way?

Especialy, now, since some of your leaders have publically demanded that to turn in misbehaving Mormons to their Ward Presidents and Bishops is the right and kindly thing for a devout Mormon to do, to keep in God' s good graces.

It's like asking a Jew to come put his head on the block in Nazi Germany and then to be mad when no one comes forward voluntarily.

Critical thinking must not be taught in the high schools in this country anymore.

Jeesh!

Answer 7

interesting -- I have read them as I have read "Jesus the Christ", "Meek and Lowly" and etc.

But none of these are canonized scripture. these books are important but the BEST of reading material is:

Old Testament KJV
New Testament KJV
Book Of Mormon
Doctrine and Covenants
Pearl of Great Price

Church Mag. -- Ensign, New Era, and The Friend

Thanks
D