Question for other mormons: what do you know about the journal of discourses?

Question

of course, anyone, mormon or not, is more than welcome to share any knowledge they may have. thanks for the input

Answer 1

Let's see what Church leaders have to say about them:

"The Journal of Discourses deservedly ranks as one of the standard works of the Church, and every rightminded Saint will certainly welcome with joy every Number as it comes forth from the press as an additional reflector of 'the light that shines from Zion's hill.'"

-George Q. Cannon (1st counselor, 1st Pres), Journal of Discourses, Volume 8 preface


"We feel confident that the important instructions on principle and doctrine therein contained, relative to the building of Temples, the salvation of the dead, the introduction of the Order of Enoch, and the general progress and development of the great Latter-day Work, will prove as interesting, gratifying and beneficial to the Saints and to posterity, as those that have been previously published through this medium.

We regret that the circulation of the JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES is so limited. Its importance would warrant a thousand-fold greater extension of this work. We anticipate a time, not distant in the future, when a copy of the present volume will be more precious than gold. It is even now almost impossible to obtain a complete series. Copies should therefore be carefully preserved by all subscribers."

-Joseph F. Smith, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 18)


"I know just as well what to teach this people and just what to say to them and what to do in order to bring them into the celestial kingdom, as I know the road to my office. It is just as plain and easy. The Lord is in our midst. He teaches the people continually. I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve."

-Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 13:95


"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


"We take great pleasure in presenting to the Saints and the world the Fifteenth Volume of the JOURNAL OF DISCOURSES, which they will find contains rich treasures of information concerning the glorious principles of Eternal Life, as revealed through God's anointed servants in these last days.

All who read the discourses contained in this Volume are earnestly recommended to adapt them to their lives by practice, and we can confidently assure them that, in doing so, they are laying up a store of knowledge that will save and exalt them in the Celestial kingdom."

-Apostle Albert Carrington, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 15


"All men can be profited by perusing its pages and pondering over the words of truth and salvation as they flow in beautiful simplicity and power from the mouths of the Living Oracles."

-George Q. Cannon, Journal of Discourses. Preface, Volume 9



Thus, after careful consideration, we can see that the leaders of the Church have ALWAYS thought that the Journal of Discourses was nothing more than opinion, and that it shouldn't be considered for anything other than "enlightenment, only when read by the Spirit". Even though it was sponsored, printed, copyrighted, distributed, and sold by the Church, it in no way speaks for the Church in any way, shape, or form.

Answer 2

Isn't this same same set of documents where Brigham Young states emphatically that whatever he preaches is to be considered absolute doctrine?

"I say now, when they [his discourses] are copied and approved by me they are as good Scripture as is couched in this Bible . . . " (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 13, p. 264

"I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call Scripture. Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good Scripture as they deserve. The people have the oracles of God continually." (ibid, p. 95.)

"What man or woman on earth, what spirit in the spirit-world can say truthfully that I ever gave a wrong word of counsel, or a word of advice that could not be sanctioned by the heavens? " (ibid, Vol. 12, p. 127).

These volumes are as wonderful as a summer Fast and Testimony meeting with a broken air conditioner, but making aoologies for them is not what the church leaders do - they quote from these pieces of tripe continually.

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Discourses

"The Journal of Discourses is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a compilation of sermons and other materials from the early years of the Church, which were transcribed and then published. It includes practical advice as well as doctrinal discussion, some of which is speculative in nature and some of which is only of historical interest. ... Questions have been raised about the accuracy of some transcriptions. Modern technology and processes were not available for verifying the accuracy of transcriptions, and some significant mistakes have been documented. The Journal of Discourses includes interesting and insightful teachings by early Church leaders; however, by itself it is not an authoritative source of Church doctrine."

Answer 4

One thing the book says is that Mary was married to God in the pre-existance and they when the holy Ghost came over her they consimated the marriage.

Answer 5

I think Juan covered it all.

It is not an official publication of the Church, nor is it official doctrine. There's lots of historic infoormation, but tons of speculation.

Answer 6

I thought LDSers didn't like the wilkipedia (referring to previous comments made about it)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Mormonism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_massacre

Answer 7

What Juanes said...

Answer 8

Read them yourself.