Mormon Dilemma 460

The Dreaded Journal of Discourses

Journal of Discourses, Preface, Vol. 15; “We take great pleasure in presenting to the Saints and the world the … 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

Notice how the Church has issued the following statement on their website:  

“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.”

Proverbs 30:5-6; “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” 

Oops.  So what do you do with the sermons of prophets today that still quote from the Journal of Discourses? Are they trustworthy?

Were the beloved Brigham Young and Joseph Smith not inspired of God? 

If they were merely voicing their opinions how would one know the difference then or now?

The Church says that the Journal of Discourses aren’t an official publication, but the Church has officially published all 26 volumes and continues to do so even today (2012), some 126 years later. The sermons were delivered by various church leaders from 1854 to 1886 and contain the meat of the Mormon gospel.