Letter on Journal of Discourses “Dear … (name blotted out)
In having in your library, the 26 volumes of the “JOURNALS OF DISCOURSES, you have a library containing the sermons of the Presidents and Apostles of the Church. If anyone tells you that the sermons found therein are not recognized by the Church, they know not what they are talking about. I am sure that the individual is not anyone in authority — certainly not among the General Authorities. It could be a stake authority or a ward authority, but the opinion that the individual or individuals has expressed to you is absolutely erroneous.
If you will kindly turn to the title page of any of them, you will observe that they were published by P # D* and F. S. W* Richards, 15 Wilton St., London, England, and distributed by the Latter-day Saints Book Depot, 35 Jewin Street. This was the printing office where all of the Church publications were printed in England in the early days of the opening of the British Mission,
May we also assure you that Deseret Book Company, being the only Church-owned book store, would not distribute literature on the Church, particularly anything as important as the Discourses of the Presidents and Apostles of the church, without the approval of the Church,
If you desire, you may write to President Joseph Fielding Smith of the Council of the Twelve Apostles for the verification of this fact.
Sincerely, Axel J. Andresen”
Matthew 24:4-5 “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
Info on the Church’s official stance regarding the Journal of Discourses is much like it is for any other topic in the world of Mormonism. Every resource will disagree with the previous one. A good example is what we’ve presented here.
The other day I came across the ‘Letter on the Journal of Discourses’ and immediately thought of comments from other church resources like the one below.
Journal of Discourses Overview ‘…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.”
We looked at their official statement above back in a 2015 article ‘Mormonism’s Love-Hate Relationship with the Journal of Discourses’. We asked the Mormon people if they felt they could trust Brigham’s sermons.
In light of finding another declaration in favor of using the Journals it’s easy to see why LDS members are confused.
Today we’re asking the same questions we did back then —
If the Journals aren’t trustworthy why does the Church quote from them in their articles and sermons today?
If the Journals are trustworthy why aren’t members adhering to what the original leaders said when it comes to polygamy, or the race issue?
If you’re LDS what are your thoughts about this?
Please know that if you are a member of the Church, we don’t say these things out of animosity, or to bash you! We’re deeply concerned for your spiritual well-being and we’re praying always for you to have a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus and Him crucified!
If you’re a Christian we ask that you’ll come alongside us to pray for, and witness to these dear people!
In closing, everyone would be better served by adhering to what Jesus said and to remember Isaiah 40:8!
‘The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.’
With Love in Christ —
Michelle
[…] Endorsement Letter for Journal of Discourses […]
They quit adhering to polygamy so they could become a state. The stopped being super racists so they could be included in school sports. In other words, they refuse to obey THEIR god’s when expedient for their goals. Rank hypocrites.
amen to that!