"The Journal of Discourses is a vehicle of doctrine,
counsel, and instruction to ALL people, but especially to
the Saints." — Brigham Young
These sources are generally not viewed as authoritative by Mormons today. This is understandable, since in many cases, these works contradict what is taught today. Early LDS leaders recognized the truth that God does not change in His character and they therefore rightly realized that the principles of the true gospel also do not change. It is unlikely they imagined some of the radical shifts the Mormon gospel would undergo later (like the abandonment of polygamy and blacks getting the priesthood).
Click on links below to see scans of actual documents.
Journal of Discourses
- Brigham Young - Brigham Young endorses the work of
Elder George D. Watt in compiling the Journal of
Discourses. Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. v
(1853)
- George D. Watt - Journal of discourses contains the
words of Apostles and Prophets and will prove a source
of light, information and joy.
Journal of Discourses,
vol. 1, p. vii (1853)
- Orson Pratt - "We are privileged to present to the
Saints and the world, the Third Volume of the Journal
of Discourses, containing the principles of the
Gospel of salvation delivered to this generation through
the Apostles and Prophets of the Most High, by the power
of the Holy Ghost."
Journal of Discourses, vol.
3, p. iii (1856)
- George Q. Cannon - "Read the discourses of the first
Presidency and the Twelve, and you will see that they
are filled with revelation, with light, with knowledge,
with wisdom, and with good counsel unto this people. ...
There has not been a single minute that this people has
been left without the voice of God."
Journal of
Discourses, vol. 10, p. 345 (1864)
- Brigham Young - "The Journal of Discourses is a vehicle of doctrine, counsel, and instruction to ALL people, but especially to the Saints. It follows then, then, [sic] that each successive volume is more and more valuable as the Church increases in numbers and importance in the earth." Journal of Discourses, vol. 11, p. iii (1867)
Lectures on Faith
- Joseph Smith - "The first part of the book will be
found to contain a series of Lectures as delivered
before a Theological class in this place, and in
consequence of their embracing the important doctrine of
salvation, we have arranged then into the following
work.
"... The church viewing this subject to be of importance, appointed, through their servants and delegates the High Council, your servants to select and compile this work." Doctrine and Covenants, p. iii (1835 ed.)
The Seer by LDS Apostle Orson Pratt
- Orson Pratt - "The pages of the Seer will be mostly
occupied with original matter, illucidating [sic] the
doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, as revealed in both ancient and modern
Revelations.
"... And we say to all nations, subscribe to the Seer, and we promise you a True and Faithful description of all the principle features, characterizing this great and last 'dispensation of the fulness of times." The Seer, p. 1 (1854)
- Orson Pratt - "This certifies that Professor Orson Pratt of the University of Deseret, one of the Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is appointed by us, with the sanction of the special Conference ... to write and Publish Periodicals, Pamphlets, Books &c, illustrative of the principles and doctrines of the Church." Statement signed by "Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Willard Richards - Presidency of said Church" The Seer, p. 2 (1854)
True Gospel Never Changes
- "When the Lord commands us to become like Him, He
really intends that we shall do so. But since He never
changes, and since human nature is always the same,
identical conditions are required to bring that human
nature into harmony with the unchangeable God.
"For that reason, the Gospel must always be the same in all its parts.
"To say that the Gospel may be changed is to say that either God has changed, or that human nature is no longer human nature.
"It is obvious, therefore that no one change change the Gospel, and that if they attempt to do so, they only set up a man-made system which is not the Gospel, but is merely a reflection of their own views. And since only God can save, only His Gospel can save, and if se substitute 'any other Gospel,' there is no salvation in it." Editorial - Church News, p. 16 (June 5, 1965)
No Transmission of Incorrect and Unsound Doctrines
- Brigham Young - "We do not wish incorrect and
unsound doctrines to be handed down to posterity under
the sanction of great names, to be received and valued
by future generations as authentic and reliable ...
Errors in history and doctrine, if left uncorrected by
us who are conversant with the events, and who are in a
position to judge of the truth or falsity of the
doctrines, would go to our children as though we had
sanctioned and endorsed them."
Millennial Star,
vol. 27, p. 659 (1865)