Journal of Discourses

This electronic edition of the Journal of Discourses has been carefully checked to match the original document as closely as possible, preserving the spelling and punctuation of the original version, which was printed from photolithographic plates. Each paragraph is marked with the corresponding page number, making it easy to find the same references in the printed edition. . Hyperlinks in the table of contents, as well as at the beginning of each volume, make for easy navigation between chapters and volumes. In addition, each volume and chapter has a hyperlink back to the volume or overall TOC providing excellent navigation both forward and backward through the edition.. The Journal of Discourses is a 26-volume collection of public sermons by early leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The "Mormon" Church) . With the endorsement of the church's First Presidency publication began in 1854 and ended in 1886. However, 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. . The Journal is one of the richest sources of early Mormon theology and thinking. It includes 1,438 sermons given by 55 church leaders, including most numerously Brigham Young, John Taylor, Orson Pratt, Heber C. Kimball, and George Q. Cannon. The compilation contains some statements of doctrine as well as other materials of interest to Latter-day Saints who lived far from the center of the Church, including speeches given for a variety of occasions, funeral addresses, reports from returning missionaries, prayers, and the proceedings of a trial. . The Journal of Discourses was produced under the guidance of those who transcribed the materials, including George D. Watt, David W. Evans, and George W. Gibbs. Skilled in the use of shorthand, George D. Watt had transcribed many conferences and sermons for the Deseret News. He received little pay for his work. Since the Deseret News was not generally available outside of the United States, Watt proposed to Brigham Young the idea of publishing these materials on a subscription basis. Such a plan would make the materials available to more Saints and allow Watt to earn a living with his work. President Brigham Young supported the plan, and a letter from the First Presidency was included in the first volume encouraging Church members to cooperate in the "purchase and sale" of the journal.