Discourses of Brigham Young

Discourses of Brigham Young is a compilation of teachings and sermons from Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book was compiled and edited by John A. Widtsoe from Young's recorded speeches between 1851-1877. The text covers religious doctrine, practical counsel, and social commentary through transcribed excerpts of Young's public addresses to his followers. Young discusses topics including faith, education, marriage, economics, government, and daily living in the American West. The collection provides insights into both Mormon theology and pioneer life during a period of western expansion and religious development in 19th century America. Widtsoe organized the material by subject matter rather than chronologically. The book serves as a window into the intersection of American religious thought and frontier pragmatism, revealing how spiritual beliefs shaped the development of Mormon settlements in the western territories. The discourses demonstrate Young's blend of theological vision with practical leadership.

Readers value this book as a comprehensive collection of Brigham Young's teachings and sermons, organized by topic. The systematic arrangement helps locate specific doctrinal discussions and counsel. Readers appreciated: - Clear topical organization making teachings searchable - Historical context provided for each discourse - Young's direct, plain speaking style - Coverage of practical life advice alongside doctrine Common criticisms: - Some passages lack full context of original sermons - Dated language can be difficult to follow - Index could be more detailed - Limited explanation of historical background Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (142 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (85 ratings) Deseret Book: 4.8/5 (32 ratings) One reader noted: "His straightforward approach to explaining gospel principles makes complex topics understandable." Another mentioned: "Would have benefited from more historical annotations to understand the circumstances of each discourse."

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🔹 The book compiles teachings from Brigham Young's 30-year ministry, drawn from over 800 sermons and discourses that were originally published in the Journal of Discourses and Deseret News. 🔹 John A. Widtsoe, who compiled the book, was not only an apostle of the LDS Church but also a renowned scientist who earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from Germany's University of Göttingen in 1899. 🔹 Brigham Young, the subject of the book, led the Mormon pioneers across 1,300 miles of wilderness to establish Salt Lake City in 1847, and was known as the "American Moses." 🔹 The first edition was published in 1925 as part of a series called "Makers of American History," and has remained continuously in print for nearly 100 years. 🔹 Despite having only 11 days of formal schooling, Brigham Young founded what would become Brigham Young University and established over 350 settlements across the American West.