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Journal of Discourses

Orson Pratt in the Journal of Discourses

All 127 of his sermons, 1854 to 1885 — what he returned to, and where each one is printed.

Updated

Apostle, mathematician and astronomer, and the church's foremost public expositor of doctrine in the nineteenth century. He published The Seer at Washington in 1853–54, and several of its positions were formally repudiated by the First Presidency in 1865.

127 sermons by Orson Pratt appear in the Journal of Discourses — 8.9% of the whole series — printed across 21 volumes, 1854 to 1885. That makes him the 3rd most-printed speaker in the Journal.

Sermons by Orson Pratt, per volume
1 — 3 sermons12 — 7 sermons3 — 6 sermons34 — 0 sermons5 — 0 sermons56 — 3 sermons7 — 8 sermons78 — 4 sermons9 — 1 sermons910 — 0 sermons11 — 0 sermons1112 — 6 sermons13 — 4 sermons1314 — 10 sermons15 — 11 sermons1516 — 13 sermons1317 — 10 sermons1718 — 13 sermons19 — 9 sermons1920 — 4 sermons21 — 10 sermons2122 — 2 sermons23 — 1 sermons2324 — 1 sermons25 — 1 sermons25

In his own words

The tables below say what Orson Pratt preached about. This is what it sounded like.

Whether I say much or little, it is my sincere desire to be dictated by the Spirit of the living God. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established upon the earth in the year 1830. Had it not been for the Book of Mormon, which I now hold in my hands, such a Church would not have had an existence. The probability is, there would have been no settlements formed in this Territory, no cities to adorn these dreary wastes, no tabernacles erected for Divine worship, and no congregations assembled to hear the words of life. The vast solitudes of these deserts would have been interrupted only by the howling of wild beasts, or the still more dismal yells of the ferocious savage. But this wonderful book has wrought a vast change; and these sterile regions now "rejoice and blossom as the rose." This book professes to be sent forth as a Divine revelation from God.

Orson Pratt, Evidences of the Bible and Book of Mormon Compared, Journal of Discourses, Volume 7

What he returned to

Every speaker in the Journal preaches on faith, repentance and the gathering. These are the subjects Orson Pratt raised more often than the Journal does as a whole — the ones that distinguish his preaching from the rest of the series.

Subjects raised more often than the Journal average
SubjectSermonsShare of his sermonsvs. Journal average
Martin Harris129%8.4×
Gold Plates97%8.4×
David Whitmer119%8.2×
American Indians97%7.8×
Pearl of Great Price86%7.5×
Urim and Thummim2822%7.0×
Equality86%6.9×
Hill Cumorah119%6.5×

Subject tags are generated by a language model reading each sermon. The comparison is against the rate for all 1,426 sermons in the Journal, so a figure of 3× means the subject appears three times as often in his sermons as in the series overall.

Every sermon, in order

The complete list as the Journal prints them. Titles are the printed titles, which routinely name four or five unrelated subjects in one line — each one links to the discourse itself at journalofdiscourses.com.

VolumeYearTitle
Volume 11854Celestial Marriage
Volume 11854A General Funeral Sermon of All Saints and Sinners; Also, of the Heavens and the Earth
Volume 11854The Earth—Its Fall, Redemption, and Final Destiny—The Eternal Abode of the Righteous
Volume 21855The Perpetual Emigrating Fund—Emigration of the Saints and the Nations
Volume 21855Consecration
Volume 21855The Increased Powers and Faculties of the Mind in a Future State
Volume 21855Progress of the Work—Consecration—Preaching to Israel—The Times of the Gentiles—Sanctification of the Saints
Volume 21855The Ancient Prophecies
Volume 21855The Holy Spirit and the Godhead
Volume 21855Funeral Address
Volume 31856Trials of the Saints—Redemption of Zion—Second Coming of Christ—The Word of Wisdom
Volume 31856The Kingdom of God
Volume 31856Language, or the Medium of Communication in the Future State, and the Increased Powers of Locomotion
Volume 31856The Salvation of the Soul of the Greatest Importance—Benefit of the Useful Sciences, Etc
Volume 31856The Advantages of the Latter-Day Saints, Compared With the Disadvantages Under Which Noah Labored, Etc
Volume 31856The Faith and Visions of the Ancient Saints—The Same Great Blessings to Be Enjoyed By the Latter-Day Saints
Volume 61859Testimony of God's Servants Faithfully Borne to the Nations—Gentile Opposition—Judgments of God—Redemption of Zion
Volume 61859Departure of Missionaries Without Purse or Scrip—Blessings of the Lord Upon His Faithful Servants
Volume 61859Polygamy
Volume 71860Evidences of the Bible and Book of Mormon Compared
Volume 71860Elijah's Latter-day Mission
Volume 71860Concentration of the Mind
Volume 71860Personal Reminiscences and Testimony Concerning the Prophet Joseph and the Church, Etc
Volume 71860Theocracy
Volume 71860The Ancient Gospel—Adam's Transgression, and Man's Redemption From Its Penalty, &c
Volume 71860Privileges and Experience of the Saints, Etc
Volume 71860Union of Spirit and Sentiment—Submission to the Living Oracles of the Church—A Confession, &c
Volume 81861Testimony of the Spirit, &c
Volume 81861Divine Authority
Volume 81861Celebration of American Independence, &c
Volume 81861True Source of Happiness—Riches, Temporal and Spiritual, &c
Volume 91862Salvation of the House of Israel to Come Through the Gentiles
Volume 121869Experience in Missionary Labors—Ancient Prophecies Concerning the People of God in the Last Days
Volume 121869The Lord's Supper—Antiquity of the Gospel—The Apostasy—The Restoration
Volume 121869The Opposition of Wickedness to Righteousness—Persecutions of The Saints—Misrepresentations
Volume 121869The Joy and Happiness Imparted By the Gospel—Sectarian and Revealed Religion—Oneness the Order of God
Volume 121869America a Choice Land—Its Aborigines
Volume 121869"Mormonism."
Volume 131871Revelations and Manifestations of God and of Wicked Spirits
Volume 131871The Latter-Day Kingdom of God—Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon—External Testimony
Volume 131871Celestial Marriage
Volume 131871The Latter-Day Work—Obeying the Commandments
Volume 141872The Blessings of Joseph—The American Indians
Volume 141872The Restoration of the Jews and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem—The Latter-Day Kingdom of God—Gathering of Israel
Volume 141872The Fulfillment of Prophecy—The Early History of the Church—The Book of Mormon
Volume 141872The Day of Pentecost—The Gifts of the Spirit—Cornelius
Volume 141872The Redemption of the Earth—Pre-Existence—Marriage
Volume 141872The Gathering—The Rise of the Church—The Book of Mormon—True Christianity
Volume 141872Order—Spiritual Gifts—Temples—The New Jerusalem
Volume 141872The Restoration of the Gospel—Its First Principles—Accumulating Evidences of the Truth of the Book of Mormon
Volume 141872Nephite America—The Day of God's Power—The Shepherd of Israel
Volume 141872Zion
Volume 151873The Latter-day Kingdom—The Present Fulfilment of Ancient Prophecy
Volume 151873Second Coming of Christ—Preparatory Work Thereto
Volume 151873The Setting Up of God's Kingdom in These Latter Days
Volume 151873Revelation From Heaven and Its Continuance Necessary
Volume 151873Review of God's Dealings With the Prophet Joseph—Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon—Gathering, Etc
Volume 151873Spirit of Light and Truth—Its Value—Its Opposite Necessary—Final Triumph of Light and Truth
Volume 151873Pre-Existence of Our Spirits
Volume 151873True Christmas and New Year
Volume 151873Different Degrees of Reward and of Punishment—Marriage for Eternity Necessary to a Fullness of Celestial Glory
Volume 151873Latter-Day Judgments
Volume 151873Consecration—Temporal Equality—Selfishness to Be Overcome—Resurrection—Return to Jackson County—Glory of Zion
Volume 161874Establishment of the Kingdom of God—Permanent Equality Should Be Maintained Among the Saints—Covetousness—Tithing—Consecration—Distinctions
Volume 161874Meeting of Adam With His Posterity in the Valley of Adam-Ondi-Ahman—Location of the Valley—The Covenant With Enoch—Records of God's Dealings With Men From the Period of the Creation—Method of Preserving the Records of Ancient Prophets—Christ's Advent Among the Nephites—Fufillment of God's Purposes and the Fullness of Times
Volume 161874The Rise of Zion in the Last Days
Volume 161874Necessity of Miracles—Belief of the Latter-Day Saints
Volume 161874The Manifestations of God's Power, in Behalf of His People in Modern Times, Are Different From Those of Former Ages—Consecration—Order of Enoch—Tithing—Stewardships—Redemption of Zion
Volume 161874Marriage
Volume 161874Evidences, Relating to the Divine Authenticity of the Bible and Book of Mormon, Compared
Volume 161874Temples to Be Built to the Name of the Lord—The Location of Their Erection, and the Purposes for Which They Shall Be Built
Volume 161874Distinguishing Characteristics Between the Latter-Day Saints and the Various Religious Denominations of Christendom
Volume 161874The Creation—The Seventh Thousand Years, and Events Which Are to Follow the Period of the Millennium
Volume 161874Revelation on the Judgments of the Lord—Firstfruits of the Resurrection—What Becometh of the Souls of Men—Redemption Universal
Volume 161874The Stick of Joseph and of Judah—Times of the Gentiles—Apostasy From the Ancient Order—Restoration of the Everlasting Gospel
Volume 161874The Increased Powers and Capacities of Man in His Future State
Volume 171875The Kingdom not Organized By Man—Man Utterly Unable to Organize the Kingdom of God on the Earth Without Revelation—The Nephites and Lamanites Had All Things in Common—Consecration—The Danger of Pride—The United Order
Volume 171875Interest Manifested Relating to Temporal Affairs—Revelations Pertaining to Being One in Temporal, As in SpiritualThings—Consecration—Stewardship—Jackson County—Sanctification
Volume 171875All Nations Believe in a Future State of Existence—All Inherit the Curse in the Death of the Body—The Zion of Enoch Taken to the Bosom of God—Celestial, Terrestrial and Telestial Spheres—Baptism in Water Essential to Salvation—Divine Authority—Eternal Marriage Ordained of God
Volume 171875All Men to Be Judged Out of the Books—Adam the Ancient of Days—In the Days of Enoch the Righteous Gathered Together From the Ends of the Earth to One Place—The Great Prophet Joseph Smith Raised Up By God to Reveal Hidden Mysteries
Volume 171875God's Ancient People Polygamists—Marriage Relations Are to Continue Forever—No Power Binding in Marriage But that of the Holy Priesthood Possessed By the Latter-Day Saints
Volume 171875The Gospel Restored From Heaven—Signs Follow Believers—Fulfillment of Prophecy—Book of Mormon a Divine Revelation
Volume 171875Joseph Smith's First Visions—The Book of Mormon—American Indians Descendants of the House of Israel—Prophecies Fulfilled
Volume 171875Redemption of Zion—Persecution—Baptism of Indians—Second Coming of Christ—Every Jot and Every Tittle of Divine Revelation Will Be Fulfilled
Volume 171875Second Coming of Christ—The Kingdom of God—Immediate Revelation—a Highway Cast Up—Gathering of Israel—One Universal Government on Earth
Volume 171875Man is the Offspring of God—Truth is Eternal—The Doctrines of Christ—The Law of Gravitation—Free Agency
Volume 181877Gathering of Israel—The Work of the Father Commenced—Three Nephite Apostles Never to Taste of Death—The Ten Tribes Come to Zion From the North Countries
Volume 181877Immediate Revelation—Spiritual Gifts Necessary in the Christian Church—Apostasy—The Restoration of the Gospel—All Things to Be Gathered in One—Divine Authority—Marriage—Celestial Marriage—Baptism for the Dead
Volume 181877Resurrection of the Saints—Second Advent of the Messiah—Preparatory Work—Return of the Jews to Jerusalem—Gathering of The Saints to Zion—Christ's Personal Reign
Volume 181877On the Dedication of the New Tabernacle
Volume 181877Fulfillment of Prophecy—The Desert Watered and the Wilderness Made Fruitful—Zion in the Valleys of the Mountains—Increase of Her Families Like a Flock—Her Peace, Plenty, and Prosperity
Volume 181877Book of Mormon—Urim and Thummim—Appearance of a Holy Angel in 1829 to Four Persons—Their Testimonies to the Truth of the Book of Mormon—Also Eight Other Witnesses—Isaiah's Prophecy Relates to that Book—Ezekiel's Prophecy
Volume 181877Restoration of the Gospel Probable and Scriptural—Sent First to the Gentiles, Then to Israel—this is a Gathering Dispensation or the Fullness of Times—Destiny of All Nations
Volume 181877Prophecies of Joseph Smith and Their Literal Fulfillment—The Rise of the Church and the Gathering—Martyrdom of the Saints and Flight of the Church to the Rocky Mountains—The Great United States Rebellion—The Gospel to Be Preached to the Gentiles; Then to the Jews—Plagues of the Last Days—Millennial Reign
Volume 181877Youthful Experiences—Preaching Without Purse and Scrip—Individual Testimony Abundant and Satisfactory—Joseph Smith not An Impostor—His Promises Fulfilled—Form of Church Organization Imperative—Its Restoration in Prophecy and Fact
Volume 181877Salvation Tangible—Personality of God—Character of God—Pre-Existence of Man—Jesus Our Elder Brother—Transformation of the Earth—Creation and Organization—Its Final Destiny, the Home of the Saints—Revelations By Joseph Smith in Harmony With Scripture
Volume 181877Prophecies Unfulfilled—Changes in the Configuration of the Globe—Miracles the Result of Laws not Yet Perfectly Understood—The Re-Formation of the Earth—Its Character During the Millennium—Its Purification By Fire—The New Heavens and the New Earth—The Gospel the Celestial law, and Only Passport to Existence on a Celestialized Earth
Volume 181877Daniel's Vision—Nebuchadnezzar's Dream—Its Interpretation—The Coming of the Ancient of Days—Joseph Smith's Prophecy—Things Yet to Be Fulfilled—The Valley of God Where Adam Dwelt—The Establishment of the Kingdom of God—The Coming Millennium and Triumph of the Saints
Volume 181877Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods—Their Peculiarities and Jurisdiction—Building Temples—Gathering to Be Sanctified—Union and Blessing Its Results
Volume 191878Revelation Gradual—Hyrum Smith's Experience—The Lord Has Not Shut Down the Gates of Revelation—The Church Organization Not Perfected at Once—The Establishment of Zion—Building Temples—Their Style and Character Progressive—Diligence Will Secure the Blessing
Volume 191878Prayer
Volume 191878The Savior Among the Nephites—Printing of the Book of Mormon—The Presidency of the Church—The Ancient Priesthood—The Kirtland Temple
Volume 191878The Outpouring of the Spirit—The Records of the Past—The Two Sticks—The Promises and Blessings of Joseph—The Sanctified Earth—There is a Spirit in Man
Volume 191878King Limhi's Enquiry, From the Book of Mormon—Ammon Replies—Seership and the Urim and Thummim—The Brother of Jared—Hyrum Smith's Enquiry—What is a Generation—The Immense Number of Records to Be Revealed
Volume 191878God is Light—God Our Father—God a Personage—The Holy Ghost—The Earth As Part of the Universe—The Purpose of Experience—The Resurrection—Zion Taken From Each of the Creations—Spiritual Faculties
Volume 191878Temples in Ancient America—The God of Mankind An Impossible God—The Truth in Regard to Him—Man in His Image—Pre-Existence—Why Infants Die—the Redemption By Jesus—Plurality of Gods—The Word of the Lord is Truth
Volume 191878Parable of the Vineyard—The Gradual Organization of the Church—Duties of Officers—Union in All Matters Advantageous and Inevitable—Political and Religious Growth
Volume 191878A Marvelous Work—Angel Visitation—The Book of Mormon—Evidence Calculated to Excite Faith—Testimony not Always to Salvation
Volume 201880Interpretation of Scripture—Apparent Miracles Easily Performed When Necessary—Disobedience Brings Calamity—Fulfillment of Prophecy
Volume 201880The Book of Mormon—Promises to the Lamanites—Objects of the Record—The Book of Abraham—Gifts to the Church—Benefit of Immediate Revelation—The Greater Things Shown to Those Who Receive the Record—The Vision of Moses—The Creation Etc
Volume 201880Discourse by Elder Orson Pratt
Volume 201880Progress of the Work of God—Introduction of Evils By the World—Unconstitutional Inimical Measures—Plural Marriage Not Criminal—Intolerance Denounced
Volume 211881On the Book of Mormon—Destiny of the Kingdom of God and the Saints
Volume 211881Progress of the Saints to Union in Faith and Practice—The United Order
Volume 211881The Book of Mormon An Authentic Record
Volume 211881Pre-Existence, in Spiritual Form, of Man, the Lower Animals and the Earth—The Temporal Probationary State—The Millennium—The Final Change
Volume 211881Man to Be Judged By Law—A Law Given to All Things—The Law of Gravitation—How It Varies By Distance—Law of Projection—Law of Elliptic Forms, Having the Same Length of Year—Law of Orbital Velocity—Its Variations Depending on Distance—Wise Adaptation—Intelligent Selections of Law—Laws of Nature Counteracted
Volume 211881The Power of God to Communicate Intelligence—Difference in Capacity Between the Mortal and the Immortal—The Future of Man, Etc
Volume 211881The Gathering of the Saints—Their Sufferings—Ancient Predictions Fulfilled—Crickets and Their Miraculous Destruction—Crops Saved—Desert Made Fruitful—God's Kingdom in the Mountains—Its Future Destiny—The Coming of the Lord
Volume 211881Visions of Moses—Rebellion in Heaven—Satan Cast Down—Our First Parents Fell—Before the Fall They Were Immortal—After the Fall, Mortal—The Command to Multiply Was Given to Two Immortal Beings—This Command More Fully to Be Carried Into Effect, After the Resurrection, Etc
Volume 211881A Double Birthday—The Authority of the Priesthood, Etc
Volume 211881Introductory Remarks—Heaven and Earth to Pass Away—Not Annihilated—Heaven and Earth not Created From Nothing—Materials Eternal—Materials Under the Dominion of Laws—Central and Orbital Forces—Compound and Elementary Substances—Earth in the Beginning—No Mortality, Then Known, on this Creation—The Fall—The Earth's Baptism in Water—Its Baptism in Fire—Its Baptism By the Spirit—Its Justification—Its Sanctificati
Volume 221882The Divine Authority of the Holy Priesthood, Etc
Volume 221882The Great Principles of Salvation, Etc
Volume 231883The Preaching of the Gospel in the Latter Days—Signs Promised to Follow Believers As Anciently—The Gospel in Force Upon All the World—Sincerity No Excuse for Willful Disobedience—A Positive Personal Testimony Attainable Through Obedience—Unauthorized Administrations Unrecognized of God—New Revelation Essential and Desirable—True and False Charity
Volume 241884Exhortation From Isaiah—The Saints Obeying It—Glimpse at the Settlement of Utah—Fulfilling Ancient Prophecies—Jackson County, Missouri, the Destination of the Saints—The Temple to Be Built There—New Jerusalem—How It Will Be Preserved From Decay—Its Description—The Wicked Powerless to Prevent the Saints From Fulfilling Their Destiny
Volume 251885A Church of Order—The Lord's Promises Sure—People Prepared By Dreams and Visions to Receive the Elders—Gifts Received and Others Yet to Be Received—Blessings to Be Obtained By Faith—Great Promises

Ask MormonGPT about Orson Pratt

All 127 of his sermons are indexed in full. Every answer cites the volume and discourse it came from.

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