Journal of Discourses

Education and schools in the Journal of Discourses

All 132 sermons that touch it, 1854–1886 — when it was preached, who preached it, and every discourse listed.

Updated 2026-08-23

132 of the 1,426 sermons in the Journal of Discourses touch education and schools — 9% of the series — preached by 24 men between 1854 and 1886. They are listed in full at the foot of this page, each linking to the discourse itself.

When it was preached

Share of each volume's sermons touching education and schools

The subject runs through the whole series rather than belonging to one moment in it, peaking in volume 20 (1880) at 29% of that volume's sermons.

In their own words

One of the 132, preached by Brigham Young.

I ask, have the great and learned men completed their education? No, they are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Let the Board of Regents commence on the proper foundation, that when we have learned a great while, we may find to our satisfaction, we have at last come to the knowledge of the truth.
Brigham Young, Education, Journal of Discourses, Volume 1

Who preached it

How often each man raised the subject, and how that compares with his share of the series as a whole. A figure above 1.0 means he returned to it more than the Journal does.

The speakers who raised education and schools most

Speaker	Sermons on this	Share of his sermons	vs. Journal average
Brigham Young	51	13%	1.4×
John Taylor	19	12%	1.3×
George A. Smith	9	11%	1.2×
Orson Pratt	7	6%	0.6×
George Q. Cannon	7	6%	0.7×
Orson Hyde	5	10%	1.1×
Erastus Snow	5	14%	1.5×
Daniel H. Wells	4	9%	0.9×
Heber C. Kimball	3	3%	0.3×
Jedediah M. Grant	3	15%	1.6×
Joseph F. Smith	3	10%	1.1×
Parley P. Pratt	2	13%	1.4×
Henry W. Naisbitt	2	25%	2.7×
Franklin D. Richards	2	10%	1.1×
Ezra T. Benson	1	8%	0.9×

Share of his sermons is out of everything he preached in the Journal, so a man with four sermons can show a high share on one subject.

Every sermon, in order

All 132, oldest first. Titles are the Journal's own, which routinely name four or five unrelated subjects in a line — each links to the discourse itself at journalofdiscourses.com.

Volume	Year	Title	Speaker
1	1854	Education	Brigham Young
1	1854	Declaration of Independence—Constitution of the United States—Discovery, Colonization, and Progress of America—Despotic Nations—Influence of America for the Universal Prevalence of Liberty	Parley P. Pratt
1	1854	Comprehensiveness of True Religion—The Saints But Stewards	Brigham Young
2	1855	Persecutions, Duties, and Privileges of the Saints	Daniel H. Wells
2	1855	A Prayer	Heber C. Kimball
2	1855	Organization and Development of Man	Brigham Young
3	1856	The Holy Spirit, and Human Learning and Science	Jedediah M. Grant
3	1856	The Vine and Fig Tree—Duties of Saints	Ezra T. Benson
3	1856	Education—The Resurrection—The World of Spirits	Heber C. Kimball
3	1856	Eternal Increase of Knowledge—Necessity of Cleaving to Every Good Principle—Men Are not Made Saints By Miraculous Gifts, But Through Obeying the Truth, and Obtaining the Witness of the Spirit	Brigham Young
3	1856	The Salvation of the Soul of the Greatest Importance—Benefit of the Useful Sciences, Etc	Orson Pratt
4	1857	Companies on the Plains—Practicability of Handcarts—The Time for Starting From Missouri River—Reformation, Etc	Jedediah M. Grant
4	1857	Discord at Meetings Rebuked—A Text for Speakers at the Conference—Subject for the People—A Call for Mules, Horses, Wagons, Teamsters, Flour, Etc	Brigham Young
4	1857	Exhortation to Cleanliness—Many of the Saints Spiritually Dead	Jedediah M. Grant
4	1857	The "Deseret News," Its Value—Worth and Virtue of Sacred Relics—Resurrection—Confidence in Our Leaders	Heber C. Kimball
5	1858	Joseph Smith's Family—Bashfulness in Public Speaking—The Coming Crisis—Counsel	Brigham Young
5	1858	Education—Revelation, Obedience, Etc	John Taylor
6	1859	Neglect of Sunday Meetings—The Saints Gathered From the Common Classes of Society—Dishonesty, Etc	Brigham Young
6	1859	The Religion of the Saints and Its Rejection By the World—Training of Children—Home Manufactures	Lorenzo D. Young
6	1859	Blessings of Obedience, Etc	Daniel Spencer
6	1859	Education	Parley P. Pratt
6	1859	Responsibilities of the Priesthood	George A. Smith
6	1859	Science of Grammar, Etc	Orson Hyde
7	1860	English Grammar	Orson Hyde
7	1860	Duty of Sustaining and Upholding the First Presidency in All Their Operations, Etc	Daniel H. Wells
7	1860	Concentration of the Mind	Orson Pratt
7	1860	The Gospel—Tithing—Religion in the Home Circle	Amasa M. Lyman
8	1861	True Civilization	Brigham Young
8	1861	Education—Testimony—Miraculous Signs, &c	Brigham Young
8	1861	Blessings of the Saints	Brigham Young
8	1861	Effective Preaching—Support of the Poor, &c	Brigham Young
8	1861	Privileges of the Saints—Building Up Zion, &c	Brigham Young
8	1861	Knowledge—Object of Man's Existence on the Earth, &c	Brigham Young
9	1862	Building Up of the Kingdom of God—Home Manufactures	Daniel H. Wells
9	1862	Necessity of Paying Due Attention to Temporal Duties, &c	Brigham Young
9	1862	Salvation of the House of Israel to Come Through the Gentiles	Orson Pratt
9	1862	Call for Teams to Go to the Frontiers—Encouragement of Home Manufactures	Brigham Young
9	1862	Propriety of Theatrical Amusements—Instructions Relative to Conducting Them	Brigham Young
9	1862	Building Up and Adornment of Zion By the Saints	Brigham Young
9	1862	Counsel on Cattle Herding	George A. Smith
9	1862	Apostleship of Joseph Smith—Destruction Awaiting the Nations	Brigham Young
10	1865	The Privilege of the Saints to Enjoy the Spirit of Prophecy	George A. Smith
10	1865	Present Opportunities of Obtaining a Knowledge of the Principles of Truth—Importance of Improving Them	Charles C. Rich
10	1865	The Blessings the Saints Will Enjoy—How the Kingdom of God is to Be Established—Building Temples, Tabernacles, and Houses—Gathering the Poor	John Taylor
10	1865	How and By Whom Zion is to Be Built—Sanctification—General Duties of the Saints	Brigham Young
10	1865	Instruction to the Latter-Day Saints, in the Settlements South of Great Salt Lake City	Brigham Young
10	1865	Our Relationship and Duty to God and His Kingdom—the True Source of the Prosperity and Wealth of Individuals and Nations, and How to Obtain Them—Counsel to the Saints	Brigham Young
10	1865	Temporal and Spiritual Duties of the Saints—Benefits Resulting From Proper Parental Authority—Connection Betwixt Temporal and Spiritual Things—Character of Joseph the Prophet—All Blessings From the Lord	Brigham Young
10	1865	Knowledge of the Saints a Cause of Consolation Under Affliction—Children Heirs to the Kingdom of God—Power of the Gospel to Unite Parents and Children—Blessings of Obedience, Etc	Brigham Young
11	1867	Summary of Instructions	Brigham Young
11	1867	Holy Ghost Requisite to Teach the Truth	Brigham Young
11	1867	Raising Flax and Wool—Home Manufactures—Church Literature—Folly of Using Tobacco and Liquor	George A. Smith
12	1869	Schools And School Teachers—Tithing, Etc	Daniel H. Wells
12	1869	Every Saint on a Mission	Brigham Young
12	1869	Education—Employment of Females	Brigham Young
12	1869	Condition of Apostates—The Young Men of the Saints—Bible Christians—Mormon Battalion—His Testimony to Strangers—Council to Mothers and Daughters on Polygamy	Brigham Young
12	1869	The Witness of the Spirit—Bishops Should Be Examples—The Saints not Ignorant	Brigham Young
12	1869	Salvation—All Knowledge the Result of Revelation—Freedom of the Kingdom of God—How to Care for the Poor	Brigham Young
12	1869	Education—Phonetics—Storing Up Grain—Home Manufactures	George A. Smith
12	1869	How to Prepare for the Coming of the Son of Man—Saints Delight to Do the Will of God—Proper Direction of Labor and Talent—Children of the Saints Heirs to the Priesthood	Brigham Young
12	1869	Life and Health—Matrimony—Education—Home Productions	Erastus Snow
12	1869	Education—Recreation—Necessity of Obeying Counsel	Brigham Young
12	1869	The Gospel a Perfect System—Evidence that the Latter-Day Saints Have Received the Holy Spirit—Plural Marriage	Brigham Young
12	1869	Southern Missions—Deseret Alphabet—Relief Societies—Home Manufactures	Brigham Young
12	1869	Reflections of the Gospel of Christ—Intelligence and Progress	Brigham Young
13	1871	Obeying the Gospel—Recreation—Individual Development	Brigham Young
13	1871	Historical Discourse	George A. Smith
13	1871	The Source of Intelligence, Etc	Brigham Young
13	1871	The Power of Tradition on the Human Mind	Brigham Young
13	1871	Meeting in Conference	Brigham Young
13	1871	Texts for Preaching Upon at Conference—Revelations—Deceitfulness of Riches—One-Man Power—Spiritualism	Brigham Young
14	1872	Gathering the Saints—The Providences of the Lord—Uselessness of Non-Producers—Arbitration Better Than Courts—Feed not Fight the Indians—Paying Tithing	Brigham Young
14	1872	Traditions—Oppressing the Poor—Influence of Women—Fashions	Brigham Young
14	1872	Attending Meetings—Religion & Science—Geology—The Creation	Brigham Young
14	1872	The Gospel—The Spirit of the Lord—Revelation	Brigham Young
14	1872	No Time to Do Wrong—Save the Children	Joseph F. Smith
14	1872	Our Schools	George A. Smith
15	1873	The Order of Enoch	Brigham Young
15	1873	Rewards According to Works—Tithing	Orson Hyde
16	1874	Assistance of the Ladies of The Relief Societies Required in Promoting the Manufacture of Paper and the Printing of Schoolbooks—Light and Easy Labor Now Performed By Men More Adapted to Women—Should Be Self-Sustaining—Frivolities and Fashions of Babylon Should Be Discarded By the Sisters—Poverty of Those Who Follow After Mining	Brigham Young
16	1874	Ignorance of the World Concerning Our Faith—Character of Christ's Teachings—Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Similar to that of Former-Days—Belief Alone Insufficient—Exhortation to the Saints to Live Their Religion and to Acquire All Useful Knowledge	Brigham Young
16	1874	Necessity of Miracles—Belief of the Latter-Day Saints	Orson Pratt
16	1874	The Gospel Incorporates All Truth—Mode of Administering the Sacrament—Abiding Counsel—Heavenly Blessings Are Conditional—Progressiveness of the Work—Plural Marriage—Tithing—Tardiness of the Saints in Observing Practical Duties—Cooperation	Brigham Young
16	1874	The Word of Wisdom—Education	George A. Smith
17	1875	The United Order of Zion Affords the Utmost Freedom and Liberty—Brotherly Love and Goodwill to Man—True Riches Relate to Eternity—Establish Confidence in Our Hearts With God	Erastus Snow
17	1875	Faith Without Works is Dead—Pray to God—Keep the Sabbath Day Holy—Encourage Sunday Schools	George A. Smith
17	1875	Redemption of Zion—Persecution—Baptism of Indians—Second Coming of Christ—Every Jot and Every Tittle of Divine Revelation Will Be Fulfilled	Orson Pratt
17	1875	Education Necessary—Mormonism is Truth—Conversion of Indians	Orson Hyde
18	1877	Man, the Offspring of God, a Dual Being—Immediate Revelation—Operate With the Priesthood	John Taylor
18	1877	Position of the Latter-Day Saints—Protestantism Makes No Claim to Revelation—Priesthood, How Restored, Its Purpose—Persecution the Heritage of the Church—The People Must Know the Will of God, and Do It—Respect the Authorities; and Respect Our Profession—Avoiding All Evils, Cleave to the Good	John Taylor
18	1877	The United Order—The Duty of the Priesthood—The Gospel not Communism—Teaching the People How to Live—Independence of Babylon—The Saints Will Continue to Spread—Unity of Purpose and Action, Will Bring Again Zion—Free Schools Criticized—Educational Status of Our Children	Brigham Young
19	1878	The Work of the Priesthood the Improvement of the Human Family—The Gospel More Than Morality, It Includes Redemption—Differences Between the Ideas of the Saints and the World—The Prophets in Regard to the Increase of Mineral Wealth—Teach the Children	Brigham Young
19	1878	Items of History—The Pioneers—Talking to the Children—Peace in Utah—God a Personage of Tabernacle—The Foolish Fashions	Brigham Young
19	1878	Arrival in Salt Lake City—The First Principles—The Question of Authority—The Ordinances—Education of Our Youth—Plural Marriage, Etc.—"Mormonism" Immortal	Joseph F. Smith
19	1878	The Gospel Revealed for the Benefit of the World—Witness of the Spirit—Priesthood—High Priests and Seventies—Energetic Missionaries—Duties of Presidents, Bishops, Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons—Relief Societies—Tithing—P. E. Fund—Common Schools	John Taylor
19	1878	No Man Can Direct the Kingdom of God—The Gospel Did not Originate With Joseph Smith or Brigham Young—The Saints Operating With God and the Angels—The Grand Organization of the Church—Other Institutions of Zion	John Taylor
20	1880	Ideas Held By the Latter-day Saints Winning Their Way—Territorial Prosperity—"Mormonism" Not Favored of the Government—Latter-Day Saints to Save the Government—Good Counsel on Many Points	George Q. Cannon
20	1880	God's Power in All Things—Kingdom of God—Cooperation, a Stepping Stone to the United Order—Political Economy—National Troubles—Missionary Labors—Schools and Teachers	John Taylor
20	1880	The Saints Prospered—Restoration of the Gospel—Should Listen to Instruction—God's Gifts to the Church—Salvation for the Dead—Examples Before Children	Angus M. Cannon
20	1880	The Church Partially in the United Order—Perpetual Emigration Fund—Being Educated to a Fullness of the United Order—Cooperation at Brigham City—Union in Elections—Education of the Young	John Taylor
20	1880	Government of the United States—The Corruption of the Administration—Its Treatment of the Latter-Day Saints—The Judgments of God Upon the Wicked—Opposition to Polygamy Preparation for Coming Events	Orson Hyde
20	1880	The Perpetual Emigrating Fund—How to Settle Difficulties—Should Be Governed By the Laws of God—Cooperation and Brotherly Kindness—The Proper Training of Children	John Taylor
20	1880	All Things Governed By Law—All Intelligence and Blessings Have Emanated From God—Man's Free Agency Should Not Be Interfered With—The Opponents of the Kingdom of God Should Not Be Allowed to Teach Our Children—Necessity of All Being Subject to Legitimate Authority	John Taylor
20	1880	The Natural Weakness of Men—The Necessity of Charity—The Purpose for Which the Gospel Was Revealed—The Spirit that Should Prevail Regarding Cooperative Institutions—The Folly of Dissension	John Taylor
20	1880	Opening of the Last Dispensation—Development of the Work of God—Sending Forth Missionaries—Usefulness of the Sisters—Improvement Associations—Education—Cooperation	John Taylor
20	1880	Manifest Blessings of God to the Saints—Proper Education of the Young—Infidelity the Result of Ignorance	Moses Thatcher
20	1880	Influence of the Latter-Day Saints—Their Mission—The Marriage Relation—Capital and Labor—Religious Liberty	George Q. Cannon
20	1880	Progress of the Work of God—Introduction of Evils By the World—Unconstitutional Inimical Measures—Plural Marriage Not Criminal—Intolerance Denounced	Orson Pratt
20	1880	The Temples in Course of Erection—Political Position of the Saints—Our Position Regarding Patriarchal Marriage—The Corruptions of So-Called Christendom—How the Saints Should Live—Sunday Schools, Relief and Mutual Improvement Associations	John Taylor
20	1880	Cleave to Light—Coming of Christ—Abominations of the Wicked—Welfare of the Young	Erastus Snow
21	1881	Progress of the Saints to Union in Faith and Practice—The United Order	Orson Pratt
21	1881	The Increase and Future of the Saints—True Education, Etc	Henry W. Naisbitt
21	1881	The Order and Duties of the Priesthood, Etc	John Taylor
22	1882	The Advancement of God's People Under the Influences of the Gospel, Etc	Henry W. Naisbitt
22	1882	His Late Travels Through the South, Etc	Erastus Snow
22	1882	The Character of God's Work—True Riches—Our Responsibilities, Etc	Francis M. Lyman
22	1882	Education—Its Advantages Among the Saints, Etc	George Q. Cannon
22	1882	The Saints to Be a Peculiar People, Etc	George Q. Cannon
22	1882	Reports Concerning the Saints, Their Prosperity the Result of Prayer and Faithfulness, Etc	George Q. Cannon
22	1882	The Building Up of Zion—Gratitude to God, Enduring Trial, Etc	John Taylor
23	1883	Travels of the First Presidency and the Twelve—Temporal and Spiritual Condition of the Saints—Their Educational Progress—Temple Building, Its Object—Organization of the Priesthood, Its Duties—The Gathering and General Duties of the Saints of God, Their Ultimate Destiny	John Taylor
23	1883	The Marriage Question—Lawful Concubinage and Its Unlawful Counterfeit—Various Views Concerning the Union of the Sexes—Plural Marriage Among the Latter-day Saints—The Example and Character of Abraham—Exhortation to Justice and Equity—Christian Crimes in New England—Oppression With Its Real and Pretended Object—Fruits of "Mormonism"—Prisons and Penalties Powerless to Stop the Lord's Work—The God-given Boon of Liberty to Man&mda	Erastus Snow
24	1884	Duties of the Latter-Day Saints—How Children Should Be Trained—An Academy for Sanpete—The Kind of Teachers to Select—Education Advocated—Intemperance Condemned—Sin to Be Exposed—Unworthy Men not to Be Sustained in Office—Example of a Darkened Mind—Providence Over the Saints	John Taylor
24	1884	Need of Inspiration in Preaching—Growth of the Work of the Lord—Distribution of Responsibility—Self-dependence Necessary—The Cause and the People Are Being Tested—Existence of the Work a Proof of Its Divinity—Its Completeness—A Powerless Christianity—Sentiments of the Saints in Regard to Moralityites	George Q. Cannon
24	1884	Occasion for Gratitude—The Rising Generation—Latter-Day Saints Should Sanctify Themselves—Growth of the Kingdom of God—Prosperity of Logan and Cache County—The Introduction of Saloons: A Remedy to Prevent Their Extension—A Time of Peace—Who Are Preached of Righteousness—The Temple: How It May Speedily be Finished—Spreading the Gospel—Gathering of the Jews to Jerusalem—Exhortation to Faithfulness—The Reward of the Righteous	Franklin D. Richards
24	1884	The Age in Which We Live—The Position the Latter-Day Saints Occupy—The Progress They Have Made Through the Medium of the Gospel—The Hatred Manifested Against the Saints of God—Cain—Sufferings of Former-Day Saints—Sufferings of the Latter-Day Saints—The Attacks of Religious Fanatics and Political Demagogues—The Mormons Are not Scared—Duties of the Latter-Day Saints—The Consequences of Allowing Our Children to Be Educated By Our Enemies&m	John Taylor
25	1885	Visit to Arizona and New Mexico—Condition of the Settlements—Our Enemies—The "Obnoxious Doctrine"—Things Pertaining to Conscience—The Saints Striving to Live Their Religion—Prosperity on Every Hand—Persecution—Temples—The Load the Saints Are Carrying—Conclusion	Brigham Young, Jr
25	1885	The Object of Cooperation—It is Right to Sustain One's Friend—Economy Should Be Observed By All—Our Friends Are They Who Aid Us in Time of Need—Keep the Sabbath Day Holy	Joseph F. Smith
25	1885	Remarks	Franklin D. Richards
26	1886	The Second Coming of Our Savior—Preaching of the Gospel and the Signs Following—the Gathering—Hatred of the World Toward the Latter-Day Saints—No Power Can Overthrow the Work of God—Exhortations to Faithfulness	George Q. Cannon
26	1886	Hostility of the World to the Gospel—Rebellion of Lucifer in Heaven—Seth Given in Place of Abel—Wickedness of the Antediluvians—Enoch's Zion—Necessity of Opposing Powers and Principles, that Men May Be Tested—Difference Between Bigamy and Plural Marriage—Our Marriage Covenants Are Eternal—Enmity of Religious Teachers—Our Children Should Be Correctly Taught	John Taylor
26	1886	The Work of the Lord in the Sandwich Islands and in New Zealand—The Inhabitants of These Islands Probably Offshoots of the Nephites and Lamanites, and Consequently of the Blood of Israel—The Gentile Nations Have Measurably Rejected the Gospel, Hence Their Disunion and Skepticism—We Can Only Be United on the Principle of Righteousness—In God is Our Only Trust—We Cannot Compromise With Evil—Our Mission is to Do Good—Causes of Opposition to the Gospel&mdash	George Reynolds

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The Journal of Discourses 26 volumes of sermons, 1854–1886: how they were recorded, who preached them, and whether they are doctrine.
Brigham Young in the Journal of Discourses The man who raised this subject most, with all 388 of his sermons.
Journal of Discourses, Volume 20 The volume that carries the subject hardest, 1880.