Journal of Discourses

Lamanites and Indian relations in the Journal of Discourses

All 110 sermons that touch it, 1854–1886 — when it was preached, who preached it, and every discourse listed.

Updated 2026-08-23

110 of the 1,426 sermons in the Journal of Discourses touch Lamanites and Indian relations — 8% of the series — preached by 19 men between 1854 and 1886. They are listed in full at the foot of this page, each linking to the discourse itself.

These sermons use the language of their own century, and the pages quote it as printed rather than modernising it.

When it was preached

Share of each volume's sermons touching Lamanites and Indian relations

The subject runs through the whole series rather than belonging to one moment in it, peaking in volume 18 (1877) at 12% of that volume's sermons.

In their own words

One of the 110, preached by Brigham Young.

The Lord has brought us here and it is all right. We are not intruders, but we are here by the providence of God. We should now use the Indians kindly, and deal with them so gently that we will win their hearts and affections to us more strongly than before; and the much good that has been done them, and the many kindnesses that have been shown them, will come up before them, and they will see that we are their friends. We could circumscribe their camps and kill every man, woman and child of them. This is what others have done, and if we were to do it, what better are we than the wicked and the ungodly? It is our duty to be better than them in our administrations of justice and our general conduct toward the Lamanites. It is not our duty to kill them; but it is our duty to save their lives and the lives of their children. We may not be able to foretell all things that will come to pass in the future, but we can tell when we deal righteously with one another.
Brigham Young, Our Indian Relations—How to Deal With Them, Journal of Discourses, Volume 11

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 Lamanites and Indian relations most

Speaker	Sermons on this	Share of his sermons	vs. Journal average
Brigham Young	29	7%	1.0×
Orson Pratt	15	12%	1.5×
George A. Smith	13	16%	2.1×
John Taylor	10	6%	0.8×
Wilford Woodruff	9	14%	1.8×
Parley P. Pratt	5	33%	4.3×
Heber C. Kimball	5	5%	0.6×
Orson Hyde	5	10%	1.3×
Franklin D. Richards	4	20%	2.6×
George Q. Cannon	4	4%	0.5×
Erastus Snow	3	8%	1.1×
Amasa M. Lyman	1	6%	0.8×
Willard Richards	1	100%	13.0×
Joseph Young	1	25%	3.2×
John Nicholson	1	50%	6.5×

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 110, 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	Spiritual Communication	Parley P. Pratt
1	1854	Liberty and Persecution—Conduct of the U. S. Government, Etc	George A. Smith
1	1854	President B. Young's Journey South—Indian Difficulties—Walker—Watching and Prayer—Thieves and Their Deserts—Eastern Intelligence—Financial State of the Church—Gaining Knowledge, Etc	Brigham Young
1	1854	Indian Hostilities and Treachery—Excitement—Covetousness—Consequences of Obedience and of Disobedience—Policy Towards the Indians—Walker and His Band—Vigilance	Brigham Young
1	1854	Disobedience of Counsel—The Indian War The Result of the Same	George A. Smith
1	1854	Advice to Immigrants	Franklin D. Richards
2	1855	Union of the Saints—Authority of the Priesthood—Power of God—Obedience—The Urim and Thummim, Etc	Heber C. Kimball
2	1855	Spiritual Gifts—Hell—The Spirit World—The Elders and the Nations—The Lamanites—The Temple	Brigham Young
2	1855	The Constitution and Government of the United States—Rights and Policy of the Latter-Day Saints	Brigham Young
2	1855	The Church and Kingdom of God, and the Churches and Kingdoms of Men	Wilford Woodruff
2	1855	Arguments of Modern Christian Sects Against the Latter-Day Saints	George A. Smith
2	1855	Opposition to the Gospel	George A. Smith
3	1856	Trials of the Saints—Redemption of Zion—Second Coming of Christ—The Word of Wisdom	Orson Pratt
3	1856	The History of Mahomedanism	George A. Smith
3	1856	The First Principles of the Gospel	Parley P. Pratt
3	1856	The Leaven of the Gospel—The Saints Should Divest Themselves of Old Traditions—Policy of Making Good Farms and Storing Up Grain	George A. Smith
3	1856	Progress of the Latter-Day Church—The Saints of All Ages Cooperating for the Success of the Kingdom of God on the Earth	Parley P. Pratt
4	1857	On the Death of President Jedediah M. Grant	Brigham Young
4	1857	A Dream—Wheat and the Chaff—Way of Escape From Tribulation—Necessity of Consecration	Orson Hyde
4	1857	Intelligence Comes From God—Seek First the Kingdom of God—Great Changes to Take Place on the Earth—Israel of the Last Days—Why the Jews Cannot Be Converted	Wilford Woodruff
4	1857	Practical Religion—Simplicity—Temporal Salvation—Advantages of Utah As a Settlement for the Saints—False Reports, Etc	Brigham Young
4	1857	Exchange of Feeling and Sentiment Produces Mutual Confidence—Necessity of Cultivating a Childlike Spirit—Devotedness of the Saints in Utah Towards the Work of God—God Will Take Care of His Own Work, Etc	Brigham Young
5	1858	The Latter-Day Kingdom—Men not to Be Governed By Their Wives—Love to God Manifested By Love to His Servants	Heber C. Kimball
5	1858	Report of Journey From San Bernardino to Great Salt Lake City	Amasa M. Lyman
5	1858	Approval of the Proceedings of the Delegation to Congress—Condition of the People of the World, Etc	Brigham Young
5	1858	Movements of the Saints' Enemies—The Crisis	Brigham Young
5	1858	Spiritual Dissolution—Ignorance of the World	Heber C. Kimball
6	1859	Idolatry, &c	Brigham Young
6	1859	Education	Parley P. Pratt
6	1859	Dedication Prayer	Willard Richards
6	1859	Proper Treatment of the Indians, Etc	Brigham Young
6	1859	Parable of the Sower, Etc	Orson Hyde
6	1859	Celebration of the Fourth of July	Orson Hyde
7	1860	Evidences of the Bible and Book of Mormon Compared	Orson Pratt
7	1860	Adherence to "Mormonism"—Perpetual Emigration Fund	Heber C. Kimball
7	1860	Peculiarity of "Mormons"—Obedience to the Dictates of the Spirit—Knowledge of the Truth, Etc	Brigham Young
7	1860	Diligence in Preaching to the World—Providences of God Around the Saints—Charity—God's Spirit Distributed Among All Mankind—Trials, &c	Brigham Young
7	1860	Reorganization of the High Council—Appointment of Young Men to Offices in the Priesthood, &c	Brigham Young
8	1861	Filialty of the Saints—Appointments, &c	Brigham Young
8	1861	Appointment of Bishop for Cache Valley—Counsel to the People	Brigham Young
8	1861	Counsel to the Saints Settling in Cache Valley	Brigham Young
9	1862	Blessings Enjoyed By the Saints in Zion, &c	George A. Smith
9	1862	Salvation of the House of Israel to Come Through the Gentiles	Orson Pratt
9	1862	Early Persecutions—Certain Retribution	Heber C. Kimball
9	1862	The First Principles of the Gospel	Parley P. Pratt
9	1862	Preaching the Gospel to, and Helping the Lamanites—Obedience to Counsel	Wilford Woodruff
9	1862	Remarks on Behalf of the Indians	Joseph Young
9	1862	Building Up and Adornment of Zion By the Saints	Brigham Young
10	1865	The Persecutions of the Saints—Their Loyalty to the Constitution—the Mormon Battalion—the Laws of God Relative to the African Race	Brigham Young
10	1865	Destruction of Babylon—How the Saints Are to Become Saviors of the World	Orson Hyde
10	1865	Advice to California Emigrants—The Principles of the Gospel, Etc	Brigham Young
10	1865	Paying Tithing—Fasting and Prayer—Keeping the Sabbath Holy—Selling Grain—The Judgments of God, Etc	Brigham Young
10	1865	Love for the Things of God—The Temporal Nature of the Kingdom—The Proper Use of Grain—The Love of God Should Rule in Every Heart, Etc	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
11	1867	Synopsis of Remarks	George A. Smith
11	1867	Advice to Lawyers—Royal Polygamy in Europe—Polygamy Revealed From Heaven	Brigham Young
11	1867	Our Indian Relations—How to Deal With Them	Brigham Young
11	1867	Delegate Hooper—Beneficial Effects of Polygamy—Final Redemption of Cain	Brigham Young
11	1867	Political and Social Economy	John Taylor
12	1869	Prosperity of Southern Utah	George A. Smith
12	1869	Proneness of Mankind to go Astray	George A. Smith
12	1869	The Gathering—Practical Duties—Emigration of the Poor—Mission to St. Joseph	Erastus Snow
12	1869	America a Choice Land—Its Aborigines	Orson Pratt
13	1871	Historical Discourse	George A. Smith
13	1871	The Source of Intelligence, Etc	Brigham Young
13	1871	Texts for Preaching Upon at Conference—Revelations—Deceitfulness of Riches—One-Man Power—Spiritualism	Brigham Young
14	1872	The Blessings of Joseph—The American Indians	Orson Pratt
14	1872	Nephite America—The Day of God's Power—The Shepherd of Israel	Orson Pratt
15	1873	Review of God's Dealings With the Prophet Joseph—Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon—Gathering, Etc	Orson Pratt
15	1873	The Signs of the Coming of the Son of Man—The Saints' Duties	Wilford Woodruff
15	1873	Different Degrees of Reward and of Punishment—Marriage for Eternity Necessary to a Fullness of Celestial Glory	Orson Pratt
16	1874	Meeting 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	Orson Pratt
16	1874	Altered Circumstances of Gathered Israel—Allurements of Satan at Work—Selfishness and Avarice Should Be Cast Aside—Devotion to the Work of God—The Order of Enoch the Means of Establishing An Equality in Temporal Things—Heavenly Agencies Cooperating With the Saints	George Q. Cannon
16	1874	Means Required to Build the Temples—The Word of Wisdom—Unity Needed in Building Up Zion—Sabbath Schools—Journeyings in the Holy Land	George A. Smith
17	1875	The 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	Orson Pratt
17	1875	General Doniphan's Connection With the Early History of the Church—Persecutions of the Saints—Mormon Battalion—Hardships Experienced in the Settlement of Utah—Plurality of Wives	George A. Smith
17	1875	Joseph Smith's First Visions—The Book of Mormon—American Indians Descendants of the House of Israel—Prophecies Fulfilled	Orson Pratt
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	Parable of the Ten Virgins—Importance of the Last Dispensation—Responsibilities Resting Upon the Elders—Judgments at the Door—The Lamanites—Home Manufactures—Laying Up Wheat	Wilford Woodruff
18	1877	Book 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	Orson Pratt
18	1877	How God's Purposes Are Fulfilled—Similarity of Ancient and Modern Church Government—Interview With Baron Rothschild—Object of Building Temples—The Perfect Organization of the Church of Christ—Works Indispensable to Salvation	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 Great Privilege of Having a Temple Completed—Past Efforts for this Purpose—Remarks on Conduct—Earth, Heaven, and Hell, Looking at the Latter-Day Saints—Running After Holes in The Ground—Arrangements for the Future	Brigham Young
19	1878	The Work Progressing—Prophecy Fulfilled—We Shall All Obey the Law of Death	Wilford Woodruff
19	1878	God is at the Helm—Organization According to the Revelations—Historic Statements—Societies Connected With the Church—Temple Building	John Taylor
19	1878	The Everlasting Gospel—Temple Building—The High Priests and Seventies—to the Bishops—to the Sisters	John Taylor
19	1878	The 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	Orson Pratt
20	1880	The 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	Orson Pratt
20	1880	Cleave to Light—Coming of Christ—Abominations of the Wicked—Welfare of the Young	Erastus Snow
21	1881	Revelation, Prophesying, Predictions of the Servants of God, Etc	Wilford Woodruff
22	1882	The Church of Christ Organized Anciently on, this Continent—Prophecy Fulfilled and Fulfilling—Preparatory Work for the Gathering of All Israel Commenced—Present Condition of the Nations Foretold—Exhortation to Righteousness and the Avoidance of Hypocrisy and Idolatry	John Nicholson
22	1882	The Object of Assembling Together—The Sacrament, Etc	Wilford Woodruff
22	1882	The Saints to Be a Peculiar People, Etc	George Q. Cannon
22	1882	Duties of the Saints—The Atonement, Etc	John Taylor
22	1882	The Building Up of Zion—Gratitude to God, Enduring Trial, Etc	John Taylor
23	1883	The Indians—The Influence of the Elders Among Them in the Interest of Peace, Etc	Erastus Snow
23	1883	The Lord's Work—Warfare not Required of the Saints—An Overruling Providence—Corruption and Perjury in High Places—Violation of the Constitution—False Accusations Against the Saints—Words of Comfort and Exhortation	Franklin D. Richards
23	1883	The Temple at Logan—The Liquor Traffic—Church Organization—Duties of Its Officers—Treatment of Transgressors—An Interesting Anecdote and Its Moral—Various Offices and Callings of the Priesthood, Etc.—The Guidance of God—Honor Due to His Priesthood—Growth and Progress of God's Work—Its Opposition By the World—The Regeneration of the Lamanites and General Salvation of Man	John Taylor
23	1883	Hardship the Heritage of the Saints—The Necessity of Trial Forgiveness of Enemies—Inspired Dreams, "Get the Spirit of God"—The Great Work Expected of the Saints—Labors Among the Lamanites	Wilford Woodruff
24	1884	Prophecies Relating to Our Day—Apostasy Foretold—God's Work Reestablished—Restoration of the Gospel—Modern Revelation Opposed By Preachers—Unwarranted in Declaring that the Canon of Scripture is Full—Man By Searching Cannot Find Out God—But One True Gospel—Effect of the Gospel in the Days of the Apostles—How the Gospel Was Restored—How It is Being Preached—A Gathering Dispensation—Opposition to the Work of God—Destiny	Charles W. Penrose
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
25	1885	Divine Mission of Joseph Smith—Prediction and Promise Fulfilled—Many Others Will Yet Be Verified—The World's Hatred of the Saints—Indisputable Evidence of the Divine Origin of the Church—No Power Can Destroy It—Missionaries Should Go to the Fields to Which They Are Called—The Effects of Obedience and Its Opposite	Joseph F. Smith
25	1885	Uniting of Temporal Interests—Not An Obsolete Principle—Improvement Among the Saints—Need of Being More Self-Sustaining—Works to Be Accomplished	Brigham Young, Jr
25	1885	Predictions in the Book of Mormon—Evidence of Its Divinity—Proof that Joseph Smith Was Inspired—Predictions Concerning the Indians Fulfilled—Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon Foretold—Plainness of Its Teachings—Prediction Relating to Sidney Rigdon—Only Two Churches—Other Prophecies Being Fulfilled	George Q. Cannon
25	1885	The Logan Temple—Circumstances Under Which the Nauvoo Temple Was Built—Faith Required for Such a Work—Retrospective View—Admission of a Congressman—Completeness of the Gospel not Due to Man's Wisdom—Remarkable Characteristic of Many Early Members of the Church—Salvation for the Dead	George Q. Cannon
26	1886	Object of Gathering—Our Principles and Organization Revealed From God—He is Cognizant of All Things—Our Faith not Affected By the Ideas of Men—Our Dependence Upon God—Enoch's City—God's Justice in Sending the Flood, and in the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah—His Judgments Will Come Upon Those Who Persecute His Saints—The Lord Will Bless His People—We Will Stand By the Constitution Though Others Ignore It	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
26	1886	Prosperous Condition of the Latter-Day Saints in the Valleys of the Mountains—The Kingdom of God is One of Peace, While Those of the World Are Kingdoms of War and Oppression—Exhortations to Faithfulness—We Must Trust in God and He Will Preserve Us—The Saints Are Not Using Carnal Weapons to Defend Themselves Against the Indians, Nor Against Their Enemies—If Necessary, We Should be Willing to Give Our Lives for the Cause of Truth—The Blessings of God Invoked Upo	Franklin D. Richards

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What did Brigham Young teach about Lamanites and Indian relations in the Journal of Discourses? How did preaching on Lamanites and Indian relations change between 1854 and 1886? Which Journal of Discourses sermons discuss Lamanites and Indian relations? Summarise what the Journal of Discourses says about Lamanites and Indian relations.

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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 18 The volume that carries the subject hardest, 1877.