Mormon religious leader (1801-1877)
There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins, and the smoking incense would atone for their sins, whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them and remain upon them in the spirit world.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
The waste of life in the ruinous war now raging is truly lamentable. Joseph the prophet said that the report of it would sicken the heart, and what is all this for? It is a visitation from heaven because they have killed the prophet of God, JOSEPH SMITH, Jr. Has not the nation consented to his death, and to the utter destruction of the Latter Day Saints, if it could be accomplished? But they found that they could not accomplish that.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
speech to the Mormon Conference in Salt Lake, October 9, 1863
We are doing well, notwithstanding all our failings and weaknesses; but the Lord would like to have us a little more diligent; he would like us to cleave a little more closely to the things of his kingdom, have more of his Spirit, and know more of him and of one another, that complete and perfect confidence can be restored.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
I say, if you want to enjoy exquisitely, become a Latter-day Saint, and then live the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Deseret News, Jun. 30, 1874
If I do not know the will of my Father, and what He requires of me in a certain transaction, if I ask Him to give me wisdom concerning any requirement in my life, or in regard to my own course, or that of my friends, my family, my children, or those that I preside over, and get no answer from Him, and then do the very best that my judgement will teach me, He is bound to own and honor that transaction, and He will do so to all intents and purposes.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy. Others attain unto a glory and may even be permitted to come into the presence of the Father and the Son; but they cannot reign as kings in glory, because they had blessing offered unto them, and they refused to accept them.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
Some, in their curiosity, will say, "But you Mormons have another Bible! Do you believe in the Old and New Testaments?" I answer we do believe in the Old and New Testaments, and we have also another book, called the Book of Mormon. What are the doctrines of the Book of Mormon? The same as those of the Bible.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
I will tell you what this people need, with regard to preaching; you need, figuratively, to have it rain pitchforks, tines downwards, from this pulpit, Sunday after Sunday. Instead of the smooth, beautiful, sweet, still, silk-velvet-lipped preaching, you should have sermons like peals of thunder, and perhaps we then can get the scales from our eyes.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
The Lord in founding this work did not ask the opinion of the world as to what they thought of this, that, or the other.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
discourse by President Brigham Young at Logan, Cache County, May 25, 1877
Kanosh the Pauvantee Chief with Several of his band visited me, gave them some council & presents. A Spirit seems to be taking possession of the Indians to assist Isreal. I can hardly restrain them from exterminating the "Americans."
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Diary of Brigham Young, Sep. 1, 1857
After Adam and Eve had partook of the curse, we find they had two sons Cain and Abel, but which was the oldest I cannot positively say; but this I know, Cain was given more to evil practices than Abel, but whether he was the oldest or not matters not to me. Adam was commanded to sacrifice, and offer up his offerings to God, that placed him into the garden of Eden. Through the faith and obedience of Abel to his heavenly father, Cain became jealous of him, and he laid a plan to obtain all his flocks; for through his perfect obedience to father he obtained more blessings than Cain; consequently he took it into his heart to put Abel [out] of this mortal existence. After the deed was done, the Lord enquired to Abel, and made Cain own what he had done with him. Now says the grand father I will not destroy the seed of Michael and his wife; and Cain I will not kill you, nor suffer any one to kill you, but I will put a mark upon you. What is that mark? You will see it on the countenance of every African you ever did see upon the face of the earth, or ever will see. Now I tell you what I know; when the mark was put upon Cain, Abel's children was in all probability young; the Lord told Cain that he should not receive the blessings of the priesthood nor his seed, until the last of the posterity of Abel had received the priesthood, until the redemption of the earth. If there never was a prophet, or apostle of Jesus Christ spoke it before, I tell you, this people that are commonly called negroes are the children of old Cain. I know they are, I know that they cannot bear rule in the priesthood, for the curse on them was to remain upon them, until the residue of the posterity of Michal and his wife receive the blessings, the seed of Cain would have received had they not been cursed; and hold the keys of the priesthood, until the times of the restitution shall come, and the curse be wiped off from the earth, and from Michael's seed. Then Cain's seed will be had in remembrance, and the time come when that curse should be wiped off.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
speech in Joint Session of the Legislature, February 5, 1852
In my doctrinal teachings I have taught many things not written in any book, ancient or modern, and yet, notwithstanding the many things I have told the people, I have never looked into the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Doctrine and Covenants or any of our church works to see whether they agreed with them or not. When I have spoken by the power of God and the Holy Ghost, it is truth, it is scripture, and I have no fears but that it will agree with all that has been revealed in every particular.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
discourse by President Brigham Young at Logan, Cache County, May 25, 1877
There has been some fault-finding by those who have recently arrived in camp, because they want to cut their own hay and put in their own turnip patch, but we must be one, and feel a general interest for the whole.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
The Journal of Brigham Young, Aug. 16, 1846
Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
Let my seed mingle with the seed of Cain, that brings the curse upon me, and upon my generations -- we will reap the same rewards with Cain.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
speech in Joint Session of the Legislature, February 5, 1852
It has been observed here this morning that we are called fanatics. Bless me! That is nothing. Who has not been called a fanatic who has discovered anything new in philosophy or science? We have all read of Galileo the astronomer who, contrary to the system of astronomy that had been received for ages before his day, taught that the sun, and not the earth, was the centre of our planetary system? For this the learned astronomer was called "fanatic," and subjected to persecution and imprisonment of the most rigorous character. So it has been with others who have discovered and explained new truths in science and philosophy which have been in opposition to long-established theories; and the opposition they have encountered has endured until the truth of their discoveries has been demonstrated by time.... I will tell you who the real fanatics are: they are they who adopt false principles and ideas as facts, and try to establish a superstructure upon a false foundation. They are the fanatics; and however ardent and zealous they may be, they may reason or argue on false premises till doomsday, and the result will be false. If our religion is of this character we want to know it; we would like to find a philosopher who can prove it to us.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
The doctrines contained in the Bible will lift to a superior condition all who observe them; they will impart to them knowledge, wisdom, charity, fill them with compassion and cause them to feel after the wants of those who are in distress.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
Now, there is no harm in a teapot, even if it contains tea, if it is let alone.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses
It yields solid satisfaction to hear men testify of the truth of the Gospel. It is always peculiarly interesting to me to hear the Saints tell their experience. It is to me one of the best sermons to hear men and women relate to each other how the Lord has wrought upon their understanding, and brought them into the path of truth, life, and salvation.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Journal of Discourses