Treasures from the Journal of Discourses

by Paul B. Skousen

The Journal of Discourses is a magnificent record of speeches, anecdotes and pioneer-era history that became a massive collection of 26 volumes totaling 11,000 pages. It is the record of spontaneous speeches by dozens of speakers, usually called upon without warning, with all the pressure and tension that today's teleprompters have successfully erased. Despite human foibles and difficulties, the speakers delivered rich testimonies and glimpses into the difficulties of a new church in a new land---serious, comical, difficult, heart wrenching.

The Journals truly are an enriching treasury of delight that has now been mined in this concise collection of extracts and questions.

Meaty doctrines, inspiring calls to service and faith, insights into forgotten history and struggles, are brought together in this single volume to give answers and perspective as delivered from a stalwart and pioneering pulpit of 150 years

* How many earths are there?
* How many Redeemers and Tempters are there?
* Can resurrected people give birth, and if so, are the babies of flesh and bone, or spirits?
* How did plants and animals arrive on earth?
* What did Joseph Smith and others say about the US Constitution and freedom?
* How long does God want us to live in mortality?
* Is the United Order a form of socialism?
* What is our relationship to God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost?
* How does the power of the priesthood organize matter?
* What really happens to Sons of Perdition?
* What kind of knowledge should we seek? What about "the mysteries"?
* What is the source of adversity, discouragement and persecution, and what can we do about it?
* How does Satan work in our lives and how do we protect and strengthen ourselves to resist?
* Is vanity a problem?
* Was abortion an issue in the mid-1800s? What did the Brethren say about that?
* What did the Brethren say about socialism, communism, the Constitution, and the coming cleansing of America?
* What changes can we expect when the Millennium begins?

Answers to these and a thousand more are listed in a Q&A format. First, a provocative question is presented to highlight the central message of a quote, and then the excerpt follows, with citations. The book is organized according to progression through the eternities---Heavenly Powers, our Pre-mortal Life existence, Earth Life, Opposing Forces, The Church, the Last Days, and After-life. The Treasures from the Journal of Discourses is a powerfully impactful exploration into the enticing realms of eternity. It is easily read from front to back, or delivers delightful insight with any random page. It is suitable reading for Latter-day Saints of all ages and persuasions looking for answers to questions that are hard to discover in today's busy world.

462 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2013

About the author

Paul B. Skousen is an author and instructor on the United States Constitution. He received his undergraduate from BYU in Journalism and his Master's degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University.

After graduate school Paul worked for President Ronald Reagan in the White House Situation Room. In addition, Paul was an intelligence officer for the CIA. He received national notoriety when he preserved a large bag of shredded top secret documents, the so-called "smoking gun" from the Iran-Contra Affair, that he sold piecemeal as "shredded secrets from the White House." Paul Harvey and other media outlets covered the unusual story.

Paul has extensive experience interviewing political and military leaders in Egypt, Israel and Jordan, including the former prime minister of Jordan, the political advisor to Egypt's President Mubarak, and senior generals in the Israeli military.

Paul is the author of five books including The Naked Socialist and Treasures from the Journal of Discourses. He has revised and edited several of his father's books including Fantastic Victory, The Cleansing of America, The Five Thousand Year Leap Glenn Beck Edition, and The Majesty of God's Law. He is currently writing the Biography of W. Cleon Skousen, among other projects, and is a frequent speaker and motivational instructor.

Additionally, Paul was a ghost writer for Glenn Beck, a columnist for The Daily Caller, and currently teaches communications and journalism at Utah Valley University.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

Well done compilation of quotes. Made me think and ponder. I enjoyed it and I am very glad I read it..I will probably read it again.

[Kenneth C. Rueckert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent condensed r4eference book. Creates a temptation to read all the volumes of the Journal of discourses which contains information not currently preached.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't exactly what I expected. I thought it would be more excerpts of speeches, writings, etc. It actually comes in a very well-organized question/answer formula on just about anything you could think of. It was very insightful and an easy read.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.