Brigham Young, considered the second prophet of the restoration according to mainstream LDS Mormons, said that the Journal of Discourses were scripture:
I say now, when they [his discourses] are copied and approved by me they are as good Scripture as is couched in this Bible . . . ” (Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 264, see also p. 95).
With that in mind, let’s examine how inspired he was, by highlighting some of the teachings contained in the Journal of Discourses.
“Until the last ones of the residue of Adam’s children are brought up to that favorable position, the children of Cain cannot receive the first ordinances of the Priesthood. They were the first that were cursed, and they will be the last from whom the curse will be removed.” – Brigham Young, Discourse 45
“So it is with regard to the inhabitants of the sun. Do you think it is inhabited? Do you think there is any life there? No question of it; it was not made in vain.” – Brigham Young, Discourse 31
“I will say, in regard to the sisters who bring children here to make a noise, they have never yet sufficiently thought, nor sufficiently considered their own place in this world, nor the place of others, to know that there is any other person living on the earth but themselves; and they think, when they hear people talk, that it is a noise through a dark veil. I cannot say much for the education, based on good feeling, that such persons have.
Were I to describe it in a plain way, I should say that they are people of no breeding, that they were never bred but came up; that is about as good a character as I can afford to give to any mother that will keep a squalling child in a meeting. I have never said to the congregation, look and see who they are, for you may distinguish by your ears, without looking, the mothers that have had good teaching and been brought up in a civilized society.” – Brigham Young, Discourse 24
“Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins, and be received into the kingdom of God. I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands. But you who trifle with your covenants, be careful lest in judging you will be judged.” – Brigham Young, Discourse 35
“Now if any of you will deny the plurality of wives, and continue to do so, I promise that you will be damned.” – Brigham Young, Discourse 39
“What man or woman on earth, what spirit in the spirit-world can say truthfully that I ever gave a wrong word of counsel, or a word of advice that could not be sanctioned by the heavens? The success which has attended me in my presidency is owing to the blessings and mercy of the Almighty.” – Brigham Young, Discourse 26
“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, Discourse 25
“No man or woman in this dispensation will ever enter into the celestial kingdom of God without the consent of Joseph Smith.” – Brigham Young, Discourse 45