The Journal of Discourses is not Church doctrine. Nor is it taught as doctrine.
The Journal of Discourses is a collection of writing, sayings, and personal speculation. But it is not doctrine.
“The Journal of Discourses deservedly ranks as one of the standard works of the Church, and every rightminded Saint will certainly welcome with joy every number (issue) as it comes forth.“ (President George Q. Cannon, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 8.) “Each successive Volume of these Discourses is a rich mine of wealth, containing gems of great value, and the diligent seeker will find ample reward for his labor. After the fathers and mothers of this generation have made them the study of their lives their children’s children will find that they are still unexhausted, and rejoice that this Record has been handed down from their fathers to also aid them in following the way of life.” (Apostle Orson Pratt, Preface. Volume 3.) “It is impossible to give monetary value to the past volumes of this publication, … Those who read the utterances of the servants of God, contained in this book, under the same influence by which the speakers were inspired, cannot fail to receive profit from the perusal.” (President Joseph F. Smith, Preface, Volume 18.) “We take great pleasure in presenting to the Saints and the world the … the Journal of Discourses, which they will find contains rich treasures of information concerning the glorious principles of Eternal Life, as revealed through God’s anointed servants in these last days. All who read the discourses contained in this Volume are earnestly recommended to adapt them to their lives by practice, and we can confidently assure them that, in doing so, they are laying up a store of knowledge that will save and exalt them in the Celestial kingdom.” (Apostle Albert Carrington, Journal of Discourses, Preface, Volume 15.)
Yes, Eslie, the Momron effort to distance themselves from the actual heretical teaching of their supposed Apostles and prophets is open deceit. Even Gordon B Hinckley tried to distance himself from the Lorenzo Snow couplet, which notion was taught by Joseph SMith, the founder of Mormonism. But in the 1994 Council Hinckley had pointed to the couplet as vital, then when interviewed by Time magazine he tried to weasel out of knowing anything about it other than ‘the philosophy behind it’. It is openly deceitful. Knowing the truth about what mormonism teaches would be shocking to the public, so Mormons just lie and deny when the quotes are posted.