The Essential Orson Pratt

by David J. Whittaker (Foreword)

 The author of several dozen seminal treatises on Mormon doctrine, Orson Pratt (1811-81) produced a library of spirited and thoughtful expositions and defenses of the LDS church that charted the course for all subsequent church theologians. Born in Henderson, New York, Pratt was a contemporary of Joseph Smith, who, like his successor Brigham Young, often depended on Pratt’s rhetorical skills and scientific eclecticism in presenting the Mormon message to the outside world. Since Pratt was a member of the leading Quorum of Twelve Apostles, many of his works were published in pamphlet form for proselytizing purposes. His rudimentary mathematical talents were also relied on to help navigate the first party of pioneers to the Great Salt Lake Valley. He was the first Mormon to enter the valley—three days before Young. A stubborn and fiercely independent intellectual, Pratt also clashed with Smith over polygamy and with Young over the nature of God and the origin of the soul. Their arguments eventually led Young in 1875 to demote him within the quorum, reducing his chances of succeeding to the church presidency. Pratt suffered from diabetes, and his final years were plagued by illness. He died in Utah at the age of seventy. Nevertheless, his influence has continued. Pratt was the first to write and publish an account of Smith’s famous “first vision,” and he authored one of the earliest confessions of Mormon doctrine, which Smith later used in composing his own “Articles of Faith.” Pratt edited the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, The New York Messenger, The Seer, and The Prophetic Almanac, the latter consisting of astrological observations, folk wisdom, theological essays, and one of the first LDS statements that humans could become gods. Pratt’s most controversial speculation was that atoms, then thought to be indestructible and indivisible, were intelligent, self-conscious, sentient, self-propelled particles which bonded together to form colonies in the shape of plants, minerals, animals, humans, and gods, and which were tutored over time in the “great school of the universe.” His writing was thus a unique blend of biblical and pseudo-scientific philosophy. Twentieth-century reprints of his works have tended to overlook his more controversial ideas and emphasized the less radical ones. In the present compilation, care has been taken to remain faithful to the originals, leaving nothing out.

Genres: Mormonism

Hardcover

First published July 1, 1990

About the author

Not to be confused with David J. Whittaker, the LDS (Mormon) historian.

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It is a compilation of sermons and writings from the ministry of Elder Orson Pratt, a very influential missionary, apostle, and pamphleteer in the first generation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Basically, Elder Pratt's teachings fall into three categories:

1. Very logical doctrinal teachings based on a close, mostly literal reading of the standard works.
2. Highly speculative religious philosophizing.
3. Pseudoscientific balderdash.

I really enjoyed Elder Pratt's doctrinal teachings (category 1). He obviously has paid a serious price to understand the scriptures and he knows them, teaches from them, both with quotes and allusions from memory. He is also very systematic and logical in his approach to teaching which I really like, because when he knows what he is talking about he makes a lot of sense and his teaching is really clear.

However, I found categories 2 and 3 little more than a curiosity and a warning against teaching beyond what has been revealed or discovered and beyond what I truly understand, whether scientific, religious, or any other subject. Some things Elder Pratt taught were simply wrong, but other things he taught were gloriously right and true, and I'm grateful for that.

Ultimately, I appreciate and largely agree with the observation of President Brigham Young (with whom Orson Pratt had many doctrinal spats over the years): "There is not a man in the Church that can preach better than Orson Pratt upon any subject which he understands. It is music to hear him. But the trouble is he will preach upon things he does not know any thing about and then he will preach false doctrine." (The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young: Volume 3, 1857 to 1861 edited by Richard S. Van Wagoner p.700. The remarks were made in a meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah on 27 January 1860 and were originally recorded in the journal of Wilford Woodruff)

Most members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints could pass on this book and lose little. It is probably more of interest to scholars or hardcore church history enthusiasts. I'm glad I read it, but I probably won't read it again.

[Kendal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good selection of sermons

For a one-volume sample of Pratt's thought, this scores a touchdown. It should spur you on to reading all his sermons.

[Brent Huntley · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed learning more of the theology Orson Pratt taught, man is he long winded. Many of his sermons and writings were painful to get through.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primary documents.