Conflict in the Quorum: Orson Pratt, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith

by Gary James Bergera (Editor)

At a meeting of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve in 1860, one of the church’s senior apostles, Elder Heber C. Kimball, complained that “Brother Orson Pratt has withstood Joseph [Smith] and he has withstood Brother Brigham [Young] many times and he has done it tonight and it made my blood chill. It is not for you to lead [the prophet],” Kimball continued, “but to be led by him. You have not the power to dictate but [only] to be dictated [to].” Whenever the quorum discussed Elder Pratt’s controversial sermons and writings and his streak of independent thinking, the conversation could become heated. As documented by Gary James Bergera in this surprisingly suspenseful account, Pratt’s encounters with his brethren ultimately affected not only his seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve but also had a lasting impact on LDS doctrine, policy, and organizational structure. “There is not a man in the church that can preach better than Orson Pratt,” Brigham Young told the twelve apostles on another occasion. “It is music to hear him. But the trouble is, he will … preach false doctrine.” Pratt responded that he was “not a man to make a confession of what I do not believe. I am not going to crawl to Brigham Young and act the hypocrite. I will be a free man,” he insisted. “It may cost me my fellowship, but I will stick to it. If I die tonight, I would say, O Lord God Almighty, I believe what I say.” “You have been a mad stubborn mule,” Young replied. “[You] have taken a false position … It is [as] false as hell and you will not hear the last of it soon.” Not infrequently, these two strong-willed, deeply religious men argued. Part of their difficulty was that they saw the world from opposing perspectives—Pratt’s a rational, independent-minded stance and Young’s a more intuitive and authoritarian position. “We have hitherto acted too much as machines … as to following the Spirit,” Pratt explained in a quorum meeting in 1847. “I will confess to my own shame [that] I have decided contrary to my own [judgment] many times. … I mean hereafter not to demean myself as to let my feelings run contrary to my own judgment.” He issued a warning to the other “When [President Young] says that the Spirit of the Lord says thus and so, I don’t consider [that] … all we should do is to say let it be so.” For his part, Young quipped that Pratt exhibited the same “ignorance … as any philosopher,” telling him “it would be a great blessing to him to lay aside his books.” When Pratt appealed to logic, Young would say, “Oh dear, granny, what a long tail our puss has got.” Ironically, Orson Pratt would have the last word both because Young preceded him in death and because several of Young’s teachings and policies had proven unpopular among the other apostles. One of Young’s counselors said shortly after the president’s death that “some of my brethren … even feel that in the promulgation of doctrine he [Young] took liberties beyond those to which he was legitimately entitled.” Meanwhile, Pratt continued to hold sway with some of his colleagues. His thoughtful—if ultra-literalistic—interpretations of scripture would also influence such later church leaders as Joseph Fielding Smith and Bruce R. McConkie. Bergera’s nuanced approach avoids caricatures in favor of the many complexities of personalities and circumstances. It becomes clear that the conflict in which these men found themselves enmeshed had no easy, foreseeable resolution.

Genres: History, Religion, Lds, Mormonism, Nonfiction

300 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a panel discussion in Salt Lake City, I once heard a BYU Philosophy professor suggest that the Adam-God Doctrine may have been something Brigham Young used for the purpose of trying to drive Orson Pratt out of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. My brow furrowed. I had never before heard that notion, nor for that matter was I aware that a serious conflict had occurred between the two men. I left the matter unexplored until I found Gary James Bergera's book Conflict in the Quorum.

Orson Pratt, one of the great theological voices of early Mormonism, had run-ins with both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. His rift with Joseph occurred over the practice of polygamy and claims that Joseph attempted to take Pratt's wife in plural marriage. His conflicts with Brigham Young covered a great deal of ground, including questions of authority--should Church rulings be made by a First Presidency or a majority of the Twelve--and issues of theology, such as the nature of the Godhead.

This work is a magnifying glass held up to two men who were fiercely devoted to Mormonism in excruciatingly different ways. Young was a manager. Pratt was a theologian. Bergera's book is not for the beginner. This book is not a primer. It is a close examination of original records. It moves fast and is laden with footnotes.

One of the great values of Conflict in the Quorum is in providing the reader extended excerpts taken from meeting transcripts. At times, the reader has the chance to picture being in a closed-door meeting of the Twelve. Bergera provides enough depth and breadth of material so that, whether one is partial to Young or Pratt, it is possible to appreciate the perspective each man had.

For me personally, I strongly valued the candid discussion of Brigham Young's Adam-God Doctrine--in which Young taught that Adam was a resurrected polygamist when he entered the Garden of Eden, and also the Father of our spirits. Pratt became an outspoken critic of this odd doctrine that did not stand the test of time. Pratt and Young also repeatedly butted heads over the question of how God's omniscience omnipresence should be understood in light of Mormon belief that God has a physical body. In these matters, Bergera lets Pratt and Young speak for themselves.

As Young and Pratt grapple with each other and deep doctrines, the reader has a chance to learn a lot about human nature and also 19th Century Mormonism. The goal of this book is not to disprove Mormonism, nor does it come down unequivocally in favor of Young or Pratt. I recommend it for people engaged in a serious study of Mormon history, and who are interested in examining source material not as often examined.

[Christopher Angulo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/4's of the book is such a fantastic read. I just love the solid focus on two differing views and contentions between two pillars in the LDS community. The latter quarter of the book fizzles out. It is apparent that the author favors Pratt's view over Young's, however, this is mitigated by the extensive citations and quoting of the documents used to prepare this book.

[Trevor Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book. One thing you will hear from many LDS people today is that their faith is united. That was definitely not the case in the 19th Century.

The conflict is mainly between Brigham Young and Orson Pratt. Young is advocating the Adam-God doctrine.

Pratt is vehemently against the Adam-God doctrine.

While Young and Pratt respected each other they were publicly criticizing each other.

Pratt was supposed to be the next prophet after Young died. Young made sure that never occurred because of Pratt’s stances against Young’s teachings.

We can show in this book that Young did teach the Adam-God doctrine that is not taught by the LDS Church today.

[Kole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conflict in the Quorum highlights the conflict that existed between Orson Pratt and Brigham Young. Both men were devoted to their religion and beliefs, although they differed in opinion and doctrine. This book provides an up close view for the reader into seeing what these differences were and how they each handled them.

One thing I really like is that this book provides exchanges that happened behind closed doors. You get to read the minutes of the meetings between Pratt and the other members of the Quorum of the Twelve.

One thing I didn't like is that to me it felt like the author leaned more to one of the people in the conflict than the other.

[Andreas Leit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Loved the insight into these complex relationships. I really appreciated the many direct citations from official minutes, diaries, journal entries etc. Though sometimes long, they nevertheless give a fascinating glimpse into the discussions and dealings of the early leaders of the Church. Highly recommend it. Great job, Gary.

[Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the most successful "modern" religion, Mormonism came of age in the media age, and every facet of its origins are available for historical analysis. Therefore, the tension between the spritual and the practical are on garish display, and nowhere is the conflict more apparent than in the few years after the death of Mormonism's founder, Joseph Smith, a charismatic of literally biblical proportions, who alternately attracted blindly sychophantic followers or repelled strong-willed and anti-authoritarian seekers. Brigham Young, Smith's successor, literally wrested control of the church from the twelve "apostles," who, during Smith's life, had acted as mere rubber stamps upon his actions, but saw itself increasingly, in the days and months following his assassination, as the rightful leaders of the nascent religion. One of those twelve, Orson Pratt, a self-educated but brilliant thinker, logician, and indefatigable writer and speaker, used scriptural sources and Smith's legacy to keep the church on Smith's intended trajectory. Young, on the other hand, saw Smith's work and words as incomplete, and himself as the successor prophet; therefore, he said of the twelve: "I view [them] the same as I do my pet young ones, that I could put them all in my pockets as my wives and children... so that when I want to talk with you, I put my hand in my pocket, take you out, and talk with you."

Pratt's core beliefs about the origin of mankind and the perfect nature of God conflicted mightily with Young's ideas, and led to open conflict between them. But Young prevailed, using his power as president as a cudgel to beat Pratt into submission.

Though Pratt outlived Young, he never gained the presidency of the church, as he should have, given his ranking in the twelve. Time and time again, Young berated and punished Pratt for his beliefs, not only demanding outward obedience, but also confessions that many of his beliefs were flat-out wrong. Pratt repeatedly recanted and humbled himself, but it was never enough for Young. Near the end of his life, Young was privately asked by a younger apostle to whom they should look to lead the church upon Young's death. Young reportedly told him, "To any one of the Council of the Apostles in order of ordination, barring... Orson Pratt, who... forfeited [his] right."

To the end, Brigham Young was an autocrat, wielding power like a Persian potentate. Yet he never drove Pratt out of the church or his position therein, though it was apparent his actions would have done so had Pratt believed less strongly in the doctrines and mission of Mormonism.

An inciteful book into the origins and uses of religious power and their effects. Highly recommended.

[David]

"There is no manin the church that can preach better than Orson Pratt" Brigham Young told the twelve apostles on one occasion. "It is music to hear him. But the trouble is, he will preach false doctrine". This is ironic because it now turns out that the church is disavowing the teachings of Brigham on Michael as God of this earth and have endorsed Orson Pratt's theology.

[Micmoc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early mormonism history

[Garrett Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interested in learning about Orson Pratt's battle with Brigham Young? This is the book for you.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look into the discussions of the original Quorum of the Twelve. Amazing to read about some of their theological arguments and reasonings. Very cool.

[Afton]

I couldn't get into it so I think I'll pick it up some time later and try again. I was nonfiction worn out. :)

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

A scholarly study on the conflict of personalities and doctrinal understanding between primarily Orson Pratt and Brigham Young in the mid-nineteenth century.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting historical study with fascinating doctrinal insights.