Description

"The author of several dozen seminal treatises on Mormon doctrine, Orson Pratt (1811-81) produced during his life a spirited and thoughtful exposition and defense of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that charted the course for all subsequent LDS theologians.

"Born in Henderson, New York, Pratt was a contemporary of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism. Smith and his successor Brigham Young depended on Pratt's rhetorical skills and scientific eclecticism in presenting the Mormon message to the outside world. While Pratt was a member of the LDS church's leading Quorum of Twelve Apostles many of his works on theology were published in pamphlet form and used in proselytizing new converts. His rudimentary mathematical talents were also relied on to help navigate the first party of Mormon pioneers to the Great Salt Lake Valley. He was, in fact, the first Mormon to enter the Salt Lake Valley--three days before Brigham Young.

"A stubborn and fiercely independent intellectual, Pratt clashed with Joseph Smith over polygamy and Brigham Young over the nature of God and the origin of the human soul. Their arguments eventually led Young in 1875 to demote Pratt within the Quorum of the Twelve, reducing his chances of succeeding to the presidency of the church. Pratt suffered from diabetes, and his final years were plagued by illness. He died in Salt Lake City on 3 October 1881 at the age of seventy." (From inside jacket.)

Table of Contents

Publishers Preface
Foreword by David J. Whittaker

1. Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions and of the Late Discovery of Ancient American Records
2. "Funeral of Mrs. Caroline Smith"
3. "Questions on the Origin of Man," "Mormon Philosophy. Space, Duration and Matter," "Questions on the Present State of Man," and "Angels."
4. The Kingdom of God. Part I
5. Absurdities of Immaterialism, or, A Reply to T.W.P. Taylder's Pamphlet, Entitled, "The Materialism of the Mormons or Latter-day Saints, Examined and Exposed"
6. New Jerusalem; or, the Fulfilment of Modern Prophecy
7. Divine Authenticity of the Book of Mormon. Introduction
   --To Expect More Revelation is not Unscriptural
   --To Expect More Revelation is not Unreasonable
8. Great First Cause, or the Self-Moving Forces of the Universe
9. "The Holy Spirit"
10. "Latter-day Kingdom, or the Preparations for the Second Advent"
11. "A General Funeral Sermon of All Saints and Sinners; Also, of the Heavens and the Earth"
12. "Celestial Marriage"
13. "Celestial Marriage" --A Excerpt
14. "The Pre-Existence of Man" -- An Excerpt
15. "Resurrection of the Saints"
16. "The Equality and Oneness of the Saints"
17. "The Holy Spirit and the Godhead"
18. "Man is the Offspring of God--Truth is Eternal--The Doctrines of Christ--The Law of Gravitation--Free Agency"
19. "Salvation Tangible--Personality of God--Character of God--Pre-existence of Man--Jesus Our Elder Brother--Transformation of the Earth--Creation and Organization--It's Final Destiny, the Home of the Saints--Revelations by Joseph Smith in Harmony with Scripture"
20. "The Great Principles of Salvation, Etc."

Index