Essential Orson Pratt

The author of dozens of seminal doctrinal treatises, Orson Pratt produced a library of spirited and thoughtful expositions of Mormonism that charted the course for all subsequent church theologians. His rhetorical skills were utilized by two church presidents in introducing Mormonism to the outside world. His mathematical talents helped navigate the first pioneers to the Salt Lake valley. He was, in fact, the first to enter the valley.However, Pratt was a stubborn and fiercely independent intellectual who clashed with Joseph Smith over polygamy and with Brigham Young over the nature of God and the origin of the human soul. These disagreements resulted in Pratt's demotion within the Quorum of the Twelve.Still, among Pratt's contributions were the first published account of Joseph Smith's First Vision and a formal enumeration of beliefs, which Smith borrowed from in composing his Articles of Faith. Pratt also edited the Millennial Star, The New York Messenger, The Seer, and The Prophetic Almanac. The latter consisted of astrological observations, folk wisdom, one of the first LDS statements that humans could become gods, and a theological view of atoms that rendered them as intelligent entities with free agency.Modern reprints have generally overlook Pratt's more controversial ideas. In the present compilation, care has been taken to remain faithful to the originals, leaving nothing out.Pratt, Orson is the author of 'Essential Orson Pratt' with ISBN 9780941214957 and ISBN 0941214958.