Difference between revisions of "Orson Pratt"
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| + | [[Image:Orson_Pratt.JPG|frame|Orson Pratt]] | ||
| + | '''Orson Pratt''' was born September 19, 1811, in Hartford, New York, to Jared Pratt and Charity Dickenson Pratt. He was a younger brother of [[Parley P. Pratt]], and it was Parley who introduced him to [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. Parley baptized Orson on September 19, 1830 in Canaan, New York. Several months later, Orson Pratt was ordained an [[Elder|elder]] in the Church on April 26, 1831, by the Prophet [[Joseph Smith]]. He set out immediately for his first [[mission]] to Colesville, New York. Other short missions followed, to New York, Ohio, the Eastern States, and Missouri. He was ordained a [[High Priest]] by [[Sidney Rigdon]] on February 2, 1832. Pratt then served missions to Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. | ||
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| + | On April 26, 1835, Orson Pratt was called to the [[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]] by Joseph Smith. From 1839 through 1841, he served as an apostolic missionary in the British Isles. He preached in Scotland, and he created an early missionary tract called ''An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions''. The account was one of the first of Joseph Smith's [[First Vision]]. Some of the material in the tract is similar to Joseph Smith's [[Articles of Faith]], published in 1842. | ||
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| + | Pratt returned to the United States in 1841, to Nauvoo, to an atmosphere of controversy. He had trouble accepting the doctrine of [[Polygamy|plural marriage]]. Rumors induced Pratt to rebel against the Church. He was disciplined and excommunicated in 1842. He reconciled with the Church and requested re-baptism some months later. He was reinstated to the Quorum of the Twelve on January 20, 1843. With [[Orson Hyde]], Orson Pratt found his seniority in the Quorum reset to his latter induction date. | ||
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| + | Orson Pratt moved west with the pioneers and then was called to return to Europe as a missionary. He served as the mission administrator from 1848 to 1851. In 1850, he challenged his missionaries to preach to every soul in Britain. Though this goal was impossible to reach, by year's end there were twice as many Mormons in Britain than in the United States. While in Europe, Pratt arranged for French translations of Mormon tracts. In 1865, Orson Pratt became one of the first missionaries to Austria. He served for nine months with [[William W. Ritter]], but they achieved no baptisms. They were eventually expelled by the Austrian government. | ||
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| + | [[Image:Orson_Pratt_in_old_age.jpg|left|frame|Orson Pratt in old age]] | ||
| + | When Pratt went west to Utah, it was with Brigham Young. The journals kept by Pratt give important insights into the migration west. He served as a scientific observer for the party. He used scientific instruments to take readings of weather and geography, and noted geological formations and mineral sources. He also recorded his observations regarding the flora and fauna of regions the pioneers passed through. Pratt was a mathematician. He and [[William Clayton]] invented a precursor to the modern odometer. He entered the [[Salt Lake Valley]] on July 21, 1847, three days ahead of the main company. He preached the first sermon in the valley, and dedicated it to the Lord. | ||
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| + | Orson Pratt died of complications from diabetes on October 3, 1881. He was the last surviving member of the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. | ||
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[[Category: Apostles]][[Category: Church Leaders: Past]] | [[Category: Apostles]][[Category: Church Leaders: Past]] | ||
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For more information about Orson Pratt, his family, and his life, visit http://www.pratt-family.org | For more information about Orson Pratt, his family, and his life, visit http://www.pratt-family.org | ||
Revision as of 14:33, 28 March 2008
Orson Pratt was born September 19, 1811, in Hartford, New York, to Jared Pratt and Charity Dickenson Pratt. He was a younger brother of Parley P. Pratt, and it was Parley who introduced him to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Parley baptized Orson on September 19, 1830 in Canaan, New York. Several months later, Orson Pratt was ordained an elder in the Church on April 26, 1831, by the Prophet Joseph Smith. He set out immediately for his first mission to Colesville, New York. Other short missions followed, to New York, Ohio, the Eastern States, and Missouri. He was ordained a High Priest by Sidney Rigdon on February 2, 1832. Pratt then served missions to Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
On April 26, 1835, Orson Pratt was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by Joseph Smith. From 1839 through 1841, he served as an apostolic missionary in the British Isles. He preached in Scotland, and he created an early missionary tract called An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions. The account was one of the first of Joseph Smith's First Vision. Some of the material in the tract is similar to Joseph Smith's Articles of Faith, published in 1842.
Pratt returned to the United States in 1841, to Nauvoo, to an atmosphere of controversy. He had trouble accepting the doctrine of plural marriage. Rumors induced Pratt to rebel against the Church. He was disciplined and excommunicated in 1842. He reconciled with the Church and requested re-baptism some months later. He was reinstated to the Quorum of the Twelve on January 20, 1843. With Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt found his seniority in the Quorum reset to his latter induction date.
Orson Pratt moved west with the pioneers and then was called to return to Europe as a missionary. He served as the mission administrator from 1848 to 1851. In 1850, he challenged his missionaries to preach to every soul in Britain. Though this goal was impossible to reach, by year's end there were twice as many Mormons in Britain than in the United States. While in Europe, Pratt arranged for French translations of Mormon tracts. In 1865, Orson Pratt became one of the first missionaries to Austria. He served for nine months with William W. Ritter, but they achieved no baptisms. They were eventually expelled by the Austrian government.
When Pratt went west to Utah, it was with Brigham Young. The journals kept by Pratt give important insights into the migration west. He served as a scientific observer for the party. He used scientific instruments to take readings of weather and geography, and noted geological formations and mineral sources. He also recorded his observations regarding the flora and fauna of regions the pioneers passed through. Pratt was a mathematician. He and William Clayton invented a precursor to the modern odometer. He entered the Salt Lake Valley on July 21, 1847, three days ahead of the main company. He preached the first sermon in the valley, and dedicated it to the Lord.
Orson Pratt died of complications from diabetes on October 3, 1881. He was the last surviving member of the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
For more information about Orson Pratt, his family, and his life, visit http://www.pratt-family.org
