Parley P. Pratt (1807

Mormon History 1830-1844

Joseph

Bios

Parley P. Pratt (1811–1857)

Early convert (1830), missionary to Kirtland, Missouri, Canada, the East, England, and Midwest. Member, original Quorum of the Twelve. Pamphleteer (esp. Voice of Warning) and first editor of the MIllennial Star.

Born		April 12, 1807 in Burlington, Otsego Co., New York	MS 26, no. 52 (Dec. 24, 1864): 822.
Died		May 13, 1857 in Van Buren Co., Arkansas
Father		Jared Pratt	MS 26, no. 52 (Dec. 24, 1864): 822.
Mother		Charity Dickinson	MS 26, no. 52 (Dec. 24, 1864): 822.
Childhood		I was raised to hard work on a farm, brought up in the strictest morals, was a believer in the Bible and Jesus Christ, received but a limited education in the common schools.	MS 26, no. 52 (Dec. 24, 1864): 822.

		Excerpts from "History of Brigham Young: History of Parley P. Pratt"	Parley P. Pratt (h)
Residing in Russia 3 or 4 years August becomes Rigdonite preacher Flees via Erie Canal to Palmyra		… Parley P. Pratt, has been a resident of the township of Russia, Lorain co., Ohio, for three or four years last past, until August last, when he was authorized to preach by the sect called Rigdonites, in this vicinity. The next day after receiving this eldership, he ran away from a constable, and numerous creditors, and made his way to Canaan, Columbia co., N.Y. Not being able to gain any proselytes (one young brother of his excepted), he lays his course up the Erie canal as far as Palmyra, where he finds this new Bible, and the men that are with him.—	Letter to the editor, Nov. 26, 1830, Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, Milan Free Press (Huron County), Dec. 14, 1830, reprint in PT, Dec. 14, 1830. Source
Arrested in Amherst, tried, convicted		It was rumored that said Pratt was expected through this place [Amherst], and an officer was kept ready to arrest him for debt. He was accordingly arrested, tried, and judgment rendered against him: and at the same time an execution served on him for cost, on suits tried before he fled to the east.
Sold neighbor's furniture for him Refused to give neighbor proceeds		Said Pratt in July last, sold property belonging to one of his neighbors to the amount of several dollars. This neighbor hearing he was in this place came to see him while he was under the officer's care, and requested a settlement. He, Pratt, refused to do anything about it, "unless his Heavenly Father directed him,"— (these were his words.)
Warrant issued Fled		After waiting a suitable time, he was told if he did not settle the business, he would be taken with a State warrant. He still refused and a warrant was issued; but before it could be given to the officer, he had, by falsifying his word, escaped from the Constable and fled to the woods, and is now at large, to deceive and lead silly women and more silly men astray.

		September 1, 1830 baptized in Seneca Lake by Oliver Cowdery. Confirmed and ordained an elder the same day.	¶ Parley P. Pratt (h)
Lamanite missionaries called		October [17], 1830 called with Ziba Peterson to accompany Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jr. on a mission to the Lamanites.	D&C 32, Oct. [17], 1830
Preach to the Cateraugus		Preaches to the Cateraugus Indians near Buffalo, New York.
		October 27 or 28, 1830 arrive at Sidney Rigdon's on Judge Orris Clapp's farm in Mentor, Ohio.
Establish Kirtland church		We also preached the Gospel and established the Church in Kirtland, Ohio, and the regions round about, consisting of several hundred members, among whom were Sidney Rigdon, Isaac Morley, John Murdock, Lyman Wight (h) (swh) and many others, whom we ordained Elders.
Preach to the Wyandot		Preach to the Wyandot Indians, probably in the neighborhood of Upper Sandusky, Ohio.

Conference of June 1831 High Priesthood Preach en route to Missouri		the Conference at Kirtland, held June 6, 1831, in which President Joseph Smith, by the word of God, ordained me, with many others, to the High Priesthood, and received a revelation for me and my brother Orson, and many others, to journey two and two, to the western bounds of Missouri, preaching and baptizing by the way.	Minutes of June [3]–6, 1831; D&C 52 Ezra Booth, who became disillusioned with the church during the journey, provides the most detailed account of the journey to Missouri. Ezra Booth Letters (2) Joseph's party left for Missouri on June 19, arrived July 14, and departed for Kirtland on August 9. Parley and Orson left Kirtland "soon after" the revelation and arrived "in upper Missouri in September." Parley P. Pratt, 82–84. On the journey they held "about fifty meetings, and baptized five in Peru, Delaware county, Ohio, and six in Vermillion county, Illinois." ¶ Orson Pratt (h1) (Orson says he arrived in Jackson county at the end of August.) I have found no minutes of February 1832 meetings in Zion, but Parley did attend the "general Conference" there in late January. Minutes of January 23, 1832.
Trip to Jackson county	¶	We started in June, performed this journey on foot, organized several churches by the way, and arrived in western Missouri in October of the same year.
Remains, sick with ague	¶	From this time until February 1832, I was very sick of fever and ague, during which I tarried with the churches there.
Healed Leave for Kirtland, February 1832	¶	About the middle of February I attended Conference in Jackson co., over which Bishop Edward Partridge presided. Here I was healed by the laying on of bands, and the next day started my return mission in company with John Murdock and others.
Reach Kirtland, May 1832	¶	After a tedious a journey of a thousand miles, we arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, in May 1832, having preached by the way with some success.
Mission to Pittsburgh Move to Jackson county	¶	After a short mission to Pittsburgh and back, on foot, distance 130 miles, I removed with my wife to Jackson county, Missouri, where I settled, opened a farm, and built a log cabin.	Pittsburgh Junction, Ohio is 129 mi. S of Kirtland (one way). Baptizes Noah Packard, Hyrum confirms, in Parkman, Geauga county, Ohio, June [1–5], 1832. ¶ Noah Packard
Mission to Missouri, Illinois with William E. McLellin	¶	The next winter, in company with Elder W. E. McLellin, I performed a mission on foot through Missouri and into Green county, Illinois, where we preached with much success; distance about six hundred miles in going and returning.
School of Elders in Zion	¶	About the 1st of June I returned home, devoted my time among the churches and in presiding over a school of Elders in Zion, and in laboring with my hands.

1833 driven from Jackson to Clay county		Fall, 1833 driven out of Jackson County
1834 to Kirtland for help (3 weeks)		February 1, 1834 starts for Kirtland with Lyman Wight (h) (swh), arriving in March.	No minutes of this conference are known. "… a general Conference was held at my house, in which it was decided that two of the Elders should be sent to Ohio, in order to counsel with President Smith …" Parley and Lyman volunteer. "I was at this time entirely destitute of proper clothing for the journey; and I had neither horse, saddle, bridle, money [132] nor provisions to take with me; or to leave with my wife, who lay sick and helpless most of the time." Parley P. Pratt, 131–132. Minutes of February 24, 1834.
Zion's Camp recruitment		February 24, 1834 called to travel east with Joseph to recruit volunteers for Zion's Camp.	¶ D&C 103:30, 37
New York		Leaves Joseph after conference in Genesee County, New York; travels through northern part of the state and visits friends in Columbia County.
Return to Kirtland		Late April returns to Kirtland.
Zion's Camp		May 1, 1834 starts for Jackson County with Zion's Camp.	Heber's Zion's Camp (1)
Moves back to Ohio	¶	On the 8th of October, in compliance with a revelation through the Prophet Joseph, I started with my wife for Kirtland, Ohio. After journeying near one thousand miles with a horse-team, we stopped for the winter at New Portage, within fifty miles of Kirtland. Here I devoted my time diligently in the ministry and in laboring with my hands until February 1835, when I repaired to Kirtland.
Apostle	¶	February 21, 1835, I was ordained one of the Twelve Apostles under the hands of Joseph Smith and others. I then immediately returned to New Portage, settled my affairs, and returned again to Kirtland, to join the Twelve on a mission eastward.	¶ Minutes of February 21, 1835
Mission to the East	¶	May 4th, we started this mission. The season was spent in preaching, visiting the churches, holding Conferences, &c., in the eastern States. August found us in the State of Maine, and in September we returned to Kirtland.	¶ Heber C. Kimball (3)
School of the Prophets		The winter was spent in the School of the Prophets in the House of the Lord.
1836 mission to Canada		In April 1836, I took a mission to Canada, and labored through the season in the city of Toronto and round about, which mission [824] resulted in the baptism and ordination of John Taylor, Joseph Fielding and others, and in the gathering into the Church of many souls.	¶ Joseph Fielding Diary: 1832-1837 ¶ Toronto Methodists
Kirtland		In October of the same year I returned to Kirtland; spent the winter at home.
Parley Jr. born, mother dies	¶	On the 25th of March 1837, my son Parley was born, in fulfilment of a prophecy delivered on the head of my wife, about eleven months previous, by Elder H. C. Kimball. Having lived to see and embrace her child, she died about two hours after his birth <.
Dies after birthing first child		On the 25th of March, 1837, she gave birth to my firstborn, whose name is Parley, and died the same day >. This happened in Kirtland, Ohio.	Thankful was 40.
First mission to England	¶	They were set apart, and performed that mission under the Presidency of Elders H. C. Kimball and Orson Hyde (h); this being the first introduction of the fulness of the Gospel in Europe.
Marries Mary Ann Frost	¶	May 9th, same year, I was again married, receiving the hand of Mary Ann Frost, daughter of Aaron Frost, of Maine.
New York		Soon after this marriage I went to the city of New York, where, at length, I succeeded in baptizing many, among whom was Addison Everett.	Parley's missionary companion is Elijah Fordham.
"Voice of Warning"		Here I wrote and published the "Voice of Warning," and here God manifested his power in many gifts and healings, causing the Work to spread through the city and round about.
1838 to Missouri	¶	In April 1838 I took leave of New York, and with a small colony emigrated once more to Missouri. We settled in Caldwell County in May, where I built a house and made a farm with my own hands, besides devoting much of my time to the ministry.
Imprisoned		In autumn of the same year I was imprisoned with brother Joseph and others, while my family and the whole Church were robbed, plundered, and driven from the State.	During his imprisonment, Parley wrote the manuscript for an 84-page pamphlet,
Escape Nauvoo	¶	On the fourth of July, 1839, I gained my freedom by the power of God, after eight months and four days, imprisonment, and escaped to Illinois. I found my family in Quincy, and gathering with them to Nauvoo, I again commenced to labor with my hands.
1839 mission to England with Orson	¶	On the 29th of August 1839, I started on a mission to England, in compliance with a revelation through Joseph Smith. We travelled by land, in a carriage, near six hundred miles, my brother Orson and my family accompanying me.
Detroit Father dies		We arrived at Detroit and tarried a few days with our brother Anson, and with our father and mother who then lived with him. My father, being about 70 years of age, was then laying low with a fever, and soon after died.	Parley publishes History of the Late Persecution during this visit to Detroit.
Winter in New York	¶	Continuing our journey, we arrived in New York some time in autumn where I tarried for the winter, having great success in the ministry.
1840 to Liverpool	¶	On the 9th of March 1840, I sailed for Liverpool, England, in company with Elders B. Young, H. C. Kimball, O. Pratt (h1) and others. We had a rough passage of twenty-eight days, and on the sixth day of April landed in Liverpool.	¶ Heber C. Kimball (5)
Conference in Preston Publishing committee Millennial Star begins		We convened a General Conference at Preston on the 15th of April, in which Elders B. Young, H. C. Kimball and myself were appointed a publishing committee for the Church. I was also appointed editor and publisher of a monthly periodical to be called the MILLENNIAL STAR, the first number of which was issued in May, following.
Mission president	¶	I continued in this publishing department between two and three years the last eighteen months of which I had the Presidency of the Church in the British Isles.
1842 to New Orleans Winter in Chester, Illinois		October [20], 1842 sails for New Orleans with his family and several hundred emigrating Saints on the Emerald, a ten-week voyage. After a week traveling up the Mississippi, they stop for the winter at Chester, Illinois due to ice in the river.
1843 Nauvoo		April 12, 1843 arrives in Nauvoo.
1844	¶	The spring of 1844, I was sent out on a mission to the eastern States. I went as far as New York, held several meetings, but was constrained by the Holy Spirit to return home speedily. On arriving in Chicago, Illinois, I heard of the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. I arrived home in time to console the Saints and assist in and keeping them together, until the return of President Young and others of the Twelve.	Parley P. Pratt (h)

Sketch approved		March 13, 1858.—Presidents B. Young, H. C. Kimball, O. Hyde, O. Pratt, W. Woodruff, Geo. A. Smith and E. T. Benson, heard this history read by R. L. Campbell, and approved of it.

		Families
Wife		Thankful Halsey, b. Mar. 18, 1797 in New Lebanon, Columbia Co., NY; md. September 9, 1827, in Canaan, Columbia Co., NY; d. Mar. 25, 1837 in Kirtland, OH.	MS 26, no. 52 (Dec. 24, 1864): 822.
		To be continued …
		Egging of Parley P. Pratt (1835) Orson Pratt Biographies