Why this project?

The concept for The Parley P. Pratt Papers Project came into being following a Pratt family reunion. Upon reflection, it became evident that while some of Pratt’s major works have been published elsewhere, the bulk of his material has not.

The Parley P. Pratt Papers Project will begin with The Letters. With more than 450 letters extant, insight into Pratt’s dealings with his family, his church, his brethren, as well as insight into his personality will be made available.

While many of the early leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints* are well known today, there are still major gaps in our understanding of this original member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Through Pratt’s letters, we may gain a better understanding of this early missionary, patriarch, and Apostle.

*The Parley P. Pratt Papers Project is not sponsored by or affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"I DIE A FIRM BELIEVER"

“I die a firm believer in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and I wish you to carry this my dying testimony. I know that the Gospel is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of the Living God. I am dying a martyr to the faith.”

LETTER, 9 MAY 1853

“In short, I have been a farmer, a servant, a fisher, a digger, a beggar, a preacher, an author, an editor, a senator, a traveler, a merchant, an elder and an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Is not truth stranger than fiction?”

Parley P. Pratt to William Peterson, May 9, 1855

"HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH"

“Should the author be called to sacrifice his life for the cause of truth, he will have the consolation that it will be said of him, as it was said of Abel, ‘He being dead yet speaketh.’”

Preface, Voice of Warning 1846 Edition, (Emphasis added.)

APOSTOLIC ORDINATION

“On the 21st day of February, 1835, I took the oath and covenant of apostleship, and was solemnly set apart and ordained to that office; and as a member of that quorum under the hands of Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer.”

Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt