Orson Pratt is less famous than his older brother, apostle Parley P. Pratt. But it could be argued that he has had a bigger impact on the Church than Parley did. From polygamy to the First Vision to his theological arguments with Brigham Young, Orson Pratt is one of the unsung people who has shaped the modern LDS Church.
Casey: There is a good biography. Breck England, wrote a book called, The Life and Thought of Orson Pratt, that I think is great. Apparently, someone is writing a biography. Now, I can’t remember his name. But, maybe in a couple of years, we’ll get another good one. But I think Breck England’s is really good. He addresses a lot of the issues that a 19th century Church member would face, which Orson Pratt is a good example of. You’ve had podcasts on this before, I know. But Orson Pratt almost leaves the Church. Well, he does leave the church. He’s excommunicated, because of complications over plural marriage, because of his wife, Sarah Pratt. He may have tried to commit suicide. They were worried for a little while there. Ten years later, he’s the person that’s chosen to publicly announce the practice of plural marriage. Then, he becomes known as the most famous intellectual defender of plural marriage. That’s an interesting journey in 10 years. Breck, who you should get on this, and you should talk to him about it, goes through a couple questions. One of the big wrestles Orson Pratt often had to answer for people was, “If I don’t enter into plural marriage, does that mean I’m not going to go to the Celestial kingdom?” In the 19th century, some Church members wrestled with the question of, “Is it eternal marriage, or is it plural marriage that’s essential for salvation.” Orson Pratt was the person that mediated those questions. The conclusion he came to was, “It’s celestial marriage, it’s not plural marriage that’s essential for salvation,” which is really because most Church members weren’t practicing plural marriage.
Historians don’t usually talk about the future, because they are historians! In our next episode with Dr. Casey Griffiths, he will talk about what he thinks will be the biggest future events in church history, as well as what some events of the recent past will make impacts in future Church history.
Casey: Even the things that are happening right now, it’s difficult to kind of pull back and say, “How big a deal is this going to be in 20 years? Are we even going to think twice about it? Or is it going to be something that really becomes huge in the history of the Church, the way it works. The Family Proclamation, which we put in, has had big ripple effects. The Perpetual Education Fund, which we put in, isn’t talked about as much anymore, though, I do think that if you look at the long-term effects of the Perpetual Education Fund, it’s going play a big role in the development of the Church, especially the International Church. So, it was a fun thought experiment to kind of sit down and have conversations. We, by the way, it wasn’t just the three of us. I was walking into people’s office and saying, “Give me your top five events.” They usually, the First Vision coming forth, the Book of Mormon, Priesthood is restored. I go, “Okay, give me your top five in the 20th century. Give me your top five in the last 20 years.”
So what are your top 5 events in the last 20 years? What do you see in the future of Church history? Do you agree that Orson Pratt’s influence on LDS Theology is under-appreciated?
Wheat & Tares 
Before I get to my top 5, I would like to comment on “The Perpetual Education Fund, which we put in, isn’t talked about as much anymore . . “
I attended a discussion group in which the guest speaker was a retired BYU professor who helped start over a hundred NGOs with students. Things like micro-loan programs in locations all over the world. On many occasions, he worked closely with church leaders and employees on coordinating various church humanitarian efforts. In a senior moment, I can’t remember his name.
His inside information on the Perpetual Education Fund is that it was a success, financially speaking. They stopped talking about it and asking for donations because the fund now exceeds $1B – it absolutely does not need any more money.
As a reminder, the loans are made from the interest generated by the fund. The corpus is to be left untouched by the program and is “owned” by the church. Loans are expected to be paid back with interest. This is a wonderful program, but it stands in contrast to the heavy tuition subsidies students at the BYU campuses receive and are not expected to reimburse. First world problems . . .
Top 5 – in no particular order:
Family Proclamation – Although it is claimed to affirm scriptural and revealed doctrines, it in fact proclaims several new doctrines. It also has accrued all the benefits of canonization without the (now meaningless) formality of a membership vote.
Proposition 8 – A massive mobilization of the church against LGBTQ interests. Mormons are no longer most known for “those guys with more than one wife” in favor of “those people who hate the gays”.
POX – the aspects relating to the children of same-sex relationships were contrary to scripture and common sensibilities. “Nothing is lost” to those children as they can be baptized at 18 . . . Really – are our child and youth programs really worth so little?
Reversal of the POX – A revelation to reverse the revelation that hadn’t yet reached its fourth birthday. This now colors everything that is claimed as a revelation. (A revelation for a temple in Ephriam is unrelated to the revelation to preserve the historic Mani temple murals which is unrelated to the public outcry over the destruction of said murals)
COJCOLDS – If RMN’s hope that “Mormon” is overtaken by The COPJCOLDS is successful, the church may slip into obscurity in the public consciousness, having lost the very unique position that Mormon holds. Just another of the countless churches with Jesus or Christ in its name.
It is true that Orson did a lot to promote Joseph’s agenda. But do we really want to hold someone up as an example when his wife was seduced by a church leader, and he ended up still promoting polygamy?
Caroline, as a white woman, I can understand why you point at polygamy as a problem for Orson, which I would agree is a problem. However, I suspect most black men and women would be greatly appreciative of his opposition to slavery, and support for black voting rights in the Civil War era. So I think it is important to look at the whole person, and not focus on just one element. I suspect your black friends would appreciate his racial views more than you do.
As we mentioned, Orson added several sections to the 1876 version of the D&C, was first to publish the First Vision account, tangled with Brigham on the Adam-God doctrine, thought science showed support for God, added the modern versification of the Book of Mormon, so I hope we can look at the whole man, and not one aspect.
Rick walks on a slippery slope when he claims that Caroline is wrong for criticizing a man who failed to take a stand against the subjugation of women—including his own wife! And if Orson was so successful in his stand on race, why did the priesthood ban exist for another 100 years after his efforts?
Women matter, Rick. They mattered in Orson’s day and they matter now. Caroline has a valid point that I agree with. You have a trend of trying to silence those you disagree with. Well, I agree with Caroline that Orson did not stand up for women and the church doesn’t do so today. Maybe another 100 years?
Caroline is not wrong for criticizing polygamy. (Davin, you misrepresented my comment.) All I am trying to say is it is important to look at the whole package, not just one aspect.
Polemics always over emphasize one aspect at the exclusion of other aspects. That’s my point Davin, a point you seem to have missed in favor of a polemical argument.
As to why did the ban last for over 100 years, clearly Orson didn’t win the day, but not only did he win the war, but was clearly ahead of his time both on priesthood and black voting rights.
Boo!
#BlackLivesMatter #MeToo
To quote myself, “Caroline, as a white woman, I can understand why you point at polygamy as a problem for Orson, which I would agree is a problem. ”
I have never been a fan of polygamy and have said that many times on my podcast. Don’t try to paint me as a defender of polygamy. I am a defender of good history. And please don’t misconstrue my comments. Polygamy sucks. Racism sucks.