The Autobiography of
Parley P. Pratt — Revised and Enhanced Edition
Edited by Scot Facer
Proctor and Maurine Jensen Proctor
Chapter 12
Mission in Ohio — Start to western
Missouri — Incidents by the way — Discourse on board a steamer
on the 4th of July — Its effect — Arrival on the frontiers — Farming
— Extortion — Mission in Missouri and Illinois — Treatment by
infidels — Great success in Illinois — Opposition from Baptist
ministers — Outlines of Mr. Peck’s speech and my reply — Result
— Return home — A voice from the dead.
May 1832–Early June 1833
I shall not attempt to describe
our feelings or our joy; these things are known by experience,
not by language. I found her health much impaired, and she had
long suffered from complaints of the nature of consumption; but
she was now reduced still further by her anxious solicitude about
my long absence.1
When she found herself once more in
the quiet enjoyment of my society, she gradually resumed her wonted
cheerfulness, and began to enjoy better health; but still she was
far from being well.
After spending a few weeks at home,
I performed a short mission in the southeastern part of Ohio, and
again resumed, having travelled on foot in the heat of summer about
three hundred miles. In this mission I met with no success in the
ministry, owing to the prejudice, ignorance and bigotry of the people,
who either would not hear at all, or else heard in a careless manner,
and went away with the same indifference as they came.2
I
now determined to take my wife and our little effects and remove
to Western Missouri. To bear the expenses of this long journey
my wife had some sixty dollars, which she brought with her from
the East, and certain men also put into my hands sums of money
to be expended in lands and improvements in that country. With
brother Joseph’s counsel and blessing I bade farewell to Kirtland.3
We
took a stage coach for the Ohio River, thence by steamer to St.
Louis, and again by steamer up the Missouri. I took a steerage
passage among the poorer class, and was dressed more like a laborer
than a public minister. However, the throng of passengers on the
boat learned by some means that I was a preacher, and on the 4th
of July they pressed me very hard to address them in the cabin
in honor of our national anniversary.4
I
refused for awhile; but at length complied, on conditions that
steerage passengers, boat hands, firemen, and all classes, black
or white, should have the privilege of assembling in the cabin
to hear the discourse.5
This
was readily complied with, and very soon a large assembly was
convened and in waiting, consisting of ladies and gentlemen, lawyers,
merchants, farmers, servants, waiters and colored gentlemen.
I
presented myself before this motley assembly in a plain coat of
gray satinet, and bowed respectfully. All tried to be grave, but
a smile, a sneer, a look of contempt would now and then escape
from some of the more genteel portion of the assembly, as if they
would say, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth,"
6 or, in other words, can so plain a man be possessed
of knowledge sufficient to entertain such an assembly on so important
an occasion as the 4th of July, and this, too, without preparing
a discourse beforehand?
I
read a chapter; all was serious attention. I offered up a prayer;
all was deep interest. I commenced a discourse, and nearly all
were in tears. I introduced the Book of Mormon as a record of
ancient America; I dwelt upon its history and prophetic declarations,
now being verified by the erection of free institutions in this
great country, and their growing influence. I spoke of the general
prosperity and resources of the country, acknowledging the hand
of Providence in the same; warned them against national pride,
ambition, and injustice; exhorted them, in common with all citizens,
to use the utmost diligence to preserve the general peace and
the pure influence of our national institutions; and to improve
in light, intelligence and love, without which we, too, might
be brought down to destruction like the Israelites and Nephites
of old; and our bones and ruined cities and monuments alone be
left to other people, as theirs were left to us, as a testimony
of our greatness which would have passed away.7
I also showed them from the Book of Mormon
that we were destined to remain forever as a blessed and free
people on this land, on conditions of keeping the commandments
of Jesus Christ, and that our settlements and commerce would soon
extend to the vast shores of the Pacific ocean, and our ensign
stand out to the nations as a standard inviting them to a banquet
of freedom, peace and plenty.8
After meeting I was pressed upon to come into
the cabin for the rest of the passage. And even when we changed
boats at Louisville, such was the influence of my fellow passengers,
that the gentlemen’s and also the ladies’ cabin and board was
free to me without money or price. One gentleman offered as high
as ten dollars for a copy of the Book of Mormon; but, unluckily,
I had none with me.9
Arriving at the Colesville branch, on the
western boundaries of the State (where I had spent the previous
winter in sickness and poverty), about the 1st of August, 1832,
we commenced cutting hay, building, purchasing and planting land,
and making every preparation to receive those who had sent funds
for this purpose. During the months of August and September I
had, with a little help, secured about fifteen tons of hay, and
put into the ground fifteen acres of wheat, besides building a
log house and doing something at fencing, etc.
These exertions in the heat of the season
brought on a severe illness, in which I was nigh unto death; but
I was again restored in a few days by the laying on of hands and
prayer in the name of Jesus.
About this time Lewis Abbott arrived with
his family from Kirtland, and having sent some money by me, partly
to aid in my expenses, and partly for the purpose of making improvements,
he became dissatisfied and demanded the utmost farthing. This
took everything I had done; — my wheat on the ground, my hay,
my cows all but one, and left me entirely destitute, after all
my laborious exertions. At this brother Abbott seemed satisfied,
and thought he had got quite rich, and turned his money to good
advantage; but the curse of God rested upon all his property as
was soon manifest.
The next winter I took a mission
in company with Elder William E. McLellin10 down through
the State of Missouri and into Illinois, crossing the Mississippi
at Clarksville.11
As we approached Clarksville, we
were told by several of the inhabitants near, not to attempt a
meeting or any religious instruction there, for they were a hardened
and irreclaimable set of blasphemers and infidels, given to gambling,
drinking and cursing, etc.; and that many different orders of
the clergy had attempted in vain to reclaim them, or even to get
a hearing. Before entering the town we ascended a mountain and
cried mightily unto the Lord that He would open our way, and move
upon the hearts of the people to receive us and hear the Word.
We then entered the town and called
at a hotel. We told the landlord that we had come in the name
of Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to the people, being sent
by him without purse or scrip. “Well,” said he, “you are welcome
to my house and such fare as we have; and we will meet together
and hear your religion, and if it proves to be better than ours
we will embrace it; for we confess that our religion is to fiddle
and dance, and eat and drink, and be merry, and gamble and swear
a little; and we believe this is better than priestcraft.”
We replied that we would try them
anyhow. So a meeting was convened; we preached, had good attention,
and much of a candid spirit of inquiry was manifest, and we were
treated with hospitality and friendship, and even ferried over
the river free; and this was more than those religious sectaries
would do, who had warned us against them.
Passing over the river, the next
day we came to Green County, Illinois; and as the day drew to
a close we began to circulate an appointment as we travelled along
a thick settlement of thrifty farmers, for preaching in a school
house in the neighborhood that evening.
As we sat by the highway side to
rest ourselves, an old farmer rode past on horseback, and halted
to ask if we were travellers. We replied that we were travelling
to preach the gospel, and had an appointment that evening at the
school house just ahead, and invited him to come and hear.
“No,” said he, “I have not attended
a religious meeting this five years; I have long been disgusted
and tired of priestcraft and religious ignorance and division,
and have concluded to stand aloof from it all.”
“Well, we are as much opposed to
these things as you can be, and, therefore, have come to preach
the gospel, and show the knowledge of God in its ancient purity,
being instructed and sent of Him without purse or scrip. So come
and hear us.”
“O! indeed, if that is the case,
I will.”
So he came; the house was crowded
with Baptists, Methodists, Universalists, Non-professors, Infidels,
etc.
We preached. After meeting, a Baptist
minister by the name of John Russell, a very learned and influential
man, invited us to tarry in the neighborhood and continue to preach;
he said his house should be our home, and he called a vote of
the people whether they wished us to preach more. The vote was
unanimous in the affirmative.
We tarried in the neighborhood some
two months, and preached daily in all that region to vast multitudes,
both in town and country, in the grove, and in school houses,
barns and dwellings.
All parties were our hearers and
friends, and contributed liberally to our wants; and the old farmer,
whose name was Calvin, who had not been to meeting before for
five years, became a constant hearer, and opened his house for
our home. He was very wealthy, and bade us welcome to shoes, clothing,
or anything we needed; many Infidels, Universalists, etc., did
the same.
In this neighborhood there lived
a Baptist minister by the name of Dotson, who opposed us with
much zeal, from time to time, both in public and in private, and
from house to house.
He said the Book of Mormon was a fable; a silly, foolish mixture
of matter, possessing no interest, and that he could write a better
book himself. However, his principal objection was, that God could
give no new revelation — the New Testament contained all the knowledge
that God had in store for man, and there was nothing remaining
unrevealed.12
We asked him to open the New Testament
and read to us the history and destiny of the American continent
and its inhabitants, and the origin and lineage of the same; also,
the history of the ten tribes of Israel, and where they now were.
We also asked him to read to us from that book his own commission,
and that of other ministers of this age to preach the gospel.
But he could do none of these things; but still insisted that
there was no subject worthy of new revelation, and that no revelation
could be given.
Said I, “Mr. Dotson, relate to me
your experience and call to the ministry.”
“Well,” he replied, “I will do so,
seeing that it is you, friend Pratt; for you are able to bear
it, and to comprehend something about it; but I have never told
it to my own members; and I dare not, for they would not believe
me.”
“Well, Mr. Dotson, be particular
on the manner and means by which you were called to the ministry.”
“Why, sir,” said he, “I was called
by a vocal voice from Heaven.”
“Well, Mr. Dotson, there is one exception
to your general rule. We come to you with a new revelation, and
you reject it, because there can be no new revelation; and yet
you profess to have a new revelation, God having spoken from the
heavens and called you, and commissioned you to
preach eighteen hundred years after the New Testament was written,
and all revelation finished! How is this?
“The New Testament no where calls you by name;
neither makes mention of you as a minister of the gospel; but
new revelation does, if we are to believe you. And yet you would
teach your hearers and us, and all the world, to disbelieve all
modern revelation merely because it is new. Consequently, we are
all bound by your own rule to reject your call to the ministry,
and to believe it is a lie.”
He could say no more.
At another time he was at Mr. Russell’s with
us, and, in presence of Mr. R. and others, was opposing the Book
of Mormon with all his power.
We asked him to listen while we read a chapter
in it. He did so, and was melted into tears, and so affected and
confounded that he could not utter a word for some time. He then,
on recovering, asked us to his house, and opened the door for
us to preach in his neighborhood. We did so, and were kindly entertained
by him.
But after this, he again hardened his heart,
and finding his opposition all in vain, he wrote a letter to the
Rev. Mr. Peck, of Rock Spring, some sixty miles distant, informing
him that the “Mormons” were about to take Green County, and requesting
his immediate attendance.
This Mr. Peck was a man of note, as one of
the early settlers of Illinois, and one of its first missionaries.
He had labored for many years in that new country and in Missouri,
and was now Editor of a paper devoted to Baptist principles.
This gentleman was soon forthcoming, and commenced
his public addresses among the people, to try to convince them
of the great errors we had taught.
He said there were no antiquities in America;
no ruined cities, buildings, monuments, inscriptions, mounds,
or fortifications, to show the existence of such a people as the
Book of Mormon described.13
He also said, that there were no domestic
animals such as the cow, the ox, or the horse, found here when
Europeans first discovered the country. He then inquired how these
animals became extinct since the destruction of the Nephites.
He said further, that the fortifications and
mounds of this country were nothing more than the works of Nature.
He then warned the people against the study
of the prophetic parts of the Old and New Testaments, observing
that these mysterious prophecies were directly calculated to lead
them into delusion and bewilderment; that the best way to read
and understand prophecy was, to read it backwards — that is to
say, after it is fulfilled; that it was never designed to be understood
before it came to pass.
He also taught that the Millennium was already
commenced, and that Jesus Christ would not come, in person, till
the great and last judgment; and that the Millennium must first
continue a year for each day of the thousand years, spoken of
by John the Revelator, etc.
A meeting was held for the purpose of replying
to him; the people came out in great numbers.
I then replied in substance as follows:
“My hearers: — The Rev. Mr. Peck is a great
man. He is a man of age and varied experience and learning. I
am but a youth, inferior to him in all these respects.14
I reverence his gray hairs; I respect his learning; I admire his
talents and ingenuity; and I feel a delicacy in replying to him;
and nothing but a love for the truth and a hatred of error and
falsehood, could induce me to come in contact with him before
the public; but where truth and salvation are at stake I cannot
shrink from duty, in consideration of age or talent; I cannot
spare the man, even if he were my father.
“To do away the Book of Mormon, we are called
upon to believe that the temples, statues, pyramids, sculptures,
monuments, engravings, mounds and fortifications, now in ruins
on the American continent, are all the works of Nature in her
playful moments; that the bones of slumbering nations were never
clothed upon with flesh, and that their sleeping dust was never
animated with life.
“This is too monstrous; it is too marvelous,
too miraculous for our credulity; we can never believe that these
things are the works of Nature, unaided by human art; we are not
so fond of the marvelous.
“Again, we are told that no cows or oxen were
here when Europeans first came to the country. I would ask what
the wild buffalo are, if they are not the cattle of the ancient
inhabitants? I would ask how horse tracks came to be imbedded
in the petrified rock of Kentucky, without a horse to make them?
And if no race of animals could become extinct, which once existed
here, I would ask Mr. Peck either to produce a living mammoth,
or annihilate his bones. But, perhaps, the reverend gentleman
would say that those bones, too, were the works of Nature, and
that the huge animal they seem to represent never existed.
“Again, my hearers, we are warned against
the study of prophecy. We are told that a careful perusal of the
prophecies, which the reverend gentleman is pleased to call ‘mysterious,’
is a principal cause of our delusion and blindness; and that the
prophecies were only designed to be read and understood after
they were fulfilled.
“We will apply this rule, and learn its workings
by practical experience.
“The people at the time of the flood adopted
this rule, all save eight souls. Mr. Peck’s theology was then
almost catholic.15 The universal world (save eight)
were disposed to remain in ignorance as to the meaning of prophecy
till after its fulfilment. The result was that they knew not until
the flood came and swept them all away; then they could understand.16
“The people of Sodom were all of Mr. Peck’s
faith — all save Lot and his family; they also perished unawares.17
“The Jews also were of this same school —
I mean those who perished in the siege of Jerusalem, in fulfilment
of the prophecy of Jesus Christ, recorded in the 21st chapter
of Luke.18
“And permit me here to remind my hearers that
this ancient system of theology, will certainly prevail to an
almost universal extent at the time of the coming of the Son of
Man. For Jesus himself testified that, as it was in the days of
Noah and in the days of Lot, so should it be in the days of the
coming of the Son of Man.19 I would here pause and
congratulate my reverend friend on the glorious and popular prospects
before him. Certain it is that most of the world will, at some
future day, be of his faith in this respect; they will let the
prophecies of the Holy Scriptures alone, and not attempt to understand
them until after their fulfilment.
“But we are of another school.
“We believe in Jesus, who said ‘search
the Scriptures;’20 we believe with Peter, that
we have a more sure word of prophecy, unto which we do
well to take heed, as unto a light shining in a dark place;
until the day dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts.21
“We believe the Apostle when he says that,
‘whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our profit and
learning; that, we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures,
might have hope.’22 We wish to be children of the light
and not of darkness; that that day come not upon us unawares.23
In short we wish, like Timothy of old, to understand the Scriptures
from our very childhood; considering that they are able to make
us wise unto salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.24
“Again, we are told that the world is in the
enjoyment of the Millennium, or thousand years of rest, spoken
of by John, the Revelator.
“Of course then Satan is bound, and does not
tempt any man.25 The martyrs of Jesus, and those who
kept His commandments are raised from the dead, and are now present
on the earth reigning with Jesus Christ.26 The nations
learn war no more, none are in ignorance, none in darkness, the
knowledge of God covers the earth as the waters do the seas.27
The cow and the leopard, the kid and the bear, the wolf and the
lamb, the lion, the serpent and the little child, all dwell together
in peace.28 For such events the prophets have described
in connection with the Millennium.
“But the great announcement of all — the most
important communication made to us by Mr. Peck is concerning the
time of the second coming of Jesus Christ. It was now ascertained
by him to be postponed till the great and last day; and that we
are to have a Millennium of three hundred and sixty-five thousand
years first, before Christ comes. Only think! ‘three
hundred and sixty-five thousand!’ Why, according to this calculation
the world is yet in its infancy; we are early in the morning of
creation. The great day of the existence of the world has only
dawned; a long and glorious race is yet before the generations
of man. What is the age of Adam or Methuselah! What the few fleet
years of the earth’s existence, compared to the time yet to come
before its end!
“O, ye holy prophets and saints of old, had
you been in possession of the knowledge of the astounding facts
now announced by this reverend gentleman, you would never have
warned mankind so repeatedly to be ready for the great day of
the Lord, for it was soon at hand.29
“And had Jesus Christ known this fact, he
would never have warned the world of the danger of that day coming
on them unawares.30 He and His Apostles would have
said: it is yet far — very far off. The Millennium must first
dawn, and then continue three hundred and sixty-five thousand
years; and then, behold, I will come to judge the world.
“But, my hearers, please read the prophet
Zechariah on this subject, chapter 14.
“We were there informed that ‘Jesus Christ
will come, and all the saints with him,’ — that he will ‘set his
feet on the Mount of Olives;’ that he will ‘deliver the Jews and
Jerusalem from their enemies;’ that he will ‘destroy those who
are in the siege against that city;’ and that he will ‘reign as
a king over all the earth, from that time forth; and there shall
be one Lord and his name one.’
“Now, if he comes and all the saints with
him, it cannot be his first coming. If he comes to fight for the
Jews and overthrow their enemies, it cannot be his first coming.
If the Mount of Olives rends in twain at the same time, and opens
so as to form a great valley in the place thereof, it has no connection
with his first coming.
“Again, if he comes to reign as a ‘King
over all the earth,’ it can have no allusion to the last judgment,
— the end of the earth. Consequently, if Zechariah has told the
truth, we are to expect the coming of Jesus Christ distinct from
his first coming; unconnected with the last judgment, at the very
commencement of his reign of a thousand years, which we call the
Millennium; but which, Mr. Peck says, has commenced, entirely
independent of any such event. But what can we expect of a man
when he comments upon the prophecies, while at the same time he
contends that none can understand them until after their fulfilment.
“Of course, my hearers, he himself acts upon
the principle which he lays down to others; and if he does, he
never studies, never searches the prophecies, acknowledges himself
in darkness on all subjects connected with unfulfilled prophecy;
expects to remain so, and expects his hearers to do the same.
“O, my beloved friends, have the people of
this western country been led in darkness for so many years by
learned and reverend gentlemen? Are they willing to remain in
darkness now, when the veil is withdrawn, and his folly made manifest
before all the people, and this too by his own words, uttered
in presence of you all?
“If so, follow him, and cleave to him as your
teacher. But if not, we exhort you to hold fast the truth as we
have delivered it to you; come forward this day, and obey the
ordinances of God; seek for the Holy Spirit to guide you into
all truth, and continue to search the Scriptures for more light,
and God will bless you forever. Amen.”31
After this meeting some of the Baptists and
others came forward and were baptized, and joined the Church of
the Saints; and the people in general remained steadfast in the
faith, and were unmoved by the exertions of Messrs. Peck and Dotson.
This filled them with envy, and they soon
began to manifest a lying and abusive spirit to such a degree
that all the people could see and distinguish plainly between
the spirits of truth and error.
Mr. Peck soon took leave and retired home,
and we continued our mission.
Hundreds of the people were convinced of the
truth, but the hearts of many were too much set on the world to
obey the gospel; we, therefore, baptized only a few of the people,
and organized a small society, and about the first of June took
leave and resumed home.
Having rested myself a few days, I now commenced
again to cultivate the earth. I plowed about six acres of ground
for wheat, and was busy from day to day in the woods, preparing
timber to fence the same, when the following dream, or night vision,
was given me:
A man came to me and called me with a loud
voice: “Parley, Parley.” I answered, “Here am I.” Said he, “Cease
splitting rails, for the Lord has prepared you for a greater work.”
I answered, “Whereby shall I know that this message is from the
Lord?” He replied, “Follow me, and I will show you.”
I followed him for some distance along a long
path, and at last came to a place of ancient sepulchres, where
many of the Nephites of old had been buried. One of these opened,
— the flesh of the man withered away; he became like a skeleton,
and passed down into the grave. I understood and knew by the spirit,
that this signified that it was the voice of one from the dead
which had spoken to me. I therefore exclaimed, “It is enough;
I know the message is of the Lord; return unto me, that we may
converse together.” He then came forth out of the grave, was again
clothed upon with a body like a man, and he talked with me, and
told me many things.
I awoke the next morning, and thought of my
dream, but I was necessitated, as I thought, to finish my fence
and sow my crop before I ceased to labor with my hands. I, therefore,
continued to make and haul rails from the woods. I perfected my
fence and sowed my crop, but I never reaped; I never saw the wheat
after it was more than three inches high.
Notes
31. Parley had been in the Church less
than three years, but the Bible quotes he used in responding to
the Reverend Peck’s teachings show his immense knowledge of the
scriptures. Parley had carefully studied the Bible since his youth
and readily drew upon his biblical knowledge.
