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Parley P. Pratt: The Apostle Paul Of Mormonism (2011)

by Terryl L. Givens(Favorite Author)

4.01 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0195375734 (ISBN13: 9780195375732)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Oxford University Press, USA

review 1: I had to renew this book three times in order to finish it. But it was worth the effort. I liked the descriptions of the historical setting and Parley's life before Mormonism. I had no idea that he'd already been a missionary before he converted to Mormonism, or that such an activity as purchasing a pocket Bible and going from house to house was a common experience at the time. We certainly live in a different age now. Parley's inner passion, persistence, and lack of tact are rather endearing. Certain scenes stand out to me:The discussion with a Shaker congregation where Parley turned what could have been an "we agree to disagree" meeting into a shouting match and forceable expulsion from the church by shaking the dust of his coattails at them (damning them for rejecting h... moreis message).The dinner where the wife of the Utah territorial secretary described how Pratt "marched up with four wives, and introduced them successively as Mrs. Pratts. The thing was done with such an easy, nonchalant air, that I had difficulty in keeping from laughing outright." The scenes of so much travel, across the U.S., to Europe, and Chile, by a man homesick for his family.The image of Pratt reading the San Francisco paper which published every editorial he submits, under a sarcastic header making fun of him and Mormonism.His defense of polygamy sometimes made me laugh out loud. For example on page 367: "Pratt ... argued that while Christ and the New Testament apostles did not explicitly endorse polygamy out of respect for Roman law, they had not altered the marital laws of the Old Testament. By contract, Catholicism (and later, Protestantism) had banned polygamy and enshrined the 'monogamic law' with its 'attendant train of whoredoms, intrigues, seductions, wretched and lonely single life, hatred, envy, jealousy, infanticide, illegitimacy, disease and death.'"His life was filled with more drama than most soap operas, and so was his death. I knew from the beginning of the book that he was going to be murdered, but the story of how it happened was so compelling. When he married Eleanor (his 12th wife) she hadn't been divorced from her previous husband (Don't do it, Parley!) and then they went together to try to get custody of her kids from her parents who lived in the Southern U.S. (Bad idea!). Meanwhile McLean, Eleanor's violent and alcoholic husband, was hunting Parley down and announcing that he was going to kill him. The culture of honor at that time condoned a husband killing his wife's lover. p387 "The extralegal tradition of violence against seducers assumed that women had no will of their own, that they were always the victims of seduction rather than active participants. In Eleanor's case, this assumption was heightened... The national press erased Eleanor's agency by emphasizing either her victiumhood or insanity."McLean catches up with Parley eventually, stabs him three times near the heart, then leaves to get a gun and comes back and shoots him in the neck. A farmer who saw the incident from a distance gathered neighbors, and when they arrived about an hour later Parley was still alive! He told the crowd that McLean had stabbed and shot him, and asked them to record his last words (a testimony of his faith in Mormonism). McLean publicly stated: "I killed [Pratt]. I'm not able to say how you will view the act but I look upon it as the best act of my life. And the people of West Arkansas agree with me." They did indeed agree, for the jury ruled that Pratt "came to his death by the hand of some unknown person." McLean was never prosecuted for the murder. He also convinced a New Orleans court to issue a warrant for Eleanor's arrest on the grounds of religious insanity. She fled to Utah and I don't think she ever was able to see her kids again.I knew that public sentiment against Mormons was hostile in the 1850s. I even felt the residue of that growing up: when I was a teenager I was nervous to tell "Non-Mormons" that I was Mormon because I expected a negative reaction. But still -- the play out after Pratt's death surprised me.There was also an interesting wavering of opinion regarding Parley after his death from the main church leaders. Brigham Young had blessed Pratt before his mission with "power over death" and promised him that he would "return to the Saints" in "this life." p389 "The events surrounding Pratt's death gave as least some leaders pause before integrating him into the larger Mormon martyrology narrative... Even Young later charged that Pratt's 'blood was spilt' as a punishment for his earlier disputed plural marriages... In general, though, the Saints easily integrated Pratt into the pantheon of martyrs."The analogy of Pratt to the apostle Paul is appropriate. He had a huge influence in shaping both the history and doctrine of Mormonism. His travels and proselytizing were as extensive as his writing. One of his earlier books, "A Voice of Warning" was cited by members and outsiders alike as cannon of the church, equivalent in status to The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. Two last quotes:p 260 "Pratt's activities ... demonstrates key lessons about times of transition in radical religious groups. Mainstream Mormons memory focuses on the events in Nauvoo, particularly the supernatural passing of the mantle from Smith to Young in August 1844 ... Pratt's experiences, by contrast, are an ideal lens through which to understand the messiness and contingency of the battle to succeed Smith."His experiences are also a lens through which to understand religious passion and morality, and a unique and fascinating look at Mormon polygamy, which is such a dynamic and strange time period.And the man himself? Whether you agree or disagree with his religious views, there's no question that he believed them to be true and gave his heart and soul to the cause. He was an amazing person.
review 2: Terryl Givens' biography does for Parley P. Pratt what Richard Bushman did for Joseph Smith in "Rough Stone Rolling." He provides a frank, respectful, and detailed picture of a fascinating man. He doesn't shy away from warts, and from the quirks (many of which are a function of the times). Someone whose roots in the LDS faith are somewhat shallow might be disturbed by some of this. Personally, I find it inspiring and faith-promoting to see that modern-day apostles and prophets are not superhuman. Despite their flaws and idiosyncrasies, the Lord uses them to achieve astonishing feats that bless the world. This is definitely the case with this book. I understand Parley's limitations, but I love him more than I did before I read the book. If you have read Parley's autobiography, it is most DEFINITELY worthwhile to read this biography as well. As Givens points out, no biography is really objective, and Parley chose his stories carefully to convey a particular image for posterity. Givens' probing biography provided a far more three-dimensional representation of Parley. Ultimately, this was a truly amazing man. I find myself repeatedly surprised at how central he was to the unfolding of doctrines and to the early church's message to the world. Highly recommend! less

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