Orson Pratt Quotes

Powerful Orson Pratt for Daily Growth

About Orson Pratt

Orson Pratt (February 2, 1811 – October 3, 1881) was an influential American religious leader, author, and early apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Born in Vermont, United States, Pratt converted to the church in his late teens, becoming one of its most prolific and prominent figures. Pratt was baptized by Oliver Cowdery in 1830 and soon emerged as a gifted orator, evangelist, and writer. He played a pivotal role in the translation of the Book of Mormon under the supervision of Joseph Smith. In 1835, he was appointed as an assistant to church president Brigham Young and was later ordained as an apostle. Pratt's writings significantly influenced LDS Church doctrine, including his works on celestial architecture, planetary systems, and the concept of spiritual wives for polygamous marriages. His book "Key to The Science of Theology," published in 1855, remains a foundational text in Mormon theology. In 1846, Pratt participated in the westward migration of LDS Church members, which culminated in the establishment of Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1847. He continued to serve as an apostle until his death and was involved in various aspects of church administration and community development. Orson Pratt's life and works have had a lasting impact on the LDS Church, shaping its beliefs, practices, and self-perception. His contributions to Mormon theology and early Utah history continue to be widely studied and debated today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The glory of God is intelligence."

Orson Pratt's quote, "The glory of God is intelligence," suggests that knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and the pursuit of truth reflect the divine nature and attributes of God. In essence, it posits that intelligence is a manifestation of God's glory on earth, and by gaining knowledge and cultivating our intellect, we align ourselves with the essence of divinity. It encourages individuals to seek out learning opportunities, embrace curiosity, and strive for wisdom as a means of honoring and emulating the divine.


"Man's mind is a tabernacle of the Holy Ghost, and when he is filled with the truth, the Holy Ghost flows out of him as water from a well."

This quote suggests that human minds, much like physical structures (tabernacles), serve as vessels for the divine spirit, referred to here as the Holy Ghost. When a person is filled with truth or knowledge (especially spiritual truth), the divine presence within them overflows, much like water from a well. Essentially, Orson Pratt implies that true knowledge and spiritual enlightenment allow individuals to act as conduits for the divine, spreading wisdom and grace to others.


"Truth will prevail over falsehood; righteousness will triumph over wickedness."

This quote emphasizes the universal law that truth, as a fundamental and enduring principle, ultimately prevails over falseness or deception. Similarly, righteousness, which embodies ethical and moral values, eventually overcomes wickedness and its destructive forces. It suggests an inherent balance in the universe where good conquers evil, and encourages individuals to stand for truth and righteousness in their own lives.


"No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations."

This quote by Orson Pratt suggests that a person cannot experience the influence of the Holy Spirit, often referred to as the Holy Ghost in religious contexts, without also receiving personal revelation or spiritual guidance unique to their own circumstances. The implication is that the presence of the Holy Ghost equips individuals with an ability to discern truth and act righteously, but only after they have been granted the gift of personal revelation to guide them on their spiritual journey.


"We are all in the same boat, and must learn to row together if we expect to reach shore."

This quote by Orson Pratt emphasizes unity and cooperation among people. It implies that we are all part of one shared human experience, facing similar challenges and seeking the same destination - a better future or "shore". The only way to achieve this is through mutual understanding, collaboration, and working together, as if rowing in the same boat towards our common goal.


If God had sufficient wisdom and power to construct such a beautiful world as this, then we must admit that his wisdom and power are immeasurably greater than that of man, and hence he is qualified to reign as king.

- Orson Pratt

Reign, Had, Construct, Qualified

A true servant of God will never teach a false doctrine. He will never deny new revelation. He never will tell you that the canon of scripture is full, or that the New Testament is the last revelation ever intended to be given to man.

- Orson Pratt

New, Given, Deny, Canon

All the modern christian churches have no more authority to preach, baptize, or administer any other ordinance of the gospel than the idolatrous Hindoos have.

- Orson Pratt

More, Other, Any, Churches

God the Father and God the Son cannot be everywhere present; indeed they cannot be even in two places at the same instant: but God the Holy Spirit is omnipresent - it extends through all space, with all other matter.

- Orson Pratt

God, Through, Other, Omnipresent

At various times during the last four thousand years God has asserted his rights and endeavoured to establish his own authority, his own laws, and his own government among the children of men.

- Orson Pratt

Laws, Last, Thousand Years, Asserted

On the 1st day of December, 1830, I was confirmed, and in accordance with the word of the Lord I was ordained an Elder under the hands of the Prophet.

- Orson Pratt

Hands, Lord, Accordance, Ordained

I was ordained one of the standing High Council in Zion, under the hands of President Joseph Smith.

- Orson Pratt

Hands, Standing, High, Ordained

Do not suffer any man to baptize or minister unto you, unless God has spoken unto him by the voice of his servants, and authorized him to minister in his name.

- Orson Pratt

Voice, Unto, Minister, Authorized

It is a grievous sin in the sight of God for any man to presume to baptize, unless God has authorized him by new revelation to baptize in his name.

- Orson Pratt

New, Revelation, Grievous, Authorized

God is a spirit. A spirit is as much matter as oxygen or hydrogen.

- Orson Pratt

Spirit, Matter, Hydrogen, Oxygen

The kingdom of God is a theocracy. And as it is the only form of government which will redeem and save mankind, it is necessary that every soul should be rightly and thoroughly instructed in regard to its nature and general characteristics.

- Orson Pratt

Characteristics, Which, Redeem

The true God He has extension, and form, and dimensions. He occupies space; has a body, parts, and passions; can go from place to place. He can eat, drink, and talk.

- Orson Pratt

Body, Go, Extension, Passions

The kingdom of God is an order of government established by divine authority. It is the only legal government that can exist in any part of the universe.

- Orson Pratt

Part, Divine, Established, Order

Noah and his family were the only loyal and obedient subjects to the legal power: they alone were saved.

- Orson Pratt

Alone, His, Obedient, Noah

Each atom of the Holy Spirit is intelligent, and like all other matter has solidity, form, and size, and occupies space.

- Orson Pratt

God, Other, Holy, Occupies

The system of idolatry, invented by modern christianity, far surpasses in absurdity anything that we have ever heard of.

- Orson Pratt

Absurdity, System, Ever, Invented

Any people attempting to govern themselves by laws of their own making, and by officers of their own appointment, are in direct rebellion against the kingdom of God.

- Orson Pratt

Making, Laws, Attempting, Appointment

The greatest desire of my heart was for the Lord to manifest His will concerning me.

- Orson Pratt

Desire, Will, His, Concerning

The Godhead consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father is a material being.

- Orson Pratt

Son, Religion, Godhead, Holy Spirit

An order of government, established by such an all-wise, powerful being, must be good and perfect, and must be calculated to promote the permanent peace, happiness, and well-being of all his subjects.

- Orson Pratt

Well-Being, Established, Promote

God is the King. In him exists all legal authority.

- Orson Pratt

Legal, King, Authority, Exists

It was seldom that I attended any religious meetings, as my parents had not much faith in and were never so unfortunate as to unite themselves with any of the religious sects.

- Orson Pratt

Faith, Religious, Attended, Meetings

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