About the Author
Parley Parker Pratt was born in central New York State on April 12, 1807. In 1830 Pratt learned of the newly published Book of Mormon. Borrowing a copy, he read it virtually in one sitting, and, convinced that it was true, he embraced Joseph Smith’s message of the restoration of primitive Christianity. Pratt was baptized into the faith in September 1830. From that time on, he was one of the greatest advocates of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its teachings. In 1835 he was ordained a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and he remained in the church’s leadership until he was murdered in 1857 on his way home from a missionary journey.
