Conflict in the Quorum: Orson Pratt, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith Rating :
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
Good book, small window into mormon history.
By Dallske
This book addresses a small aspect of mormon history, but significant nonetheless. It helps readers realize the human side to being a prophet. Recommended for all in search for a well-rounded view of the mormon prophets, and some of the men that they were surrounded by.
28 of 33 people found the following review helpful.A meticulously researched, carefully written documentation
By Midwest Book Review
Compiled and analyzed by Mormon scholar Gary James Bergera (Director, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City, Utah), Conflict In The Quorum: Orson Pratt, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith is a meticulously researched, carefully written documentation of the manifold disagreements between various strong-willed and devout leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, (popularly known as the "Mormons") during its first turbulent years of existence. Looking at how conflicts between diverse leaders had significant and enduring effects upon LDS doctrine, policy, and organizational structure, Conflict In The Quorum is an impressive body of scholarship which presents an astutely written and insightful account that can be read with considerable interest by both academic scholars and non-specialist general readers alike.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
Closed-Minded Mormons Need Not Apply
By Kenny Kemp
I read this book with particular interest as I am a descendant of Orson Pratt and have long heard the stories about Orson's conflicts with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. I was not disappointed. Neither did I feel it was a hatchet job designed to denigrate Smith or Young or elevate Pratt. Rather, it is an even-handed recounting of the good old days when men were men as well as being religious leaders: they could argue, bicker, and even apologize and accept their "erring" brother as a brother still. Definitely a different world than the squeaky-clean PR that passes for doctrinal discussion in the LDS church today amongst its leaders. Pratt's conflict with Smith was the classic schism of early Mormonism: Is polyandry of divine origin? Suffice it to say, whatever his initial reservations, Pratt eventually became a believer in the Principle and resumed his leadership in the Church. To this day, we do not know exactly what Joseph Smith said or revealed to Pratt to overcome his (Pratt's) reservations. Like Bergera, I choose not to speculate.
Pratt's decades-long debate with Young over the nature of God is another fine example of how reasonable minds can differ . . . and do. Both men were honorable in the dispute (though Pratt rates higher, in my opinion, because he was so often rebuked (and publicly!) by Young and made to apologize in front of the entire Church in conference. Not many men would do so, and it's a testament to Pratt's loyalty to the Kingdom and not his own remarkable intellect that he did so on more than one occasion). Young comes off as the lesser light in their argument and throws his weight around more than he should have, but again, who can definitively answer the question: Is God progressing? Or is He static, perfect from all eternity to all eternity? A weighty matter, to be sure, and one Pratt challenged Young to rectify via revelation. To his credit, Brigham Young never falsely asserted any divine guidance in his view on the matter. Instead, he relied upon teachings he said he received from Joseph Smith during Smith's lifetime, teachings to which Pratt was not privy.
All and all, "Conflict in the Quorum" is an interesting read about two powerful men doing their best as they see it. Inevitably, conflicts arise. I myself wish I lived in a day when such conflicts could be discussed openly at General Conference, no matter the outcome. Obtaining knowledge is a messy business, but nevertheless important. As Joseph Smith said, "The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth."
Lots of both in this readable book.
Product Description
At a meeting of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve in 1860, one of the church’s senior apostles complained that "Brother Orson Pratt has withstood Joseph [Smith] and he has withstood Brother Brigham [Young] many times and he has done it tonight and it made my blood chill."
Whenever the quorum discussed Elder Pratt’s controversial sermons and writings, the conversation could become heated. As documented by Gary James Bergera in a surprisingly suspenseful account, Pratt’s encounters with his brethren ultimately affected not only his seniority in the Quorum of the Twelve but also LDS doctrine, policy, and organizational structure.
"Despite being the more careful scriptorian, Orson Pratt was no match for Brigham Young in tactics and ability to persuade. The hapless Pratt was outmaneuvered time and again by the intimidating senior apostle--the latter convincing the church’s ruling quorum to side with him on crucial points of doctrine and practice. Bergera’s careful scholarship--drawing on diaries, personal papers, and other extant documents--provides fresh insights into the attitudes and behavior of these two men." --Newell G. Bringhurst, author, Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier
"Bergera confronts head-on one of the most pervasive and unnecessary myths in Mormon culture: that church leaders are monolithically unified. As he traces the ins and outs of Pratt’s and Young’s relationship in fascinating detail (a tragic story in Pratt’s case), larger issues in Mormonism are illuminated: the roots of anti-intellectualism and authoritarianism, the development of succession to the presidency, and the meaning and early impact of some of Young’s teachings which were quietly discarded at his death--all carefully and exhaustively traced." --Todd Compton, author, In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1271782 in Books
- Published on: 2002-12-15
- Original language:English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.23" h x6.30" w x1.10" l,1.27 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 352 pages
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