Saturday, July 15, 2023

James E. Talmage on the Works of Orson Pratt

  

Mr. WORTHINGTON. As another illustration, we have heard something about Orson Pratt and his works. Has there been any action taken in reference to these works in the way of submitting them to the people, or in any other way?

 

Mr. TALMAGE. No, sir; not in the way of adoption, but I find instances of record in early church history of all the people being warned repeatedly against Orson Pratt’s publications, or certain of them—

 

Senator OVERMAN. Do not the missionaries take them around with them through the country?

 

Mr. TALMAGE. Excuse me, Senator, until I finish my answer.

 

Senator OVERMAN. Certainly.

 

Mr. TALMAGE. Because they were not in accord with the doctrines of the church, set forth in the standard works.

 

Senator OVERMAN. I ask you—did not the missionaries carry Orson Pratt’s works with them and have them on sale throughout the country?

 

Mr. TALMAGE. I do not know what the practice of missionaries may be as to putting books on sale. They carry many books with them.

 

Senator OVERMAN. Do they not carry these books?

 

Mr. TALMAGE. I do not know what the practice of missionaries may be as to putting books on sale. They carry many books with them.

 

Senator OVERMAN. Do they not carry these books?

 

Mr. TALMAGE. I do not know, sir. I would infer that in all probability they do, because some of the smaller church publishing houses—called church publishing houses because connected with church organizations in a way, but not under the immediate control of the general authorities of the church—have continued to publish some of these books. Many of Orson Pratt’s works are of great value, I take it; that is to say, they present the views of a man who was a careful student, and one whose utterances are worthy of consideration.

 

Senator OVERMAN. He understood the doctrines of the church pretty well, did he not?

 

Mr. TALMAGE. Yes, indeed; but in several of his works he has allowed his imagination to play rather than to work; and, personally, I have taken issue with some of his published statements.

 

Mr. WORTHINGTON. Are you through, Senator Overman?

 

Senator OVERMAN. Yes.

 

Mr. WORTHINGTON. The fact that Orson Pratt publishes a certain work, and certain of your missionaries happen to have it with them and distribute it, does not make it binding on the church?

 

Mr. TALMAGE. In no sense.

 

Senator HOPKINS. Any more than the Life of St. Paul by Lyman abbot, is binding on his church?

 

Mr. TALMAGE. The analogy is an excellent one. (Proceedings Before the Committee on Privileges and Elections of the United States Senate in the Matter of the Protests Against the Right of Hon. Reed Smoot, a Senator from the State of Utah, to Hold His Seat, 4 vols. [Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1906)], 3:25)