Memo #108

September 1, 2009

From: Grandpa, Richard Pratt

Re: Article of Faith #9

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (Article of Faith #9)

By faith we accept the principal, “That God knows all things.” Therefore, there is nothing that he doesn’t know. That then would suggest that there is no true inventor. An inventor supposedly creates something because it hadn’t existed before.

True it hadn’t existed here before, but all the elements needed for its development, all the ideas all the thoughts had always existed. The inventor by his diligence had it revealed to him. Therefore so called inventors are really prophets who by applying themselves had revealed to them the thoughts, ideas etc. that would bring into being that which he or she was trying to discover.

To understand spiritual things, a person must have spiritual discernment, that is, guidance by the Holy Ghost.

President Smith said; “we must, in the eternities, reach the time, when we will know all things. We must know, mathematics, science and all things else we can never receive a fulfillment of the promise given; as man is now God once was and as God is now man may become. We must learn all things by learning, by study and by faith.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith said that in the Paradisaical glory we will be able by faith to learn more in five minutes than we learned here in a life time. So that will help considerably. And the more obedient a person is the more faith they will develop and the faster they will learn.

In D & C 132:37 we read, Abraham, and Isaac and also Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded. They have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones and are not angels but are Gods.

We know Abraham was born 2000 BC followed of course by his son and grandson. We know that they would have been resurrected 2000 years later following the resurrection of the Savior and 1800 years later the Prophet made the above declaration. So sometime in that 3800 years these three great prophets had mastered all knowledge. How? By faith (revelation) work and study. By constant obedience in all things. Seems like a remarkably short time but it must be so.

On the other hand, looking back 96 years, I read not long ago that an estimated 90% of all inventions have been invented (I say discovered) in my life time.

Yes, railroads had been invented but you had to live by a railroad track. Our own fastest vehicle transportation was what we called a light buggy powered by a fast trotting team of small mules. Capacity 2-4 people. Naturally the less people the faster and longer the team could travel. It took them five hours to travel from our ranch to the big city (about 5000 people). That’s four miles per hour.

My Grandpa Peterson was a hunter for the first railroad to cross the South Western states. Because of no refrigeration he would kill only what the crew could eat in one day. All he had to do was shoot the animal, bleed it out, plant a small flag beside it and hope that the butchering crew and wagon would find it. One day he shot eleven elk. That would surely feed several hundred men. Gives one some idea of how many men it took to inch the tracks ever Westward. He also killed many antelope and I can remember the Head of one in Grandpa’s living room which he said was the largest one he had ever seen. It surely had long horns. Grandpa was born about 1877 March 19^th .

Thomas A. Edison is rated as one of the greatest technical geniuses who ever lived. Yet he had no formal education and at age 12 was working on the rail road. By the end of his 84 years he had taken out 1200 patents. Born 1847, died 1931. He employed hundreds of people and his inventions have been rated in the billions of dollars.

He worked on the principle I earlier discussed, the invention he was working on was already “out there” he just had to discover it.

On the light bulb, he tried over 700 times before succeeding. His men wanted him to quit saying that it was not possible and his 700^th+ experiment proved it was.

He answered, “No,” they just prove 700 ways that won’t work. And continued, soon making the break thru that we now take for granted in lighting our homes.

It’s hard to believe that after the civil war in 1865 and sometime before the end of the century the government was considering closing the patent office, the argument being that all the inventions had been made. And now they are coming faster and faster if you can think of it, you can do it.

For thus sayeth the Lord ~ “I, the Lord am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto he end.

Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.

And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining unto my kingdom.

Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will ~ yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.” D&C 76:5-10

I would like to go back to the beginning of the above quotation and clarify or attempt to clarify the meaning of the word, “FEAR” as used in the phrase. “I, the Lord am merciful and gracious unto those who “FEAR” me.

Like so many words, a word can have two or even more meanings even two opposite meanings. This is the case with the word, “FEAR”

Care should be taken to distinguish between two different uses of this word. The “Fear of the Lord” is frequently spoken of as part of man’s duty. To me it is a yearning desire to do everything I can, to keep every commandment and to obey every law that issues forth from his throne and to tremble and fear that I might do something to displease him. In short using “the Fear of the Lord” this way is to love him and everything that emanates from him with such a fervency that to do anything else would fill me with fear or as the Bible Dictionary states, “in such passages fear is equivalent to reverence, awe, worship and is therefore an essential part of the attitude of mind in which we ought to stand toward the All holy God. On the other hand fear is spoken of as something unworthy of a child of God, something that , “perfect love casteth out.” (1 John 4:18)

Or to remember my small boyhood stage, I loved my earthly Father with such a fervor that to gain his disfavor and correcting love was a fearful thing even tho he was kind and loving in his corrections and mild in punishment. I feared to displease him because I loved him so. This kind of fear, then could be labeled, “Godly or goodly fear.” and is almost diametrically opposed to that awful fear felt by the wicked as expressed by Mormon, “My people with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they wait to receive them. Mormon 6:7

Sin destroys that feeling of confidence God’s child should feel in a loving Father and produces instead, a feeling of shame and guilt. Ever since the Fall, God has been teaching men NOT TO FEAR, but with penitenance to ask forgiveness in full confidence of receiving it.

These God delights to honor and great shall be their reward and eternal their glory. Even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven. For by my spirit will I enlighten them and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will. ~ yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man. D& C 76:5-10 (YES, I have quoted this twice purposefully to emphasize it! Let the heart be full of reverential fear to God and all that pertains to His greatness and your joy will be full and eternal!)

Every person who is sufficiently faithful has the categorical promise that God himself will appear to him. “Verily, thus saith the Lord: it shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am. (D&C 93:1) this has reference to the personnel appearance of God to mortal beings. (D&C 67:10-14) Many righteous persons have complied with the law of faith involved and received this promised revelation (Ether 3:19) Mormon Doctrine pages 644-645

Two thousand years B.C. a prophet designated as the Brother of Jared had a remarkable face to face confrontation with Jesus who at that time was a spirit for he still had 2000 years to wait to receive his mortal body. I love this account.

The prophet had molten from rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass; and he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord saying.... “therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness;...that we may have light while we shall cross the sea”....behold the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger. And the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear...and the Lord said unto him: “arise, why hast thou fallen?”

And he saith unto the Lord; “I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood.

And the Lord said unto him: “because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest more than this?”

And he answered: “Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me”....behold the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: “Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.

Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people, behold I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.

And never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, (since the flood, for he had shown himself to many men prior to the flood, but this is not more than 100 years since that deluge.) For never (since the flood) has man believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after my own image? Yea, even all men were created after my own image.

Behold this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my Spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh.

And now, as I, Moroni, said I could not make a full account of these things which are written, therefore it sufficeth me to say that Jesus showed himself unto this man in the spirit, even after the manner and in the likeness of the same body even as he showed himself unto the Nephites..(read about Jared’s brother in Ether in the Book of Mormon Ch. 1-12 great reading!)

And of course all the appearances to the prophets in the Old Testaments would have been his spirit body. Let me mention two.

1. “And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, (portable temple) the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.

And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the Tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshiped, every man in his tent door.

And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.”

Exodus 33:9-11

2. “Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel.

And they saw the God of Israel:(Jesus) and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. Exodus 24:9-11

(Moses was about 400 years after the brother of Jared and still 1500 years before Christ’s mortal birth.

But Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob also saw God and or Jesus Christ and they were between the Brother of Jared and Moses.

And there are many more. Read the Old Testament you’ll love it IF you persist!

Remember. “What ever principal of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life thru his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.”

D&C 130:18-19

My Love always,

Dad, Grandpa, Richard Pratt

(Written February 12, 2009)

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Memo #107

August 1, 2009
Re: 8th Article of Faith
From: Dad, Grandpa etc. Richard M. Pratt

“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”
Out tracting one day Mother and I knocked on a door in the small town of Tama, Iowa. We were pleasantly greeted and taken into an inner room, obviously an office and library. The lady announced the mans name and title indicating that he was the minister of one of the local churches.
He was a small, slight built man of about sixty. He greeted us politely, asked a few questions then suddenly stood up and clutched to his bony chest a large Bible reminding me of a shield, said, “This is my book and I believe everything taught therein.” Being dismissed we left.
He was certainly revealing his lack of knowledge for any student of languages and translations are the first to admit that its impossible to translate to another language no matter how careful the translators are and not lose some of the original meaning or even change it.
A few years ago Protestant students of the New Testament claimed they could verify 50,000 mistakes in its four hundred pages. Many were trivial and would not necessarily change the meaning but others seriously alter meaning and content. Example: “No man hath see God at any time.” John 1:18 that would surely bury the Mormon church, If it were true. But the thought is reversed in John 6:46 “Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.” Both the Old and New Testaments are replete with men who saw God, heard him, and even had his hand laid on their shoulder.
When we say the Book of Mormon is the word of God. We are talking about a translation of ancient records carefully prepared by prophets that it might be translated correctly by a modern Prophet.
But even Joseph Smith had some problems. Example the phrase, “and it came to pass” appears so many times that Mark Twain claimed if it was left out there wouldn’t be a Book of Mormon. Well of course he was wrong.
But the Prophet explains it this way that the original that he was translating from had a phrase, often beginning a new thought, that there was no English equivalent therefore he adapted, “and it came to pass.”
I understand the German translation of the Book of Mormon drops the phrase entirely and in it’s place uses [ ] brackets with no words. My own German copy is this way.
There are also around 100 words in that ancient Egyptian reformed language that has no English equivalent. Two that I remember are the names of domesticated animals called cummons and curaloms. We haven’t the least idea what they were or how they looked.
Still the Book of Mormon is translated correctly so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly taught and the testimony of the Godhead is plainly defined.
However, when the Book of Mormon is translated from the English, to another language we believe it as far as it is translated correctly.
I personally know and count as a good friend THE (Tay) Van Nguyen. (Tay Van Win) the translator of the Book of Mormon into Vietnamese. “The” was the first president of the branch of the church in Vietnam, and here in Provo where the Branch moved when Vietnam was
defeated. At his release I was called as the branch President and “The” served as my clerk.
One of our fellow members, “Do” (Dough) a brilliant man who graduated from the Texan school that trained pilots with the highest grades ever. Always read the Book of Mormon in English for said he too much is lost and changed in the translation.
Here is even a better example. The first translation of the Book of Mormon from English to Kiribati (Key-ri-bess) began in the kitchen of our grass shack in the islands.
Here were two of the main problems, the translator encountered. Incidentally he wasn’t even a member of the church but had excellent command of both languages.
Our alphabet of course has 26 letters. Theirs has only half that, 13. We have 42 sounds, they only have 15.
Our name Pratt transliterated comes out “Brat” (pronounced just like that of a naughty kid) they have no “P” nor the sound there of. I understand that we are recognized in Kiribati today (30 years later) as the founding parents and our name Brat is displayed in a public place.
The Book of Mormon is another Testament to the Old and New Testament and the Old and New Testament prophecy of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon to testify as legally stated by God that all things will be established in the mouths of two or more witnesses.
There are several prophecies in the Old Testament referring to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. I will just use one from each record.
The New Testament first. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth (obviously the gospel was not on the earth, hence the need to restore it.) and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.
Saying with a loud voice, fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgement is come; and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water.
Revelations 14:6-7
the hour of his judgement, is now as recognized by all Bible students regardless of belief and creed. And the angel is a multiple of Heavenly beings. Who have appeared in the last two hundred years beginning with the Father and the Son to the boy Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove in 1820.
Now move to Isaiah who lived a century or two later than David and Goliath. Chapter 29
the first four verses identify the time when his prophecy will be filled. In verse seven he
prophecies that all the nations will fight against Ariel (Jerusalem) and shall be destroyed. (happening today)
in verse 10 he prophecies of the gross apostasy that would cover the earth in these last times, saying, “the Lord hath poured our upon them the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.”
Then he talks of the Book that shall come out of the ground, part of it will be sealed. And of course we know the story of Martin Harris taking the Book of Mormon to New York City. Actually just a portion for the translation was far from complete.
And the Lord even gives Isaiah the words that Professor Charles Anthon would use when Martin Harris visited him asking to read them and he answered, “I cannot for it is sealed.”
“And the book is delivered to him that is not learned (Joseph Smith) saying, read this, I pray thee, and he saith I am not learned.”
The Lord goes on to say in as much as this people draw near me with their mouth and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, (NOW) even a marvelous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid....
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. (THAT’s Now)
Briefly how we got the bible: the word “bible” comes from the Greek “biblio” and means a collection or library of books.
The Old Testament we have today consists of scriptures current among the Jews of Palestine in our Lord’s day, and received on that account is its entirety by the Christian churches.
The books of the Old Testament are drawn from a national litoratine extending over many centuries and were written almost entirely in Hebrew, while the books of the New Testament are the work of a single generation and were written in Greek.
the Old covenant is the law that was given to Moses or the lesser laws because the people wouldn’t or couldn’t live the higher law. But don’t be too hard on them they are your ancestors and were just emerging from two hundred years of brutal slavery.
The New Covenant is the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, the title Old Testament is a misnomer since all the prophets beginning with Adam, had the fullness of the gospel of Christ. With its ordinances and blessings.
When the Savior came in the meridian of time, he restored the gospel to the Jews in Palestine, since they had strayed, even from the law of Moses. It was a new covenant to them. Thus we have the record called the Old and the New Testaments.
The Bible used by most non-Catholic churches today has 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament such as the King James version.
If we had only Hebrew manuscripts we might conclude that the text of the Old Testament has been the same always and everywhere. Unfortunately this is not so.
The Dead Sea Scrolls, some of which are believed to be as early as the second century B.C. give evidence that the Old Testament text was corrupted at least by that time. Bible Dictionary pg. 622-623
Now the definition of Scripture: “Scripture is the words of holy men (and women) of God who spoke when moved upon by the Holy Ghost.” Scripture, then, is the word of the Lord.
Scripture is always in harmony with the former utterances of the prophets as it will be with future prophets.
In the early days of the church, by uplifted hands, certain scriptures were adopted by which all so called scripture may be measured and we call these “The Standard Works” of the church. Any utterances that are not in harmony with “The Standard Works” are not scripture.
We actually find four parts in “The Standard Works” plus THE CURRENT WORDS of the living Prophet and or prophets.
“The Standard Works” are, 1. The Holy Bible (King James version), 2. The Book of Mormon, 3.The Doctrine and Covenants, 4.The Pearl of Great Price which includes the 13 articles of Faith, a brief history of the coming forth of the church, The Book of Moses which has 8 chapters corresponding to the first 7 chapters of Genesis and excerpts from the writings of the Prophet Abraham. Also Joseph Smith ~ Matthew, which is an extract from the translation of the Bible as revealed to Joseph Smith the Prophet in 1831: Matthew 23;39 and chapter 24.
The current words of the Living Prophets are found in the monthly church publications
and primarily “The Ensign”. Also letters are sent frequently to be read in wards and stakes from
the presidency of the Church. (LDS.org is a great place to learn!)
Also, each member of the church who has received the gift of the Holy Ghost is entitled, yea expected, to receive revelation for their own personal guidance and the guidance of those they are responsible for. One way we obtain this guidance is through prayer.
Hence a Bishop should receive revelation for administering the ward, Relief Society President for their jurisdiction, parents for their family etc. etc. but always they must be validated by “The Standard” or they are not revelations form God.
Revelations may and should come to the individual member to warn, instruct, advise, guide, lead, comfort, heal and just about anything else that can be imagined. We as individual members miss many blessings for the simple reason that we do not ask. Heavenly Father is so desirous of blessing His children and he does all the time. But he often withholds blessings simply because we do not ask.
While building in the Islands I fell from a roof, about 12 feet, and was injured so seriously that I could not get up. I had just sent the workers home and it was Saturday afternoon about 5:30 PM. I had to crawl to our home some 100 yards away. I spent a sleepless, pain ridden night and begging the Lord to heal me Monday morning for no work happened if I wasn’t on the job and we had a serious deadline to meet.
Late Sunday night I finally fell asleep from exhaustion and awoke straight up at 6:00 AM. I felt so good that I didn’t want to move for fear the pain would return. But I had to get on the job, so I swung out of bed, stood up and no sign of pain. I was completely whole again.
Then I thought, “why wasn’t I healed yesterday when I hurt so badly?” and a voice spoke in my mind saying, “you didn’t ask to be healed until Monday morning.”
Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. When Mother washed my back that night, she said my entire back was black and blue, but there was no more pain then or ever from that injury. We met our deadline, finishing the 14 buildings the night before we were to leave to return home. The next morning I got up at daylight, before anyone was around, and dressed of course, and walked out where there had just been jungle, now gone, and two neat rows of 14 buildings stood in its place.
Boy was I proud of myself and as I walked up the street I nearly dislocated my elbow patting myself on the back and repeating to myself over and over again, “Look what I did, look what I did.” when very distinctly a voice spoke, saying to me, “My son, you didn’t do this, I did it, you were just my agent.” Wow! The best compliment I’ve ever had.
What about the pains, griefs, sorrows, crippling diseases etc. of this life? Laugh at them, rejoice they are for our good and we each have our individual burdens according to the plan of a loving Father. Do I ache and pain? Sure do! Right at this moment I am suffering from gout in the little finger of my left hand. I’ve had it bad for about ten days. Sometimes it gets in the knuckle of the big toe on my right foot. It’s very crippling and exceedingly painful. Don’t sleep much at night. But oh how I can emphasize with gout sufferers. It’s nothing to the shakes, quakes and stumbling and bumbling of advanced age. Hope you live to experience it.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me. John 5:39 in my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also. John 14:2-3 Sans (without) gout, old age, bad backs or whatever your affliction is.
What a glorious time to live. My probation will soon be over, Hallelujah!! Praise God forever more.
Love you all,
Dad, Grandpa etc. Richard Pratt

Memo #106

July 1, 2009

Re: 7^th Article of Faith

From: Dad, Grandpa etc. Richard M. Pratt

We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc.

We could add to that the casting out of evil spirits. They are very real but the Priesthood may remove them. I had an experience in my current ward house back when I was Bishop in 1963-1970.

One Sunday morning the Bishopric had finished their early Sunday morning preparations for the day and were just ready to leave the office to start sacrament meeting.

Suddenly the office door was violently flung open and a very agitated brother appeared, panting for breath, he gasped, “Come quickly!” and darted out the door. We followed of course. Must have made a queer sight, four old men running as fast as they could North on 5^th East for about a block. All huffing and puffing like steam engines.

He reached his home’s door, wide open, we following thru the house into the bedroom. Here his twenty two year old son-in-law, a slight built man, not more than 135 pounds was laying on the bed; this wasn’t so strange except his 200 pound mother-in-law was sitting on top of his middle trying to keep him on the bed. This wasn’t too strange except only his head and heals were touching the bed and his body was arched upwards with his mother-in-law trying to push him back down.

He was administered to through the power of the Priesthood, and at the amen he instantly relaxed and became conscious of those around him. The mother-in-law removed herself, he sat up in bed and very excitedly said, pointing at the wall, “There he goes, there he goes! There he just went thru the wall!” we had to take his word for it as we saw nothing which is not unusual in such cases.

I could fill the rest of these four pages with like tales but there are too many other more exciting things to write about.

In my long life and extensive church service I have witnessed just about every type of miracle mentioned except, “raising of the dead.” but in as much as only a handful of such has been recorded not many have had this privilege.

Remember that miracles follow after conversion, a reward, so to speak, for obeying and living the gospel.

Sign seekers are usually not converted by some miracle no matter how great it might be, or if converted, they soon fall back into their old sinful life.

My life has been one of miracles. My family are not noted for longevity yet my Patriarchal blessing and another blessing promised that my life would be prolonged upon the earth. At 96 this has surely been fulfilled. I hesitate to tell about these for fear that it might sound like boasting. Yet I feel that I should briefly mention some of them that the glory and praise may reflect upon the power of God. For it is nothing that I did for I am as weak and mortal as a man could be. Here are some excerpts from the first few pages of my auto-biography Vol. II

“Thy life will be prolonged upon the earth and whether in the spirit body or mortal body. I know not but thou shalt go out to meet the Savior at his coming and shall see the wicked as they are burned as stubble. Thy heart shall cry out in lamentations over them.” Patriarchal blessing 1928. The Patriarch was a total stranger and I was fifteen years old.

In being set apart for a mission, the Stake President prophesied, “You will be strong and the youthful vigor which you now manifest (68 years old) will be renewed and renewed, and renewed, for the Lord has need of you, and he will use you all the days of your life until that sweet death which shall come to you shall actually be at your beck and call and you shall desire to enter the kingdom and it shall be granted you. Until that time you are to be engaged in the work of the ministry.” still quoting from my journal, “Now twenty years later, November 16, 2002, all has been fulfilled except, sweet death to come at my call. But I still have a work to do to get every member of our large and expanding family sealed into the family and obeying the law that will keep us together eternally.”

No these promises of long life are especially remarkable when I review my past and the many close calls I have had with death. Looking back 96 years I can come up with more than a life saving miracle per year. Many more.

This baby is dead pronounced the doctor as he handed my blue, lifeless body to the mid-wife and my grandmother. While he turned back to try and staunch the bleeding that was rapidly taking my mother away.

But grandma wasn’t about to let her first born grandchild perish and using mid-wife magic she finally got me breathing.

I spent the early years of my life far removed from doctors on an isolated ranch in central Washington. We knew nothing of sanitation. Our drinking water was dipped from the creek which ran thru everyone’s corral. We lived “fur” down the stream. Our water was potent in deed.

When we got sick or hurt, we lived or died. My 9 year old sister died of appendicitis. I was then 13.

Cuts that would take many stitches were wrapped up tight and the victim went back to work. I can show several scars. To take a bath was a struggle and happened infrequently. Although in our own home it was a Saturday night ritual, most Saturdays. But when the temperature ranged 20-30 degrees below zero with a strong North wind, taking a bath was not very high on the list,

Water in our semi-arid grazing land was always a sought after luxury. One would ride miles out of ones way to drink at a spring of water only to find it dried up until there would only be a seep which filled the two inch deep cow tracks and that cupful of water was swarming with marine life. One flopped down on one’s belly, closed his teeth tight and sucked up every drop, usually taking two or three cow-tracks full to satisfy one’s thirst.

One hot afternoon riding up a small creek, so terribly thirsty, I was finally forced to drink from the creek which resembled a bog, thick as mush. A few hundred feet upstream I came upon a herd of wild hogs rooting and wallowing in the water.

Flies, flies, flies, we had a super abundance of flies.

With no refrigeration food poisoning was a constant threat.

Bed bugs and ticks were a blight. How did we survive, I don’t know! Except the God of us all was watching over us. We didn’t seem to get sick much and soon recovered when we did, except for my sister.

Well I survived those days only to have my life repeatedly threatened with violence from man, beasts, nature and machines. I will mention only a few that my 96 year old memory can recall. But no details, except for two, however some are detailed in my autobiography Vol. I

I’ve heard the gifts of tongues several times and it is so natural that you are not even aware that it’s going on. Several times in the Gilbert Islands, I experienced it. I would forget to stop for the translator until suddenly I would remember and turn to him to give the translation to the people. His answer would be, “I don’t need to translate, they understand perfectly.”

But a choice experience happened right here in our home. A 30 year old lady, just arrived from her home land spoke no English was brought to our house. She was from Vietnam , she knew nothing of the gospel and had not even heard of Jesus Christ. I gave the first lesson thru a translator when she came back for the second lesson she had no need for a translator and the only time he was used was when I needed to know what she was saying. It wasn’t long until she spoke excellent English, married and had three sons and was a Relief Society President in Ogden, UT.

The story I’m going to tell now is so unbelievable that I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t lived it.

The “creek” was having a picnic on the banks of the mighty Columbia River, only three other rivers in the world are larger. At our picnic site where the Colockum Creek entered the river it was at least half mile wide of roaring tumbling water.

A sudden treacherous undertow drew me out into the main stream. My Dad and Uncle Lawrence Folsom hastened to my rescue. Neither were strong swimmers and no one had ever been known to swim across the river at that point.

Soon they were in trouble as they alternated trying to hold my now unconscious body up. On a small sandbar at the creeks mouth four men sat on a log and watched. My diminutive Aunt Daisy, about 125 pounds, begged the men to do something.

Their answer, “sorry lady their “goners” we’re not going to join them.” then she spotted a large tree complete with roots and branches partly buried in the sand probably washed down from Canada.

She ran to the men and begged them to launch the tree into the stream with the hopes somehow it would reach us. They laughed at her and pointed out there was no way that tree was going to find us out in that raging torrent.

MIRACLE #1. She launched it herself. MIRACLE #2. Like an arrow shot from a bow it came straight to us. The exhausted men were able to secure me between some of the limbs and clinging to the same for support the three bounced on down the river.

While on that tiny beach where there had been no sigh of a boat, MIRACLE #3. Suddenly there was a small two man rowboat with one set of oars. Again the men were appealed to, please just one of you get in that boat and go get them, more derisive laughter.

Just then two boys walked up, 15 year old Beryl Goodwin and a stranger about the same age. They immediately launched the boat and with little or no experience pointed it our way. MIRACLE # 4, again as tho self propelled it darted across the waves right to us now about half mile downstream and the sound of the Wanapum rapids a mile below which would have drowned us all.

I was soon transferred to the boat and Dad and Uncle Lawrence clung to the sides as inexperienced Beryl headed for shore. Where I was revived and after a bit we were able to walk back the mile or so to the picnic which ended for sure and everyone went home.

Another time, a mad bull charged me, his head low, nose tucked down, horns straight out about belt buckle level and he’s roaring like a lion.

As he passed my horse he just made a sideswipe with one horn, ripped the whole side of the horse open and his insides fell outside onto the ground.

Making me very angry, I charged the charging bull with a pitchfork held like a bayonet.

We met at the fence of woven wire between us. The tines of the fork smacked him right between

the eyes. A mighty roar and shake of his massive head ripped out the fence and it and the pitch fork went sailing out into the wild blue yonder.

His horns were right at my belly. Only I wasn’t there. Some unseen power, that I call the Spirit of the Lord, picked me up and carried me about a hundred feet away and deposited me on top of a 15 foot high stack of hay. I had no sensation of being moved. I faced disembowelment and a split second later I’m out of harms way. Only the POWER OF GOD could have done it.

The bull was frantically running around trying to figure where I had gone. It was as if he was saying, “Where did he go? I had him dead center, what happened?”

Then I was changed back to reality hearing my five and three year old daughters playing on the other side of the haystack.

Something had to be done quick, the bull looked the other way, I slid off the stack, opened a corral gate and bellowed at him. He charged me again, I side stepped and slammed the gate. Took the girls to the house, got my rifle, led that poor horse about half mile away, dragging his insides and put him out of his misery. Came back to the corral and the bull was dead.

Another time, It was at this same site that I was “feeding” the hay thru a chopper, a series of belts, wheels, and sharp knives. I don’t know what happened, it happened so fast. But the machinery grabbed the front of my clothes and in a flash snatched them off my body, splitting my heavy coat, shirt and underwear right down the back. And left me shivering with only pants on.

At the age of twenty and again at twenty five I was the victim in an attempted murder, because I was a Mormon. Miraculously I survived, tho some blood was shed, not all of it was mine. Logs have rolled over me. A large bob-sled load of hay tipped over with me beneath. At least five times I have escaped from the fangs of rattlesnakes. Scorpions have stung me more than once, a four inch long centipede stung me and made me very sick for two weeks, stung over fifty times on the head and face by black mud wasps. It should have killed me. Stung many times by honey bees and wasps, escaped from a rabid rabbit, a mad dog leaped for my throat. At least five times I’ve been saved from the horns of wild bulls.

As a carpenter and commercial fruit picker I have fallen from a height of ten feet or more innumerable times. Fifty percent of falls from that height are fatal and the rest have broken bones, I’ve never had a broken bone.

Revelations, healings, visions, I haven’t even mentioned, but have had many experiences with them also.

The point is, the gifts spoken of in the 7^th article of faith are real. We have a loving Heavenly Father whom we can put our trust in and we can be blessed by the gifts mentioned.

All my love,

Dad, Grandpa, etc. Richard Pratt

Next month, look forward to article of faith #8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Memo #105

Memo #106

June 1, 2009

From: Richard Marden Pratt (Yes, Dad prepared this before his death! With many more to come)

Re: We Believe Article of Faith #6

“We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, that is, Apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers evangelists, etc.”

How could it be otherwise and still be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, for HE changeth not!

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the Saints, and of the household of God;

and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles & Prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone:

In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God. Thru the Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:19-22

Jesus Christ then being the chief corner stone holds all Priesthood which, He can and does mete out to worthy men in order to fulfill all the work needed to save each soul. “Even Jesus, made an High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 6:20

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Hebrews 4:14

Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Called of God an High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. Hebrews 5:8-10

From the scriptures just quoted from Hebrews we find that Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of the church, His Church and that he is a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.

“To the man Melchizedek goes the honor of having his name used to identify the Holy Priesthood after the order of the Son of God; thus enabling men to avoid the too frequent repetition of the name of deity.” D&C 107:2-4 Of all God’s ancient High Priests none were greater. Melchizedek was a contemporary of Abraham and to whom Abraham paid tithing. He was also King of Salem with the headquarters there of on the site of the present city of Jerusalem.

If there is no Melchizedek Priesthood on earth, the true Church is not here and the gospel of Christ is not available to men. But where the Melchizedek Priesthood is, there is the kingdom, the Church and the fullness of the gospel.

A man can do nothing for himself unless God direct him in the right way; and the Priesthood is for that purpose. (note: A man must be righteous in order to use the Priesthood! The Priesthood is the power given to man to act in the name of God.)

Through this priesthood men become joint heirs with Christ, receiving and possessing the fullness of the Father’s kingdom. “And all those who are ordained unto this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually.”

As a holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood Christ himself is the prototype in this as in all things pertaining to salvation and exaltation. As Paul explained, priests of the Aaronic order receive their calls “without an oath.” But Jesus received his Priesthood anointment with an oath by Him that said unto Him; the Lord swear and will not repent, “Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Those who, are priests forever, are priests of the Most High after the order of Melchizedek are Gods, even the sons of God.” They have become joint heirs with Christ, having kept the same covenant and been bound by the same oath.

“For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining those two Priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies. They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom and the elect of God and also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord; for he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; and he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s Kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the Priesthood. Therefore, all those who receive the Priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved…and I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. (D&C 84:33-44)

The fullness of the blessings of the Priesthood are found only in the temples of God. (D&C 124:28,34,42; 127:28) These are revealed only in the temples. “Washings, anointings, endowments and the keys, are essential to enable one to secure the fullness of those blessings which have been prepared for the church of the Firstborn.

Celestial marriage is an order of the priesthood without which no one can gain the fullness of glory in the eternal worlds. In other words, Eve did not hold the Priesthood, nor does any other woman, but as an Eternal wife, sealed to a Priesthood holder in the temple of God they share equally with their husbands all that the Father has to give. And a man without a wife, sealed to him eternally, cannot receive the eternal blessings but will remain separate and single without exaltation. He is dammed, meaning his progression is permanently halted for he cannot increase by himself. Or stated another way ~ all men who become heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ will have to receive the fullness of the ordinances of his kingdom: and those who will not receive all the ordinances will come short of the fullness of that glory, if they do not lose the whole. (The man is not complete without the woman nor the woman complete without the man in the Lord.)

Unfortunately, “there are many called, but few are chosen.” That is to say, many are called to the Priesthood, but few are chosen for eternal life. (D&C 95: 5-6, 12)

“And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. (D&C 121:34-36) The forgoing are excerpts from “Mormon Doctrine” by Bruce R. McConkie pages 474-482

Priesthood then is the Power of God by which he creates, peoples, governs, and saves the works of his hands. He can be everywhere at the same time thru delegation of this power to trustworthy men. For thru the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost a Priesthood holder knows at all times the will of God and can carry it out in his area. Hence it can be said of God that he is everywhere present at all times.

After the apostles, called by Christ to administer the affairs of his church and kingdom were all killed there was no one left holding the keys to authorize a person to be ordained to any priestly office and in this manner the Lord took the priesthood from the earth. And the earth was left in darkness for more than one thousand years. There is no record left after John’s translation, the last of the apostles, until the beginning of the renaissance (means born again) of any of the Priesthood offices being performed.

John was last heard of in 98 AD. The renaissance began with Guttenberg and the printing press about 1456 AD.

Even the world acknowledges this 1500 year period as “the Dark ages” and another 400 years elapsed after Guttenberg before the world completely emerged from darkness with “an angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred, and tongue and people. Saying with a loud voice give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: (Now today.) and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea and the fountains of water.” Revelations 14:6-7

And the long period of darkness ended in the spring of 1820 when God the Father and the Son appeared to 14 year old Joseph Smith, followed over the next 24 years until his murder, by a continuing stream of Heavenly messengers restoring the Priesthood and all of its ramifications.

In the days of Moses because of wickedness the greater part of the priesthood was taken from the earth and only a lesser part left. It was called Aaronic after Aaron and only he and his righteous sons and heirs could hold it. It also included the Levitical Priesthood, Aaron was of that tribe. This Priesthood is divided into four offices, deacon, teacher, priest and Bishop. All worthy males of the tribe of Levi could hold the office of Deacon and Teacher. None of the rest of the tribes held any Priesthood. This continued until the ministry of the Savior who again offered the Melchizedek priesthood to all baptized worthy males.

To receive this priesthood and all Priesthood the recipient must have hands laid on their head by authorized men and the Priesthood bestowed upon the recipient who will at that time receive the ordination as an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood. Which holds all the rights of that Priesthood. As an elder a man can go to the temple and receive all the blessings there of. There are other callings in the Priesthood for certain leadership obligations such as Seventy, High Priest, Apostles, Patriarchs. All of these offices in the Priesthood can be found in the New Testament.

The Aaronic Priesthood is for administration of physical things and the Melchizedek of spiritual things. The various callings of the Priesthood are organized into quorums. Each quorum is presided over by a president and two councilors. A full quorum of each office as follows:

Deacons 12-14 years of age: 12 boys

Teachers 14-16 years of age: 24 boys

Priests 16-18 years of age: 48 boys

Elders 19 & up years of age: 96 men

Seventies (adult men): 70

High Priests: (adult men) all men so ordained with in the stake boundaries.

The church is presided over by the quorum of twelve apostles. The senior member of the quorum is always the Prophet, seer, and revelator and he alone holds all the keys pertaining to all things in the church. He also has two counselors. For more detail, read section 20 of the D&C.

It is most interesting that the only other church on the face of the earth, and it is not called a church, is the Hope Indians.

My wife and I spent two years with them and their neighbors the Navajos. The Navajo reservation is the largest of all reservations. It comprises most of Northern Arizona and extends into Southern Utah and I think North Western New Mexico. About 400 miles across at its widest point. The Hopi reservation is a small area in the center of the Navajos. Currently the Navajos are our largest tribe numbering around 100,000 the Hopis one of the smaller tribes with about 5,000 people.

The Hopis are a peaceful, agricultural people. They have never been at war with the U.S.A. Their legend has it that about 1600 years ago their forefathers fleeing from some dreadful war (Nephite annihilation) would be safe if they fled westward until they came to 10 mesas (table top mountains) where they could survive until the second coming of Christ.

They found these ten tabletop mountains in Northern Arizona. The Spanish conquistadors tried and failed to overcome them. Archaeologists have dated the village of Oraibi as the oldest continuously occupied village in North America. Dating back to about 400 AD.

They have never been successfully proselyted by the Christian churches until recently, as their remnants of Christianity were far superior to all modern Christian churches.

Example: a 12 year old boy receives the priesthood and there on meets with the men in priestly functions.

All children are baptized by immersion when they are considered old enough to understand. I have seen their baptismal pool carved out of solid rock and fed by a small spring of water. They believe in eternal family and marriage and the bride and groom are dressed in white wedding clothes to take the oath of marriage.

The whole tribe participates in food storage and claim to have at least a two years supply for the entire tribe. This they do not show to others. So I took their word of it.

They practice baptism by proxy for dead ancestors. A turkey feather is used as proxy and hangs form the ceiling beams of their homes. I pointed to a feather and asked who does that represent and the answer was given immediately.

Today they are joining the church in large numbers and we expect in the near future to have most of them baptized,

We have branches of the Church in each if the 9 mesas (the 10th has been abandoned) at the foot of each Mesa is a spring of cold, clear, water which makes life possible in the desert.

On our way home on a Sunday, having been to the far end of the reservation, on church assignment, we came to the village of Polocca, and were a little late for Sacrament meeting but decided to attend spontaneously as we would have no other chance that day.

We entered the ancient building used as a chapel, dirt floors, and heard the branch President announcing the speaker for the day. He hadn’t seen me yet but he announced that Brother Pratt would now speak to them. I walked up to the stand and spoke for about thirty minutes after the meeting I asked him how he knew I was there. His answer, “I knew all week.” but said I, “I didn’t even know I’d be here. You must have had a back up speaker just in case.”

He answered, “ No, I knew that you would be here.” This is a sample of their faith. There were 96 Hopis present with us.

All My Love,

Dad, Grandpa, etc. Richard Pratt

Look forward to Next month’s memo on Article of Faith #7

Please share this with those whom you love. Have them find it on the: prattmemos.blogspot.com

Or feel free to copy and send it to your loved ones.

Memo #104 (87 to go to my 105th birthday)

May 1, 2009
From: Dad, Grandpa, etc. Richard M. Pratt
Re: The 5th Article of Faith

“We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands, by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances there of.”
Last night a former fellow temple worker called to see if I could substitute for him. I of course had to answer no because I have been released from that calling and with the release my authority to administer the Temple Ordinances ends. I could be recalled but not likely.
“A man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances there of.” Without this policy the Kingdom of Heaven would be unorganized chaos.
If a man assumed one of the offices in the Kingdom without proper authorization chaos would result.
Example: Supposing a man here in the United States decided to appoint himself the Ambassador to England. He arrives gets off the plane, asks directions to the U. S. embassy head quarters, walks into the foyer and the front desk person asks their business. What would happen when the imposter announces that he is the new ambassador. Security would be on him within seconds and he would be escorted to an unpleasant future.
No man can assume any office in the Priesthood unless properly called by one having the authority to make the call. Then the person must be presented to the congregation for a sustaining vote. This is following the pattern in the Bible both old and New Testaments.
Moses was told by the Lord: “Thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle (portable temple) of the congregation, and wash them with water. And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister unto me in the priests office…and thou shalt bring his sons…and thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they many minister unto me in the priests office; for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting Priesthood throughout their generations. Thus did Moses according to all that the Lord commanded him.”
The Priesthood exists in two parts: the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood.
The Aaronic or lesser Priesthood takes care of and administers to the temporal needs of the church.
The Melchizedek or higher Priesthood administers to the spiritual things of the kingdom. And by its power whatsoever is sealed on earth is sealed in heaven and whatsoever is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven.
Because of the failure to keep the commandments the Melchizedek Priesthood was taken from the earth with the translation of Moses. From then until Christ’s personal ministry on earth, about 1500 years later, only the Aaronic priesthood was administered to the people. Although the prophets from Joshua to Malachi, about 1100 years, continued to operate under the direction of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
When Jesus Christ came, he restored the Melchizedek Priesthood to the Jews and began to build up the church among them. However, it was lost again by apostasy and was taken from the earth once more.
It has been restored to the earth in these last days by the ministry of Peter, James, and John, who literally came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the spring of 1829 and conferred this power and authority upon them. And of course they received it on the Mt. of Transfiguration.
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses, and Elias (Elijah) talking with them. (Moses had been gone 1451 years and Elijah 875 years) and thus the Melchizedek Priesthood was again established upon the earth only to be lost again from the earth about 100 years later after all the Apostles had been killed except John.
John, of course, didn’t die but was translated like Moses to live in the flesh until the triumphal coming of Jesus (soon). The last we know of John he was a slave on the island of Patmos about 25 miles West of modern Turkey not far from Ephesus. Here John received the revelation and recorded it as the last book in the New Testament.
Shortly thereafter John just disappeared about 98 AD and thus ended any authority on earth to act in the name of God until the revelation to the boy prophet Joseph Smith 1700 years later in 1820.
So the Melchizedek Priesthood, the power to act in the name of god was taken from the earth from Moses to Christ, about 1500 years and after about 100 years it was taken away again until Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in 1829. it will never again be taken from the earth until the son’s of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. In plain English it is here to stay and will have a delegation of Priesthood holders to welcome the Savior at his coming.
“When Jesus began to be about 30 years of age, (It was illegal by Jewish law to be a minister before that age so Jesus had patiently waited ‘til then to start his ministry as he tried always to obey the law of the land.) He cometh from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thus and comest thou to me?”
“And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straight way out of the water (immersion); and lo the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Notice the law of witnesses.
John had been told previously by an angel that he would baptize the Son of God and he would know who he was by a dove landing on his shoulder representing the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost cannot come in the form of a dove as recorded because the Holy Ghost is a man but the bird was a witness and then the Father cinched it by speaking from the Heavens. Now fully prepared and authorized Jesus begins his mission by choosing twelve apostles and organizing his church.
Notice in all cases that HE chooses them and ordains them. They do not choose him. No record is given at this point of his having received the priesthood but there is no doubt that he has it as manifest by the continuing stream of miracles he performs.
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease among the people.
And his fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had palsy; AND HE HEALED THEM.” And here is an interesting item: “and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, BECAUSE THEY KNEW HIM.”
Then he called the twelve men who were to be his apostles and the head of the kingdom of God which He was founding.
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, whom do men say that I the son of man am?”
“And they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist (John had his head cut off six months earlier!) Some Elias and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (who were long dead or translated)
“He saith unto them, but whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.”
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, blessed art thou Simon Bar-Jona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
So Peter was the first of the twelve to receive the testimony by the Holy Ghost that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
And here is another interesting truth. Peter is told that flesh and blood hadn’t revealed it unto him but it had come from God the Father. And upon this great truth, REVELATION, and the Savior calls it a rock ~ therefore the Savior is saying that upon the ROCK OF REVELATION he will build his church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Some think that the antecedent here is Peter and it would then read, “upon Peter I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against Peter.”
Use your power to REASON again ~ Revelation is the rock as clearly stated and hell cannot prevail against it.
But Peter ~ hell did prevail against him and he was crucified about 66 B.C. at Rome. Several of the prophets out lived him and continued to guide the church by revelation in fact the Book of Revelations written by John was received and written about thirty years after the death of Peter.
Peter ~ a fantastic man ~ requested that he be crucified upside down because he had betrayed the Savior three times. I don’t know how much truth there is in that as we only have it from legend but it sounds like that great prophet.
Shortly after this Jesus takes Peter, James, and John upon a high mountain where they had the thrilling experience of being transfigured and the record says of the Son that his face did shine as the sun and his raiment was white as the light. “And be hold a voice out of the cloud which said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
Moses and Elijah appeared unto them and conveyed the keys (authority) of the gathering of Israel and the power to seal on earth and it would be sealed in heaven. Which is the power or authority to bind from Adam and Eve to the last child born to this earth in one perpetual continuous family so far as the faithful are concerned.
This Jesus clearly taught the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, saying, “Master, Moses said, if a man die having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased and having no issue, left his wife unto his brother; likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all, the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her.”
NOTE: the Sadducees are trying to trap the Savior so that they could accuse him of blaspheme which carried the death penalty. They were hoping he would designate one of the seven as her eternal husband (but on to devilish tricks.) He gave them the truth. Saying where you are all going there is neither marriage nor given in marriage . He knew that it would be useless to try to give them the law of Celestial marriage for they wouldn’t believe it.
Then he gave an answer that they clearly understood (although we don’t get its meaning.)
Said he; “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob” God is not the God of the dead but of the living…and they were astonished at his doctrine.
What they were hearing was: the three patriarchs, though dead for 2000 years are living but you are dead and have no God.
Unauthorized ministrations in priestly functions are not only invalid but also grievously sinful.
In his dealing with mankind God recognizes and honors the Priesthood established by his direction; and countenances no unauthorized assumption of authority.
None but those who are duly authorized to teach can be regarded as TRUE expounders of the word of God. “No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God as was Aaron.” And Aaron was called thru Moses unto whom the Lord revealed his will in the matter. This authority to act in the name of the Lord is given to those only who are chosen of God; it is not to be had for the asking of it; it is not to be bought with gold. We read of Simon, the sorcerer, who coveted the power possessed by the apostles: he offered them money saying, “give me this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the Holy Ghost.” But Peter answered him with righteous indignation: “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God
May be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”
No one may officiate in any ordinances of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints unless he has been ordained to the particular order or office of the Priesthood by those possessing the authority to do so.
Thus no man receives the Priesthood except under the hands of one who holds that Priesthood himself; that one MUST have obtained it from others previously
commissioned and so every bearer of the Priesthood can trace his authority to the hands of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, who received his ordination under the hands of the apostles Peter, James and John and they had been ordained by the Lord Jesus Christ.
And I so testify, knowing that it is true. In the name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ Amen.

All my love,
Dad, Grandpa etc. Richard Marden Pratt


As most of you know our dear father Richard Marden Pratt passed away on April 1, 2009 and his funeral was April 6, 2009. He was released from the temple in December and has studied and written with great faith that we all would benefit from his wisdom and knowledge. His hope is that we stay true to the faith and add to our faith. He has given me strict instructions to send out the memos on the blog site once a month. There are 88 yet to come out! He was and is truly an amazing man!


This will be the last printed mailing for those of you who can access the blog!

If you would like to receive the printed version instead of going onto the blog please send a small donation to cover my costs. ($8.00 per year)
If you send your email I will email you an “it’s time to open your blog!” message.

Dad wants us to keep close to the gospel of Jesus Christ. His desire is for us to build our faith and testimony and to be an eternal family. He is even now a missionary with his memos and he would love for you to share these with all you know.

Contact Rose @ randrflower@msn.com