Memo #115

April 1, 2010 (written Feb. 2009) April 1^st marks Dad’s 1 year passing

From: Richard Marden Pratt

Re: Article of Faith #12

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law. Article of faith #12

“Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land. Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign and subdue all enemies under his feet.” Doctrine and Covenants 58:21-22

“We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.”

“We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience (religion) the right and control of property and the protection of life. “ Doctrine and Covenants 134:1-2

Let me try and rephrase that: We believe that governments are instituted by God for mans benefit and that man should obey the same regardless of the type or system of government. But government has three basic duties: 1. To insure freedom of religion so long as it does not infringe upon the worship rights of others. 2. The right to own and control property. 3. And the protection of life.

Why is the right to own and control property so vital? Because a man literally trades part of his time or life for it. It is part of his very soul. And most, if not all governments infringe upon this right in every thing from light taxation to confiscation.

Any governing power or control beyond these three rights is infringing on mans personal liberty. Now notice this next verse: “We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgements are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.” D&C 134:5

“We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws and relief afforded.” D&C 134:11

Our government right now is tottering on the brink of no return. The Constitution is being paid lip service only. The Declaration of independence is scorned.

I have just finished reading “The Supremacists” by Phyllis Schlafly. She is one of the giants fighting for our freedoms. She is currently 82 years old, a wife, mother of six and has written a newsletter since 1967. She is heard daily on 460 radio stations and on and on. Has lectured or debated on more than five hundred college campuses and was named the Illinois Mother of the year in 1992. She heads Eagle Forum and Concerned Women for America. They do much good in the cause of family and liberty!

Here is just one of the horrible things she reports. We are allowing the courts to rule us. And here is how it is done spearheaded by ACLU.

The ACLU and other left-wing groups are able to use these lawsuits as a source of income. Many of the lawsuits are actually funded by the taxpayers because a federal law awards attorneys fees if they win the case. The fees collected can be staggering.

The organizations that sued to remove the Ten Commandments form the Alabama State Judicial Building, collected $540,000 (½ million plus!) In attorney’s fees and expenses in 2004 from ALABAMA taxpayers.

Kentucky taxpayers handed over $121,500 to pay the ACLU for its action against the Ten Commandments display outside its state capital, and $50,000 for the same offense in Georgia.

The ACLU profited enormously, collecting $790,000.00 plus $160,000 court costs (that’s 1 million!) As a result of its suit to deny the Boy Scouts of America the use of San Diego’s Balboa Park for a summer camp. A City facility the Scouts had used since 1915. The ACLU argued that the Boy Scouts must be designated a “religious organization” because it refuses to accept homosexual scoutmasters and because the Scouts use an oath, “to do my duty to God and My country.” And all it would take to stop this assault on our liberty and tax dollars is a simple majority vote in congress according to Mrs. Schlafly. Her book is 235 pages long ~ I suggest you read it.

We may still give lip service to the checks and balances of our constitutional republic, but the phrase is now quite hollow, the checks and balances are gone! The Constitution has become but a piece of paper that, instead of protecting men’s liberties against encroaching government, is now a source of phrases to be “interpreted” in such a way as to grant new and novel powers to government. Instead of a TRUE REPUBLIC with limited political power, we have been brought to a DEMOCRATIC DICTATORSHIP similar to those in Latin America where one man, although he carries the pleasing title of President and is elected to office by majority vote, nevertheless has almost unlimited political power during his period of office. Some people may feel that this development is both healthy and necessary to deal effectively with other dictatorships around the world; some may feel that it is a betrayal of the American Revolution (and it is) and a frightful step backward in political development; but no one can deny that it has happened. (“An Enemy Hath Done This” by President Ezra Taft Benson page 266)

We are no longer a true Republic with limited political power. We are now a “democratic dictatorship” and this form of wicked government is taking over our fantastic country and we are now engaged in several wars in which we are trying to enforce this dictatorship on others. No wonder they are fighting us so hard and no wonder that we nationally are under such a blight ourselves.

“Decisions of the Supreme Court have undermined the forces of law and order and, more than any other single cause, are directly responsible for the nations soaring crime rate.

Almost everyone recognizes that something is wrong with the Supreme Court. One does not have to be a constitutional lawyer to sense it. The modern Supreme Court had tipped the scales of justice in favor of the rights of criminals at the expense of the rights of law-abiding citizens who are the victims of those criminals.”

It is not the criminals, actual or potential that need a neuropathic hospital; it is the people who slobber over them in an effort to find excuses for their crime.” Ibid 263

Another warning: you and I sustain one man on this earth as God’s mouth piece

President David O McKay (1964) one of the greatest seers who has ever walked this earth. “We do not need a prophet ~ We have one ~ What we desperately need is a listening ear.”

Should it be a concern to us when the mouthpiece of the Lord keeps constantly and consistently raising his voice of warning about the loss of our freedom as he has over the years? There are two unrighteous ways to deal with his prophetic words of warning: you can fight them or ignore them. Either course will bring you disaster in the long run.

HEAR HIS WORDS: “No greater responsibility rests upon members of the church, upon all citizens of this Republic (not democracy) and of neighboring republics than to protect the freedom vouchsafed by the constitution of the United States.

As important as are all other principles of the gospel, it was the freedom issue which determined whether you received a body. To have been on the wrong side of the freedom issue during the war in heaven meant eternal damnation. How then can Latter-day Saints expect to be on the “side” in this life and escape the eternal consequences? The war in heaven is raging on earth today. The issues are the same: shall men be compelled to do what others claim is for their best welfare or will they heed the counsel of the prophet of the Lord.

No matter what you call it communism, socialism or the WELFARE STATE ~ our freedom is sacrificed.

We believe the gospel is the greatest thing in the world; why then do we not force people to join the church if they are not smart enough to see it on their own? BECAUSE THIS IS SATAN’S WAY, NOT THE LORD’S PLAN. The Lord uses persuasion and love.”( free agency, or the right to make ones own choices) Ibid 273-274

Today two mighty forces are battling for supremacy of the world. The destiny of mankind is in the balance. It is a question of God and liberty or Atheism and slavery.

Those forces are known and have been designated by different terms throughout the ages.

“In the beginning” they were Satan on the one hand, and Christ on the other.

In Joshua’s time they were called “Gods of the Amorites,” on one hand, and “the Lord” on the other. In these days, they are called “domination by the state,” on one hand, “personal liberty,” on the other hand; communism on one hand, free agency on the other. Ibid -274

No one is likely to destroy America but Americans! In America, only the federal government can increase the money supply. Only government can create inflation.

What then can we do to protect ourselves? The first and most obvious step is to get out of debt if at all possible! Avoid looking to government for handouts or future security. Don’t look to “Big Brother” to take care of us thru price controls, rent controls, guaranteed jobs and wages. Remember the greatest helping hands you will ever get are on the ends of your arms! Second: Have something to eat stored away. This is a must!

Any government powerful enough to give the people all they want is also powerful enough to take from the people all that they have.

Third: above all don’t forget your PRAYERS and learn to hear the whisperings of the Spirit and OBEY them! Finally: the very least we can do is keep the commandments, pay an honest tithe and keep saying our prayers and reading the scriptures daily.

Our son Stephen is spending countless hours and money in public speaking. He is acting as a voice of warning to become prepared. And to be centered in Jesus Christ.

I’m trying to do my part through these memos as my lack of strength no longer allows me to do much more. Become prepared in every needful thing and be Christ centered. We will win! I pray for you daily!

My love always,

Dad, Grandpa, brother, friend

Richard Marden Pratt

Grandmother’s apron

by Adaline Kearl Pratt

Grandmother’s apron was of dark calico

purposely made so the dirt wouldn’t show,

full gathered skirt on a band wide,

and a large pocket on the left side.

Her best one was white, with a dainty lace trim,

for quiltings, and ragbees, and calling on friends.

She looked neat in her apron. No sweetness she lacked

in her dainty white apron with bow in the back.

But the everyday apron that she wore so much,

trimmed with bright color of rick rack or such,

was really a part of her. Through heat or frost;

without that apron she really felt lost.

We tell of that apron ~ its various abuses ~

its values, its needs, and its hundreds of uses.

She busied herself, never forsaking

the frying, the roasting, the boiling and baking,

Experiences past, though painful, had told her,

“Remove the hot pot with the handy pot holder.

At meal time she was lucky, if able

to protect the food which was placed on the table,

for quicker than you could ever surmise,

with a flip of her apron, she shooed away flies.

For a better conveyance, you couldn’t ask it,

lifting her apron she made a nice basket.

“Chick-chick-chick-chick” ~ she tossed cracked corn

to her hungry flock early each morn.

Woe to the chickens that scratched in her garden.

Grandma was stern as an old prison warden.

She flapped and she flipped her apron so hard

the hens all went sqawking back to the yard.

Egg gathering time was a pleasure,

each egg a welcome treasure.

So into her apron with eager zest

she gathered the eggs from every nest.

Then lifting her apron up to her hips

she gathers a load of kindling chips

for the stove in the kitchen is big and slow

and without a good starter the fire won’t go.

Summer found her often in the garden hoeing weeds

protecting tiny vegetables to insure the family’s needs.

And now and then she rested, as time would allow

to wipe the perspiration from her weary brow.

A grandchild skins a bony knee

and runs to gran for sympathy

banished are the childish fears

when she wipes away the falling tears.

And if one day there came a stranger

the children always thought of danger

then they would leave their play and race

to feel secure in the hiding place.

Company sighted down the lane.

Plainly seen through the window pane,

rushing fast as she is able

she dusts the chairs and the dining table.

And as she speeds her parting guests

she stands in the door and talks with zest

of friends and crops and the chilly weather

she looks down the valley at the neighboring

farms and wraps her apron around her arms.

And when day is done and evening brings

the hour to untie the apron strings,

weary and worn and feeling her age

she tenderly covered the canary cage.

Memo #114

March 1, 2010 (written Feb 2009)

From: Richard M. Pratt

Re: Article of faith #11

“We claim the privilege of worshiping almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” Article of faith #11

We might add that we also claim the privilege of not worshiping any God but just living life the way we want too. One big problem to this is if we choose not to worship God then we have placed ourselves in the clutches of Satan. There are only the two powers in all eternity. And to be ensnared by Satan is to become like Cain, the son of Adam and Eve.

Cain, because he persisted in doing as he pleased, became so ensnared in the traps of Satan that he was completely in the clutches of the Devil.

However Cain did gain one privilege by accepting Satan’s offering. Because Cain had a physical body he had more power than Satan and Satan needed that power to further his destructive plans for the earth and its inhabitants.

And the Lord said unto Cain: “Why art thou wroth? Why is thy countenance fallen?”

“If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, and Satan desireth to have thee, and except thou shalt hearken unto my commandments I will deliver thee up, and it shall be done unto thee according to his desire. And thou shalt rule over him; and from this time forth thou shalt be called Perdition; for thou wast also before the world. And it shall be said in time to come ~ that these abominations are had from Cain; for he rejected the greater counsel which was had from God; and this is a cursing which I will put upon thee, except thou repent.” Moses 5:22-25

Not to belabor Cain further, except to point out that because he chose to follow Satan completely, he introduced murder into the earth by killing his brother Able. And then it says that Cain married one of his brothers daughters, and they loved Satan more than God.

Because man is free to choose and Cain chose to follow Satan, it is a sin unto death, for it brings a spiritual banishment ~ the second death ~ by which those who partake of it are denied the presence of God and are consigned to dwell with the devil and his angels throughout eternity.

All who partake of this the greatest of sins, sell themselves as did Cain to Lucifer. They learn to hate the truth with an eternal hatred. And they learn to love wickedness. They reach a condition where they will not and cannot repent. The spirit of murder fills their hearts and they would, fi they had the power, crucify our Lord again, which they virtually do by fighting his work and seeking to destroy it and his prophets.

How fortunate it is that in the mercy of God there will be comparatively few who will partake of this awful misery and eternal darkness. (Doctrines of Salvation Vol. 1 pages 48-49)

Because we seldom use our power to reason we think that Cain and Abel were the first children of Adam and Eve, which is not so. For they soon, after the death of Abel, had another son born to replace Abel as their heir in righteousness. And definitely states that Adam was 130 years old when Seth was born. Cain and Abel then were born when Adam and Eve were somewhere around 100 years old. So they had been having children for about 100 years before Cain and Abel’s births.

Now I’m nearly a 100 years old and we only had six children yet our descendants are

~ 2 ~

approaching 200. Then Adam and Eve would have had several times that many before Cain, Abel and Seth came along.

In fact after they were driven out of the Garden of Eden the record says: “And from that time forth, Adam knew his wife, and she bare unto him sons and daughters, and they began to multiply and to replenish the earth. And from that time forth, the sons and daughters of Adam began to divide two and two in the land, and to till the land, and to tend flocks, and they also begat sons and daughters.” (Read Moses Chapter 5)

Although we allow all men to worship or not to worship according to the dictates of their own wills, yet it is also our “bounden” duty to teach all people the truth about God that they therefore may make and intelligent choice if they choose right principles they are guided along the path to eventual exaltation in the presence of God.

Adam and Eve followed this injunction and attempted to teach their children as follows: “And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. And Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying; believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual and devilish.” Moses 5:12-13

But not all, for as Adam and Eve’s family grew also grew their experiences in teaching the truth to their posterity.

“And thus the gospel began to be preached, from the beginning, being declared by Holy angels sent forth from the presence of God, and by his own voice, and by the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Note the same way that it is always taught. The same way it is being taught today. Those people who don’t hear it in this life, and there are many millions of such who live and die without having heard the “Good News” shall have it taught to them in the world o f spirits while awaiting the resurrection. No one will be judged until they have had the truth taught them. But you and I do not fit in this category. We are hearing it now and our eternal future depends on whether we accept it or not.

Now notice this next unfolding of Adam’s family. “And then began these men to call upon the name of the Lord, and the Lord blessed them;

and a book of remembrance was kept, in which was recorded in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration.

And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled. (Note: yet we are taught in our schools today that our ancestors were cavemen who didn’t even have a spoken language at first, and that it took millions of years to evolve into modern educated idiots. Maybe idiot is to harsh use a different word if you judge it best.)

“And a genealogy was kept of the children of God. And this was the book of generations of Adam, sayig: in the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him. In the image of his own body, male and female, created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created and became living souls in the land upon the footstool of God.

And Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his own image and called his name Seth.

And the days of Adam, were eight hundred years after he begat Seth (So Adam lived 930 years after ejected from the Garden of Eden) and he begat many sons and daughters.”Moses 6:9-11

~ 3 ~

And this is the genealogy of the sons of Adam, who was the son of God, with whom God, himself conversed.

And they were preachers of righteousness, and spake and prophesied, and called upon all men, everywhere, to repent; and faith was taught unto the children of men. Moses 6:23-24

YES, we accord all men the same privilege to worship who they will or not to worship at all. But even this is a form of worship for such a one is enrolled in the ranks of Satan whether they know it or not. And as Christ laid down his life for each of us it then belongs to us to lay down our life for our brother.

Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam lived his 365 years on the earth, won many converts then he, his followers, and the land they dwelt on was taken away from this earth while Adam was still mortal.

And Enoch says: “and I saw the Lord; and he stood before my face, and he talked with me: Look, and I will show unto thee the world for the space of many generations.” Moses 7:4-5

The Lord was preparing the earth for its baptism, the earth is a living thing and had to have this cleansing ordinance just as individuals do ~NO ONE NEEDED TO DIE in the process. It was Enoch’s mission to save all who would listen.

And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, but as a whole whey would not listen. And from that time forth there were wars and bloodshed among them (as there always will be among those who accept the doctrine of hate taught by Satan and reject the doctrine of Love as taught by the Lord.)

And after Enoch had gleaned the world and his people had been removed there from, angels descended out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and the Son; and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion (or Enoch’s city) and it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept;

Moses 7:27-28

And why did he weep? Because they had chosen Satan now they had to pay the price, death by drowning.

I’ve drowned three times. It’s not a bad death. Unless it is attended by the realization that this drowning was the aftermath of wrong choices.

And great tribulations shall be among the children of men, but my people will I preserve.

Then came the prophet Noah to make the final gleaning of all who would follow the Lord, the rest following Satan to be removed from the earth.

Have you ever wondered about Noah’s family? Japheth was born when Noah was 450 years old (what happened to all his kids born before then. I suspect some were caught up with Enoch’s people, the unfaithful were drowned. Eight years after Japheth, Shem was born (our ancestors) of the same mother as Japheth and when Noah was 500 years old Ham was born. The only inkling of what happened to the rest of Noah’s family is found in Moses 7:14-15. There we learn that his grand daughters had married the sons of men (sons of men means, wicked men) and they will not hearken unto my voice. So they drowned.

Now we are preparing for the earth to receive the Holy Ghost or cleansing by fire. Will it be real? Of course for the Lord does nothing save he revealeth it to his servants the Prophets.

“And it shall be, with the people, so with the priest...the land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled...the earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have

~ 4 ~

transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance (baptism etc) broken the everlasting covenant (the gospel)Therefore hath the curse (disobedience) devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate, therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. Isaiah 23:1-6

Our first job then is to worship God with all our heart, might and mind and soul and allow all people the same privilege but trying to teach them the true way that they need not suffer, for not one soul needs to perish in the cleansing of the earth.

God Bless You all forever!

All my love,

Dad, Grandpa, brother, uncle etc. (Richard M. Pratt)

DEAR FAMILY,

Here is a precious letter I re‑discovered, written by my dear parents. It sounds almost

like a patriarchal blessing in it's beautiful prophetic wording. Perhaps these words of

comfort from our faithful ancestors, will give guidance and encouragement to you.

Carolyn

1967

"DEAR CAROLYN

IN ANSWER TO OUR PRAYERS AND WISHES YOU CAME TO US. NOW AFTER ALL THESE YEARS WE FIND OURSELVES PRAYING AND WISHING AGAIN. THESE PRAYERS WILL ALSO BE HEARD AND WE WILL ALL FIND THAT 'AFTER THE TRIAL COMES THE BLESSING.' WE WILL ALL COME FORTH WITH MORE LOVE, COMPASSION AND HOPE AND A FULLER SENSE OF VALUES.

THE DAY YOU WERE BORN, YOU DECIDED TO COME 8 DAYS EARLY, ANXIOUS TO GET THIS LIFE STARTED. YOU HAD KNOWN THAT LIFE WOULDN'T ALWAYS BE EASY, BUT IN SPITE OF THIS, YOU DESIRED IT AND CHOSE TO COME TO EARTH, GET A BODY AND PROVE YOURSELF. EACH OF US HAVE TO BE PROVEN AT SOME TIME TO FIND OUR REAL WORTH.

IT ISN'T ALWAYS THE EXPERIENCES WE HAVE IN LIFE BUT HOW WE MEET THEM AND SUCCEED. SOMETIMES THE ROAD IS LONGER AND HARDER FOR ONE THAN ANOTHER, BUT ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND A 'DIAMOND IS MADE AND BEAUTIFIED WITH PRESSURE AND CUTTING AWAY.'

YOU, TOO, ARE BEING SHAPED AND FITTED AND WILL YET FULFILL MANY GREAT AND IMPORTANT THINGS IN YOUR LIFE HERE UPON THE EARTH. BE PATIENT AND FAITHFUL, LEARNING AND DOING THE WILL OF YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER. LIVE EACH DAY, AS IT COMES ALONG, TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY AND YOU WILL BE PREPARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF LIFE AND SUCCEED IN YOUR LIFE'S MISSION.

OUR LOVE,

MOTHER AND FATHER

Memo #113

February 1, 2010 (written Feb 2009)

From: Richard M. Pratt

Re: 10^th article of faith

We believe that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

We must go back, so far as possible, to the beginning of the earth when it emerged from the six periods of time in which it was created. It is very apparent, from archeological remains that, when the creation was complete that the earth spun on its axis at the exact perpendicular. As it thus revolved all the earth was of a temperature from pole to pole that was tropical to semi-tropical in nature.

In fact over the past 200 years several thousands of mammals and especially mastodons (big elephants) have been found North of the Arctic Circle frozen in the ice and of such preservation that their flesh was used to feed the sled dogs and also eaten by the natives. In fact as a young man Nome, Alaska made world headlines by the restaurants advertising steaks and roasts from the bodies of these four thousand year old remains.

At the time of the great flood of Noah the earth reeled to and fro like a drunken man and when it finally stabilized it was tipped at an angle of 23 ½ degrees to its axis and has remained so until the present. Spinning at this steep angel produces the frozen North and South polar regions. Because it happened suddenly all life was frozen instantly and has remained so until the present.

But all things will be restored to its original perfection at the imminent second coming of the Lord as the scriptures amply state. The following is one that can be repeated from both the Old and New Testaments.

“For not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man; and the sun shall hide his face, and shall refuse to give light; and the moon shall be bathed in blood; and the stars shall become exceedingly angry, and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falleth from off a fig tree.” Doctrine and Covenants 88:87

Parley P. Pratt (My great grandfather) gives a beautiful description of the results of the fall and the restitution of all things at the coming of Christ. I will, for the lack of space just refer to the highlights. You can read the full account from his book, “A Voice of Warning” pages 83 ~

“When a prophet speaks of the restoration of all things. He means that all things have undergone a change and are to be restored to their primitive order, as first existed.

First then it becomes necessary for us to take a view of creation, as it rolled in purity from the hand of its Creator; and if we can discover the true state in which it then existed, and understand the changes that have taken place since, then we shall be able to understand what is to be restored...first, then, we will take a view of the earth, as to its surface, local situation and production...and God said, let the waters under the heaven be gathered together in one place. And let the dry land appear; and it was so. From this we learn a marvelous fact, which very few have ever realized or believed in this benighted age. We learn that the waters, which are now divided into oceans, seas, lakes, were then all gathered into one vast ocean, and consequently, that the land which is now torn asunder and divided into continents and islands almost innumerable was then one vast continent or body not separated as it now is.

Second we hear the Lord God pronounce the earth, as well as everything else, very good. From this we learn that there were neither deserts, barren places, stagnant swamps, rough, broken, rugged hills, nor vast mountains covered with eternal snow; and no part of it was located in the frigid zone so as to render its climate dreary and unproductive, subject to eternal frost, or everlasting chains of ice.

The whole earth was probably one vast plain, or interspersed with gently rising hills and sloping vales, well calculated for cultivation; while its climate was delightfully varied, with the moderate changes of heat and cold, or wet and dry, which only tended to crown the varied year with the great variety of productions, all for the good of man, animal, fowl or creeping thing; while on the flowery plain or spicy grove, sweet odors were wafted on every breeze, all the vast creation of animated beings breathed naught but health, and peace, and joy.

Neither noxious weeds nor poisonous plants nor useless thorns and thistles; everything that grew was calculated for the food of man, beast, fowl and creeping thing, and their food was all vegetable...the beasts of the earth were all in perfect harmony with each other; the lion ate straw like the ox, the wolf dwelt with the lamb, the leopard lay down with the kid, the cow and bear fed together in the same pasture, while their young ones reposed in perfect security under the shade of the same trees. All was peace and harmony, and nothing to disturb in all the holy mountains. (close quote) Satan, of course, was loosed by the fall and every phase every detail of this beautiful earth came under his defiling influence even obnoxious weeds were introduced upon the earth by him. Also enmity between man and beast and beast and beast.

“How far the flood may have contributed to produce the various changes as to the division of the earth into broken fragments, islands and continents, mountains and valleys, we have not been informed, tho changes must have been considerable. But after the flood in the days of Peleg the earth was divided. (Abraham was 8 years old at Peleg’s death.) A short history, to be sure, of so great an event, but still it will account for the mighty revolutions which rolled the sea from its own place in the North and brought it to interpose between different portions of the earth that were thus pared asunder and moved into some thing near their present form. This, together with the earthquakes, revolutions, and commotions that have since taken place, have all contributed to reduce the face of the earth to its present state, while the great curses that have fallen upon different portions because of the wickedness of men will account for the stagnant swamps, the sunken lakes, the dead seas and great deserts.

Witness also the plains fo Sodom, filled with towns, cities and flourishing gardens, well watered: but oh, how changed. A vast sea of stagnant water alone marks the place. Witness the land of Palestine in the days of Solomon: it was capable of sustaining millions of people besides yielding a surplus of wheat and other production, whereas now it is desolate and hardly capable of sustaining a few miserable inhabitants. (This is true in Parley’s day 1807-1857, then barely 200,000 people were eking out a bare subsistence. But with the blessing of apostle Orson Hyde, Palestine has again become a fertile and productive land now supporting 5,000,000 million plus people and exporting food.)

(My comments) because of wickedness the earth as we now know it has been so many times afflicted by floods, earthquakes and other natural resistance of the earth towards its filthy inhabitants that at present about two thirds of the earths surface is covered with water and the other one third with uninhabited mountains, endless deserts and lack of water, with all its apparent abundance. That only about six percent of the earths surface will support man and much of that is marginal.

Plus part of the original earth has been broken off and taken away in the days of Enoch, seventh from Adam, and lived most of his 375 years before the death of Adam and the translation of Enoch and his people and a portion of the earth with it were separated from the earth and taken to a better place until the Lord comes to redeem the earth and at such a time Enoch and his people and land will rejoin the earth.

Parley continues: “but men have greatly changed and degenerated, as well as the earth, the sins, the abominations, and the many evil habits of the latter ages have added to the miseries, toils, and sufferings of human life. The idleness, extravagance, pride, covetousness, drunkenness, and other abominations, which are characteristic of the latter times, have all combined to sink mankind to the lowest state of wretchedness and degradation; while priestcraft and false doctrines have greatly tended to lull mankind to sleep and cause them to rest infinitely short of the powers and attainments that the ancients enjoyed, and which are alone calculated to exalt the intellectual powers of the human mind.

Compare this intelligence with the low smatterings of education and worldly wisdom that seem to satisfy the narrow mind of man in our generation yea, behold the narrow minded, calculating, trading, overreaching, penurious sycophant of the nineteenth century who dreams of nothing here but how to increase his goods, or take advantage of his neighbor, and whose only religious exercise or duties consist of going to meeting, paying the priest his hire, or praying to his God, without expecting to be heard or answered, supposing that God has been deaf and dumb for many centuries, or altogether stupid and indifferent like himself. Having seen the two contrasted, you will be able to form some idea of the vast elevation from which man has fallen. You will also learn how infinitely beneath his former glory and dignity he is now living and your heart will mourn and be exceedingly sorrowful when you contemplate him in his low estate and then think that he is your brother.”

Now let us turn and see what is to be restored. The apostle Peter, while preaching to the Jews, says, “and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:20-21 It appears from the above that all the holy prophets, from Adam to Christ, and those that followed after, had their eyes upon a certain time, when all things should be restored to their primitive beauty and excellence. We also learn that the time of restitution was to be at or near the time of Christ’s second coming, for the heavens are to receive him until the time of restitution, and then the Father will send him again to the earth.

About the time for his second coming that every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain, and hill shall be made low. And the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain, and then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the Lord hath spoken it.

Thus we see ~ every mountain being made low, and every valley exalted, and the rough places being made plain, and the crooked places straight ~ that these mighty revolutions will begin to restore the face of the earth to its former beauty. But all this done, we have not yet gone thru our restoration. There are many more great things to be done in order to restore all things.

Suffice it to say ALL will be restored and the Savior will rule personally upon the earth. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth with all the saints of the most High, not only one thousand years but forever and forever!

Let’s be there!

My love,

Dad, Grandpa Pratt (Richard M. Pratt)

P.S. It’s been a thrill to write with my great grandpa!

Remember I’m Here

By Dawn Pratt Taylor

In despair from the depths of my fear

I poured out my heart. I pled, “Are You there?”

Who would win out? Darkness or Light?

Faith gave a shout, “Things will be all right.”

Then I felt His dear presence drawing me near.

My face in His hands, my thoughts became clear.

A blanket of Love warmed my body clear through.

Peace freshened my soul like a heavenly dew.

“Lord, I’m a sinner; my trespasses are great.”

“I know,” crooned His voice, “But it’s never too late.

Take my hand, Little one. Grab on really tight.

Do your best in your efforts to win this fight.”

“Your loved Ones stand by you and so do I.

So lift up your head and do not cry.

Face forward! March on! My hand is in yours.

Trials bring growth when one endures.”

“Look up, little Child. Leave off with your fear.

Hold to the Rod! Take comfort ~ I’m here!

Arise, Little Child, and be of good cheer.

Hold to the Promises. Remember I’m here!”

Memo #112

January 1, 2010 (written Feb. 18, 2008)
Re: Article of Faith #10
From: Dad, Grandpa etc. Richard M. Pratt

Article of Faith #10 ~ We believe that Christ will reign personally upon the earth.
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 and step by step he brought out of chaos the elements and organized the earth and all things pertaining to it including the stars in the Heavens. That he is the ruler thereof cannot be disputed. And that he will be the eternal ruler of this world and all his creations no one can contest. Thousands of pages have been written on the subject chief of which is the scriptures. So my puny little four pages can be only a testament that it ~ His personal reign is true and about to be ushered in. Let me repeat that: HIS PERSONAL REIGN IS TRUE AND ABOUT TO BE USHERED IN.
It has been prophesied since the beginning of time and from the beginning of the prophets.
The tiny Old Testament book of Joel about 900 B.C., all three chapters, here is a small sample: “Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is at hand. Joel 1:15
“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion (here) and sound an alarm:...for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said.” Joel 2: 1 & 32
“For behold, in those days, (Now) and in that time I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem (They will be made free)
I will also gather all nations. And will bring them down into the valley of Jehosaphat (from Jerusalem northward) and will plead with them for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations. (Currently all nations are preparing to do this.)
The Lord also shall roar out of Zion (Here) and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be the hope of HIS people, and the strength of the children of Israel. Joel 3:1 & 16
Egypt shall be a desolation, ...for their violence against the children of Judah...but Judah shall dwell forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion: Joel 3: 19-21
hear this word that the Lord hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the Land of Egypt, saying you only have I known of all the families of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7
Israel, (all twelve tribes) is the only people he has chosen and he is of Judah ~ the 12 tribes of Israel (chosen before they were born when they learn obedience will be the ruling power of the world under Christ.)
Listen to the words of Zechariah: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh...for I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the Lord...shall go forth, and fight against those nations...and the Lord shall be Kind over all the earth...and it shall come to pass, that everyone that is left of all the nations which come against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts.
Prior to the appearance of the Lord there shall be two churches only the one is the church of the Lamb of God. And the other is ???(Ah! Ha! You thought I was going to name the other church, and I will in a minute!) Whosoever belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations, and she is the whore of all the earth.
It appears that this church of the devil will have enrolled every person on earth except the true believers and even their number will be diluted by at least half.
It appears that there is only one organization on earth that involves almost all people and it is CORRUPT GOVERNMENT. Corrupt government is the source of all murders, sex abuses, war, liars, cheats and frauds. And must be being guided by Satan and his devilish hosts. And most of the peoples of the world in their corruption are sinking ever deeper into the cesspool of sin that will lead to their destruction.
He that is coming shortly to personally rule upon the earth and clean up the mess men have allowed Satan to lead them into, even Jesus Christ, will accomplish it as follows.
He will allow mankind to teeter on the brink of total annihilation as He continues in His efforts to save all that will be saved. He gave us the greatest government the world has ever known CONSTITUTIONAL government.
But corrupt politicians have abandoned it. Oh! You still hear it mentioned but it is lip-service only.
And the combined armed forces of the world will be two hundred million (it’s current number) and there will be universal war and Jerusalem and the Jews will face total extinction. A third of the worlds population will be dead and in as much as for every person killed in war two are wounded. So if that ration still holds the survivors for the most part will be more or less invalided so the dead will remain unburied.
The two world wars estimated deaths was 50 million, this is just to give you an idea, if the population of the world is at six billion, which is its current population, then the deaths in this final war would be something like four times as many as died in both world wars combined.
At this very moment when it seems the world is going to commit mass suicide it says of the survivors, “the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and gold and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood:...Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornications (all types of sexual abuses) nor of their thefts”. Revelations 9:18-21
The whole world was destroyed by a flood except Noah, his three sons and their wives. But prior to that flood all the law abiding were caught off the earth and were safe. “And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and the Son: and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion and it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people and wept.” Moses 7:27-28
What a sad thing for a Father to have to witness the self brought on destruction of his rebellious children.
Besides the universal flood whole nations at sundry times have been destroyed. In fact 21 civilizations have been wiped out.
Example: Rome is the most famous and passed away in 476 A.D. a better example is the Americas at the crucifixion of our Savior.
Tempests, earthquakes, fires, whirlwinds, and physical upheavals on the Americas attest the crucifixion of Christ. The majority of the people were destroyed. Those who remain bemoan their fate. Then a voice speaks from heaven saying: “o all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me and repent of your sins and be converted that I may heal you. 3 Nephi 9:13 So even the best needed some repenting. And they did but within 150 years they had reverted to filthiness and destruction.
And now in our day. The Jews shall be gathered home, (they are) and there shall be wars and rumors of wars (now) and the whole earth shall be in commotion and the love of man shall wax cold. And the gospel shall come among them and an overflowing scourge as a desolating sickness shall cover the land (here) but my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved and their shall be earthquakes and many desolations, yet men will harden their hearts against me, and shall take up their swords, one against the other and kill one another. Then shall the arm of the Lord fall upon the nations. And calamity shall cover the mockers and the scorner shall be consumed. Then shall the world know that I am the Lord I am Jesus Christ that was crucified. I am the Son of God. (For the full account read Doctrine and Covenants 45:24-75)
On the news recently was portrayed a mass raid by police on the gangsters of New York City. They were being arrested by the dozens and being carted off to prison. In a sense that is what our King is shortly going to do with the whole earth.
He has for 6000 years done everything to help men to be self governing and they have failed dismally now he is bringing a host of officers to arrest the disobedient, cast them into prison until they learn by their own suffering to become obedient to the only laws whereby man may live.
The greatest war, slaughter, carnage, bloodshed, and desolation of all the ages will be in full swing at the very hour when Christ returns. “...There will be a time of trouble, says Daniel, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time....” (Daniel 12:1)
Then comes the “raid” led by the King of Kings and followed by a myriad of enforcement officers called angels.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” (The millions of obedient children of past ages since the flood will be with him.) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds (the newly resurrected) to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
Then the earth will be cleansed with fire and any remaining of the disobedient (remember that at least 1/3 have slaughtered each other in war) will be consumed as the earth by orders of the King is burned by fire.
Sound terrible? NO! A loving King after 6000 years of doing everything he can to save his subjects even to laying down his own life in terrible suffering now sweeps them into the Spirit World where they are sentenced to spend a minimum of 1000 years in prison where they will suffer even as He suffered on the cross. For they refused to accept his offering to pay for their sins.
Most of them will finally learn to be obedient as, He is obedient, to the only laws that can provide eternal peace and happiness. The few who will not accept this final effort for happiness will receive the awful sentence of “Sons of Perdition” and will be cast out with Satan for they have proven their total unwillingness to obey the law of happiness.
The cleansed and forgiven prisoners will then stand at the judgement bar and be pronounced “clean.” and ready to receive the glory of a Telestial Kingdom. Although the lowest of the kingdoms of glory, yet it will be so great so fantastic in their eternal opportunities that man cannot describe them.
Still they will be eternally bound to live within the confines of Telestial Glory. Some of the limitations of which will be they will never see God the Father nor is Son Jesus Christ. They will be restricted to a telestial sphere not able to travel freely. For their own safety confined to that glory forever. There will be many other restrictions but the worst is no FAMILY. They will remain separate and single forever. But they will have been saved by our Savior to all the happiness they were willing to accept.
I am hoping that you and I are preparing ourselves by obedience for eternal glory, freedom of travel, no restrictions, and eternally with our family and with our Heavenly parents and our brother Jesus Christ.
All my love,
Dad, Grandpa etc. Richard Pratt


"Then peeled the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead nor doth he sleep. The wrong shall fail the right prevail with peace on earth good will toward men.”
Let the bells and feelings of Christmas ring in your hearts all year long. Where does this start? In our homes. Our Bishop (whom Grandpa loves) encourages such doable goals! We all need to feel the love and goodness of Jesus Christ in our lives and obedience to the gospel plan is the way. Set some realistic New Years goals. You may want to include the ward goals in your plans.
Ward goals:
1. Family Home evening weekly
2. Daily Family prayer and personal prayers
3. Daily Scripture study
4. Temple attendance monthly
5. Pray for and seek missionary opportunities.
6. 100% Home and Visiting teaching
7. 100% Sacrament meeting attendance.

In addition Our Bishop asked us to pray for:
a. those struggling with the cycle of sin that they and we may over come and be faithful.
b. those seeking employment that they will find it.
c. pray and seek missionary opportunities. Share the great news of the gospel.

This is the kind of preparedness that will help us be centered in Jesus Christ. As we center our homes and thoughts in Christ, we will be led to be kinder, more loving, more thoughtful. Indeed we will be covered with the “full armor of God” the Gospel of Jesus Christ is JOY! IT is PEACE! IT is PURE! Embrace it and make your homes Christ centered. When we are prepared the storms of life will not have power over us to weigh us down. God bless us all to do his will and become prepared in every way!
Have fun setting your new years goals. Love to you all Rose and Roger Rowbury