Orson Pratt letter to Nathaniel H. Felt

L. Tom Perry Special Collections is pleased to announce the availability of a new digitized collection: Orson Pratt letter to Nathaniel H. Felt. This item is a handwritten and signed letter, dated December 11, 1866, written from Liverpool, England, on “Latter-Day Saints’ European Printing, Publishing, and Emigration Office” letterhead. It is a brief letter to Felt, who is serving a mission in the British Mission, giving him advice on how to carry out his duties as a missionary. The letter is also signed and post-scripted by William B. Preston.

Orson Pratt, “Harper’s Weekly,” August 1866

Orson Pratt, Sr. (September 19, 1811 – October 3, 1881) was an American mathematician and religious leader who was an original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. He served several missions for the LDS Church, including as President of the British Mission. Pratt was a leading Mormon theologian and writer until his death. He is probably most known for his pamphlets written in defense of LDS Church doctrines, and publicly announcing the Church’s practice of polygamy in 1853. Pratt defended this practice in 12 monthly installments in the church periodical The Seer. He died in Salt Lake City, Utah, of complications from diabetes.