Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt

Category: LDS Church history

Themes: Faith, missionary work, obedience to God, sacrifice, trials and adversity

Rating: 10 out of 10

Who Might Enjoy This: Adults and older teens

Reviewed By: Tim Carver

Several years ago one of my friends asked if I had read the Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt. I told him I hadn’t. He gave me a serious look and said, “You owe it to yourself to read that book.” His statement hit me hard. I decided to read it. I’m glad I did!

The great enjoyment for me came in reading Church history from the pen of one who experienced it. This is a man who knew and loved Joseph Smith. This is a man who was one of the most outstanding missionaries in the history of the Church. This is a man who was tireless and fearless in defending the faith. You can smell Church history as you read his book.

The book ranges from humorous stories like Stu-Boy (a dog that chases Parley when he escapes from jail) to his powerful telling of Joseph Smith rebuking the blaspheming guards in the Richmond jail. It is filled with stories of a faithful servant who laid everything on the altar for his testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel.

I loved this book! It motivated me to be a better Latter-day Saint. I put it in the top two books on LDS Church history! You owe it to yourself to read Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt!

Tim Carver