Orson Pratt

Alternate Names
Orson Pratt, Sr. (Birth Name)
Birth Date
On 1811 September 19 (Born)
Death Date
On 1881 October 3 (Died)
Gender
Male

Ordained an Elder by Joseph Smith jun. Dec 1, 1830 and immediately commenced to preach the Gospel. Ordained a High Priest on Feb 22 1832. Ordained an Apostle in 1835 and held that position until he died in Salt Lake City, Oct 3, 1881.

In the 1847 Brigham Young Company, Orson was part of the 1st Company of Ten led by Wilford Woodruff.

Orson Pratt's family traveled somewhat independently although he was initially organized as a leader in and a part of Cummings's company.  He traveled at some times with and assisted John Brown's company.  He arrived in Salt Lake city on 4 October.

He was the Captain of the 1854 company.  His wife accompanied him on this journey.

Orson came from California, leaving December 1857, arriving in Utah in 1858.

He served several missions.

In 1867, he was a returning missionary from Austria. 

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Born in Hartford, Washington, New York, United States

1811 September 19
Mother
Charity Dickinson
Father
Jared Pratt

Date Details

Occurred On 1811 September 19

Served in Eastern States Mission

? – 1844 August 6  See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Married
Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois
Location Served
Eastern States

Date Details

Ended On 1844 August 6
Arrived at Home
Start Date Not Found

Baptized by Parley P. Pratt

1830 September 19 (Age 19)

Served in Early Church Mission: North America

1830 December (Age 19) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Ordained an Elder by Joseph Smith jun. Dec 1, 1830 and immediately commenced to preach the Gospel. Ordained a High Priest on Feb 22 1832. Ordained an Apostle in 1835 and held that position until he died in Salt Lake City, Oct 3, 1881.

Priesthood Office
Elder
Residence When Called
New York, United States
Location Served
New York

Date Details

Started On 1830 December
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Called by revelation, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 52 on a special mission to Missouri, traveled and preached through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, together with his brother Parley P. Pratt. Journal History of June 7, 19, 1831.

Priesthood Office
Elder
Residence When Called
Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States
Location Served
Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois

Date Details

Started On 1831
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found

Served in Early Church Mission: North America

1832 February 1 – 1833 February 17 (Age 20) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Labored with Lyman E. Johnson. Journal History Jan 23, Feb. 17 1833.

Priesthood Office
High Priest
Residence When Called
Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States
Location Served
Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, RhodeIsland, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Date Details

Started On 1832 February 1
Departed from Home
Ended On 1833 February 17
Arrived at Home

Served in Early Church Mission: North America

1833 March 26 (Age 21) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Labored with Lyman E. Johnson. Journal History of Mar. 26, Sept 28, 1833.

Priesthood Office
High Priest
Residence When Called
Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States
Location Served
New Hampshire, Vermont, etc.

Date Details

Started On 1833 March 26
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found

Served in Early Church Mission: North America

1833 November – 1834 February 13 (Age 22) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Visited the branches of the Church in Pennsylvania and New York. Journal History of Nov 27, 1833. Visited Brantford, CanadaRichard Bennett, "A Study of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Upper Canada, 1830 - 1850" p. 92 Appendix 3, Provo, Utah Brigham Young University

Priesthood Office
High Priest
Residence When Called
Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States
Location Served
Pennsylvania, New York; Brantford, Canada

Date Details

Started On 1833 November
Departed from Home
Ended On 1834 February 13
Arrived at Home

Served in Early Church Mission: North America

1834 – 1835 August 11 (Age 22) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Traveling from Missouri to Ohio, preached on the way. Journal History of Aug. 21, Oct. 13, 1834, Jan 2, 22, Feb 6, 12, 16, Mar 6, April 26, 1835.

Priesthood Office
High Priest
Residence When Called
Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States
Location Served
Missouri to Ohio

Date Details

Started On 1834
Departed from Home
Ended On 1835 August 11
Arrived at Home
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Appointed to fill a short mission in Missouri, visiting the scattered Saints in Clay County and setting the small branches of the Church there in order. Journal History of July 19, 31, 1834.

Priesthood Office
High Priest
Residence When Called
Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States
Location Served
Missouri

Date Details

Started On 1834
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found

Served in Early Church Mission: North America

1834 February 26 (Age 22) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Other
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Labored in New York, together with Orson Hyde to raise volunteers for Zion's Camp. Journal History of Feb. 13, 24, 26, Mar. 17, 1834.

Priesthood Office
High Priest
Location Served
New York

Date Details

Started On 1834 February 26
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found

Served in Early Church Mission: North America

1835 April 3 – September 25 (Age 23) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Traveled through Pennsylvania, New York, Canada, and the Eastern States preaching the Gospel and holding Conferences with his fellow Apostles. Journal History of May 4, 1835

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Location Served
Pennsylvania, New York, Canada, and Eastern States,

Date Details

Started On 1835 April 3
Departed from Home
Ended On 1835 September 25
Arrived at Home

Served in Early Church Mission: North America

1835 October 14 (Age 24) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Journal History of Nov. 18, 1835

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States
Location Served
Pennsylvania, New York

Date Details

Started On 1835 October 14
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found
Mission Type
Other
Marital Status
Single
Missionary Activity Notes

Journal History of April 6, May 26, 1836 Richard Bennett, "A Study of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Upper Canada, 1830 - 1850" p. 92 Appendix 3, Provo, Utah Brigham Young University

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio, United States
Location Served
Toronto and Brantford, Canada, New York

Date Details

Started On 1836 March 5
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found

Married Sarah Marinda Bates

1836 July 4 (Age 24)

Served in Eastern States Mission

1837 (Age 25) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Married
Missionary Activity Notes

Journal History of Oct 2, 1837, April 1838.

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Location Served
New York

Date Details

Started On 1837
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found

Served in Central States Mission

1839 April 18 (Age 27) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Married
Missionary Activity Notes

Filled a short mission to Far West, Missouri to fulfill a revelation. Journal History of Apr 18, 21, 26, 1839.

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Quincy, Adams, Illinois, United States
Location Served
Far West, Missouri

Date Details

Started On 1839 April 18
Departed from Home
End Date Not Found

Served in British Mission

1839 August 29 – 1841 April 21 (Age 27) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Married
Missionary Activity Notes

Filled a succesful mission to Great Britain after preaching in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and New York as he traveled through these States to the Atlantic coast. He introduced the Gospel in Edinburgh, Scotland. Journal History of Aug, 29, 1839.

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Commerce, Hancock, Illinois, United States
Location Served
Great Britain

Date Details

Started On 1839 August 29
Departed from Home
Ended On 1841 April 21
Departed from Field

Member of the Twelve

1841 January 19 (Age 29)

D&C 124:129 at Nauvoo, Illinois 

Date Details

Occurred On 1841 January 19

Married Adelia Ann Bishop

1844 December 13 (Age 33)

Married Mary Ann Merrill

1845 March 27 (Age 33)

Called as President to Eastern States Mission

1845 August – November (Age 33) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Missionary Activity Notes

Labored as president of the Eastern States Mission (Journal History of Oct. 31, Nov 8, 12 and Dec 11, 1845)

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, United States

Date Details

Started On 1845 August
Called
Ended On 1845 November
Arrived at Home

To Organize a Company for the Westward Journey

1847 February (Age 35)

D&C 136:12-14 at Winter Quarters, Omaha Nation, Iowa

Date Details

Occurred Circa 1847 February

Traveled in Brigham Young Vanguard Company (1847)

1847 April 16 – July 21 (Age 35) Pioneers in Company

Date Details

Started On 1847 April 16
Joined Company
Ended On 1847 July 21
Company Arrived

Called as President to British Mission

1848 May 11 – 1851 October 4 (Age 36) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Missionary Activity Notes

Returned to Salt Lake City, Utah. Journal History of Apr 22, May 11, Jul 20, 1848). Accompanied by wife, Sarah M Pratt, Celestia Larissa Pratt, and son Laron Pratt. Arrived in the field July 26, 1848.  Departed for field Jan 30, 1851.

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the Twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Winter Quarters, Douglas, Nebraska, United States
Location Served
England

Date Details

Started On 1848 May 11
Departed from Home
Ended On 1851 October 4
Arrived at Home

Traveled in James W. Cummings Company (1851)

1851 July 1 – October 7 (Age 39) Pioneers in Company

Date Details

Started On 1851 July 1
Joined Company
Ended Between 1851 September 30 – October 7
Company Arrived

Married Marian Ross

1852 February 19 (Age 40)

Served in Eastern States Mission

1852 September 16 – 1854 August (Age 40) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Other
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Missionary Activity Notes

Called on a special mission to Washington, D.C. to publish the "Seer". Journal History of August 28, 1852 LR 1140 2 Image 14 Apostle Orson Pratt arrived at Liverpool on May 29, 1853. Millennial Star Vol. 15, 11 June 1853 Arrival, May 29, of Elder Orson Pratt, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Great Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
Location Served
Washington D. C.

Date Details

Started On 1852 September 16
Departed from Home
Ended On 1854 August
Arrived at Home

Married Sarah Louisa Lewis

1853 June 21 (Age 41)

Called as Captain to Orson Pratt/Ezra T. Benson/Ira Eldredge Company (1854)

1854 June 21 – October 3 (Age 42) Pioneers in Company
Roles
Captain

Date Details

Started Between 1854 June 21 – 22
Joined Company
Ended On 1854 October 3
Company Arrived

Married Juliett Ann Phelps

1855 December 14 (Age 44)

Called as President to British Mission

1856 July 13 – 1857 October 14 (Age 44) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Missionary Activity Notes

Filled fourth mission to the British Isles as president of the Mission. Journal History of Feb 24, 1856 LR 1140 2 Image 47 Arrival at England: 13 July 1856 Departed: 14 October 1857

Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Great Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
Location Served
British Isles

Date Details

Started On 1856 July 13
Arrived in Field
Ended On 1857 October 14
Departed from Field

Called as Captain to Orson Pratt/Ezra T. Benson Company (1857-1858)

1857 December – 1858 January (Age 46) Pioneers in Company
Roles
Captain
Returning Missionary

Date Details

Started Circa 1857 December
Joined Company
Ended Circa 1858 January
Company Arrived

Married Eliza Crooks

1858 March 2 (Age 46)

Served in Eastern States Mission

1860 September 23 – 1861 September (Age 49) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Great Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
Location Served
United States

Date Details

Started On 1860 September 23
Set Apart
Ended On 1861 September
Released

Traveled in Company Unknown (1862)

1862 (Age 50) Pioneers in Company
Roles
Returning Missionary

Date Details

Occurred Circa 1862
Joined Company
Circa 1862
Company Arrived

Served in German Mission

1864 April 24 – 1867 August 4 (Age 52) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Short Term
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Great Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
Set Apart By
Location Served
Austria

Date Details

Started On 1864 April 24
Set Apart
Ended On 1867 August 4
Released

Traveled in Company Unknown (1867)

1867 (Age 55) Pioneers in Company
Roles
Returning Missionary

Date Details

Occurred Circa 1867
Joined Company
Circa 1867
Company Arrived

Married Margaret Graham

1868 December 28 (Age 57)

Served in Eastern States Mission

1869 April 18 (Age 57) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
Location Served
New York City

Date Details

Started On 1869 April 18
Set Apart
End Date Not Found

Served in British Mission

1877 June 17 – September (Age 65) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
Set Apart By
Location Served
Great Britain

Date Details

Started On 1877 June 17
Set Apart
Ended On 1877 September
Released

Served in Eastern States Mission

1878 September 2 – October 3 (Age 66) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
Set Apart By
Location Served
United States

Date Details

Started On 1878 September 2
Set Apart
Ended On 1878 October 3
Released

Served in European Mission

1878 December 2 – 1879 September 2 (Age 67) See Missionaries
Mission Type
Proselytizing
Marital Status
Plurally Married
Priesthood Quorum When Called
Quorum of the twelve
Priesthood Office
Apostle
Residence When Called
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States
Set Apart By
Location Served
Europe

Date Details

Started On 1878 December 2
Set Apart
Ended On 1879 September 2
Released

Died in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah Territory, United States

1881 October 3 (Age 70)
Media
Orson Pratt Sr. (1811 - 1881) Profile
Orson Pratt Sr. (1811 - 1881) Profile
Orson Pratt (1811 - 1881) Profile
Orson Pratt (1811 - 1881) Profile

Sources

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Mission

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