Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman Jr. have both had to answer plenty of questions about Mormon doctrine during their presidential campaigns. One belief that particularly stands out to non-Mormons is the idea that men and women can progress eternally to become like God. In answering that question, Romney and Huntsman might well turn to the writings of Parley P. Pratt, who both share as a common ancestor.
The informative and entertaining Parley P. Pratt & the Making of Mormonism illustrates that besides having a delightfully alliterative name, Pratt helped to develop the doctrine of men and women obtaining divine status, and arguably influenced early Mormonism more than anyone but Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Of course, Romney and Huntsman may have also inherited the gene for explaining LDS theology from Pratt, since he led the way in the 19th century in writing tracts that expounded on the new faith for the uninitiated while also responding to critics.
Read Full Article »