Elder Ballard Dedicates Parley P. Pratt Site

At dedication services held 24 October for a new Salt Lake City park and statue honoring Elder Parley P. Pratt (1807–57), Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called Elder Pratt “a deeply religious man, which is evident by the hymns” he wrote, eight of which are in the Church’s current hymnbook. Elder Pratt was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, an author of books, and a Church pioneer, explorer, and colonizer.

Elder Ballard said that Elder Pratt demonstrated “absolute obedience and willingness to do whatever the Prophet Joseph Smith would ask of him” and enjoyed “wonderful, spiritual experiences because of his obedience.” He also recalled Elder Pratt’s missionary efforts in upper Canada, where he helped convert John Taylor, who later became the third President of the Church.

Called Parley’s Park and Plaza, the triangle-shaped site is located at 2100 South and 2300 East in Salt Lake City. An eight-foot bronze statue, sculpted by Ed Fraughton and titled Finding the Way, shows Elder Pratt viewing nearby Parley’s Canyon, which was named after him. The project was made possible by Latter-day Saints and members of other faiths and groups.

A statue of Elder Parley P. Pratt depicts him surveying nearby Parley’s Canyon in Salt Lake City. (Photo by Kristan Jacobsen, Deseret News.)