August–September 1830

Parley and Thankful Pratt

Faith to follow the Spirit

Parley Pratt and Thankful Pratt were farmers in Ohio. One day, Parley felt the Spirit telling him to leave his home to teach people about the Bible.

Saints, 1:92

Parley and Thankful sold their farm. They didn’t know where they would go, but they trusted that God would bless them for serving Him.

Saints, 1:92

Parley and Thankful took some clothes and money and got on a boat. As they travelled through New York, the Spirit told Parley to get off the boat. Parley asked Thankful to go on without him. He promised to come back to her soon. He felt there was something that God wanted him to do in New York.

Saints, 1:92

Parley walked a long way. Finally he came to the home of a preacher. The preacher told Parley about a strange book that someone had given him. It came from gold plates and was written long ago. It was called the Book of Mormon. A young man in New York had translated it with God’s power.

Saints, 1:92

Parley was very curious. The preacher showed Parley the book. Excited, Parley opened it and began reading. Hours passed, but he could not stop reading, not even to eat or sleep. The Spirit of the Lord told him it was true.

Saints, 1:92–93

Parley loved the Book of Mormon so much, he wanted to find the man who translated it. He walked to the Smith family farm, where he met Hyrum, Joseph’s brother. They talked through the night. Hyrum told Parley that the Book of Mormon is true. He gave Parley his own copy of the book.

Saints, 1:93

As he kept reading, Parley learned that Jesus Christ had visited the people in the Americas long ago. Parley could see that the Book of Mormon was worth more than all the riches of the world. He couldn’t wait to return to Thankful and share with her what he had learned.

Saints, 1:93; 3 Nephi 11:1–12

Parley told Thankful and other members of his family about the Book of Mormon. He told them what it teaches about Jesus Christ. Thankful was glad that Parley had followed the Spirit and found the work God wanted him to do. Like Parley, Thankful learned for herself that the Book of Mormon is true.

Saints, 1:98–99