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Show Page 76 thoughts, shared quietly with the elders in anticipation of their 2 overseas mission. The discussions included "the first idea of eternal family organization," as Parley called it, and involved an expanded concept of priesthood dominion, of sealing for time and eternity, and of offspring "as numerous as the stars of heaven, or the sands of the seashore." For Parley, this lifting of a "corner of the veil" uncovered the true purpose of earthly existence, providing a "single key" that would unlock the teleology of man and his relationships - the true "dignity and destiny of a son of God" was to become a "patriarch and sovereign" in his own 3 right; in short, a god among gods. Parley's mind, at least , was opened to a vast range of speculation - as his piece on the "eternal duration of matter" indicates. Of Orson's thoughts at this point, we know nothing - that his mind was fired by these same interviews with the Prophet, there is no doubt. These few days in Philadelphia brought the apostolic brothers Pratt into contact with the core of the Mormon gospel - it was clear they had only glimpsed it before - a core of concepts about marriage and eternal progression, around which they would build, as well as suffer, the remainder of their lives. The decade of the Forties dawned for Orson in New York City. Two of the Twelve had already departed for England, while the Pratts awaited the arrival of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. The half-year wait came to an end in March 1840, as the apostles held conference at the Columbian Hall near the Bowery. They sang: "When shall we all meet again? When shall we our rest obtain? When our pilgrimage be o'er - Parting sighs be known no more? When Mount Zion we regain. 4 There may we all meet again. |
