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Show Page 117 conference the revelation which commanded the building of the temple. 33 In June, he gave a speech in funeral of William Smith's wife, once again on the role of the first parents and the cause of "misery and death (in) this fair creation." He was careful about speculation: "Some have imbibed the idea that the fruit of the tree which Adam was commanded not to eat, contained the properties of death, which, when eaten by Adam, diffused through his system the nature of mortality. This may be the case, and it may not; I do not pretend to say at present." 34 Also in this sermon Orson defined once again the destiny of the Saints who "have been ordained thereto in this life...What is it to be kings and priests? It is to have honor, authority, and dominion, having kingdoms to preside over, and subjects to govern, and possessing the ability ever to increase their authority and glory, and extend their dominion." Orson's rhetorical abilities were greatly respected in Nauvoo; Brigham Young engaged him to write, as well, and he helped revise the history of the Church dictated by Joseph Smith before his death. Orson also assisted a Danish convert, Peter 0. Hanson, in translating the new scriptures into that tongue - presumably the assignment involved adapting the texts and clarifying for Hanson the peculiarities of the archaic English of the two books. And in July, an article in the New York Sun by correspondent William W. Phelps, which described the Nauvoo situation, applied the epithet "Gauge of Philosophy" to Orson Pratt: "The spiritual concerns of the Mormons are governed by a Council of Twelve, composed of the following... Brigham Young - 'The Lion of the Lord,' Heber C. Kimball - 'The Herald of Grace,' Parley P. Pratt - 'The Archer of Paradise,'...Orson Pratt - 'The Gauge of Philosophy'...." 35 |
