Disciple is defined in
as a follower of Christ. In the past we have had many examples of great
Disciples of Christ. The scriptures are examples of disciples God has given us,
examples to look towards and learn from. Fortunately for us, we have been given
many great examples, especially in these latter days.
Parley P. Pratt was born in Burlington, New York on April
12, 1807 and eventually died on May 13, 1857. He led a virtuous life; Parley P.
Pratt was a true Disciple of Christ to the end of his days. During the course
of his life, Parley was taken across the Atlantic Ocean six times on missions
to England, as well as leaving his hometown and traveling even to Southern
America to preach the Gospel. Parley believed that the Gospel had changed him
and created him into the man he was over his past experiences.
Ever from Parley’s childhood, he was a religious person.
He lived a life similar to that of Joseph Smith’s. From age 12, Parley started
an extensive study of the bible and of religion. His parents were religious,
but didn’t claim any religion in particular. Parley with his family visited
several denominations in an attempt to satisfy their curiosity and thirst for
religion. Young Parley eventually claimed the Baptist faith, but claimed to
never be fully satisfied.
Parley traveled the United States, being guided
unknowingly by the Holy Spirit of God. He met Sidney Rigdon, while Sidney was a
preacher for a Cambellite movement, but was still not satisfied that Sidney had
the authoritative power of God. Parley continued to travel, guided by the
impulses of the Holy Ghost where he eventually found a Book of Mormon and found
what he thirsted for spiritually. Parley even said while reading the Book of
Mormon that, “I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food;
sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.”
Parley had found what he was looking for. He then searched fervently for Joseph
Smith, the man who translated the Book of Mormon, the man who had received the
authority of God. From the moment of his conversion, Parley became a tireless
missionary, preaching to all he could find and all that would hear his voice.
Parley suffered many different temptations and
difficulties that we as men will never be able to fully understand and we are
not in any position to judge him for the decisions he made, for he was claimed
to be a devil and deceiver by some. But at the end of his life he maintained
strong to the Gospel and he continued following the promptings of the Spirit. I
believe that Parley is a great example of how we should search diligently the
companionship of the Holy Ghost, and after that companionship has been
acquired, we have to maintain it and act upon the promptings we hear. Parley
was a great example of how we need to be willing to sell all we have and travel
the world in search for that which the Spirit whispers to our hearts. I believe
if we were to do so that the world would be a better place.
Works
cited
“The Extraordinary
Life of Parley P. Pratt,” BY MATTHEW J. GROW
“Disciple,” Dictionary.com
“Parley P. Pratt,” Wikipedia.com
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