The Essential Orson Pratt
The Seer, Vol.1, No.7, p.102-p.103
p.284
Secondly. Whence originated these capacities? When we speak of
capacities we mean the original elementary capacities of the mind. We are
well aware that metaphysicians consider many of the qualities named to be of
a secondary or compound nature, growing out of the combinations of qualities
still more original. All this we are willing to admit; but these secondary
qualities, if analyzed, will be found in all instances to be the result of
the combination of simple, elementary, original capacities. The question is,
whence originated these elementary qualities of the mind? We answer, they
are eternal. The capacities of all spiritual substance are eternal as the
substance to which they belong. There is no substance in the universe which
feels and thinks now, but what has eternally possessed that capacity. These
capacities may be suspended for a season, but never can be annihilated. A
substance which has not these capacities now, must eternally remain without
them. The amount of matter in space can never be increased nor diminished,
neither can there be a new elementary capacity added to this matter. For the
arguments sustaining the eternity of matter and its capacities, see our
treatise, referred to in the preceding paragraph. Admitting the eternity of
the capacities, then the materials of which our spirits are composed, must
have been capable of thinking, moving, willing, &c., before they were
organized in the womb of the celestial female. Preceding that period there
was an endless duration, and each particle of our spirits had an eternal
existence, and was in possession of eternal capacities. Now can it be
supposed, for one moment, that these particles were inactive and dormant
from all eternity until they received their organization in the form of the
infant spirit? Can we suppose that particles, possessed of the power to move
themselves, would not have exerted that power, during the endless duration
preceding their organization? If they were once organized in the vegetable
kingdom, and then disorganized by becoming the food of celestial animals,
and then again re-organized in the form of the spirits of animals which is a
higher sphere of being, then, is it unreasonable to suppose that the seine
particles have, from all eternity, been passing through an endless chain of
unions and disunions, organizations and disorganizations, until at length
they are permitted to enter into the highest and most exalted sphere of
organization in the image and likeness of God? A transmigration of the same
particles of spirits from a lower to a higher organization, is demonstrated
from the fact that the same particles exist in a diffused scattered state,
mingled with other matter; next, they exist in a united form, growing out of
the earth in the shape of grass, herbs, and trees; and after this, these
vegetables become food for celestial animals, and these same particles are
organized into their offspring, and thus form the spirits of animals. Here,
then, is apparently a transmigration of the same particles of spirit from an
inferior to a superior organization, wherein their condition is improved,
and their sphere of action enlarged. Who shall set any bounds to this upward
tendency of spirit? Who shall prescribe limits to its progression? If it
abide the laws and conditions of its several states of existence, who shall
say that it will not progress until it shall gain the very summit of
perfection, and exist in all the glorious beauty of the image of God?
Who shall set any bounds to this upward tendency of spirit? Who shall prescribe limits to its progression?
Good question, elder pratt. Perhaps this will answer the question, though not entirely related to the same subject matter…but nevertheless somewhat instructive of his view:
“but when they (the Saints) became one with the Father and the Son, and receive a fulness of their glory, that will be the end of all progress and knowlege, because there will be nothing more to be learned.” – Orson pratt, Seer 117, millenial star 27:660 (1854).
brigham young contrasted that statement, by saying: “…there never will be a time to all eternity when all the Gods of eternity will cease advancing in power, knowledge, experience & glory” (1854).
Tom, according to my understanding of the gospel, Orson was wrong in that statement. brigham got it right.
ANarchist, with this I agree. Orson had a brilliant mind for sure, one of the best. Though as brigham pointed out, he regularly out-thought himself. Intriguingly, on the idea Tom brought up and other ideas that Orson disagreed with Brigham on, our Mainstream views now mimic orson’s! Though they obviously lack the depth Orson shows in this quote.
not that I agree with Orson, but this quote is an interesting thought.
I agree, LDSAnarchist and dan, though I admit we (as a body) seem to assume that God has reached his full potential in one way or another. at least we’ve been taught that throughout primary and Sunday school classes.
when I read Brigham’s thoughts, as well as many others from the original days of the church, it seems clear that Orson’s (at least among the published accounts I’ve thus far read) was the exception and not the rule. Today, as Dan mentioned, Brigham’s is the exception and Orson’s has become the rule.
One thing I do like about Orson is his thoughts are deep and profound. he’s not prone to cursory glibs and cliches and platitudes (pick up any book from Deseret book and that’s what we’ll find), his opinions certainly stretched the intellect. Though, to be fair, I think that was much more common of his day. Today, thanks to the myriad distractions we face, our society has become one prone to shallow thoughts, insights and experiences. we’re afraid to think big and deep and profound (at least in the church) because of the all too common oppression of thought and the quick labeling of anything non-mainstream as apostate. original thinkers are ushered out, while platitudes and cliches are ushered in.