A Voice of Warning
By Parley P. Pratt
Synopsis: The 1979 Classics in Mormon Literature edition of this book that I read is a collection of two notable written works by Parley P. Pratt— The Key to the Science of Theology and A Voice of Warning together. First published in 1837, A Voice of Warning was an early and powerfully effective missionary booklet to the public, much like a very long pamphlet. It examines the deficient state of Christianity as it then existed, showing how it falls short of the doctrine and promises found in the scriptures, and how the various sects of Christendom could not possibly be the Kingdom of God as described in Holy Writ. Then it introduces the new revelation from heaven, namely the Book of Mormon, including a synopsis of its contents, Joseph Smith’s experience receiving it, impending judgments awaiting the world, and the future destiny of mankind and the earth now that the Kingdom of God has been restored.
Strong Points: The book gives a heavy emphasis on the literal interpretation and fulfillment of scripture, showing that doing otherwise is entirely inconsistent. This was important to the message of the Restored Gospel then, and it is still so today. Honest seekers after truth who might otherwise be susceptible to the deceptions of liberal Mormons would benefit from the logic laid out in this book. Throughout the book there are deep and interesting insights into scripture. For instance, Elder Pratt demonstrates how the story of Cornelius in the New Testament demonstrates how saved by faith alone doctrine is not scriptural (p. 49). The book therefore has a multi-pronged approach against various types of error, and stands as a bright witness for the truth of the scriptures, emboldening its readers to take them seriously. Throughout the book are great exegeses of Biblical scripture that highlight how the Restoration has been foretold and promised in Holy Writ. The book is a very good logical approach to convincing someone who takes the Bible seriously that the Kingdom of God has been restored by Joseph Smith the Prophet.
Weak Points: The Key to the Science of Theology was, for some inexplicable reason, placed by the publishers as first in the book, before the earlier A Voice of Warning. Why? It makes no logical sense to put them in backwards chronological order, especially when Key to the Science of Theology builds upon the principles enunciated in A Voice of Warning. No explanation was given by the publishers as to the reasons behind their unusual choice. In fact, the publisher’s preface was unattributed and cut off abruptly in mid-sentence! As to the text itself, Elder Pratt’s writing style was a little wordy, and not altogether comfortable or easy for the reader. The book was very scripturally-based, but many scriptures were paraphrased without giving a citation or reference. I feel like, particularly in a special collection edition, that the text could have been richly footnoted with abundant scriptural references.
Interesting: 4/5
Must Read: 4.7/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Pages: 127
Selected Quote: “Now, if any nation, in any age of the world or in any part of the earth, should happen to live up to their privilege, what would they obtain? I answer revelation, for the best of reasons: because no people ever found God in any other way, nor ever will. Therefore, if they found God, they found him by revelation, direct from himself, he revealing his will to them; and if they did not find him in this way, they never knew him. And if they did obtain revelation, it was their privilege to write it, make a record of the same, and teach it to their children; and this record would be sacred because it would contain the word of God; and thus it would be a Holy Bible, no matter whether it was written by the Jews, the Ten Tribes, the Nephites, or the Gentiles. I would just as soon have the gospel written by Nephi, Mormon, Moroni, or Alma, as the gospel written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Again, I would just as soon believe a revelation given in America as believe a revelation given in Asia; for if ever a nation failed to get a revelation, it was because they did not attain unto that which was their privilege.” (p. 110-111).
“The principle condemnation, in all ages of the world, is no other than rejecting the very message God sends to them, while they pretend to cleave closely to that which he has sent in former ages.” (p. 114).