I was surprised to see this Mormon Classic still in print. The Church of Jesu sChrist of Latter-day Saints was organized on 6 April 1830, so we are old enough to have theological classics, such as Mediation and Atonement, Jesus the Christ, and Articl... Read more

I was surprised to see this Mormon Classic still in print. The Church of Jesu sChrist of Latter-day Saints was organized on 6 April 1830, so we are old enough to have theological classics, such as Mediation and Atonement, Jesus the Christ, and Articles of Faith., which stand up to any sectarian Christian classic, such as Pilgrim's Progress, or Pensees. C. S. Lewis once observed that we need to read both old and new books, since the old books have stood the test of time, and that we should read an old book after reading a new one, just to keep our perspective clear. Key to the Science of Theology is a wonderful old book. This book is dynamite! This sweet poet has a mind as iron as his brother Orson had, but also had the advantage of being a better writer. Parley's prose is powerful! Savor the title of the book: Keys, Science, Theology. Don't these words electrify you? Don't you feel that there is a power out there that Elder Pratt has accessed, and now he is comparing notes with you? This book is a mini hurricane. He covers several topics, beginning with the Apostasy, then goes on to discuss the nature of God, and the creation, and the restoration. He has section 76, the Vision of the degrees of glory, complete in chapter 15. I think his most interesting chapters are the ones nearly off-center in the index, but not off-center in doctrine. Chapter 11 discusses the nature of miracles, which discusses the energizing effect of the Holy Ghost. Chapter 12 is a discussion of angels and spirits, most likely based on his missionary experiences recounted in his Autobiography. Chapter 13 surveys the history and the power of dreams. These three chapters are worth the price of the book. After the Lectures on Faith, this is really the second systematized book on general Latter-day theology. Therefore, it is of great historical value in seeing what the concerns of the post-Nauvoo Church were, and what issues people thought were important enough to write about. I'm not sure if this book is for members or non-members: the tone seems to indicate this as a type of missionary tract, but the subject matter definitely is not for a novice. But intellectual giants always have larger eyes and broader views. Thomas Aquinas saw his Summa Theologica, which covers 512 questions, 2669 articles, and 10,000 objections and replies and takes up 3000 pages, as being an introduction to Catholicism. This book is also a wonderful companion to his Autobiography, since you see how some of his doctrines are based in his life's experience. Parley P. Pratt was one of the central early LDS (Mormon) theologians. His writings on God, philosophy, and theology were some of the first published by any Mormon author. In this work, Pratt explores the 'Science' of Theology, and attempts to reconcile the idea and image of God with a 'pure' science (he argues that some scientific theories are not true--hence his name 'pure,' or true). He has some very interesting ideas about Divine authority (called the Priesthood), creation, dreams, miracles, and the like. It should be noted that this is a work specifically for an LDS audience, or at least an audience with a basic understanding of Mormon beliefs. This is not a basic summary of LDS doctrine, but rather a very philosophically-minded work with Mormonism at its core. It should also be noted that Pratt's views are not the 'official' Mormon stance, but rather his personal opinions. This is a great book, very thought provoking. I recommend it to anyone who would like to broaden his or her theological horizons. Parley Pratt writes passionately about his faith and the nature of God, Man and the Universe. Although written in the late 1800's, many of Pratt's explanations are well reasoned and still ring true today. Many of the analogies in this book are sure to keep your mind invigorated. I especially liked his explanation of Spirit matter having a much greater velocity and refinement than other invisible matter such as the air we breathe. It is sometimes easier to see the effects of things that move us rather than the substances themselves. A good read for anyone with an intelligent mind and hungry soul. Less