Divine Authority; Or, The Question: Was Joseph Smith Sent of God?

Written four years after Joseph Smith's assassination, this passionate defense comes from one of the original Twelve Apostles who knew the prophet personally. Orson Pratt constructs a meticulous theological argument for Smith's divine calling, beginning with a devastating critique: the existing Christian denominations, he contends, possess no valid apostolic authority. Pratt then builds his affirmative case through the physical evidence of the Book of Mormon's translation, the heavenly messengers who restored priesthood power, and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies concerning Israel's gathering. The result is both a sermon and a courtroom brief, delivered by a man who watched Smith receive revelation and who believed absolutely in the restoration of primitive Christianity. For readers interested in American religious history, this 1848 text offers a window into how early Mormons articulated their faith under siege, constructing an intellectual foundation for a movement that would reshape the American religious landscape.