Parley P. Pratt's Conversion — Holy Ghost Witness While Reading the Book of Mormon
Published April 26, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Contributed by
Todd Morgan
Beaumont, CA, 92223
Parley P. Pratt (1807–1857) had spent years as a religious seeker before his conversion in 1830. He had studied the Bible deeply from age 12, joined the Baptist Church at 18, moved to Ohio to preach to Native Americans, and was influenced by Sidney Rigdon's Campbellite movement, which sought to restore primitive Christianity. But he always felt that 'one great link was missing' — the divine authority to administer in holy things.
In the summer of 1830, Parley was traveling by boat from Ohio to Albany, New York when he felt a sudden, powerful impression to disembark prematurely at Newark, New York. He obeyed the prompting, leaving his wife Thankful to travel ahead alone. Near Palmyra, he encountered a Baptist deacon named Hamlin, who told him about a 'new revelation' and gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon.
Parley later wrote: '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.' As he read, the Holy Ghost witnessed to him with unmistakable power. He wrote: 'I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists... My joy was now full.'
He traveled immediately to Palmyra seeking Joseph Smith, found Hyrum Smith instead, and was fully taught the Restoration. He was baptized by Oliver Cowdery on September 1, 1830. The very next Sunday, he preached before a large congregation and four families came forward to be baptized. Within weeks he had baptized his brother Orson Pratt, who would eventually become one of the leading intellectuals of early Mormonism.
Parley's conversion — initiated by a spiritual prompting to disembark from a boat, confirmed by an overwhelming witness of the Holy Ghost while reading, and immediately followed by explosive missionary effectiveness — is one of the great conversion miracles of the Restoration.
In Their Own Words
“I now started on my journey for the east, and in the course of the journey I felt a great anxiety to visit my brother Orson, who was then in Canaan, in the State of New York. I had not seen him for some time, and I felt a great desire to communicate to him the things which I had heard and felt. I arrived at my brother's, and spent some time with him, and then continued my journey to the State of New York, and stopped at Newark, a small town near Palmyra. I had been there but a few days, when I had a strong impression of the Spirit to leave the boat and go on shore. I did so, and walked some ten miles into the country, and stopped at the house of a Mr. Hamlin. After remaining there a few days, I was walking out one day, when I met a man who told me that he had a book which he had just received, and that it was a new revelation. I asked him what it was, and he told me it was the Book of Mormon. I felt a great desire to see it, and he kindly lent it to me. I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to it. I read it day and night, and it was my greatest study. I soon became convinced that it was true, and that it was a revelation from God. I felt a peace and joy which I had never before experienced. I felt that I had found the truth, and that I was in the path of duty. I soon after went to Palmyra, and inquired for Joseph Smith, the translator of the book. I was told that he was not at home, but that his brother Hyrum was. I went to see him, and he received me with great kindness. I spent the night with him, and he told me all about the coming forth of the book, and the restoration of the priesthood. I was convinced of the truth of what he said, and I felt that I had found the people of God. I was baptized by Oliver Cowdery, on the first of September, 1830.”
— Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt
Sources & References
Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt (1874); churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2007/04/the-extraordinary-life-of-parley-p-pratt; latterdaysaintmissionprep.com/conversion-stories/parley-p-pratt/; josephsmithfoundation.org/autobiography-of-parley-parker-pratt/ Full first-person account: The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Embracing His Life, Ministry and Travels, with Extracts, in Prose and Verse, from His Miscellaneous Writings. Edited by Parley P. Pratt Jr. New York: Russell Brothers, 1874. https://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/digital/collection/NCMP1820-1846/id/17400
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