Oct 13, 2026 · 5 hr 14 min · 53 segments
"Key to the Science of Theology (Version 2)" by Parley Pratt delves into the foundational principles of theology, offering insights that remain relevant in contemporary discussions about faith and…
Read by James Bleckley Chapter 1 Theology, Its Definition, Historical Illustrations eternal science who would fathom thee must launch his bark upon a shoreless sea thy knowledge yet shall overwhelm the earth thy truth to immortality to give birth thy dawn shall kindle to eternal day and man immortal still shall own thy sway First, theology is the science of communication, or of correspondence between God, angels, spirits, and men, by means of visions, dreams, interpretations, conversations, inspiration, or the spirit of prophecy and revelation.
Second, it is the science by which worlds are organized, sustained, and directed, and the elements controlled.
Third, Fourth, Fifth, It is the science of faith, reformation, and remission of sins, whereby a fallen race of mortals may be justified, cleansed, and restored to the communion and fellowship of that Holy Spirit which is the light of the world, and of every intelligence therein.
Sixth, it is the science of spiritual gifts, by which the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the sick are healed, and demons are expelled from the human system.
seventh it is the science of all other sciences and useful arts being in fact the very foundation from which they emanate it includes philosophy astronomy history mathematics geography languages the science of letters and blends the knowledge of all matters of fact in every branch of art or of research It includes also all of the scientific discoveries and inventions, agriculture, the mechanical arts, architecture, shipbuilding, the properties and applications of the mariner's compass, navigation, and music.
All that is useful, great, and good, all that is calculated to sustain, comfort, instruct, edify, purify, refine, or exalt intelligences originated by this science— and this science alone all other sciences being but branches growing out of this root some of the facts stated in the foregoing are beautifully illustrated in theological history of which the following is an imperfect summary god spake and the worlds were framed by his word he spake darkness dispersed and light prevailed He commanded, and the elements, water and earth, separated and assumed their proper bounds.
He commanded, and the earth brought forth vegetable and animal life in countless variety.
He commanded, and man, male and female, took upon them a tabernacle of flesh and prepared to multiply and perpetuate their species in the new creation.
He made coats of skins, hence the tailor's art.
The Lord God commanded and gave pattern for Noah's ark, thus introducing the art of shipbuilding.
He revealed the patterns for the tabernacle in the wilderness, with all its arrangements and furniture, and afterward developed the entire plan and all the designs of that most stupendous of all works of art, the great temple of Solomon, with all its furniture, thus developing and improving the art of architecture.
The Lord God wrote with his own finger on the tables of stone on Mount Sinai, thus showing that the science of letters was cultivated and used by the highest intelligence of the eternal heavens.
Thus theology includes the surveyor's art and the planning of cities as well as temples, and shows that these arts are cultivated in heaven, and that the very highest intelligence of the heaven of heavens stoops or condescends to grace these arts by his own particular attention and example.
In the revelation of John the Apostle on the Isle of Patmos, we have a specimen, a masterpiece, a climax of all that is great and grand in design and splendid and glorious in execution.
In cities, thrones, palaces, streets, pavements, outgrounds, gates, walks, squares, fountains, rivulets, gardens, fruits groves specimens of dress poetry song music marriage bridal dress feasting books literature public worship prophesying prayer and praise as existing in and around the palaces of the new jerusalem the capital of heaven the seat of government of the eternal king the very gates of the city are numbered and named together with the particular names of the precious stones forming the foundations thereof the gold which composed the pavement of the streets all are portrayed in the description what is still more marvelous all this surpassing grandeur of design and stupendous wisdom in display and execution were explored comprehended and described by a poor illiterate fisherman by the aid of the science and arts of theology having reviewed some of the works of the great head the president or first teacher in the school of theology we will still continue the historic illustrations of this wonderful science as developed and exemplified by the most eminent students and professors of the same by this science adam obtained from his father the promise of the eternal dominion over the planet on which he was placed by this science enoch overcame death and ascended to a higher sphere of immortality and eternal life without even being separated from his fleshly tabernacle By this science, Noah foretold the flood, prepared to meet the event, and with his family survived the same, and became the greatest landed proprietor since Adam.
By the perversion and unlawful use of this science, King Nimrod built the stupendous Tower of Babel, but was frustrated, and his works were destroyed before their completion.
By this science various tongues and languages were instituted, and colonies, the germs of nations, planted beyond the seas and in all of the earth.
By this science Abraham escaped the idolatry and priestcraft of the Egyptians and of the world around him, obtained a good land secured to him and his seed by an immutable oath, covenant, and an everlasting, unchangeable title.
By this science he conversed with angels, and was favored with a personal interview with the great head and founder of the science, who became his guest, and after eating and drinking with him, blessed him and his wife, promised them an heir in their old age, and finally, on parting, told him his design on Sodom and its neighborhood.
By this science Lot escaped the flames of Sodom, the knowledge being communicated by two angels.
Read by James Bleckley Chapter 1 Theology, Its Definition, Historical Illustrations eternal science who would fathom thee must launch his bark upon a shoreless sea thy knowledge yet shall overwhelm the earth thy truth to immortality to give birth thy dawn shall kindle to eternal day and man immortal still shall own thy sway First, theology is the science of communication, or of correspondence between God, angels, spirits, and men, by means of visions, dreams, interpretations, conversations, inspiration, or the spirit of prophecy and revelation.
Second, it is the science by which worlds are organized, sustained, and directed, and the elements controlled.
Third, Fourth, Fifth, It is the science of faith, reformation, and remission of sins, whereby a fallen race of mortals may be justified, cleansed, and restored to the communion and fellowship of that Holy Spirit which is the light of the world, and of every intelligence therein.
Sixth, it is the science of spiritual gifts, by which the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the sick are healed, and demons are expelled from the human system.
seventh it is the science of all other sciences and useful arts being in fact the very foundation from which they emanate it includes philosophy astronomy history mathematics geography languages the science of letters and blends the knowledge of all matters of fact in every branch of art or of research It includes also all of the scientific discoveries and inventions, agriculture, the mechanical arts, architecture, shipbuilding, the properties and applications of the mariner's compass, navigation, and music.
All that is useful, great, and good, all that is calculated to sustain, comfort, instruct, edify, purify, refine, or exalt intelligences originated by this science— and this science alone all other sciences being but branches growing out of this root some of the facts stated in the foregoing are beautifully illustrated in theological history of which the following is an imperfect summary god spake and the worlds were framed by his word he spake darkness dispersed and light prevailed He commanded, and the elements, water and earth, separated and assumed their proper bounds.
He commanded, and the earth brought forth vegetable and animal life in countless variety.
He commanded, and man, male and female, took upon them a tabernacle of flesh and prepared to multiply and perpetuate their species in the new creation.
He made coats of skins, hence the tailor's art.
The Lord God commanded and gave pattern for Noah's ark, thus introducing the art of shipbuilding.
He revealed the patterns for the tabernacle in the wilderness, with all its arrangements and furniture, and afterward developed the entire plan and all the designs of that most stupendous of all works of art, the great temple of Solomon, with all its furniture, thus developing and improving the art of architecture.
The Lord God wrote with his own finger on the tables of stone on Mount Sinai, thus showing that the science of letters was cultivated and used by the highest intelligence of the eternal heavens.
Thus theology includes the surveyor's art and the planning of cities as well as temples, and shows that these arts are cultivated in heaven, and that the very highest intelligence of the heaven of heavens stoops or condescends to grace these arts by his own particular attention and example.
In the revelation of John the Apostle on the Isle of Patmos, we have a specimen, a masterpiece, a climax of all that is great and grand in design and splendid and glorious in execution.
In cities, thrones, palaces, streets, pavements, outgrounds, gates, walks, squares, fountains, rivulets, gardens, fruits groves specimens of dress poetry song music marriage bridal dress feasting books literature public worship prophesying prayer and praise as existing in and around the palaces of the new jerusalem the capital of heaven the seat of government of the eternal king the very gates of the city are numbered and named together with the particular names of the precious stones forming the foundations thereof the gold which composed the pavement of the streets all are portrayed in the description what is still more marvelous all this surpassing grandeur of design and stupendous wisdom in display and execution were explored comprehended and described by a poor illiterate fisherman by the aid of the science and arts of theology having reviewed some of the works of the great head the president or first teacher in the school of theology we will still continue the historic illustrations of this wonderful science as developed and exemplified by the most eminent students and professors of the same by this science adam obtained from his father the promise of the eternal dominion over the planet on which he was placed by this science enoch overcame death and ascended to a higher sphere of immortality and eternal life without even being separated from his fleshly tabernacle By this science, Noah foretold the flood, prepared to meet the event, and with his family survived the same, and became the greatest landed proprietor since Adam.
By the perversion and unlawful use of this science, King Nimrod built the stupendous Tower of Babel, but was frustrated, and his works were destroyed before their completion.
By this science various tongues and languages were instituted, and colonies, the germs of nations, planted beyond the seas and in all of the earth.
By this science Abraham escaped the idolatry and priestcraft of the Egyptians and of the world around him, obtained a good land secured to him and his seed by an immutable oath, covenant, and an everlasting, unchangeable title.
By this science he conversed with angels, and was favored with a personal interview with the great head and founder of the science, who became his guest, and after eating and drinking with him, blessed him and his wife, promised them an heir in their old age, and finally, on parting, told him his design on Sodom and its neighborhood.
By this science Lot escaped the flames of Sodom, the knowledge being communicated by two angels.
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