In today's world, when leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints interact with world leaders, it is traditionally a pleasant and cordial experience. However, in the nineteenth century, this was not always the case. 

The following letter was written by Elder Parley P. Pratt while on his first mission to Great Britain, and presented as a message to Queen Victoria. It was later printed in pamphlet form, as well as in The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star and Monthly Visitor, a short-lived church publication in Madras, India. It was republished in The Improvement Era shortly after the queen's death in 1901. 

In this episode of the Rare Possessions Podcast, host Nick Galieti and BMC archivist Jared Riddick discuss this fascinating piece of Church History. Following this discussion, Nick Galieti narrates the letter. We take great pleasure in presenting the rare document to our listeners and readers, and are sure they will enjoy it. 

Elder Pratt's presentation of the gospel to his royal reader is fascinating, beginning with biblical prophecy and the signs of the times, to their fulfillment in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in the latter days. He balances between boldness and overbearance in his call for the monarch to repent. 

Listen here via SoundCloud, or with iTunes, Google Play, or Stitcher. If you would like to read the statement, check it out on our Archive.