Later Mexican Period
Pratt returned from South America to find Mexico caught up in another internal war, this time over the issue of separation of church and state. The Mexican government had decided to enforce the 1917 Constitution by prohibiting foreign-born ministers from holding authority in Mexico. Despite being prohibited from acting in an official capacity, Pratt continued to attend Church meetings in Mexico.
The final years of Pratt’s life were busy, and the constant traveling gradually wore him down. Just after the April 1931 General Conference, Pratt stayed in Salt Lake City to undergo a hernia operation. While recovering in the hospital, Pratt experienced complications. His condition quickly deteriorated, and he died on 14 April 1931. He left behind his wife and ten living children. On 17 April, hundreds of people filled the Salt Lake Assembly Hall at Temple Square for Pratt’s funeral. President Heber J. Grant and other General Authorities spoke at the service. They expressed regret that Pratt had not lived to see the Church grow large in Mexico.
Pratt was also responsible for translating many of the hymns of the church into Spanish. The only other person who did a considerable amount of this work was Eduardo Balderas.
Read more about this topic: Rey Pratt
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