The Life of John Taylor, Third President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

LIBRARY Brigfaam Young University 28991 ixi^f- l^^v pHB LIFE OK- JOHN TAYLOR, Third president er The CHaRGH of JEsas ghrisT eF l2ArrER=DAY SAINrs. BY B. H. ROBERTS. as99r ^ The great man is he who chooses the right with invincible resolution. i * f Salt Lake City, Utah: GEORGE Q. CANNON & SONS CO., FUBLISHEBS. 1892. PREFACE. If the preface to a book be looked upon as the author's excuse for writing it, then this book should have no preface, for the author has no excuse to make. Justice to the character and labors of John Taylor demanded that his life be written. The annals of the Church could not be recorded without devoting large space to the part he took in her affairs ; but no notice of his life and labors, however extended in a general history, could do justice to his great career: for of course there is much in that career peculiar to himself, and of a character, too, to make it worthy of a separate volume. The author is of the opinion that John Taylor would have had a remarkable history even if Mormonism had not found him ; for he possessed those qualities of mind which would have made him a leader and a reformer among men. It is quite probable, too, that in the event of Mormonism not finding him, he would have won more of the honors and applause of men ; for while his connec- tion with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints threw him into prominence, the disrepute in which that Church is held brought reproach and odium upon him from the world. Had the courage and unselfish devotion which he brought to the support of Mor- monism been given to some reform movement less odious — IV PREFACE. in the estimation of mankind, his conduct would have called fort^ the highest encomiums from all men ; but as those virtues were displayed for the interest and advancement of Mormonism, the world either refused to recognize them at all, or accounted them fanaticism merely, for which no praise was due./ The praise of the world, however, is a small matter. It often praises those least worthy; it neglects or abuses those who are its chief benefactors. Our generation like many that have preceded it, garnishes the sepulchres of the ancient prophets, saying, " Had we lived in their day, we would not have persecuted and killed them." And yet with strange inconsistency they hunt to the death the living prophets whose memory future generations will honor. But the praise or censure of the world had little influence over the mind of John Taylor where truth was concerned. The more men despised it the more intense seemed his devotion. In that most beautiful of all his poems entitled "An Irishman's Address to his Mistress"—the poem is an allegory, the mistress is the Irish Catholic Church Thomas Moore represents the Irishman as saying that through grief and through danger the smile of his mistress had cheered his way, till hope seemed to spring" from thorns that roun,d him lay ; the darker their for- tunes, the brighter their pure love burned, until shame into glory and fear into zeal was turned. The mistress had a rival. That rival was honored, while the mistress was wronged and scorned ; her crown was of briars, while gold the rival's brows adorned. The rival wooed ! PREFACE. V Kim to temples, while the mistress lay hid in caves ; the former's friends were all masters, while the latter's, alas veêre all slaves. "Yet," said the faithful devotee, "cold irv the earth at thy feet I would rather be, than wed what I love not, or turn one thought from thee!" Such was the love of John Taylor for the Church of Christ to which he devoted his life. The author has but one reason to gfive for undertaking the pleasing task of writing this book—he loved the subject. To him John Taylor was the embodiment of those qualities of mind and heart which most become a man. He therefore applied to the family of the late President John Taylor—they being the parties most interested in such an undertaking—for the privilege of vcriting his history. They gave a ready assent, and the ycôrk was begun. Of the difficulties attending the pro- duction of this history I need not speak. They are such 3^ attend all similar undertakings. The journals of president Taylor were very incomplete, covering only fragments of his life at best ; but the chief events of his life were so closely interwoven with the history of the Church that his movements and labors could be followed til the Church publications ; so that I feel reasonably Certain that no important fact is omitted. To George J. Taylor—the eldest son of President Taylor— I am indebted for many valuable items of infor- mation ; and he has taken an abiding interest in the work [rom its commencement. At my request the first Presidency of the Church vi PREFACE. appointed a committee to read the manuscript and pass upon it critically in respect to its doctrinal and historical correctness. That committee was Elders John Jaques and L. John Nuttall, the former assistant Church histo- rian, the latter for a number of years secretary to Pres- ident Taylor. The position these brethren occupied made them intimately acquainted with the subject, and they were enabled to render me valuable assistance in my work, for which I am deeply grateful to them. The work is now presented to the public in the hope that it will meet with approval, and preserve to the present and future generations a true history of John Taylor, the third President of the Church of Jesus. Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Author. —— CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Page. ntroductory—Birth and Ancestry ly CHAPTER II. loyhood—Early Surroundings—Trade—Spiritual Manifesta- tions—A Storm at Sea ^'^ 23 CHAPTER III. Ltrival in Canada—Marriage—Leonora—A Message from Gpd Investigation—Embraces the Gospel 29 ix' CHAPTER IV. )rdination —Appointed to Preside—Visit to Kirtland—Meets ^ the Prophet—Defends Him—Arrival of an Imposter Exposed by the Prophet—Spread of the Work—A Prophecy and its Fulfillment—the Work Spreads into England ... 39 CHAPTER V. '- Lppointed to Collect Funds in Canada—Call to the Apostleshijr^ —Reflections—Prepares to Leave Canada for Missouri . 47 CHAPTER VI. ourney to Far West via Kirtland—State of Affairs at Kirtland Defiance to a Mob—Experience at De Witt—Missouri Per- secutions— Ordained an Apostle 51 CHAPTER VII. Vanished from Missouri—Returns to Fulfill a Prophecy—Starts on His Mission to England—Sickness^ by the Way—Arrival in New York - 65 CHAPTER VIIL T have Plenty of Money"—Amusing Conversation—Voyage to England—Appointed to Preach in Liverpool—People Pre- pared to Receive the Gospel—Begins Work—Baptisms . 72 ——— Vlll CONTENTS, m CHAPTER IX. Labors Continued in Liverpool—Manner of Meeting Opposi- tioi!Întroduction of the Gospel into Ireland—A Prophecy First Baptism—Visit to Scotland—Love of the Saints ... 80 CHAPTER X. Course of Lectures—Visit to the Isle of Man—Reflections—Lec- tures in Douglas—Opposition— Challenge—Discussions Success sh CHAPTER XI. , Return to Nauvoo—Sickness of Leonora—Saved by the Power of God—Founds "Nauvoo Neighbor" —Edits "Times and Seasons" —Nominates the Prophet for President—Reasons 1 Introduction of Celestial Marriage—His Coaduct in Regard ^ to it . ? 9^ CHAPTER XII. A Retrospect—A State's Crime—Trouble Brewing io6 CHAPTER XIII. An Important Year—Apostates—Agitation of the Mormon Ques- tion —The Nauvoo "Expositor" — Its Suppression—Effect of suppressio" —Governor Ford's Order—Nauvoo under Martial Law 114 CHAPTER XIV. Arrival of Governor Ford in Carthage—Mob Converted into Militia—Elder Taylor and Dr. Bernhisel go to Carthage Demands of Governor Ford—Pledges the Honor of the State for Joseph's Protection —Joseph Starts for the West Returns—Arrival and Reception at Carthage 122 CHAPTER XV. The Martyrdom 130 CHAPTER XVI. Flight of the Mob—Excitement of the Governor—Elder Tay- lor's Suffering—Hypocrisy— Still in Danger—T.he Return to Nauvoo—Gratitude— "With the Greatest of Prophets he Suffered and Bled" 142 <3 —— CONTENTS. IX CHAPTER XVII. Page. 'âs Governor Ford a Party to the Massacre?—Suspicious Cir- cumstances 151 CHAPTER XVIil. Management of Affairs in Nauvoo— Arrival of Sidney Rigdon Arrival of the Twelve—Rigdon Rejected as Leader—the Twelve Chosen—Prosperity—Ûnique Organization—Mob- bings—Agreement to Leave Nauvoo—Bold Speeches of Elder Taylor—" The Lord was with Me" 157, CHAPTER XIX. preparations for leaving Nauvoo—Labors in the Trmplg;:—Elder i^...^^ Taylor's Sacrifice—Journey Through the Wilderness—Arri- val at Council ^^lufTs—Helps to Raise the Mormon Battalion —"Who Cannot Trust the United States?" —Rumors of Trouble in England—Called to a Mission in England—The Departure 16; CHAPTER XX. The Unjust Stewards called to Account—Disposed of—Tour througl^. the Churches—Ovations—Articles for the Star Moderate Spirit of them—Work Accomplished—Start for Home—Storm Beaten—Return to Liverpool—Second Start Successful Voyage—Farewell from America—In the Nick of Time 177 CHAPTER XXI. Preparations for Journey into the Wilderness—The Outfit—The Rendezvous —Organization—Manner of Traveling—Meeting the Pioneers—A Sylvan Feast—Arrival in Salt Lake Valley —"Work enough for One Fall"—Social Feast—Character of Primitive Society 1S6 CHAPTER XXII. • Histake in Building—Scarcity of Provisions—Taxed—the Cricket War—Crops Saved— Harvest Feast—Deputation from the President of the United States—Elder Taylor Con- fers with it—Called to France—From Sawpit to Pulpit—The Life of an Apostle ...

Load more