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John Taylor

Image of John Taylor
John Taylor was the third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He emigrated to the United States in 1828 or 1829. A fervent Methodist, Taylor heard of Mormonism from Parley P. Pratt and he and a number of his friends were baptized in 1836. Ordained an apostle in 1838, he fulfilled a mission in England then returned to edit the Times and Seasons and the Nauvoo Neighbor. A staunch defender of Joseph Smith, Taylor was with the Smiths at the time of their deaths in Carthage Jail. It was Taylor who sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" at the request of Hyrum Smith, moments before the mob arrived. After fulfilling missions in England, France, Germany, and other European countries, Taylor became active in the territorial legislature. He presided over the Church in the eastern states, where he published The Mormon, a newspaper advocating the Mormon cause against a hostile government. After the death of Brigham Young, this poet and hymnist became the third president of the Church, presiding from 1880 until his death in 1887, at which time he was a fugitive from government officials who desired to bring him to trial for his violation of the Edmunds-Tucker Act.
Taylor, Elder John; Taylor, President John
LDS
LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
1808-11-01
Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England
1887-07-25
British Isles (1838-1841), President of the Eastern States Mission, President of the France Mission
Apprenticeship to a cooper and later received training as a woodturner and cabinetmaker
Associate editor of the Times and Seasons, Associate judge, Speaker of the House, Probate judge, Superintendent of schools
Male
Author, Translator
English

25 Works by John Taylor

Title Role Year Genre
The Upper California, O! That's the Land for Me Author Poetry
Mediation and Atonement Author
Das Buch Mormon Translator 1852 Scripture
Elder John Taylor's Mission to Europe in 1849-1852 Author Personal Essay
Motives and Feelings of the Saints—Experience Necessary the State of the World—Infidels—Religions and Works of Men, and the Religion and Works of God—Truth and Salvation Author Personal Essay
Legitimacy and Illegitimacy Author Personal Essay
Men Eternal Beings—Darkness, Ignorance, and Weakness of the World—Privileges of the Saints Author Personal Essay
[Opening Remarks] Author Personal Essay
[Untitled Address] Author Personal Essay
[Closing Remarks] Author Personal Essay
[Untitled Address] Author Personal Essay
[Untitled Address] Author Personal Essay
Go, Ye Messengers of Glory Author Music Lyrics
Man Author Personal Essay
The Kingdom of God or Nothing Author Personal Essay
Blessings of the Saints--Hindrances to Progress--Object and Benefit of Trials--Acknowledgment of God's Hand, Spirit, and Priesthood, etc. Author Personal Essay
The Gospel Author Personal Essay
The Holy Spirit—the Knowledge Brought By Obedience to the Gospel—the Labors of the Elders Author Personal Essay
The Unchangeableness of the Gospel—the Triumph of Truth Author Personal Essay
Revelation—Persecution—His Testimony and Feelings Author Personal Essay
Our Religion From God not Man—Enter not Into Temptation—No Covenants to Forsake Author Personal Essay
Truth—Freedom—the Gospel versus Modern Christianity Author Personal Essay
Continued Revelation Author Personal Essay
Four Revelations Author 1934 Poetry
The John Taylor Nauvoo Journal Author Diary / Journal
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