| Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database

Mormon Literature & Creative Arts

  • Home
  • Browse Works
  • Browse People
  • Contribute
  • About

Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith

John Henry Smith

Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1990

  • John Henry Smith: Author
  • Jean Bickmore White: Editor
Diary / Journal
John Henry Smith (1848-1911) served as a Mormon apostle for thirty years--1880 to 1910--and a counselor in the First Presidency until his death the next year. In addition to religious obligations, he was a major stockholder and officer of several prominent businesses--everything from U & I Sugar to the Co-op Wagon and Machinery Company, as well as the Saltair Beach and Salt Lake Theater Company. Politically he helped found Utah's Republican Party. Following his controversial election to the state constitutional convention, which was accomplished through the help of zealous supporters who stuffed ballot boxes, he served as president of the convention. Although a polygamist, he testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, where he equivocated on the question of post-1890 polygamy. Loyal yet independent, Smith's comments on the inner workings of the LDS hierarchy are especially candid. "I was somewhat surprised to see the president attempt to bull down the council after giving them liberty to speak," he recorded, "but he will find such talk will never hold the present council in awe." He also documents the excommunication of Apostle Albert Carrington for adultery, the release of Apostle Moses Thatcher for political differences and for morphine addiction, and the excommunication of Apostle John W. Taylor and suspension of Apostle Matthias Cowley for unsanctioned polygamy. He relates how church ownership of Zion's Savings Bank led to interest-free loans and deferred payments for high-ranking church leaders to prevent financial embarrassment for themselves and the church.
Best Documentary Book Award, Mormon History Association
  • More information and excerpt at publisher website
BX 8670.1 .Sm558s 1990

Related Works

Relationship Work Contributors Genre
Published in Significant Mormon Diaries, volume 4 Diary / Journal
Reviewed in [Review of] Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, edited by Jean Bickmore White Paul H. Peterson Review
Copyright © 2023 Brigham Young University. All rights reserved.