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Taylor, John, 1808-1887

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1808 - 1887

Biographical History

John Taylor (1808-1887) was the third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

John Taylor was born November 1, 1808 in Milnthorpe, England to James Taylor and Agnes Taylor. John immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1832, where he met and married Leonora Cannon on January 28, 1833. On May 9, 1836 he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt and 2 short years later joined the saints in Far West, Missouri. That year, on December 19, 1838 in Far West, John Taylor was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball. John served a proselytizing mission to the British Isles from 1839–1841 and then again from 1846–1847. He worked to translate the Book of Mormon into French and German. Following death of Brigham Young, he presided over the church from 1877 to 1887 and was ordained president of church on October 10, 1880. He served in that position until his death on July 25, 1887 in Kaysville, Utah Territory. He was buried in Salt Lake City.

Citation:
Rasmussen, D.M. The illustrated story of President John Taylor, c1982 (1983 printing): p. 6, etc. (b. 11-1-1808; d. 7-25-1887; third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1992: p.1648(Taylor, John b.Nov 1, 1808, Milnthorpe, England; d. July 25, 1887, Kaysville, Utah; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Oct. 10, 1880-July 25, 1887; made an Apostle Dec. 19, 1838; occupation: farmer) p.1438-1439 (migrates with parents from England to Canada in 1832; baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1836; moves to Far West, Missouri 1838; misison to British Isles 1839; Nauvoo City Councilman; Nauvoo Legion; newspaper editor of Times and Seasons (1842-1846) and the Nauvoo Neighbor (1843-1846); pioneer-arrived Salt Lake Valley 1847; Utah territorial legislature, 1853-1876; Probate judge Utah County, 1868-1870; Territorial superintendent of schools, 1876; preside over missionary work in Fance and Germany, 1849; author; founded Deseret Manufacturing Company while in Europe)

Joseph Smith Papers, via WWW, March 21, 2018 (1 Nov. 1808–25 July 1887; Preacher, editor, publisher, politician; Born at Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England; Son of James Taylor and Agnes Taylor; Migrated from England to Upper Canada, 1832; Married Leonora Cannon, 28 Jan. 1833, at York; Baptized into LDS church by Parley P. Pratt, 9 May 1836; Moved to Kirtland Ohio; Moved to Far West, Missouri, 1838; Ordained member of Quorum of the Twelve by Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball, 19 Dec. 1838, at Far West; Served mission to England, 1839–1841, 1846–1847; worked on translations of the Book of Mormon into French and German; Following death of Brigham Young, presided over church from 1877 to 1887; Ordained president of church, 10 Oct. 1880; Died at Kaysville, Davis Co., Utah Territory; Buried in Salt Lake City)

Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:

John Taylor certificates of copyright

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232489127]
Identifier: MSS 889
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of printed certificates with handwritten additions. The materials were from the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress. The items were sent to John Taylor (1808-1887), third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, granting him copyrights for two books. These items were entitled: "History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" and "Biography of Joseph Smith, American Prophet."

Dates: 1883

Church business card

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230339894]
Identifier: MSS 63
Abstract

The folder contains a printed and signed business card from 1884. The item authorizes the transmission of messages relating to the business of the Mormon Church. The item was signed by John Taylor, third president of the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1884

Leonora Harrington invitation

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230310960]
Identifier: MSS SC 1265
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of invitation addressed to Leonora Harrington to celebrate the eighty-second anniversary of birthday of John Taylor (1808-1887). The celebration was to be held 1 November 1890 at the old Homestead.

Dates: 1890

Revelation given through John Taylor

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230315316]
Identifier: MSS SC 1801
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten revelation by John Taylor regarding George Teasdale and Heber J. Grant filling vacancies in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church.

Dates: 1882

Katharine Smith Salisbury correspondence

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230321272]
Identifier: MSS SC 2287
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten letters and typed copies of correspondence. Salisbury writes to the Mormon Church leaders Brigham Young (1801-1877), Orson Pratt (1811-1881), and John Taylor (1808-1887) requesting funds. One letter in the collection is from Brigham Young. Two of the items were written by Salisbury to her "Dear Sister" (probably her sister-in-law, Samantha) in 1853 and 1854 lamenting the death of a family member, "Jenkins."

Dates: 1853-1879

Utah court summons

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230318393]
Identifier: MSS SC 1979
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of a handwritten summons. The item calls John Taylor (1808-1887), president of the Mormon church, and all the apostles of that church to appear in court on 15 Sept. 1887 to answer a complaint.

Dates: 1887

John Taylor letter

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS SC 2100
Scope and Contents

Handwritten letter addressed to Judge Elias Smith dated 14 March 1874 and signed by John Taylor. Taylor informs Smith of money owed him (Taylor) and others by the Caroline H. Debrowske estate.

Dates: 1874

John Taylor letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227635437]
Identifier: MSS SC 1551
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of handwritten letters addressed to family members. The items tell about the planned marriage between Taylor's daughter, Ida, and John Whitaker. John Taylor gives some advice to his daughter on the forthcoming marriage. One letter is addressed to John Whitaker and expresses Taylor's opinion about him.

Dates: 1886-1887

John Taylor letters

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197232491081]
Identifier: MSS 677
Scope and Contents

Photocopies of typed copies of letters sent by John Taylor to his wives and to such LDS Church leaders as Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff. The materials deal largely with family and Church matters. Also included are photocopies of handwritten notes on Taylor's various wives.

Dates: 1839-1887

John Taylor patriarchal blessings

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233287074]
Identifier: Vault MSS 159
Scope and Contents

Handwritten father's blessings given by John Taylor to four of his children. Taylor assures them that they can achieve salvation by obedience to the Mormon faith.

Dates: 1864-1882