Skip to main content

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 57 Collections and/or Records:

John Taylor letter to John Smith, 1877 September 15

 File — Box 1: Series 1; Series 2 [Barcode: 31197232548872], Folder: 43
Identifier: Vault MSS 803 Series 2 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

Letter from President John Taylor to Smith regarding an invitation to accompany him to the laying of the cornerstones of the Logan Temple. Dated September 15, 1877.

Dates: 1877 September 15
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / John Smith papers / John Smith correspondence / John Smith letters received

Letter from Hermann to his parents

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233616355]
Identifier: MSS 8870
Content Description Contains a handwritten letter in German by Hermann from Salt Lake City, Utah, to his parents in Germany. Hermann was a German tourist who was interested in Mormon irrigation systems and who attached himself to a small group of German diplomats who were touring Salt Lake City and the West. He writes of his experiences while in Salt Lake City, including visiting with President John Taylor, and discusses the Mormon religion, including the Book of Mormon. Dated June 27, 1884.Includes...
Dates: 1884 June 27
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Era P. Lowe biography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230306935]
Identifier: MSS SC 927
Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 12 leaves photocopied from a typewritten newspaper article authored by Era P. Lowe, son of Thomas G. Lowe who was a Mormon pioneer; Indian scout, missionary, and colonizer. Thomas Lowe also built tabernacles and other community buildings under the direction of Brigham Young and John Taylor. Thomas was held in high regard among the Mormons, non-Mormons, and Indians alike and served in many community and Mormon Church positions.

Dates: 1977
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

James Madison Monroe journal

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230329424]
Identifier: MSS SC 2997
Scope and Contents Includes summary of Monroe's activities from September 1841 through June 1842, including his conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and activities as clerk of the Utica (New York) Conference. Then follows attendance record for a school he taught at Nauvoo, Illinois, August 1842- January 1843 and November 1843-March 1844. Last part of journal tells of his service as teacher of the children of Joseph Smith, John Taylor, and Brigham Young, April-May 1845. Typed title...
Dates: 1841-1845
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Photograph of John Taylor

 Item — Folder 1
Identifier: MSS 9687
Scope and Contents

Albumen carte-de-visite photograph of John Taylor. Materials dated approximately 1870-1887.

Dates: approximately 1870-1887
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Photographs of John Taylor

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197239265124]
Identifier: MSS P 421
Scope and Contents

Collection includes photographs of John Taylor, along with other leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dated approximately approximately 1860-1880.

Dates: approximately 1860-1880
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Photographs of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles under President John Taylor

 Collection — Oversize 1: [Barcode: 31197227644025]
Identifier: MSS 3712
Scope and Contents This large framed photo montage consists of images of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1881. The photographs are arranged in order of seniority: President John Taylor, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Charles C. Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Erastus Snow, Franklin D. Richards, George Q. Cannon (1st Counselor), Joseph F. Smith (2nd Counselor), Brigham Young Jr., Albert Carrington, Moses Thatcher, Francis M. Lyman, and John Henry Smith. Around each photo is the man's age, stature...
Dates: 1881
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Ann Pitchforth collection

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197223103133]
Identifier: MSS 1374
Scope and Contents Collection includes correspondence of Samuel Jackson (born 1764) of Providence Green, Yorkshire, England; of his brothers, Richard and James; and of his son, Samuel (born circa 1803). Also includes letters by Ann Pitchforth, sister-in-law of the latter Samuel Jackson, and by others, mostly members of the Jackson family. The correspondence relates primarily to family and business concerns. Several of the Richard Jackson letters were written from Staten Island, New York, between 1810 and...
Dates: 1793-1930
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

A remarkable prophecy by president John Taylor

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230322353]
Identifier: MSS SC 2320
Scope and Contents Typewritten revelation written down by Edward Lunt. Lunt claimed that the material in the revelation was told to him by his mother many times. His mother supposedly got the information from the third president of the Mormon Church, John Taylor (1808-1887). Sometimes called the "Horseshoe Prophecy" the revelation states that there would be a major falling away from the leadership of the Mormon Church, that blood would run in the gutters of Salt Lake City, Utah, and that the faithful Mormons...
Dates: 1951
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

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
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

Staff Interface | Send Feedback or Report a Problem

More information about Special Collections including Hours, Services, Events, and Exhibits can be found at lib.byu.edu/special-collections.

The BYU Library aims to create descriptions of collections that are inclusive and support an “environment of belonging.” If you encounter language in finding aids, catalog records, or collection descriptions that you find offensive or believe to be harmful, we invite your feedback at librarydescription@byu.edu.