Reynolds, George, 1842-1909
Dates
- Existence: 1842 - 1909
Biographical History
George Reynolds (1842-1909) was a polygamist and church leader in Utah, and is known mostly for being used as a test case for the constitutionality of the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862.
George Reynolds was born on January 1, 1842, in Marylebone, England. His parents were George and Julia Ann Tautz Reynolds. As a youth he became acquainted with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized at the age of fourteen. In 1865, Reynolds immigrated to Utah and settled in Salt Lake City. He there became Brigham Young's secretary and would continue to serve as the secretary to the First Presidency for the remainder of his life. He likewise served as a member of the municipal council of Salt Lake City from 1875 to 1879.
In 1874, George Reynolds was chosen by both civil leaders and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a test case for the constitutionality of the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act of 1862. Reynolds was convicted of bigamy the following year, and his conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1879. He was imprisoned briefly in the Nebraska State penitentiary before being transferred to the Utah Territorial penitentiary where he served out the remainder of his sentence of two years. He thus became the first of many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be imprisoned for practicing polygamy.
Reynolds was actively involved in the Sunday School system and served on the Board of the Deseret Sunday School Union. Throughout his life Reynolds was a noted author of Mormon polemics and he frequently wrote for the Deseret News and the Juvenile Instructor. He is best remembered for his works on the Book of Mormon. In April 1890, Reynolds was sustained as a member of the First Council of the Seventies, a position he held until his death on August 9, 1909.
Citation:
Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, v.1, 1901: p. 206-210 (born January 1, 1842 in Marylebone, England; parents were George and Julia Ann Tautz Reynolds; joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of fourteen; came to Utah in 1865; served as a secretary and municipal council of S.L.C.; acted as a test case for Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act; imprisoned in Nebraska and Utah; active in Sunday Schools; author of works on the Book of Mormon; Sustained a member of the First Council of the Seventies in April 1890) Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, v.3, 1920: p. 771 (died on August 9, 1909)Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:
General Church Board of Education certificate
Printed and handwritten certificate. The item is a license which authorizes Hyrum H. Anderson to teach religion classes for the Mormon Church in Provo, Utah. The item was signed by the president of the Mormon Church, Wilford Woodruff, and by George Reynolds and Karl G. Maeser.
George Reynolds certificates and documents, 1863-1907
Contains receipts, certificates, and other documents related to Reynolds. Includes his sentence to prison for practicing polygamy, and a petition for his pardon submitted to President Rutherford B. Hayes. Dated 1863-1907.
George Reynolds correspondence, 1872-1909
Contains correspondence between various individuals, includings leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Topics revolved primarily around the doctrine of polygamy and Reynold's imprisonment for practicing polygamy. Dated 1872-1905.
George Reynolds writings, approximately 1877-1920
Contains writings by or related to Reynolds. Includes records related to the concordance to the Book of Mormon, a draft of a history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a biography of Reynolds by his daughter, Alice Louise Reynolds. Dated approximately 1877-1920.
History of George Reynolds
Photocopy of a handwritten manuscript. The item is a biogaphy on the life of George Reynolds (1842-1909) by his daughter Alice Louise Reynolds. George was a Mormon author who served on the board of directors of the Genealogical Society of Utah and as amember of the First Council of Seventies for the Mormon Church.
George Reynolds autobiography
The autobiography of George Reynolds, an early member of the LDS church from London, England, circa 1878.
George Reynolds letter to Brigham Young
Handwritten and signed letter, dated 5 Feb. 1873, and addressed to Brigham Young, second president of the Mormon Church. Reynolds writes about his concerns for the state of the Salt Lake Theatre.
George Reynolds letter to Brigham Young
Typewritten and unsigned letter, dated 6 June 1876, and addressed to Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church. Reynolds writes to Young concerning the harvest for the year and the plastering of the Gordo house.
George Reynolds letters
Photocopies of a letter-press book kept by Reynolds while he served as president of the European Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Reynolds writes about numerous church-related matters in Europe. Many of the items are of a personal nature.
George Reynolds letters
Photocopies of handwritten letters addressed to Reynolds' wife Amelia. These items were written when Reynolds was in the Utah territorial penitentary for polygamy. Reynolds writes about conditions in the prison and of his desires to receive visitors.
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