Scope and Contents Abraham Cannon was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah. He was a polygamist and had two wives - Sarah and Mina. He left them and his son George in 1879 to serve a 3-year mission in Europe, which is when he began journaling. This diary contains his records of the following events: He took a train from Utah to New York and then rode the ship "Wyoming" from New York to the British Isles. There, he was informed that he would begin his service in Nottingham, but...

Scope and Contents Abraham Cannon continues the record of his missionary service in Germany. He writes of his experiences with the culture and people of Germany. He works with members of the Church and teaches the gospel to investigators. He keeps an eye on world news and occasionally writes of political events. He leads a large group of Saints from Germany to England so they can travel by ship from there for the United States and gather in Utah. Abraham's brother John Q. joins him on his mission. When they...

Scope and Contents Abraham is released from his missionary service in May of 1882. He travels home to the United States. He and his family experience some complications with the law because they practice polygamy. Abraham takes a job at the Juvenile Instructor Office. He spends time with his wives and his father. He also spends much time at the family farm. His wife Mina is injured from falling off a buggy and his brother Louis is injured in a carriage incident. Abraham begins attending a bookkeeping class....

Scope and Contents Abraham does some visits to various congregations in Utah on Church business. He spends much time working in his office, fulfilling his duties as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, and working and visiting at his family's farm. He ministers frequently to his injured wife Mina, and she steadily improves in her condition. He attends the dedication of a new meetinghouse. He begins taking Spanish classes. He writes occasionally of world politics of his day. Abraham's wife Mina has a baby...

Scope and Contents

Abraham writes of his daily activities. He spends much time working in his office and tending to his duties as a member of the Quorum of the Seventy. He writes that his personal business is going well, but his family farm does not turn a profit. He writes of the foreign affairs of his day, including an earthquake in Spain and tense relations between England and Russia. There is a rise in anti-Mormon sentiment. Dated 1884 to 1886.

Scope and Contents Abraham writes of increasing persecution against the Saints due to polygamy. He writes of many friends and family members who are found guilty and sentenced to incarceration, and he prepares for his own trial. His father, George Q. Cannon, escapes police custody by jumping from a moving train and goes underground to avoid indictment. Abraham's family home is robbed. He goes to court, where he confirms his marriage to both Sarah and Mina and is found guilty. His wife Sarah has a baby. Dated...

Scope and Contents Abraham describes his six-month imprisonment. He writes of his experience interacting with other prisoners, many of whom are other members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including future President of the Church Lorenzo Snow. He spends most of his time reading, writing sermons, and speaking with visitors. He participates in a meeting with the Utah state legislature regarding the Church's relationship with the law. He writes about the government's firm stance that...

Scope and Contents Abraham writes about his work and family life. His brother, John Q. Cannon, was serving as a general authority in Church leadership when he was excommunicated because of an affair with his wife's sister. Abraham goes on a cross-country train ride to conduct business in Chicago and New York City. He courts and becomes engaged to a woman named Mary. They travel to Mexico to get married. The Edmunds-Tucker Act passes through the House of Representatives and the Senate and becomes law under the...

Scope and Contents Abraham conducts Church business by organizing stakes and setting people apart. President John Taylor dies and Wilford Woodruff becomes the next president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Abraham's children suffer various illnesses, including diphtheria and scarlet fever. Their family faces further complications due to their continued practice of polygamy. There is continued family controversy regarding the affair of John Q. Cannon, who gets rebaptized as a member of the...

Scope and Contents Abraham continues to describe his family and work life. His father, George Q. Cannon, turned himself in and pleaded guilty to two charges of unlawful cohabitation. He was imprisoned for 175 days. Mary has another baby girl. An elder of the Church goes missing while preaching the gospel in Mississippi. Abraham’s family suffer a variety of illnesses and injuries. Abraham writes of contemporary political issues dealing with elections and hierarchy changes in Europe. George Q. Cannon receives a...