History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN TAYLOR. 433
come forth pools of living water; and the parched
ground shall no longer be a thirsty land." 72
72 Revelation of Joseph Smith, in Docrine and Covenants, 327.
Among the Mormon works largely circulated throughout the British Isles
and Europe was one published in 1852, and entitled The Government of God,
by John Taylor, one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ oj
Latter-day Saints. In a preface by James Linforth, the writer states that it
had been the author's intention to superintend the publication of this work,
an Svo volume of 118 pages, in person; but the cares pretaining to his missionary
labors and literary work, then more urgently needed, prevented him.
He therefore, on his departure for Salt Lake City in the spring of 1852, left
with Mr Linforth the manuscript, the printing of which was superintended
by him. As a dissertation on a general and abstract subject, it probably has
not its equal in point of ability within the whole range ot Mormon literature.
The style is lofty and clear, and every page betokens the great learning of
the author. As a student of ancient and modern history, theologian, and
moral philosopher, President Taylor is justly entitled to the front rank; while
his proficiency in foreign languages and his knowledge of men and of practical
affairs rendered his services no less important as manager abroad than as executive
officer at home.
I will here begin the biographical notices of the leading men of Utah, and
of some of the pioneers, carrying the same along in the notes to the end of the
volume as I have done in other cases in my historical works. The lives of
some have already been fully given; and in regard to some of the others who
have not yet finished playing their part in the history of the country, their biographies
will be given here but partially, and finished as the work proceeds.
First after Joseph Smith and Brigham Young should be mentioned John
Taylor, third president of the entire church. A native of Milnthorpe, England,
where he was born in November 1808, Taylor emigrated in 1829 to Toronto,
Canada, to which city his father had removed two years before. Here,
joining a methodist society, he searched the scriptures earnestly, and became
convinced that the churches had fallen from grace and were corrupt. With
prayer and fasting he besought the Lord that if there were a true church on
earth he would send a messenger to him. Shortly afterward he was visited
by Parley P. Pratt, to whom he gave but a cool reception, as many evil reports
concerning Mormonism were then current. But after close scrutiny, he
and several of his friends believed and were baptized. In 1S3S it was ordered
by revelation that he should be appointed an apostle, and after the schism of
that year he filled the vacancy in the quorum caused by the apostasy of John
Boynton. In 1S40 he arrived in England as a missionary, his labors extending
to Ireland and to the Isle of Man, where he was the first to preach the
doctrines of Mormonism. While on a visit to Scotland, he corrected the
proof-sheets of the book of Mormon, and helped to prepare a hymn-book for
the use of converts in the British Islands. He also wrote several pamphlets
in reply to charges against the church. Returning to America in 1841, in
company with Brigham Young, he proceeded to Nauvoo, where he was selected
one of a committee to petition congress for a redress of wrongs, and
presented the petition. He also purchased and took charge of the Times and
Seasons, at the request of the prophet, the last three volumes being published
under his direction, and was chosen a member of the city council, a regent of
the university, and judge-advocate of the Nauvoo legion. He was firmly attached
to the prophet, and at Carthage jail, as we have seen, almost lost his
life in attempting to save him. After the expulsion he went, with others of
the twelve, to Winter Quarters, where he assisted in organizing the Mormon
battalion. At this juncture he was again ordered to England, in company
with Parley P. Pratt and Orson Hyde, and returning the following spring, accompanied
Pratt's companies to Salt Lake City. In October 1849 he was sent
as a missionary to France, where he published a monthly paper, styled L'
Hist. Utah. 28