Facts about President John Taylor, 3rd President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
How blessed we are to be led by inspired prophets in these latter-days. We mourned the passing of one of our beloved leaders, our sorrow is tempered by the assurance that we will be guided by yet another of the Lord’s chosen leaders. It is reassuring to know that our leaders are men of sound judgment, great spiritual insight, and that they have presided in the leading councils of our church for many years. Such has definitely been the case with Presidents Hinckley, Monson, Nelson, and Oaks. We love and sustain these great leaders, having watched their remarkable service to the church, to its members, and to the Lord for many years.
Following are some interesting facts and insights into the leadership and experience of President Gordon B. Hinckley, as presented by Trent Toone.
John Taylor, third president of the Church, was 68 years old when Brigham Young died in 1877. He led the Church as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for three years until sustained as President of the Church at general conference on October 10, 1880. For the next 7 years, President Taylor defended the faith during one of its most trying periods, until his death in 1887. President Taylor was born on November 1, 1808, in Milnthorpe, Westmorland, England. He emigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1832. Cooper and Methodist minister, Elder Taylor married Leonora Cannon in 1833. In 1836, the couple met missionary Parley P. Pratt. Despite not being initially receptive, the Taylors undertook a serious study of the gospel and were baptized on May 9,1836. The following year, the Taylors moved to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1838. Elder Taylor was called to be a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. One of the most difficult events of his life came on June 27, 1844, when he witnessed the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at the Carthage Jail. Despite being shot multiple time, Elder Taylor survived the mob attack and recorded an account of the tragic events in Doctrine and Covenants Section 135. In the following years, his writing and editing skills earned him the titles of “Defender of the Faith” and “Champion of Truth.” He served missions in Great Britain, France, Germany, and New York. During his years as Church President, Latter-day Saints practiced plural marriage. Legislation designed to take away basic civil rights was created; the Church appealed, but to no avail. President Taylor was forced to go into hiding but continued to provide leadership through letters and verbal instructions to those whom he trusted. He died on July 25, 1887.
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