John Taylor

Probably only Joseph Smith faced greater opposition while leading the Church than did John Taylor. Whether as a missionary single-handedly facing a mob which promised to tar and feather him if he tried to speak to them; or in leading the Church when many of its leaders were in the penitentiary, and when the First Presidency for some time was being hunted like criminals complete with wanted posters; he stood as a rock against the storm. For two and one-half years of his ten-year presidency, conferences were not held in Salt Lake City, and President Taylor, unable to attend, fearing arrest, forwarded epistles. 

Judicial tyranny raged in Utah as it had in Missouri and Illinois, yet throughout it all the loyalty of the Brethren to the Constitution, as implemented by the Founding Fathers, stood out. In fact, Canadian born President Taylor was one of the most profound literary defenders of that document in Church history. It is unlikely that readers will not notice his profound command of the English language which conveys the impression that one is dealing with one of the most highly literate prophets of this dispensation. Also, this prophet had no problem speaking at length, sometimes for over an hour, his addresses sometimes punctuated by occasional outbursts of “Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! to God and the Lamb.” Favorite topics were the constitution and abortion.

John Taylor believed that the purpose of General Conference was “to correct whatever in doctrine or in practice is not in strict conformity with the mind and will of God….” His counselor George Q. Cannon was more blunt. He declared that the Journal of Discourses, a church publication housing the addresses of the brethren, “deservedly ranks as one of the standard works of the Church….” 

Know what the Lord had John Taylor tell the Saints that is not in The Doctrine and Covenants:

• Those who practice abortion are seen as murderers.
• Respecting mothers who refuse to have but one or two children.
• Saints yet to see more bloodshed, ruin, and devastation than seen in the Civil War.
• Communism to roll on until it becomes a vexation to hear the reports of.
• When the Constitution is deserted by others the elders will rally around its shattered fragments.
• The Devil is a pretended advocate of freedom.
• Jesus himself was born through polygamic lineage.
• Until temple divorce is completed new alliances are sinful.
• If the cause of insanity is sin the person is responsible.
• A great war is yet to be fought between Adam and Satan.
• Habitual liars lose the power to discern between right and wrong.
• Saints to be united in the Constitution by the Founding Fathers.
• Beef and flour need to be added to our prayers of the poor.
• Time will come when calamity, bloodshed, and strife will spread among all nations.
• Useless and excessive amusements harmful in several ways.
• Celestial City described.
• Few will find the path leading to the celestial kingdom.
• The City of Enoch underwent a similar gathering.
• Care of grave sites.
• Many foreordained to hold particular positions among the children of men.