John W Taylor Controversy: What Really Happened Back Then
- 01. Who Was John W. Taylor? The Controversy Few Explain
- 02. Biographical Overview: The Apostle Who Refused to Compromise
- 03. The Core Controversy: Polygamy and the Second Manifesto
- 04. Timeline of Key Events in John W. Taylor's Controversy
- 05. Detailed Comparison: Taylor vs. Church Leadership Positions
- 06. The 1965 Reinstatement: Why It Matters
- 07. John W. Taylor vs. His Father: President John Taylor
- 08. Historical Impact and Legacy
- 09. Statistical Context: Polygamy in the Taylor Era
- 10. Why This Controversy Remains Relevant Today
Who Was John W. Taylor? The Controversy Few Explain
John W. Taylor was John Whittaker Taylor (May 15, 1858 - October 10, 1916), a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was excommunicated in 1911 for his staunch opposition to the church abandoning plural marriage (polygamy). The controversy centers on Taylor's rejection of the 1904 Second Manifesto-which banned new polygamous marriages under penalty of excommunication-his continued practice of plural marriage with six wives, and his eventual excommunication despite being the son of a church president (John Taylor, the LDS Church's third president).
Biographical Overview: The Apostle Who Refused to Compromise
John W. Taylor was born in Provo, Utah Territory, while his parents sought shelter there during the Utah War of 1857. His father, John Taylor, became the third president of the LDS Church in 1880, and young John W. Taylor was ordained an apostle at just 25 years old on April 9, 1884, called directly by his father. He served faithfully in the Quorum of the Twelve for over 20 years, missioning throughout the southern United States, Canada, and Mexico, where he baptized more than 250 converts and even met with heads of state including President Grover Cleveland and Mexican President Porfirio Díaz.
Taylor became a staunch polygamy defender when church leadership moved to abandon the practice under U.S. government pressure. He entered into six plural marriages and fathered 36 children, making him one of the most prominent polygamists in Utah during an era when the church was publicly renouncing the doctrine. His personal conviction created an irreconcilable conflict with church leadership that ultimately led to his downfall.
The Core Controversy: Polygamy and the Second Manifesto
The controversy that defines John W. Taylor's legacy began in 1904 when LDS Church President Joseph F. Smith issued the Second Manifesto, intensifying the ban on plural marriage first announced in 1890. The manifesto declared that any member entering into new plural marriages would face excommunication. Taylor, who had already married multiple wives and deeply believed polygamy was an eternal commandment, refused to comply. He continued performing and entering into plural marriages after 1904, directly defying church authority.
On October 28, 1905, Taylor and his close friend Matthias F. Cowley both resigned from the Twelve rather than renounce polygamy. Six years of tension followed, during which Taylor remained excommunicated from holding church office but maintained his Mormon faith. Finally, on March 28, 1911, the church formally excommunicated him for continued opposition to the Second Manifesto. The driving council found insufficient evidence of repentance, cementing his status as a dissenter.
Timeline of Key Events in John W. Taylor's Controversy
- May 15, 1858 - John W. Taylor born in Provo, Utah Territory
- April 9, 1884 - Ordained an apostle at age 25 by his father, President John Taylor
- 1880s-1890s - Taylor missionaries serve in the South, West, Canada, and Mexico; enters six plural marriages
- October 1890 - First Manifesto ends official church sanction of polygamy
- April 6, 1904 - Second Manifesto issued by Joseph F. Smith, banning new plural marriages
- October 28, 1905 - Taylor and Cowley resign from Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
- March 28, 1911 - Taylor excommunicated for opposing the Second Manifesto
- October 10, 1916 - Taylor dies of stomach cancer at age 58 in Salt Lake City
- May 21, 1965 - Taylor posthumously rebaptized and reinstated to the Twelve by proxy
Detailed Comparison: Taylor vs. Church Leadership Positions
| Aspect | John W. Taylor's Position | LDS Church Leadership Position (1904-1911) |
|---|---|---|
| Polygamy Doctrine | Eternal, unchangeable commandment requiring obedience | Dispensatory practice suspended for church survival |
| Post-1904 Marriages | Continued entering new plural marriages | Strictly forbidden under penalty of excommunication |
| Government Pressure | Refused to compromise on religious principle | Prioritized Utah statehood and federal relations |
| Final Outcome | Excommunicated March 28, 1911 | Maintained institutional unity and legal standing |
| Wives Count | 6 wives, 36 children | Leadership exclusively monogamous after 1890 |
The 1965 Reinstatement: Why It Matters
Decades after his death, John W. Taylor received remarkable posthumous recognition. On May 21, 1965, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles unanimously approved his posthumous rebaptism and reinstatement to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Joseph Fielding Smith, then president of the Quorum of the Twelve, performed the ordinance of Restoration of Blessings by proxy. This decision acknowledged Taylor's lifelong devotion to Mormonism despite his doctrinal disagreement, signaling the church's capacity for reconciliation with dissenting ancestors.
The reinstatement remains controversial among LDS historians and members. Critics argue it contradicts the original excommunication rationale, while supporters view it as an act of grace recognizing Taylor's unwavering Mormon faith. The 1965 decision opened questions about how the church treats historical figures who resisted leadership but maintained personal righteousness.
John W. Taylor vs. His Father: President John Taylor
Confusion often arises between John W. Taylor and his father, John Taylor (1808-1887), the third LDS Church president. The elder John Taylor endorsed polygamy during his presidency and reportedly received an 1886 revelation affirming plural marriage as eternal-a document the church denied existing for nearly 100 years before quietly publishing it in June 2025. This 1886 revelation became central to Mormon fundamentalist arguments that polygamy remains binding today.
While both Taylors defended polygamy, their circumstances differed dramatically. President John Taylor died in 1887, before the.First Manifesto, so he never faced excommunication for polygamy. His son John W. Taylor lived through the banning era, directly defied church authority, and became the most prominent apostle excommunicated for polygamy opposition. Their father-son relationship adds emotional depth to the controversy, as the son essentially became what the father had been: a polygamy champion.
Historical Impact and Legacy
John W. Taylor's controversy illustrates the painful transition the LDS Church underwent from polygamy to monogamy under federal pressure. His excommunication demonstrated that no member, not even the son of a president, was exempt from church discipline when defying central policy. Today, Taylor represents both the cost of principled dissent and the possibility of posthumous reconciliation within Mormon tradition.
Modern Mormon fundamentalist groups cite Taylor as a hero who preserved true doctrine when mainstream church leadership compromised. Meanwhile, mainstream LDS historiography presents him as a tragic figure whose convictions kept him from full fellowship. The 2025 publication of his father's 1886 revelation reignited debates about Taylor's position, as fundamentalists argue it validates his resistance while church leadership maintains the revelation doesn't override modern policy.
Statistical Context: Polygamy in the Taylor Era
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Years between First Manifesto and Taylor's excommunication | 21 years (1890-1911) |
| Apostles who resigned over polygamy (1905) | 2 (John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley) |
| Converts baptized by Taylor on missions | 250+ souls |
| Posthumous reinstatements of excommunicated apostles | 1 (Taylor, 1965) |
| Years between Taylor's death and reinstatement | 49 years (1916-1965) |
Why This Controversy Remains Relevant Today
The John W. Taylor controversy continues to resonate because it touches on enduring tensions between religious principle and institutional authority. For Mormon fundamentalists, Taylor exemplifies faithful resistance to apostasy. For mainstream LDS members, he represents the difficult sacrifices required for institutional survival. His story also gained renewed attention when the LDS Church published the 1886 polygamy revelation in June 2025 after denying its existence for a century, forcing modern believers to confront the complex history of polygamy doctrine.
Ultimately, John W. Taylor's legacy is one of uncompromising conviction in the face of overwhelming institutional pressure. Whether viewed as a hero or a divisive figure, his story remains essential to understanding how the LDS Church navigated its transformation from a persecuted polygamous sect to an internationally recognized monogamous denomination.
Everything you need to know about John W Taylor Controversy What Really Happened Back Then
Was John W. Taylor a False Prophet?
No, John W. Taylor was never officially declared a false prophet by the LDS Church. He was excommunicated for disobedience regarding plural marriage policy, not for claiming prophetic authority. However, Mormon fundamentalists cite his stance as validation that polygamy remains eternal, while critics argue his predictions about polygamy's permanence were proven wrong by church history.
How Many Wives Did John W. Taylor Have?
John W. Taylor had six plural wives and fathered 36 children. This large polygamous family made him one of the most visible practicing polygamists in Utah after the 1890 Manifesto, directly contributing to the church's decision to excommunicate him.
When Was John W. Taylor Excommunicated?
John W. Taylor was formally excommunicated on March 28, 1911, after six years of escalating conflict with church leadership over his continued opposition to the Second Manifesto and refusal to cease plural marriage practices.
Why Was John W. Taylor Reinstated in 1965?
Taylor was posthumously reinstated in 1965 because church leadership recognized his lifelong faithfulness to Mormonism despite his doctrinal disagreement on polygamy. The unanimous vote by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve reflected a desire for historical reconciliation and acknowledgment of his personal righteousness.