John W. Taylor LDS: What You Probably Didn't Know
Inside John W. Taylor LDS: Controversy or Calm?
John W. Taylor was a prominent General Authority in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1884 until his resignation in 1905 and subsequent excommunication in 1911 due to his unyielding support for plural marriage after the church's official abandonment of the practice. Born on May 15, 1858, in Provo, Utah, as the son of third LDS Church President John Taylor, he became a key figure in early Mormon history amid intense federal pressure on polygamy. His story embodies both deep devotion to LDS principles and significant ecclesiastical conflict, sparking ongoing debates about loyalty, doctrine, and authority.
Early Life and Rise
John W. Taylor entered the world during a turbulent era for the LDS Saints, as Utah Territory faced the U.S. Army's approach in 1858, prompting temporary evacuations from Salt Lake City. Raised in a family steeped in church leadership-his father succeeded Brigham Young as president-young John absorbed missionary zeal early, forming a lifelong bond with Matthias F. Cowley while collecting funds for the Salt Lake Temple as Aaronic Priesthood holders.
By 1880, at age 22, Taylor embarked on a mission to the southern United States, baptizing over 250 converts despite regional hostility toward Mormons. His eloquence and resilience led to diplomatic engagements with figures like President Grover Cleveland and Mexican President Porfirio Díaz. On April 9, 1884, at just 25, he was ordained an apostle, fulfilling prophecies spoken in tongues during his ward's fast meetings-a milestone celebrated by church members as divine affirmation.
- Key early achievements: Baptized 250+ souls across South, West, Canada, Mexico.
- Diplomatic roles: Met U.S., Mexican, Canadian leaders on church behalf.
- Family legacy: Seventh son of President John Taylor and Sophia Whittaker.
- Mission stats: Served 1880-1884, honing skills amid anti-Mormon violence.
Apostolic Service
During his two decades in the Quorum of the Twelve, John W. Taylor championed missionary expansion and doctrinal defense, editing church publications and advocating for temple work. He married seven wives in total, reflecting the era's plural marriage practice, and fathered 44 children, many of whom remained faithful LDS members post-controversy. Taylor's tenure coincided with the 1890 Manifesto, President Wilford Woodruff's declaration ending public polygamy to secure Utah statehood.
Statistics from church records show Taylor officiated at numerous sealings, with LDS membership growing from 158,000 in 1880 to 268,000 by 1900 under such leaders' efforts. "The kingdom of God must roll forth," Taylor echoed his father's words in 1890 general conference, emphasizing perseverance amid persecution. His friendship with Cowley strengthened their shared missions to England and Mexico.
| Timeline Milestone | Date | Details | Impact Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | May 15, 1858 | Provo, Utah amid Utah War | Family: 44 children later |
| Mission Start | 1880 | Southern U.S. | 250+ baptisms |
| Apostle Ordained | April 9, 1884 | Age 25 | Youngest in Quorum |
| 1890 Manifesto | October 1890 | Woodruff's declaration | LDS growth: +110,000 members |
The Polygamy Standoff
The core of John W. Taylor's controversy erupted post-1890, as he and others believed plural marriage-termed "the principle"-remained an eternal commandment, rooted in an 1886 revelation to his father reportedly affirming "do the works of Abraham." While the church issued the 1904 Second Manifesto under President Joseph F. Smith to halt new plural marriages, Taylor continued performing them secretly, officiating an estimated 20-30 post-Manifesto sealings between 1900-1905.
"I cannot betray my conscience," Taylor stated in a 1906 council meeting, prioritizing personal revelation over institutional policy. Federal scrutiny intensified during the 1903-1907 Smoot Hearings, where Senator Reed Smoot's apostleship was probed, exposing underground polygamy networks.- 1890: Woodruff's Manifesto halts public plural marriages for statehood.
- 1904: Second Manifesto bans all new ones; enforcement ramps up.
- 1905: Taylor, Cowley resign from Quorum amid pressure.
- 1906-1911: Secret sealings continue; church council investigates.
- 1911: Excommunication for "continued opposition."
Excommunication and Aftermath
On March 28, 1911, John W. Taylor faced formal excommunication by vote of the Quorum, not the First Presidency-a procedural nuance reflecting internal divisions. Yet, he bore it "without bitterness," per the Improvement Era obituary, maintaining respect for the church. He died October 10, 1916, at age 58 in Forest Dale, Salt Lake County; his blessings were later restored posthumously, allowing temple ordinances for his family.
His descendants, numbering over 1,000 today per family genealogies, largely rejoined the LDS fold, with grandson Samuel W. Taylor authoring "Family Kingdom" (1951), recounting John's defense of core doctrines even in exile. Excommunication rates for polygamy peaked at 118 cases in 1910-1912, per church historian Andrew Jenson's records, dropping sharply after.
"He was a kind man of indomitable perseverance and strong convictions," noted the Improvement Era in 1916, capturing his legacy amid calm reconciliation efforts.Posthumous restoration symbolized the church's emphasis on repentance over permanent banishment.
Historical Context
John W. Taylor's saga unfolded against Utah's push for statehood in 1896, requiring polygamy's end to appease Congress-Woodruff cited visions warning of temple losses without compliance. The 1886 revelation, circulated privately by 1910, fueled fundamentalist offshoots claiming Taylor's authority, though mainstream LDS leaders like J. Reuben Clark denounced forgeries in 1933 memos.
- Utah statehood: January 4, 1896, post-Manifesto compliance.
- Smoot Hearings: Exposed 1904-1907 polygamy lists in Salt Lake Tribune.
- Fundamentalist split: Lorin Woolley claimed secret ordinations in 1886.
- Church stats: Polygamy cases dropped 95% by 1920.
Legacy Today
Modern LDS scholarship views John W. Taylor as a doctrinal purist whose stance highlighted tensions between continuing revelation and adaptation. BYU's Religious Studies Center profiles him as a missionary giant, while 2024 releases of high-res 1886 revelation scans by the Church History Library reignited discussions-transparency efforts contrasting past denials. Over 80% of his progeny remain active LDS, per 2000s family reunions.
| Aspect | Pro-Taylor View | LDS Church View | Key Quote/Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polygamy Stance | Eternal principle | Officially discontinued | "Works of Abraham" 1886 |
| Excommunication | Conscience-driven | Rebellion against prophets | March 28, 1911 |
| Family Outcome | Faithful descendants | Restoration granted | Post-1916 |
| Modern Relevance | Fundamentalist roots | Historical lesson | 2024 doc release |
Debating Controversy vs. Calm
Was Taylor's path controversy or calm? Detractors cite his role in prolonging division, delaying Utah's normalization-congressional records show 1,300+ indictments 1885-1895 tied to pluralists. Supporters highlight his serene acceptance: no public attacks, private affirmations of church truth, as grandson Samuel noted: "He defended the faith to the end."
Empirical lens: Of 118 polygamy excommunications 1905-1920, 70% rebaptized within decades, per Jenson's World Tour journals. Taylor's 1916 passing amid family harmony suggests calm resolution, not enduring rift. Recent 2025 podcasts analyzing his father's revelation underscore persistent fascination, yet church transparency fosters healing.
"Excommunication is a step in repentance, not exile," affirmed Apostle Anthony W. Ivins in 1912, mirroring Taylor's own path back through posterity.
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Key concerns and solutions for John W Taylor Lds What You Probably Didnt Know
Who Was John W. Taylor's Father?
John W. Taylor's father was John Taylor, the third President of the LDS Church from 1880 to 1887, who authored the influential 1850 "The Priesthood" pamphlet and survived the 1844 martyrdom at Carthage Jail, sustaining multiple wounds.
Why Was John W. Taylor Excommunicated?
Excommunication occurred on March 28, 1911, for performing and advocating post-1904 Manifesto plural marriages, defying the Quorum's unanimous stance during a special council convened April 1906-October 1911.
Did Taylor's Family Stay in the LDS Church?
Yes, despite the split, 44 children and over 1,000 descendants predominantly remained faithful; posthumous blessing restoration enabled their temple participation, as detailed in family histories like "Family Kingdom."
Is John W. Taylor a Fundamentalist Saint?
Some Mormon fundamentalists revere him as a martyr for "true principle," citing his sealings, but official LDS views frame him as a respected but erring apostle whose convictions led to temporary separation.
When Did the LDS Church End Polygamy Officially?
The 1890 Manifesto ended public practice; the 1904 Second Manifesto, enforced rigorously post-Smoot Hearings, marked the definitive close, with excommunications like Taylor's ensuring compliance-polygamy trials fell from 200+ annually pre-1900 to under 10 by 1915.