Priesthood, Relief Society members to study the teachings of Prophet John Taylor for 2003 curriculum

by Kelly Smurthwaite
Scroll Staff

The Teachings of Presidents of the Church manual focuses on the words of President John Taylor this year.

John Taylor was born on Nov. 1, 1808, in England. He was the second oldest of 10 children in a family that greatly valued religion and religious practices. The family attended the Church of England.

But when he was in his middle teens, President Taylor changed his religious convictions and joined the Methodist Church. He eventually became a Methodist minister.

In 1832 Taylor moved to Toronto, Canada, where his parents were residing at the time. He claimed that during this time, he had impressions that he would teach the gospel in America.

After settling in Canada, he met Leonora Cannon who was also a devout Methodist. The two attended the same religious services and began dating.

When Taylor proposed they get married, she turned him down. Soon afterward she had a dream that she should marry him, so she accepted his proposal. The couple was wed on Jan. 29, 1833.

Later the couple met missionary Parley P. Pratt and they were eventually converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized on May 9, 1836.

In reference to the gospel, President Taylor said, “I am in for it; I must embrace it; I cannot reject the principles of the eternal truth.”

Two years after joining the Church, President Taylor was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

President Taylor was able to teach the gospel through missions in the United States, England, France and Germany.

In addition to serving in these areas, he also helped with efforts of getting the Book of Mormon translated in to French and German.

During the times of the persecution of members of the Church in Missouri, President Taylor, his wife and children made many sacrifices for the Church.

At times, the prophet had to leave his family to take care of the Church’s needs, especially during the severe persecution of its members.

John Taylor was called as the third president of the Church in 1880. While serving in this capacity, the prophet was involved with Americans trying to define how much influence the Church and its leaders could have. President Taylor also used his talent for writing to spread gospel ideas during his presidency.

The prophet died July 25, 1887. Many Church leaders since his death have commented on President Taylor’s leadership skills and ability to heed to the promptings of the Spirit.

“[President Taylor was] one of the greatest men that have stood upon the earth since the days of the Son of God — a man whose virtue, whose integrity, whose resolution to pursue the path of righteousness is known, and well known,” Lorenzo Snow, former president of the Church, said.