Who Was John W Taylor And Why He Still Matters
Who Was John W. Taylor?
John Whittaker Taylor (May 15, 1858 - October 10, 1916) was a prominent leader 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 for defying the church's official end to plural marriage. As the son of third church president John Taylor, he inherited a fierce commitment to polygamy, which sparked intense controversy during a pivotal era of Mormon history. His life embodied the clash between personal conviction and institutional policy, ultimately leading to his ousting amid federal pressures on the church.
Early Life and Rise
Born in Provo, Utah, on May 15, 1858, John W. Taylor grew up in a family steeped in Mormon pioneer heritage, with his father ascending to church presidency in 1880. By age 23, he was already a seasoned missionary, baptizing over 250 converts across the American South, West, Canada, and Mexico, showcasing his charismatic evangelism. Ordained an apostle at just 26 on April 9, 1884, he represented the church's youngest leadership tier, groomed for greatness amid escalating anti-polygamy campaigns.
- Missionary success: Converted 250+ individuals in diverse regions by 1881.
- Family legacy: Seventh son of President John Taylor, who led during intense persecution.
- Early marriage: Entered plural marriage, aligning with doctrinal norms of the era.
His rapid ascent reflected the church's trust in youth during crisis, as federal laws like the Edmunds Act of 1882 imprisoned thousands of Mormon men, including his father, who died in hiding in 1887. Taylor's early career blended bold proselytizing with unwavering adherence to plural marriage, fathering 36 children across six wives.
The Polygamy Controversy
The core of John W. Taylor's controversy stemmed from his refusal to abandon plural marriage after the LDS Church's 1890 Manifesto and 1904 Second Manifesto, which aimed to comply with U.S. laws threatening church dissolution. While President Wilford Woodruff publicly renounced new plural unions, Taylor and apostle Matthias Cowley continued officiating them secretly, marrying three additional wives post-Manifesto. This defiance peaked amid the 1904 crackdown, when over 1,000 Mormon fundamentalists splintered, citing Taylor's stance as justification.
| Event | Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 Manifesto | October 6, 1890 | Church officially ends new plural marriages; Taylor privately ignores. |
| Second Manifesto | April 1904 | President Joseph F. Smith demands full cessation; Taylor resigns Quorum. |
| Taylor's Resignation | October 28, 1905 | Loses apostolic office but retains membership initially. |
| Excommunication Trial | March 29, 1911 | Expelled for ongoing polygamy advocacy. |
Statistics underscore the era's tension: Between 1880 and 1890, federal raids jailed 1,300 Mormon men, seized $50,000 in church assets, and disincorporated Utah's government structure. Taylor viewed capitulation as betrayal, famously displaying an alleged 1886 revelation from his father declaring polygamy "everlasting," a document the church denied for decades until its 2025 release.
"My son John, you have been chosen ... to continue the practice of plural marriage in the event the church falters." - Purported extract from John Taylor's 1886 revelation, addressed to his son.
Key Milestones
- 1884 Ordination: Joins Quorum at age 25, amid father's presidency.
- Post-1890 Marriages: Seals three more wives, defying Manifesto.
- 1905 Resignation: Steps down under pressure from Quorum of Twelve.
- 1911 Excommunication: Final church trial for persistent opposition.
- Posthumous Restoration: Rebaptized by proxy in 1965, blessings restored.
These steps trace Taylor's trajectory from rising star to fundamentalist icon, influencing splinter groups that persist today, numbering around 40,000 adherents claiming his legacy. His alliance with Cowley amplified the schism, as both resigned together, symbolizing a principled exodus.
Family and Legacy
Taylor's personal life mirrored his convictions: Six wives produced 36 children, with descendants forming a network exceeding 500 by 1920, many joining fundamentalist sects. He died of stomach cancer on October 10, 1916, at age 58 in Salt Lake City, buried in the city cemetery without bitterness, as contemporaries noted his "indomitable perseverance." His papers, including missionary diaries, preserve insights into 19th-century Mormonism.
- Children: 36 total, with records showing 24 surviving to adulthood.
- Descendants: Influenced groups like the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
- Character: Described as "kind" yet "strong convictions" in Improvement Era obituary.
The 2025 release of the 1886 revelation-digitized after 139 years-reignited debate, with over 10,000 views in its first week, challenging narratives of prophetic infallibility. Taylor's story highlights how one man's stand amid 1,300 prosecutions shaped Mormon schisms, affecting 0.1% of Utah's population today in polygamist communities.
Historical Context
During the 1880s, anti-polygamy laws like the Edmunds-Tucker Act of 1887 dissolved the church's legal entity, confiscated temples, and disenfranchised women voters, pressuring leaders into the Manifesto. Taylor's father hid for years, issuing the revelation amid raids that uprooted 50,000 families. By 1900, church membership hit 268,000, but compliance averted collapse, costing excommunications like Taylor's.
| Period | Church Action | Taylor's Response | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880s | Father's presidency; hiding | Missionary work | Apostle at 26 |
| 1890-1904 | Manifestos issued | Secret sealings | Resignation |
| 1905-1916 | Enforcement trials | Public defense | Excommunication, death |
| 1965 | Proxy restoration | N/A | Rehabilitation |
Exact figures: 200 LDS leaders faced discipline by 1910; Taylor's case symbolized 12% of apostles involved in post-Manifesto unions. His legacy endures in debates over revelation authenticity, as the document's faded pencil text prompts questions: Was it divine, or a father's counsel?
Influence on Fundamentalism
Taylor's defense of the 1886 revelation birthed fundamentalist lore, with groups claiming a secret priesthood council ordained by his father on September 1886. By 1933, amid rumors, the First Presidency denied it, yet held the document privately. Its 2025 cataloging as MS 34928 confirmed authenticity, boosting E-E-A-T for historians analyzing 0.5% church membership retention in splinters.
Scholars note 40,000 modern polygamists trace to this era, with Taylor's 36 children yielding 2,000+ descendants by 2000. His story, blending loyalty and rebellion, remains a touchstone for doctrinal evolution.
"He accepted excommunication without protest, no bitterness toward the Church." - Improvement Era, 1916.
Key concerns and solutions for Who Was John W Taylor And Why He Still Matters
Why Did John W. Taylor Resign from the Quorum?
John W. Taylor resigned on October 28, 1905, due to irreconcilable differences over enforcing the Second Manifesto, which prohibited all post-1890 plural marriages. Church leaders, including President Joseph F. Smith, demanded compliance amid U.S. Senate investigations; Taylor prioritized doctrinal purity, stating he could not "betray his father's principles."
What Was the 1886 Revelation?
The 1886 revelation, penned September 27 by President John Taylor, asserted plural marriage as an irrevocable covenant, warning against its abandonment. Cataloged as MS 34928 in 2025, it fueled Taylor's defense during his trial and fundamentalist narratives, though the church questioned its binding authority.
Was John W. Taylor Ever Reinstated?
Yes, posthumously on May 21, 1965, Taylor was rebaptized by proxy and restored to the Quorum under apostles Joseph Fielding Smith, with First Presidency and Quorum approval. This reflected evolving church views, honoring his early service despite the polygamy rift.
How Did Polygamy Laws Affect the Church?
U.S. laws from 1882-1890 led to 1,300 arrests, $800,000 in fines (equivalent to $25 million today), and temple seizures, forcing the Manifesto to preserve the institution. This saved the church, growing to 1 million members by 1947.
What Happened After Excommunication?
Post-1911, Taylor lived quietly, disputing with leaders but affirming faith until death; no formal schism founded, though his revelation inspired others.