The Life of John Taylor

by B.H. Roberts

If the preface to a book be looked upon as the author's excuse for writing it, then this book should have no preface, for the author has no excuse to make. Justice to the character and labors of John Taylor demanded that his life be written. The annals of the Church could not be recorded without devoting large space to the part he took in her affairs; but no notice of his life and labors, however extended in a general history, could do justice to his great career: for of course there is much in that career peculiar to himself, and of a character, too, to make it worthy of a separate volume.

The author is of the opinion that John Taylor would have had a remarkable history even if Mormonism had not found him; for he possessed those qualities of mind which would have made him a leader and a reformer among men. It is quite probable, too, that in the event of Mormonism not finding him, he would have won more of the honors and applause of men; for while his connection with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints threw him into prominence, the disrepute in which that Church is held brought reproach and odium upon him from the world. Had the courage and unselfish devotion which he brought to the support of Mormonism been given to some reform movement less odious in the estimation of mankind, his conduct would have called forth the highest encomiums from all men; but as those virtues were displayed for the interest and advancement of Mormonism, the world either refused to recognize them at all, or accounted them fanaticism merely, for which no praise was due.

The praise of the world, however, is a small matter. It often praises those least worthy; it neglects or abuses those who are its chief benefactors. Our generation like many that have preceded it, garnishes the sepulchres of the ancient prophets, saying, "Had we lived in their day, we would not have persecuted and killed them." And yet with strange inconsistency they hunt to the death the living prophets whose memory future generations will honor. But the praise or censure of the world had little influence over the mind of John Taylor where truth was concerned. The more men despised it the more intense seemed his devotion.

In that most beautiful of all his poems entitled "An Irishman's Address to his Mistress"-the poem is an allegory, the mistress is the Irish Catholic Church-Thomas Moore represents the Irishman as saying that through grief and through danger the smile of his mistress had cheered his way, till hope seemed to spring from thorns that round him lay; the darker their fortunes, the brighter their pure love burned, until shame into glory and fear into zeal was turned. The mistress had a rival. That rival was honored, while the mistress was wronged and scorned; her crown was of briars, while gold the rival's brows adorned. The rival wooed him to temples, while the mistress lay hid in caves; the former's friends were all masters, while the latter's, alas! were all slaves. "Yet," said the faithful devotee, "cold in the earth at thy feet I would rather be, than wed what I love not, or turn one thought from thee!" Such was the love of John Taylor for the Church of Christ to which he devoted his life.

Genres: Biography, Lds, Religion, Nonfiction, History, Historical, Church

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Brigham Henry Roberts was a Mormon leader, historian, and politician who published a six-volume history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and was denied a seat as a member of United States Congress because of his practice of plural marriage.

Reviews

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to get through at times but really good.

[Tyler Critchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roberts' history isn't exactly objective but neither is my review. Since I'm obsessed with my family history I was sure to enjoy this one.

[Lowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've had this book for eight years. Would get 40 pages in, forget about it, and start anew 2-3 years later. Finally pushed through... and comfortably give it 2.5 stars.

I learned enough to merit 3 stars. John Taylor is a good man. Alas, B.H. Roberts attended the Walter Isaacson School of Repeating Oneself Incessantly (WISROI). Or maybe Isaacson attended Roberts' School? More likely. Either way, this loses 0.5 stars.

This would be 30% shorter if B.H. Roberts had never asked himself, "How many ways can I say John Taylor was a good and noble man in order to write a couple hundred pages?" (Answer: a lot) Another 20% would trim if he didn't directly quote entire articles or sermons by John Taylor, including those eulogizing him at his funeral. Another 10% if B.H. Roberts did not continually throw the late 1800s US government under the bus (or carriage?) for their treatment of Latter-day Saints. That removes 60% of the book.

Perhaps it is wrong of me to compare a LDS biography written in the 1890s to what the generally-accepted standards are in 2018. A biography in the 1890s is a product of its time and place. A historian recently reminded me that "When you read history, you are visiting a foreign land with different customs and cultures than yours." Perhaps I should apply that not only to the subjects of my chosen historical reading, but the author and their tone as well.

This is not a criticism of Taylor and Roberts. It's just unfortunate that for a key figure in the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have to go back 120 years for his life story.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gained a better insight and knowledge into the life and character of John Taylor.
However..I had a hard time with B.H. Roberts writing style. It was difficult to wade through the flowery commentaries, speeches and personal opinions of the author.

[Baden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I really like B.H. This one is not very interesting.

[D Crook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, written by B.H. Roberts, was an excellent overview of the life of John Taylor, the third prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The book is full of very fine detail about John Taylor's life, including many of his influential writings and personal letters to family. It includes a nearly complete transcript of his funeral held in Salt Lake City in July 1887. While many people have no doubt read and heard of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and their powerful personalities, most who read this book, including members of the Church of Jesus Christ, will be surprised that John Taylor was in every way their equal. He was strong, articulate, and a powerful advocate who was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This should seem obvious, given that he was present and gravely injured at Carthage Jail in Illinois where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were murdered.

B.H. Roberts is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ and this book was prepared for a Mormon audience. This, however, should not scare others not of the faith away. B.H. Roberts is a top notch researcher and historian, but he is clearly writing this in a devotional and apologetic fashion.

I would have enjoyed this book a little more if there was more focus on John Taylor himself in certain parts. However, B.H. Roberts anticipated this concern in his Preface, "The journals of President Taylor were very incomplete, covering only fragments of his life at best; but the chief events of his life were so closely interwoven with the history of the Church that his movements and labors could be followed in the Church publications...."

Overall, I thought the book was very good.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very interesting to read. I liked the perspective of someone closer to the life and works and trials of John Taylor and the Church. I learned a lot about President Taylor and his life that I didn't know. It is readily apparent how this book was a primary resource for many other later Church productions on the life and ministry of John Taylor. There were many great highlights that were instructive and inspiring. It was also very interesting to see how President Taylor and the rest of the Church struggled with the contradictions of their discipleship and citizenship, as exemplified by their struggle against the anti-polygamy laws in the United States in the late 19th century. Sometimes we think that distance from the events may give us a certain objectivity, but I think it probably just gives us a different, more detached subjectivity. So it was really interesting to read this from the perspective of Elder Roberts, who went through these trials with the Church and with President Taylor and could share the present feelings and sentiments of the people who experienced them. That may be something we lose in biographies written generations after the lives were lived and the events occurred. The biography is, of course, written in the 19th century style, which may turn some readers off. But it also gives it an authentic feel that contributes to the more raw perspective that the book offers on the life of a true servant of God who never gave up struggling for the liberty he believed in despite the fact that he didn't always enjoy it.

[Dad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a present from my daughter Christy. I never thought I would read it. I had it for several years and decided to. It took two months to read 50 pages then the last 350 I read in two weeks.
John Taylor was an influential man in building Zion in the early Church. He was with Joseph Smith when Smith was assassinated by an awful mob in Carthage, Illinois. Many wicked men will have to pay for the travesties they put Joseph and the early Saints through. John was wounded in this murder.
John led the Saints west with other leaders. He settled in Salt Lake City. He had also served missions in England, France, Germany, and the Eastern States. He edited newspapers in areas he served.
He was beloved by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
He became the third president of the Church. With the passage of the Edmunds Act, he went into hiding as he thought the wicked prosecutors of this law may try to cause a grand act to carry many Saints into conflict even death. He was needed to lead the Church. He died after a couple of years of exile, dying in Kaysville, Utah Territory. I have seen the house.
Polygamy was the will of the Lord at this time. It didn't fit with the rest of the nation but the Lord wanted them to continue living it even with dramatic legal consequences.
I learned how faithful the Saints were to God yet complicit with the law, oftentimes suffering severe consequences.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that John Taylor lived a very interesting life but B.H. Roberts didn't do his life justice by writing this book. I was so disappointed and bogged down in his writing. There wasn't enough about his family life, his wives, and his personal relationships. There was too much of his own flowery compliments about John Taylor. If you're going to write how outstanding John Taylor's character is give me examples instead of just going on and on about how wonderful he is. I will steer clear of reading anything else written by B.H. Roberts.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

not enough about his life for me, a little dry. That being said I came away loving and respecting John Taylor and loving his intelligence and his testimony.

[Jeff Crosby]

Roberts had access to the now lost Taylor journals.

[Charlie King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was totally into it.

[Kendal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best bio on President Taylor--the forgotten prophet.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated by this biography of the 3rd President of The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter- Day Saints. He was a dedicated, exemplary man. The times during which he lived were filled with danger, but also great steps forward in the history of The Church. It was hard to put this one down.

[Richard Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many biographies of the Mormon Prophets and this is one of my favorites. Yes, it was written about a century ago, but BH Roberts does have and effective, interesting way of telling stories that doesn't make the material sound like a travelogue, but like a life that was actually lived by someone. I learned so much about John Taylor and grew to appreciate his life on contributions to the restoration of the gospel

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I was initially afraid that this biography would not meet expectations after having read the scholarly approaches to chronicling the lives of Joseph Smith by Bushman and Brigham Young by Arrington, I made my way through this book much faster than the other two and enjoyed it thoroughly. It may not have as critical a lens as the former two biographies mentioned, but knowing that B.H. Roberts actually associated with most of the leaders of the Church at the turn of the century really helps his story flow with great color. As for John Taylor himself, he is revealed as a true patriot despite being born British and then coming to Canada at age 20. Known as the "Champion of Liberty" in the Church, he was a tenacious missionary and a fierce editor of newspapers that unapologetic-ally defended the Mormon Church's constitutional right to practice plural marriage. He had a sarcasm to his words I had never seen before. I was very impressed by this book.

[Scott Florence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another amazing story of one of our prophets. I am reading the biographies of our prophets in order, and now will start on Wilford Woodruff.

John Taylor's life was truly one of complete dedication to the cause of Christ and His gospel. What stood out to me was how passionately he worked to establish the clear message of the gospel, taking on detractors at every corner, but always encouraged love and freedom of opinion and worship. He loved freedom and was known for that, and even though he and the saints were constantly mistreated and denied the constitutional freedoms, he never lost faith in the country which he loved. Astounding to think that the last three years of his life and church presidency were lived in exile and hiding because of unjust treatment of the saints in the Salt Lake area.

An inspiring story for sure.

Scott

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am rereading this incredible story of one remarkable man. I read this nearly 40 years ago...My husband decided to start reading biographies of the latter-day prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had remembered how MUCH I love this biography of John Taylor, that I felt impressed to reread it. I absolutely LOVE B.H. Roberts writing. He makes that period of time....come ALIVE....and the preservation...of the life of John Taylor. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it for insights into the history of the early church. I look forward to the day, when I can meet face to face this remarkable man...who played an extremely important part in the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

[Avid reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

B.H. Roberts tends to get wordy, in my opinion. Quite comprehensive. Particularly fascinating was the large section of the book dedicated to his role in polygamy in early UT and America's view on the early saints.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1892, The Life of John Taylor by B. H. Roberts is an excellent account of the life and times of President John Taylor. I like the style of writing, which was common in the late 1800’s. The passion and assertiveness is noteworthy.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned much and found that I love this great prophet. I'm excited to be able to meet him one day. I am especially interested how loyal he was to Joseph Smith.

[Dr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best source I have read on his life.