John Taylor

“Let my servant John Taylor … be appointed.” (D&C 118:6.) Called of the Lord in 1838, only two years after joining the Church, John Taylor became one of the Twelve Apostles, who “hold the keys to open up the authority of my kingdom upon the four corners of the earth, and after that to send my word to every creature.” (D&C 124:128.)

John Taylor carried the gospel to many parts of the world, serving missions in the eastern United States, England, France, and Germany. Largely through his efforts, the Book of Mormon was translated into French and German.

From the time of his conversion until his death on July 26, 1887, John Taylor devoted himself to the furthering of the kingdom.

Born on November 1, 1808, in Milnthorpe, Westmoreland County, England, John Taylor became third President of the Church in 1880. A close companion to Joseph Smith, he was wounded at the time of the Prophet’s martyrdom at Carthage.

Lorenzo Snow, later President of the Church, called him “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.” (Roberts, p. 443.)