author
John Taylor
1808–1887
An English-born writer, editor, and preacher, he played a major role in early Latter-day Saint history and left behind sermons, tracts, and autobiographical writings that shaped the movement's public voice. His life took him from England to Canada and then to the American West, where he became one of the church's most prominent leaders.
3 Audiobooks
About the author
Born in Milnthorpe, Westmoreland, England, in 1808, he later emigrated to Upper Canada and worked as a cooper before becoming deeply involved in religious life. After joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1836, he quickly became known as a powerful speaker and defender of the faith.
Alongside his religious leadership, he wrote extensively as an editor, publisher, and author. His published work includes sermons, doctrinal writing, poetry, and an account of his conversion, and his clear, forceful style helped make him one of the best-known Latter-day Saint voices of the nineteenth century.
He eventually became the third president of the LDS Church, serving from 1880 until his death in 1887. For readers coming to his books today, his writing offers both a personal window into early Mormon history and a vivid example of nineteenth-century religious prose.