Tar and Feathers

John and his family, along with many of the Canadian members, decided to gather with the body of the Saints in Kirtland. When they arrived, they found many members apostatizing from the church. The faithful Saints were moving to Missouri, so John and the group he traveled with continued toward Missouri from Kirtland.


During their journey, they stopped in a little town near Columbus, Ohio. On the Sabbath the company asked John to preach. With no building available he found a place to teach the people outside in the open air. Everyone eagerly awaited his message. Just before the meeting began, some of the brethren informed John that a mob would tar and feather him if he preached. It wasn’t just a rumor; they had seen the tar and feathers. John said he would speak anyway. The others feared for John because they didn’t have the strength to protect him.

At the designated hour, the Saints gathered along with townspeople and members of the mob. John stood up to speak. He began, “Gentlemen, I now stand among men whose fathers fought for . . . the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences. . . They nobly fought and nobly conquered; . . . and the flag of freedom waves from Wisconsin to Louisiana – from Maine to Missouri. . . . Gentlemen, with you liberty is more than a name. . . By the by, I have been informed that you purpose to tar and feather me, for my religious opinions. . . . Is this the blessing they [your forefathers] purchased with their dearest hearts’ blood . . . ? If so, you now have a victim.”

John ripped his vest open and said, “Gentlemen come on with your tar and feathers, your victim is ready.” Everyone was quiet. Not a sound could be heard. After a few moments of silence, John began to preach, giving a message about the restoration of the Church. When he finished speaking, the people of the town complimented him on his address, and he and the other Saints continued their journey. Those who would have tarred and feathered him slunk into the background.

John Taylor, An Apostle of the Lord

The next day John and the people he came with left Kirtland to return to Canada. On the way, they stopped at Niagara Falls. Amidst the grandeur of the beautiful falls, John was filled with the Spirit, and knew he would be called as one of the Twelve Apostles of the Church. It would be over a year before the calling came, and at times John wondered if this revelation was really from the Lord. However, he kept the knowledge close to his heart. The Lord had given him revelation before, and it had come to pass. He would faithfully follow the path that Heavenly Father had set for him.

A Faithful follower of Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith was out of town, and the meeting began with some of the brethren saying negative things about the Prophet Joseph. Soon a fight started. John quickly helped Emma Smith, Joseph’s wife, and their children gather their things and leave. John returned to the scuffle, which was quickly over. John rose from the ruckus, straightened his jacket, held his head high, and with majesty walked to the pulpit. Everyone watched him. He defended the Prophet, bearing testimony of the truth that had been revealed through Joseph Smith. The faithful members in the audience listened and agreed.


John was glad that the majority of the Saints in the meeting were still loyal to the Prophet. “I rejoiced to see the firmness, faith, integrity and joy of the faithful.” From then on, John became known as the ‘defender of the faith.’

An Apostle of the Lord, Defender of the Faith

Go, ye messengers of glory;

Run, ye legates of the skies;

Go, and tell the pleasing story,

That a glorious angel flies,

Great and mighty.

With a message from the skies.



In 1836 after his baptism and ordination to the priesthood, John was called to preside over the churches in Canada. John wanted to meet the Prophet Joseph Smith, so the next year in March of 1837 he visited Kirtland. Joseph welcomed John into his home. When he first took Joseph’s hand in greeting, John said “a charge like an electrical shock” went through him.

John treasured the time he spent with the Prophet Joseph. Both men had prayerfully sought religious truth in their lives; both loved learning and discussing spiritual truths. As their friendship deepened, their respect and admiration for each other grew.