John Taylor comes to America

Preaching in America




I . . . believe in a religion . . . that I can live for or die for. . . . I would rather have God for my friend than all other influences and powers.



John finished his apprenticeship and came back to Hale to begin a furniture-making business. But in 1830 John’s parents decided to join many British citizens who were leaving England to start a new life in Canada. John’s father asked him to stay behind to settle the family business, which took him almost two years. John was disappointed because he was anxious to go to America, but he wanted to help his father so he stayed behind.

Finally at the age of twenty-four, John was ready to leave for Canada.

Joseph Smith appears to Brigham Young

Joseph Smith cared enough about us to come back and tell Brigham Young to keep us on the straight and narrow. I love learning about the Holy Ghost. It is the most wonderful gift in the world. I only hope I can live my life so I am worthy to receive this blessing.

Several years after the Prophet Joseph Smith was killed, he appeared to President Brigham Young and said: “Tell the people to . . . keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. . . the small still voice . . . will teach [you what] to do and where to go; . . . Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open . . . so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits. It will whisper peace and joy to their souls, . . . and their whole desire will be to do good. . . if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord they will go right” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 98).