New Release! George Q. Cannon: Politician, Publisher, Apostle of Polygamy, by Kenneth L. Cannon II

*|MC:SUBJECT|*
View this email in your browser

George Q. Cannon: Politician, Publisher, Apostle of Polygamy

by Kenneth L. Cannon II

George Q. Cannon is generally acknowledged as second only to Brigham Young as the most visible leader of Mormonism in the mid- to late-nineteenth century. He became Young’s protégé and was an influential first counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for almost twenty-five years, serving with presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and Lorenzo Snow. Known as the “spokesman for the kingdom,” Cannon was the central political figure of the church, not only serving as Utah territory’s delegate to Congress for ten years but also as chief political advisor and long-term editor of the Deseret News. Cannon helped shape doctrine, church governance, and administration during a period of significant change, defending and promulgating plural marriage both before and after the 1890 Manifesto. He was at the center of business life in Salt Lake City, serving as president of the largest publishing house, banks, a railroad, mining companies, electric companies, and other businesses. Though Cannon was loved and revered by his people, controversy sometimes touched his life and family.

Excerpt

George's role in defending his church was more important to him even than [his first wife] Elizabeth. He and Elizabeth had been happy the first few years of their marriage before he married Sarah Jane, and they remained devoted to each other and their children. As George Q. acknowledged, his obedience to celestial marriage tried her faith and made her sad at times. Elizabeth remained committed to their faith against these challenges and stood by her husband. On January 25, 1882, as George Q. was losing his battle to remain in Congress, Elizabeth died. He could not be with her in her last days and could not even attend her funeral. He wrote to [his brother] Angus to help the children "not yield to grief." His devotion to his God and his prophet took precedence. [Allen G.] Campbell [candidate against George Q. Cannon for Congress], Campbell's lawyer, and Governor Eli Murray were working hard to lobby representatives to deny George's seating. Fourteen bills against the Mormons had been introduced in the House, and a constitutional amendment and four bills in the Senate, and Cannon needed to address each.

About the author

Kenneth L. Cannon II  is a lawyer in private practice and an independent historian. He has published many articles in professional journals and lectured widely on legal and historical subjects. He is a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Bankruptcy where he has served on the Board of Regents. He has also been an adjunct professor of law at the University of Utah and Brigham Young University law schools and served as a Fulbright Scholar on the University of Helsinki’s faculty of law. Cannon is married to Ann Edwards Cannon and lives in Salt Lake City.

paperback | $14.95
ebook | $9.99


Available at select bookstores and at Amazon. More info at signaturebooks.com.
facebook
twitter
Instagram
Website
Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|*

Our mailing address is:
*|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|*
update  |  unsubscribe

*|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*
Previous
Previous

New Podcast Episode! Kenneth L. Cannon II on George Q. Cannon

Next
Next

Signature News July 2023