John Taylor was born in England. At age 16 he joined the Methodist Church and became a lay preacher. In 1832 he moved to Toronto, Canada where he met and married Leonora Cannon. He and his wife heard the Gospel while in Canada and were baptized. In 1837 they moved to Missouri where John was ordained an apostle. He served four missions, two to England (1839-41, and 1846-47), one to France and Germany (1849-52), and one to Eastern States (1855-57). He was such a bold advocate for the Church that Joseph Smith called him "Defender of the Faith." In Nauvoo, he was active in civic affairs. He edited and published two newspapers, the Times and Seasons (1842-46) and the Nauvoo Neighbor (1843-46). He was with Joseph and Hyrum in Carthage Jail when they were martyred. He was shot, but was saved when the bullet struck his pocket watch. He moved west with the Saints, arriving in the Salt Lake Valley in the fall of 1847. He was again active in civic affairs, serving in the territorial legislature, as a judge, and as territorial superintendent of schools. He was set apart as President of the Church in 1880. During his presidency new missions were organized; Mormon settlements were established in Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona; construction continued on the Salt Lake and Manti temples; and the Logan Temple was dedicated. The Pearl of Great Price was canonized. The Primary Association and the Young Ladies' MIA were adopted Church-wide. |
Groundbreaking and Naming: June 1995 by Elder L. Tom Perry of the Council of the Twelve. Completed: 1997 1997: Dedicated by President James E. Faust of the First Presidency with Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Council of the Twelve in attendance. Facilities: Houses Departments of Religion and Humanities. Houses a campus stake with nine wards. Chapel provides seating for over 400 and has a pipe organ. Cultural hall, when combined with chapel provides seating for 2,000. Space for church social programs includes a student commons area, under a skylight, for study and socializing. Faculty offices and classrooms.
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