Item Detail
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22386
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24
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0
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English
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Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle : The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895
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Salt Lake City
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Signature Books in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation
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[2011 Mormon Historical Association Winner for Best Documentary Editing]
The following absract covers some years ommited by Editor Lyman in this one volue pubication: "Important diary due to author's unusual position as General Authority in Mormon Church, publisher and editor, and business investor in many Utah enterprises. Son of George Q. Cannon, counselor in First Presidency. Beautiful handwriting, 1879 through 1891; in author's own typing, 1892-95. A few gaps due to lapses by author. Also unexplained removal of pages or clipping out of portions of pages. Still, coverage is remarkably complete and frank. Missionary in England, Switzerland, Germany, 1879-82. Returned to United States. Worked in office of Juvenile Instructor; became manager of this publishing company. Other enterprises over the years, often part of holdings of George Q. Cannon and Sons, including stationery store in Ogden, furniture company, newspapers, real estate, mining, banking, streetcar company, and canal company. Detailed information on investments and credit transactions. Many entries in closing years concerning Bullion-Beck Mining Company. Difficult to draw lines between holdings of Cannon and Sons, enterprises (railroads, sugar manufacture) fostered by the Church, and author's personal investments. Prosperity gave way to hard times; determined effort to refinance and get out of debt. Named to First Council of Seventy, 1882. Called to Council of Twelve Apostles, 1889. Detailed reports of "council" meetings, especially valuable after 1889 for deliberations of the Twelve and the First Presidency. Valuable glimpses into decision-making process, differences of opinion, repeated efforts to achieve greater unity. Member of Deseret Sunday School Union Board. Attended many stake conferences. Fine pen pictures of small communities, their geography and problems. Details on procedure for filling vacancies in stakes and wards. Frequent moral and disciplinary cases. Polygamy a major theme. Author had two wives when he returned from mission. ("In the evening I called to see Mina, and then went on to the farm with Sarah. My evening was spent in reading and conversing with Mina, or rather Sarah.") Exciting trip to Mexico for marriage to third wife, 1886. ("My bridal chamber was Bro. Snow's light wagon which was made quite comfortable with a feather bed and the curtains being all fastened down.") Repeated outbursts by Mina, who was headstrong and resentful of plural marriage system. Life during the Raid. Secrecy, hiding, use of informers, rumors. ("Special patrols have been appointed in the various Wards of the city to patrol the streets at night and see that no sneaks are around watching the houses of polygamists.") George Q. Cannon [p.56] arrested. Unsuccessful plan to arrange his escape. Author arrested, 1886. Asked at trial whether both Sarah and Mina were his wives. ("They are, thank God.") Term in penitentiary; detailed account of prison life.Increasingly effective government pressure. ("Matters seem to be closing in around us, but God is still at the helm, and truth will triumph.") Details on Woodruff Manifesto of 1890. Differences of opinion on interpretation and application of new policy'whether plural marriages could be solemnized in Mexico, for example. ("Father feels, as I do, that it is best to entirely cease the performance of such marriages for the present and thus make the brethren more appreciative of present blessings.") Political issues heightened as Utah reached statehood. Strong political differences even in top Church councils. Moses Thatcher and B. H. Roberts cases. Political involvement of Church authorities in Utah, Idaho, Arizona. Concern for crime and immorality in Salt Lake City. ("Salt Lake City is becoming too much like Babylon, and the growing indifference of the Saints is indeed alarming.") Anarchism and labor unrest deplored. Stories regarding Joseph Smith and early days are recorded. Many questions of doctrine and practice discussed by Apostles and First Presidency. Recurrent contention within the larger Cannon family. Principals, besides the author, were his wives, father, brother Frank, Uncle Angus, cousin John Q., other brothers or half-brothers, children, and other wives. Disgraceful drunkenness of Frank, who frequently visited saloons and brothels. ("He is said to have been seen walking on the streets of Ogden in the company of two prostitutes the parasol of one of which he was carrying.") Adultery committed by John Q. Much heartache over these infractions. Several memorable family squabbles. Varied recreational and social activities. Singing lessons. Concerts. Lectures. Swimming. Family parties. Croquet. Spectator at baseball games, horse races, boxing matches. Noted victory of John L. Sullivan in 1889 world heavyweight bout. ("It shows the depraved tastes of the American people'not superior to the inclinations of the Mexicans who delight in bull fights, or to the ancient Romans who took pleasure in gladiatorial contests.") Attended dances. Disapproved of new "round dancing." Frequent attendance at theater. Often summarized plots of plays, showing special interest in moral lessons." [Abstract from Davis Bitton's Guide to Mormon Diaries and Autobiographies, 1977]
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