John Willard Young facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Willard Young |
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| Counselor to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles | |
| October 6, 1877 – October 3, 1891 | |
| Called by | John Taylor |
| End reason | Resignation (formally released on October 6, 1891) |
| First Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| October 8, 1876 – August 29, 1877 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| Predecessor | George A. Smith |
| Successor | George Q. Cannon |
| End reason | Dissolution of First Presidency upon death of Brigham Young |
| Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| May 9, 1874 – October 8, 1876 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| End reason | Called as First Counselor in the First Presidency |
| Counselor in the First Presidency | |
| June 8, 1873 – May 9, 1874 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| End reason | Called as Assistant Counselor in the First Presidency |
| LDS Church Apostle | |
| November 22, 1855 – February 12, 1924 | |
| Called by | Brigham Young |
| Reason | Brigham Young's discretion |
| Reorganization at end of term |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | John Willard Young October 1, 1844 Nauvoo, Illinois, United States |
| Died | February 12, 1924 (aged 79) New York City, New York, United States |
| Parents | Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angell |
John Willard Young (born October 1, 1844 – died February 12, 1924) was an important leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He was one of the few people to become an apostle and a member of the First Presidency without first being part of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Contents
Early Life and Church Service
Young was born in Nauvoo, Illinois. His parents were Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angell. When he was a young boy, John traveled with the Mormon pioneers from Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley.
On November 22, 1855, when he was eleven years old, his father ordained him an apostle. This was a private ordination. He was not publicly announced or added to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at that time. His ordination was confirmed again on February 4, 1864. This happened when his brothers Brigham Young, Jr. and Joseph Angell Young were also ordained apostles by their father. None of them joined the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles right away. This was because the Quorum already had twelve members. Brigham Jr. later became a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, but John and Joseph never did.
Activities in Western Territories
In 1869, Young opened the "Salt Lake City Museum and Menagerie." This museum later became the Deseret Museum. He also helped build a railroad in Arizona Territory.
Leadership in the LDS Church
Serving in the First Presidency
On April 8, 1873, Brigham Young added John and several others as special counselors to him in the First Presidency. After his father's first counselor, George A. Smith, passed away in September 1875, John Willard Young was called as the first counselor to his father. This happened on October 8, 1876.
Young served in this role until the First Presidency was reorganized. This happened when his father passed away less than a year later, on August 29, 1877. During his time in the First Presidency, John Willard Young did not spend much time in Salt Lake City. He preferred living in New York City. There, he was involved in many business projects. However, these businesses often failed and left him with a lot of debt.
Counselor to the Twelve Apostles
John Willard Young was an apostle but had never been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. So, on October 6, 1877, he was called as a counselor to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
However, Young's business dealings and his choice to live in New York City caused disagreements with other church leaders. At a church general conference on April 6, 1881, his name was not presented for approval. This meant some leaders had concerns. Between 1881 and 1885, his actions were discussed by the Quorum of the Twelve three times. Each time, he worked things out and kept his position.
In 1888, Joseph F. Smith raised concerns about Young's use of church funds. By April 1889, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve were talking about whether Young should continue in his role. Young decided to resign from his position on October 3, 1891. He knew that the church leaders were discussing his possible release again on that date. After his resignation, he was formally released as a counselor to the Twelve at a church conference on October 6, 1891.
Changes in Church Leadership Rules
Even though he lived for another 33 years, Young never served as a general authority of the LDS Church again. However, he remained an apostle for the rest of his life.
On December 9, 1899, apostle Franklin D. Richards passed away. Richards had been the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was also the second-most senior apostle in the church. After Richards's death, Young became the second-most senior apostle.
At that time, the rules for choosing the next church president meant Young could become president when Lorenzo Snow passed away. Snow was the only living person who had been ordained an apostle before Young. Snow was 85 years old and not in good health. Young was only 55 years old. So, it seemed to many that Young would be the next president of the church.
However, many general authorities had concerns about Young. They felt that his leadership might not be good for the church. On March 31, 1900, the First Presidency, which included Snow, Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith, changed the rules for choosing the next church president. The new rule stated that the next president would be the person who had been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for the longest time. Since Young had never been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, he could not become the church president under this new rule. On April 5, 1900, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve all agreed to the new policy.
On October 10, 1901, Lorenzo Snow passed away. Five days later, Young arrived in Salt Lake City from New York City. He may have intended to become the church president. However, because of the new policy, Joseph F. Smith was ordained the new church president on October 17, 1901. Young then returned to New York City. He lived there for the rest of his life. After he passed away in New York City, Young was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Later Years
After returning to New York City, John Willard Young worked as an elevator operator in a fancy hotel where he had once lived. In 1902 and 1903, his son, Hooper Young, faced some difficulties. This was very hard for John Willard, who had believed his son was innocent. John Willard Young continued to attend a local branch of the LDS Church for the rest of his life. He passed away from cancer in New York City at the age of 79.
See also
- San Francisco Peaks
- United States Shipbuilding Company
