Abstract

The speaking of John Taylor influenced the lives of Latter-day Saints for five decades. He delivered between two and three thousand addresses. In those addresses he promulgated a diversity of principles concerning the kingdom of God. This study focused on Taylor's ideas regarding liberty. Those ideas were often found in Taylor's speaking between 1857 and 1867. It was a time of threatened liberties for the people he lead. His speeches during those years played a significant part in swaying politcal and military efforts, as well as bolstering Mormon determination.

This study found that Taylor's ideas of liberty are based largely on his religious fundament. To Taylor, religious and poilitcal philosophy were inseparably inter-related. He believed that the Latter-day Saints had special rights. He presented his ideas to Mormon and Gentile alike in pointed, frank sermons. Taylor spoke as he lived--with great intensity.

Degree

College and Department

Fine Arts and Communications; Communications

Rights

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