The Political Platform of the Manifesto - Author: Fred C. Collier (Doctrine of the Priesthood, Vol. 4 No. 2)

Author: Fred C. Collier - An heretofore unpublished series of six letters - five written by President John Taylor and one by Charles W. Penrose. Penrose argues in what would appear to be flawless logic for all the advantages of concession, and in graphic terms he describes the horrors to come upon the Church, should they refuse to bend to the will of their enemies. He then points out the possibility of different interpretations or constructions which might be placed upon a carefully worded anti-"Bigamy" or "anti-Polygamy Law" which would in effect nullify such a law once Utah became a state, making it possible to legally practice "Celestial" or plural marriage. His whole argument very positively sets forth the political strategy for what ultimately became the manifesto of 1890. President Taylor's letters clearly display an uncompromising zeal for Principle and manifest the tremendous pressure which was constantly being exerted upon him by other leading men in the Church, who continually pushed for compromise. Most of President Taylor's letters are co-signed by George Q. Cannon, his first counselor, but other evidence would argue that secretly, Cannon was sympathetic with those who wanted concession. In his letters, President Taylor issues a Prophetic warning of what the future would hold in store for the Saints, should the demands of concession be met. It is only sad that the telling story of history vindicates the accuracy of his vision.