Abraham H. Cannon

This material was condensed by Geraldine H. Cannon from Abraham's own journal which consists of 19 volumes. Part of his journal was handwritten and part were typewritten. It was a day to day account of his life; there were not very many days that he did not write in it even though he was very busy. The first volume was started at the time he went on his mission. The original volumes of these journals are kept at Brigham Young University in Special Collections.

Abraham H. Cannon left on a mission on October 21, 1879. He was 20 years old at the time and he had two wives. His mission call was to England, Switzerland and Germany. Most of his time he spent in Germany. At times he felt homesick, tired, sleepy, hungry, and there was no one to whom he could speak, or of whom he could fine a place to go yet through all of it said, "I felt a joy, knowing it was God's will I should be here. I prayed to the Lord to watch over me and help me find my way to my destination, and he did answer my prayers, and when I found myself among friends I couldn't help but thank him for my blessings."

Many times he was sick–bothered by his teeth and by a very sore hand and foot but through it all he was happy and had a strong testimony of the gospel and was thankful for his blessings. Many times while he was on his mission three men would have to sleep in one bed.

Many of the people were baptized in the middle of winter (January 15th) in the cold river with ice floating on it. One, Abraham administered to so she could stand the cold water. Some of the members were really persecuted by the relatives for joining the Church.

The missionaries walked great distances to see members of the church. Some people argued and would not listen to them, but many others listened, believed, and were baptized. Many of the priests told the members they could not be saved if they kept listening to the Mormons.

Some members who had lost their testimony threatened to thrash them, and his wife lied about them. Once a member asked to be taken out of the Church because of the persecution he received, but Abraham and his companion talked to him and he decided he wanted to stay in the Church.

Some of the members if they had more than enough money to come to Utah, gave some money to other members to help them out.

The country officials made trouble for the church because the members did not want their children to go to the Catholic religious schools and he taught religion and this made the officials and priests mad.

The newspapers in Germany had an account of their meeting and counseled the people to avoid them because they were supposed to be anti-Christs. It caused quite an uproar among the people of the town. One man's employer forbade him to talk about religion to any of the men in the garden and also the man who owned the house in which they lived also forbid meetings being held there so they had to work in private. Many people who were persecuted only received a greater testimony.

The Commissioner of Mamhein came to their meeting to listen to them and asked to have them come and tell about their church to see if they were doing anything wrong, and said he wished that all the people would live according to our Church teachings and if they would they would be easily governed, but a higher official told them they could not hold any more meetings.

In May they received seven letters from people in different parts of Germany who had seen articles in the newspapers concerning the Mormons and were anxious to know concerning the principles of the Church. These people were educated people. One was a priest (they had already baptized one priest and his mother). Thus he said, "I can see the wisdom of God in allowing this uproar over His people; what would have taken the Elders a long time to do, is done in a few days by the newspapers, as every paper in the whole land almost has something to say about the Mormons. And thus the Devil is helping along with the work of God. It is for us people to trust in God although the future may look dark and forbidding. He will bring us through safe and sound."

Some of the members were beginning to receive persecutions at their homes. The police said that if the Mormon preachers were stoned and beaten they would not arrest those involved in it. The Catholic Priest had some handbills printed in which he called on everyone Protestant or Catholic to join and drive the Mormons out. After Abraham heard of this he said "It is for His people to rely on Him, and be faithful and true. I have not the least fear for myself."

At one time Abraham writes that his finances were becoming very low. Someone sent him $5.00. He said he never had any fear when they ran low, knowing God would give him all he needed.

He tells of a couple who had been to a Mormon meeting. One night both of them had a dream in their dreams they heard a voice telling them to "Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins." Although it was February (a very code time) they were baptized the next day.

He tells how he was determined to fast and pray until he received a particular bless he desired. He fasted and prayed for three days until he felt the Lord was satisfied with him. He tells of asking the Lord to give him the privilege of bearing his testimony to some person today, which he was able to do. He was a very good man but very human. He tells of times when had a race with his companions and tore his pants, also one time when he and his companion had a fun rough and tumble fight to see who could get the blankets. He tells of one of the brothers leaving and he said, "I am not sorry he is gone, because he is too conceited to suit me." He tells how he and his wife Sarah had been married two years on October 16, 1680 and they never yet had a quarrel. He tells of a brother who gave a good discourse but that it was too long. He also tells how some sisters talked too much. At one time he says, "I had the spirit of scolding the saints a little tonight." He tells of talking 40 minutes. He says the brethren were very much surprised to hear him talk as he did, and one man from north Germany could not believe that he only studied German for one year, Abraham said, "That shows what wonders a person can perform when God helps him."

He tells of administering to many people and of attending a Church meeting where 60 or 70 persons were in attendance and only six of them members of the Church. He says, "At times we would rather have other jobs," but they were willing to do what the Lord wants them to do.

He tells of a family in the branch who were so poor that his wife, he and their two children didn't have any food all day long or no money to buy fuel. The didn't say anything to anyone because they knew the others were also poor and it would be hard for them to help, but one of the members who were very poor themselves, gathered food and money (for fuel) for them.

Abraham visited many museums and other places of interest. He seems to be quite knowledgeable. He said, "The Lord assists me and give me much joy in the proclaiming of the Gospel; I thank him therefore."

The police are ordered to watch them closely and they are told not to hold meetings so they must do it in secret. Some of the missionaries were arrested for holding meetings. One man was in prison 156 days. When he got out, he hid between two walks in a house until he could go to England because the police were looking for him.

Abraham tells of visiting a family members who hadn't eaten all day. He gave them some money, and the lady said it was a direct answer to her prayers. Abraham said that he had been led by the Spirt of God to visit this home. While on the way to their home he stopped several times and even turned to go away from the house but the Spirit kept prompting him to enter. It was made plain to him why he was led there upon learning of the condition of these people. He said, "This is a remarkable manifestation to me of how the Lord leads people by his Spirit."

He tells of how when he hears of his Mother's death he cries he feels so bad. On the day of her death she said concerning John Q. and Abraham, "They are good boys–tell them to do the best they can."

Abraham was released from his mission in May–about 2 ½ years after he left Utah.

Abraham ordained Rodney C. Badger as one of the presidents of the 3rd Quorum of Seventies in the 17th Ward on February 8, 1886. [This is very interesting because he is Mike's Great Grandfather's son???.]

Abraham was tried for practicing polygamy and on March 17, 1886 he was sentenced for six months in prison or pay a fine of $300 and costs. He said he explained his position and stated that, "I had only sought to obey the law of God in doing as I had done, and if for doing that I deserved punishment I was prepared for sentence." He was given a suit of prison stripes. He said the room he was assigned to there had 52 prisoners. It was 20'6" by 26'6" by 12'1" high. On three sides there were three tiers of bunks which could accommodate two persons each. The first day his meals consisted of: breakfast–large piece of tough meat, two potatoes, two pieces of bread and brother George Taylor gave him a small piece of butter; dinner–vegetable soup, two pieces of bread; supper–cup of tea and two slices of bread.

Even though these men were only doing what God commanded they had to suffer many inconveniences in prison.

Some of the commissioners (not members of the Church) were known to be guilty of association and committing themselves with lewd women. And yet they prated about he immorality of the Mormons.

Some of the inconveniences that Abraham mentions are: He had to sleep with a fellow for a while who smoked, drank, and swore which he didn't like. They weren't allowed to read the newspaper and they missed it very much. One man's wife dies while he is in prison, but he is permitted to attend the funeral with a guard. He had to have his hair clipped close to his skull and moustache shaved off. There were bed bugs there. Relatives were only allowed to visit once a month. His wives and relatives were often refused passes to see him after traveling all that way to see him. The marshal once told Mina (his second wife) she had no right to a pass even on visiting day. Because of his sentence he had to pay a fine of $357.25 and court costs.

He kept very busy in prison. He worked on the Juvenile all the time he was there. He also gained permission from the guard to arise at give instead of six so that he could have an hour for study before the others got up. In fact, throughout his life he seemed to keep very busy. He not only studied Church things but he studied such things as history, Spanish, "Intellectual Development of Europe," shorthand, type, and many other things.

One author had this to say about Abraham in his book: "He testified against himself rather than his family should be compelled to be witnesses for the prosecution... He mad a speech in court expressing his determination not to make any agreement to cast away his family or renounce a principle of his religion... His business is printer and publisher, besides engaging to some extent in literature. His height is 5 feet 10 inches and proportionate build. His face is large, intelligent and kindly, and complexion light. He is a son of President George Q. Cannon, and one of the Seven Presidents of Seventies. He filled a mission to Europe, partly to England and the remainder in the Swiss and German mission. While abroad he acquired the German language." (Martyrdom of Standing by John Nicolson)

As new member prisoners were brought in they would sing or bear their testimony as sort of an initiation. He was elected a director of Co-op Furniture while he was in prison.

He was very concerned with others. He payed the school bill for a young boy at prison who was too poor to pay his own. He also pays a fine as a loan for a Brother Bates. Brother Bates put up his watch and chain at a raffle to get money to pay his way home. Abraham won and he gave them back to Brother Bates, though he was reluctant to accept them. Abraham said this was the first time in his life that he had won anything at a game of chance, and he believe the Lord permitted it only because of the object he had in view of returning it to Brother Bates.

Sarah intended to create a little trouble because Mina had gotten a pass to see Abraham once a week. Abraham asked someone to get it for Mina. Sarah had supposed she had obtained it by representing herself as the first wife. He sent word to Sarah not to make any disturbance about the pass.

On the 4th of July a program was held at the prison and the 8th ward choir came to sing to the prisoners. A little five year old girl sang "I'll write a letter to Papa." he enjoyed it very much.

While in prison he told the men who worked in his store to keep track of how much he hade so he could pay tithing on it.

When Abraham was released the warden told him that he had obeyed the rules and he was pleased to see him leave; he also hoped that he would never return. A program was held for him before he left. Mr. Johnson, while acknowledging his prejudice against the Mormon people and religion, said that Abraham would stand among the first on the list of those whom he thought were trying to approach the example set by our great Master. He mad many other expressions of the highest praise. Mr. McConnell said he wished from his heart that he could see and be as Abraham was. Abraham didn't believe there was a man in the yard but what feels kindly towards him. He said, "I can truly say that I have tried to set a good example in study, work and morals and the Lord has wonderfully blest me." He was released on August 18, 1886.

The warden of the prison said of the Mormons imprisoned for polygamy, "I could plow a furrow around a hundred acre field of such men and tell them to stay within the boundary and I would feel perfectly safe that not one of them would disobey instructions."

Abraham received this letter written in a lady's hand: "My thoughts have been to you a long time. Hoping the Lord will in due time open a way I may have the opportunity of meeting you. I am a single lady able of providing for myself, and it is my wish to be called by your name. I trust the Lord may fulfill my desire. I dare not yet give my name but leave it in the providence of the Lord, please destroy this, from a humble and faithful sister." [He didn't know who sent the letter and at the time felt it may be a joke. Some pages of the diary are missing at this point, so we don't know if he found out who had written it.]

Right after he received the above letter he started talking of meeting and seeing Mary Eliza Croxall. After October 14, 1886 at the end of pages missing there is this unfinished sentence: "Faithful girl, and I love her more at each interview!" He spends much time with Mary Eliza after this. He tells of how Mary Eliza tells him concerning the troubles of her pas life, how cruelly her father had treated her after he had become depraved by drink and lechery, and how lonesome she had felt. He said then that "we had our solemn promises and assurances to make and before parting she presented me with her mother's engagement ring and her own photo. She is a dear, good girl and one who I believe the Lord is willing I should have. She is a girl whom I know is to love, and the more I see her the better I like her."

Mary Eliza received her endowments in the Logan temple December 10, 1886. Because polygamy was still a commandment of the Lord, but he would be put into prison if it was known he had taken another wife, he and Mary Eliza had to go to Mexico to be married. D. C. Young and Marion Penelope Hardy went along with them since they also planned on getting married in Mexico. The two girls rode on the U.C. train to Provo which left at 7:20 in the morning and the men left at 11:00 on the D & R train and they married each other January 11, 1887 by Apostle Snow. The first night they slept in Brother Snow's wagon and the next two nights on the ground as they were returning home. The two men left their wives at Denver to follow them the next day, so they wouldn't enter the city together. He tells of when returning he spent the evening with Mina, "who I am sorry to say, exhibits a very wrong spirit and indulges in feeling which unless changed will cause her to apostatize. I pray God to cause her to see her folly."

Mary Eliza was 20 when they married and Abraham was 27. He calls Mary Eliza "Mama."

Abraham was always learning new things. He started to play an instrument called an autoharp.

In his church position he attends many Stake Conferences throughout the area and so has to travel and be away from home a good deal of the time. (Right after he returned from his mission he was put into the First Quorum of Seventies.)

A baby daughter was born to Mary Eliza on November 13, 1887. She was named Mary.

Abraham write in his journal that during the dedication of the Manti temple, various personages were seen. "Halos were seen about the heads of several brethren, voices were heard shouting 'Hosannah' and singing was heard." Abraham said, "These were encouraging evidence to the Saints that God is pleased with the work done and still lives to control His Church." Abraham wasn't able to attend the dedication because of a very sore leg. It gave him so many problems that he finally had to go to New York and see several doctors. He finally found one who was able to help him took treatments for it.

He was a very hard working man and must have been very gentle and loving and thoughtful of his wives. He stayed up many nights with sick children or else working. He tells of different misunderstandings with his wives. He says, "I talked kindly to her and with the blessing of God succeeded in giving her comfort and encouragement. It is difficult for her to live in plural marriage, though she has thus far acted nobly and I have had untold joy in our married life. I pray God to give her peace and a testimony in regard to this principle."

He tells of a talk he had with Sarah. "She and I had a very plain talk about our misunderstandings....In many places she showed me where I had been unjust to her and her children, and I told her of many things in her actions which displease me. Her words condemned me in many things, an I was pleased to have my weaknesses shown to me as they were. I hope I will be able to improve and be more just."

He also tells of a disagreement he had with a man. This man told him some of his faults and Abraham said he was glad that the man pointed them out to him so he could change. He seemed to be very humble.

He helps his Father and his Father's families a great deal.

He tells of giving away a nearly new suit etc to a man in need. He is also loaning money to his brothers and seems very understanding.

In his responsibility of visiting different Stakes in Utah he has to settle many differences among the Saints. At one of his visits he tells of how in Cache Stake it was the custom to read the list of all the Saints once a year naming the amounts of tithing and donations each had paid or if they had failed to pay. The presidency condemned the practice. He tells of before meeting with the High Council of one of the Stakes, that he fasted and went down by the Teton River to pray as he felt he needed God's help in meeting with them.

Mary Eliza's father, Mark Croxall, died January 26, 1889 at Butte, Montana.

President Woodruff told Abraham, "Your father has got the biggest brain and the best mind of any man in the kingdom, without exception." The President also said to Chas. Wiklen that George Q. is the humblest man in the Church. George Q. told Abraham all his success in life was due to his zeal for the work of God. Men gave him credit for much more ability than he possessed, but whatever talents he did possess he had tried to use to the glory of God.

Abraham tells f one time when he spoke in a confused way in meeting. He said he feared he counted too much on his own wisdom in arising to speak and he felt very bad when he resumed his seat. He said he hoped the lesson would not be lost on him.

He's very humble. He says, "I am 30 years old today. How little I know for my age!"

Abraham pays a doctor's bill for an operation on the eyes of a poor German. The man was so happy that he wept for joy.

Abraham was made an apostle on October 6, 1889. He and the other apostle who was selected at the same time were selected in the following manner. The apostles were asked to make suggestions to the Presidency. Among the list of names submitted was Abraham's. Then the subject was made a matter of prayer and the results were that he was unanimously chosen. Brother Junius F. Wells told Abraham after meeting there was no man in the Church for whom he would more readily raise his hand than for Abraham. Seymour B. Young said he knew two years ago that Abraham would become one of the Twelve, and so wrote to Abraham's father. Abraham's father told him that three men of all Israel whom he could have chosen had been selected. It had been without any suggestions from him. When he was set apart he was given the blessing that he would have the privilege of having ministration of angels and of seeing the Savior himself; of hearing the voice of God as audibly as we hear a man's voice; of continually being under the direction of the Holy Ghost; of being prophets and revelators and many other things. He was also promised everything his heart desired in righteousness if faithful. He said he felt humble and weak. He said he felt the most unworthy of all the brethren for this exalted position. His sins rise up against him, but he prayed God to keep his weaknesses continually before his eyes so that he might depend on Him and not on his own strength and that he would never feel proud or haughty.

When he gave a good talk and told so, he said he was led by the spirit and if any good was done, to God be the glory. One man tells him after he talked he never knew an hour to go so rapidly.

He was given his Patriarchal Blessing on March 12, 1892 on his 23rd birthday.

Just before the Salt Lake Temple dedication, Abraham met with his employees of the Deseret News and Juvenile offices to learn if any hard feeling existed among them, and if so, to settle them. This was in accordance with the suggestions of the Presidency, so the Saints could attend the dedicatory services in the Temple with hard feelings one towards another. But nothing was found that was very bad, and all of them expressed their willingness to forgive as they expected and hoped to be forgiven. Testimony meetings were held to get the Saints, Presidency, and Twelve in the right spirit.

As the Twelve and Presidency met together they were always striving to do away with any discord that might be among them.

The Salt Lake Temple was dedicated on April 6, 1893. All the Presidency and Twelve with their families were present and quite a large number of the Priesthood. The wives of deceased Apostles were also present. Many remarkable things were seen and heard in the temple. Andrew Smith, Jr. said he saw on the stand with the brethren Pres. Young, a number of the Twelve who had died, and several other brethren he did not know. The Sunday Schools were admitted on two different days. A little nine year old boy also told his mother that he saw angels in the room and on the stand. Numerous parties saw brilliant lights and heard singing and instrumental music. One rough young man from Brigham City, the leader in the escapades of the young men at his home, said he saw a bright halo above the head of Pres. Woodruff, an the spirt of the temple was so strong in him that he went home and started a reformation among his companions.

President Woodruff was so sick after the dedication that on two different occasions arrangements were made for his burial and also one of the Twelve Brother Thatcher he thought he would die. During the time of the dedicatory services the wind outside blew a perfect hurricane, doing considerable damage throughout the city and in various parts of the country.

Many women wanted to marry Abraham and told him so.

He married his fourth wife and sealed her and their children by her to David, who died while on a mission so that he might have a wife and children in the Celestial Kingdom.

Mike's Dad, Spencer Croxall Cannon, was born on December 16, 1894. His mother was Mary Eliza. Spencer was named on December 23, 1894 by George Q. Cannon

Abraham had many financial difficulties and much illness, but he said that the Lord always blessed him greatly. He helped his father's family a great deal. He also helped many others. He was involved in many businesses and kept very busy.