Commenting on Wilford Woodruff, Amy Langford noted that:
Woodruff did, however, verbally sanction at least one more plural
marriage after 1890. Abraham H. Cannon’s brother David had recently died
unmarried and childless. Concerned that his brother’s soul would be denied
familial companionship in the hereafter, Cannon contemplated taking a plural
wife with whom he could “rais[e] up seed by her.” Any children Cannon and his
plural wife bore would then be sealed to his deceased brother. In October 1894,
Cannon sought the advice of the First Presidency–which included his father
George Q. Cannon. President Woodruff and Counselor Smith both assured Cannon
“they were willing for such a ceremony to occur, if done in Mexico, and Pres.
Woodruff promised the Lord’s blessing to follow such an act.” The sanction of
the First Presidency thus secured, Cannon married Lilian Hamlin as his fourth
wife in June 1896. (Amy Langford, “Saints on the Border: Plural
Marriage, Power, and the Remaking of the Latter-day Saints on the U.S.-Mexico
Border, 1885-1925” [PhD Dissertation; Washington D. C.: American University,
2022], 127)
Langford makes
reference to the journal entries for October 19, 24, and 27, 1894, in the
journal of Abraham H. Cannon.
The following
comes from:
Candid Insights
of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, ed. Edward Leo Lyman (Salt Lake City:
Signature Books, 2010)
October 19,
1894:
[October 19, 1894; Friday] At noon I went to a meeting of Cannon, Grant & Co., at which it
was decided to send some notes back east for rediscount, which we can obtain
from the State and Zion’s Savings Bank. We are to obtain $65,000 from each of
them. I also had a talk with Father about the Juvenile [Instructor] business,
which made him feel somewhat discouraged because of our heavy indebtedness. I
told him we are doing our best to keep up our expenses, and get a little ahead.
We had a talk with the Presidency about the History of Utah, and they gave
Bishop Whitney notice ( hat I hey were through with him so far as writing on it
is concerned, now that he has finished the third volume. I suggested that we
hire a cheaper man, and a better worker to write the biographies for the fourth
volume. It was thought that this will be the best thing to do.
Father also spoke to me about taking some good girl and raising up
seed by her for my brother David. He mentioned the daughter of Theophilus
Davis, who has said she will never marry at all unless I become her husband,
but I told him I knew but little of her character. He told me to think the
matter over, and speak to him later about it. Such a ceremony as this could be
performed in Mexico, so Pres. Woodruff has said. ...
Frank Q. Cannon] spoke on Republican principles in the theater this
evening. He had a crowded house, and spoke very well so I am told. (p 562)
October 24,
1894:
[October 24, 1894; Wednesday] I went to the President’s Office and [talked to] Father about taking
a wife for David. I told him David had taken Annie[,] [both sons’] cousin,
through the [temple] veil in life, and suggested she might be a good person [to
be] sealed to him for eternity. The suggestion pleased Father very much, and
Angus [M. Cannon, who] was there. He [George Q. Cannon] spoke to him [Angus M.
Cannon] about it in the presence of the Presidency. [Angus would] not object
providing [his daughter] Annie is willing. The Presidents Woodruff and Smith
both said they were willing for such a ceremony to occur, if done in Mexico,
and Pres. Woodruff promised the Lord’s blessing to follow such an act. Father
said Uncle Angus should sound Annie on the matter, and I was willing to leave
it in that way. The feelings of Uncle Angus are not very pleasant today, as Dr.
Lyon tells him that Jesse’s eye must come out, or he may lose his other eye,
and perhaps his life. I have not been able to feel this way, but believe the
Lord will heal him, if he and those about him will exercise faith. I am
therefore opposed to the operation. Jesse came to my [prayer] Circle at six
o’clock, where I had opened with prayer, and Orson F. Whitney was mouth at the
altar. The latter anointed him, and Bros. Robert Patrick and W[illiam] L. N.
Binder and myself in turn sealed the anointing. I also went to Uncle Angus’
with Bro. Stevenson after the Circle and administered to him. Several promises
have been made him of his complete recovery, if he will have faith, and I
believe these promises will be fulfilled. The Presidency would give Uncle Angus
no counsel as to what he should do in the case [of Jesse’s eye], but thought he
ought to follow the feelings of his own heart, and these seem to be to have the
eye removed. I protest against it in my feelings. (pp. 563-64)
October 27,
1894:
[October 27, 1894; Saturday] I had a talk with Uncle Angus [M. Cannon]
about his daughter Ann, and he gave me full and free permission to ask her to
become the wife of my brother David, and seemed to wish that she would look
favorably on the proposition, though he did not want to influence her in the
least against her own will. He said he would give her counsel if she desired
it. (pp. 564-65)
