Cowboy Apostle (ePub)

Anthony W. Ivins (1852-1934) migrated to St. George,Utah, at age nine where he later became an influential civic and ecclesiastical leader. He married Elizabeth A. Snow, daughter ofapostle Erastus F. Snow. Ivins was a first cousin of HeberJ. Grant, and served as his counselor while Grantwas LDS president. Ivins filled several Mormon missionsto Mexico and presided as the Juarez, Mexico stake president where he performed post-manifesto marriages. He was appointed by theU.S. government as an Indian agent, and was warmlyacquainted with Porfirio Diaz, president of Mexico.Involved in politics in St. George, Ivins held aspirationsof running as a Democrat for governor of Utah.In 1907, he was ordained an apostle and later advancedto the First Presidency. Tone, as he called himself, wasan accomplished horseman who worked with, andinvested in, livestock. He was a game-hunting cowboywho became a statesman for both his country and hisexpanding religious community.Though in his correspondence Ivins expressedparamount concern for members of his family, herarely mentions them in his journals. Rather, his diarieschronicle his business and religious observationsincluding meetings with the Quorum of the Twelve and others. He records meetings of the apostles where decisions were made to remove Church leaders from office who had entered into polygamy after 1904, and details the Church's dealings with the Mexicangovernment to safeguard the Mormon colonists. There are also discussions where doctrinal principles were clarified.For example, in 1912, Ivins reported that President Joseph F. Smith addressed Brigham Young's Adam God teachings and affirmed that it was "e;not a doctrine of the Church."e; Ivins clearly loved the ruggedness of outdoor life, as evidenced in his passion for hunting, but was also intrigued with the curiosities at the Utah State Fair, the entertaining showmanship of Buffalo Bill, and the refinement of the theater. Tragedy became commonplace as he recorded vigilante-like justice against Indians and Mexicans who were killed for stealing food, and witnessing the execution of John D. Lee, a once favored son of Mormonism. Appendices ofCowboy Apostleinclude Ivins Record Book of Marriage and an essay by Ivins son, H. Grant Ivins titled "e;Polygamy in Mexico as Practiced by the Mormon Church, 1895-1905."e;