Rudger Clawson
Encyclopedia
Rudger Judd Clawson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1898 until his death in 1943. He also served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
from 1921 until his death and as a member of the First Presidency
of the LDS Church for five days in 1901.
to Hiram Bradley Clawson
and Margaret Judd of Canada.
While serving his mission in Georgia
, he faced many challenges, not the least of which was the mounting anti-Mormon
ism in that sector. On July 21, 1879 were standing at Varnell Station, Georgia when they were surrounded by an angry mob of anti-Mormons. One of the mobbers shot and killed his companion, Joseph Standing
. One of the mobbers then turned and pointed to Elder Clawson, and said, "Shoot that man!" Clawson coolly faced the mob and folded his arms. He exclaimed, "Shoot!" The mob soon dispersed in the face of young Elder Clawson's defiance and willingness to face the mob. He brought the body of his deceased missionary companion back to Salt Lake City, Utah
where a public funeral was held in the Tabernacle
. He became somewhat of a celebrity for his bravery that day.
August 1882 was a difficult time for Rudger Clawson. Clawson was the first practicing polygamist
to be convicted and serve a sentence after the passage of the Edmunds Act
. During the trial, one of his wives refused to testify against him. She was put in prison for contempt of court. Judge Charles S. Zane
sentenced Clawson to the maximum possible penalty—he was punished with 3 years in prison and a $1,500 fine. For his final words before being sent to prison, Clawson defended his right to practice his religion and challenged the court's ability to enforce a law aimed at destroying a particular establishment of religion in violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
. His appeal was heard and rejected by the Supreme Court of the United States
in Clawson v. United States
. He was pardoned in 1887 by President Grover Cleveland
mere months before his sentence was going to expire.
Clawson was ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 10, 1898. He was asked to serve as second counselor in the First Presidency
under President Lorenzo Snow
on October 6, 1901, but Snow died just four days later.
In 1904, the town of Kingsville, Emery County, Utah renamed themselves to Clawson, Utah
in his honor after visiting the town to organize a ward.
That same year, Clawson married Pearl Udall.
at the age of 86 in Salt Lake City, Utah
. He had served in the quorum for a total of 45 years. He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery
.
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In general, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve is the most senior Apostle in the church, aside from the President of the Church...
from 1921 until his death and as a member of the First Presidency
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
of the LDS Church for five days in 1901.
Biography
Clawson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah TerritoryUtah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
to Hiram Bradley Clawson
Hiram B. Clawson
Hiram B. Clawson was a Latter-day Saint businessman and Church leader in the 19th and early 20th centuries.Clawson was born in Utica, New York. He was educated at the Utica Academy. In 1838 he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with his widowed mother...
and Margaret Judd of Canada.
While serving his mission in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, he faced many challenges, not the least of which was the mounting anti-Mormon
Anti-Mormon
Anti-Mormonism is discrimination, persecution, hostility or prejudice directed at members of the Latter Day Saint movement, particularly The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...
ism in that sector. On July 21, 1879 were standing at Varnell Station, Georgia when they were surrounded by an angry mob of anti-Mormons. One of the mobbers shot and killed his companion, Joseph Standing
Joseph Standing
Joseph Standing Standing was a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was killed by a mob near the town of Varnell, Whitfield County, Georgia in 1879.-Family:...
. One of the mobbers then turned and pointed to Elder Clawson, and said, "Shoot that man!" Clawson coolly faced the mob and folded his arms. He exclaimed, "Shoot!" The mob soon dispersed in the face of young Elder Clawson's defiance and willingness to face the mob. He brought the body of his deceased missionary companion back to Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
where a public funeral was held in the Tabernacle
Salt Lake Tabernacle
The Salt Lake Tabernacle, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle, is located on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah along with the Salt Lake Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Temple.-History:...
. He became somewhat of a celebrity for his bravery that day.
August 1882 was a difficult time for Rudger Clawson. Clawson was the first practicing polygamist
Plural marriage
Polygamy was taught by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than half of the 19th century, and practiced publicly from 1852 to 1890.The Church's practice of polygamy has been highly controversial, both within...
to be convicted and serve a sentence after the passage of the Edmunds Act
Edmunds Act
The Edmunds Act, also known as the Edmunds Anti-Polygamy Act of 1882, is a United States federal statute, signed into law on March 23, 1882, declaring polygamy a felony. The act is named for U.S. Senator George F. Edmunds of Vermont...
. During the trial, one of his wives refused to testify against him. She was put in prison for contempt of court. Judge Charles S. Zane
Charles S. Zane
Charles S. Zane was a legal associate of Abraham Lincoln, an anti-polygamy judge in the Territorial Supreme Court in Utah, and the first Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court after statehood.- Early life and education :...
sentenced Clawson to the maximum possible penalty—he was punished with 3 years in prison and a $1,500 fine. For his final words before being sent to prison, Clawson defended his right to practice his religion and challenged the court's ability to enforce a law aimed at destroying a particular establishment of religion in violation of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
First Amendment to the United States Constitution
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering...
. His appeal was heard and rejected by the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
in Clawson v. United States
Clawson v. United States
Clawson v. United States, , was a case regarding a Utah territorial statute which authorized an appeal by a defendant in a criminal action from a final judgment of conviction, which provides that an appeal shall stay execution upon filing with the clerk a certificate of a judge that in his opinion...
. He was pardoned in 1887 by President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
mere months before his sentence was going to expire.
Clawson was ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 10, 1898. He was asked to serve as second counselor in the First Presidency
First Presidency
In the Latter Day Saint movement, the First Presidency was the highest governing body in the Latter Day Saint church established by Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1832, and is the highest governing body of several modern Latter Day Saint denominations...
under President Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow was the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1898 to his death. Snow was the last president of the LDS Church in the nineteenth century.-Family:...
on October 6, 1901, but Snow died just four days later.
In 1904, the town of Kingsville, Emery County, Utah renamed themselves to Clawson, Utah
Clawson, Utah
Clawson is a town in Emery County, Utah, United States. The population was 153 at the 2000 census.-History:A canal to carry water from Ferron Creek was completed in 1896. Prior to being settled the area was known as North Flat. In 1897, the first settlers arrived, calling the community...
in his honor after visiting the town to organize a ward.
That same year, Clawson married Pearl Udall.
Death
Clawson died from pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
at the age of 86 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
. He had served in the quorum for a total of 45 years. He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery
Salt Lake City Cemetery
thumb|The northern section of the cemetery at night, looking towards Salt Lake CityThe Salt Lake City Cemetery is in The Avenues neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Utah. Approximately 120,000 persons are buried in the cemetery. Many religious leaders and politicians, particularly many leaders of The...
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External resources
- The Martyrdom of Joseph Standing or, the Murder of a "Mormon" Missionary Nicholson, John. Deseret News Co., 1886.
- Grampa Bill's GA Pages: Rudger Clawson