[Abraham H. Cannon]
Uncle Angus [M. Cannon]. . . said he felt [his son] John Q. ought to get up before the public congregation in the Big Tabernacle this afternoon and confess his sin and Uncle Angus should then propose and put it to vote that he be cut off from the Church. ... I therefore carried the latter's advice to John and he manfully agreed to follow it.... I reached meeting just in time to hear Uncle Angus put the motion to vote that John be cut off. It was unanimously sustained. Uncle Angus immediately left the meeting to again go in hiding. The affair created a great sensation because no idea was had by any, except two or three, of John's guilt and the fact that Uncle Angus came out of his hiding to put the matter before the people that it might be a warning made a profound impression. ... I drove to the farm after meeting and heard Father tell the folks what had occurred. He began in this way: "John Q. Cannon has committed adultery and was today cut off the Church." The sadness of the scene which followed beggars description. All wept and felt their spirits wounded. I went over for John Q. in the evening and after giving solicitation, he went over and met Father and the folks. He seemed to feel very penitent and humble, and will, I hope, try to live his religion hereafter. The blow has been a terrible one to us all as we all placed so much faith in John Q. He said he suffered a thousand deaths in telling Annie, Louie, and Sister Wells this afternoon of his fall from the Church.
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
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