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Rudger Judd Clawson (March 12, 1857-June 21, 1943) (commonly known as Rudger Clawson) was a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from 1898 until his death in 1943. He also served as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from 1921 until his death.

Rudger Judd Clawson was born March 12, 1857 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Hiram Bradley Clawson and Margaret Gay Judd.

While serving his mission in Georgia, he faced many challenges, not the least of which was the mounting anti-Mormonism 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 cooly 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 of 1882 was a difficult time for Rudger Clawson. Rudger was the first practicing polygamist to be convicted and serve a sentence. During the trial, one of his wives refused to testify against him. She was put in prison for contempt of court. The law was applied ex post facto. He was married to his last wife before the passage of the Edmunds Act which proscribed penalties for plural marriage and cohabitation. The judge also punished Clawson to the maximum penalty merely because he refused to deny his personal religious beliefs. He was punished with 3 1/2 years in prison and a $1,500 fine. For his final words before being sent to prison, Rudger 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. He was pardoned in 1887 by President Grover Cleveland mere months before his sentence was going to expire.

He was ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on October 10, 1898. He had already met President Lorenzo Snow during his prison term.

He was sustained to serve as second counselor under President Lorenzo Snow on October 6, 1901, but President Snow died just four days later.

In 1904, the town of Kingsville, Utah in Emery County renamed themselves to Clawson, Utah in his honor after visiting the town to organize a ward.

Elder Rudger Clawson died June 21, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah at the age of 86. He had served in the quorum for a total of 45 years.

Published works

• Larson, Stan (Ed.) (1993). A Ministry of Meetings : The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson. Signature Books. ISBN 0-941214-96-6.
• --- (1993). Prisoner for Polygamy: The Memoirs and Letters of Rudger Clawson at the Utah Territorial Penitentiary, 1884-87. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0-252-01861-3. {{cite book}}: |author= has numeric name (help)

References

• Hoopes, David S., Hoopes, Roy (1990). The Making of a Mormon Apostle: A Story of Rudger Clawson. Madison Books. ISBN 0-8191-7298-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

External resources

• Grampa Bill's GA Pages

• 1857 births
• 1943 deaths
• Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Latter-day Saint writers
• Polygamists