Frank J. Cannon, Harvey J. O'Higgins

Frank J. Cannon and Harvey J. O'Higgins collaborated on "Under the Prophet in Utah," published in 1911. Frank J. Cannon was the son of George Q. Cannon, a prominent leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served as Utah's first U.S. Senator after statehood in 1896. Cannon later broke with the Mormon Church and became one of its critics. Harvey J. O'Higgins was a journalist and author who specialized in exposé writing and social reform topics during the Progressive Era. Their collaboration produced an autobiographical account that detailed Cannon's experiences within Mormon leadership and his subsequent disillusionment with church practices. The book focused on political and religious controversies in Utah during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The work emerged during a period of national scrutiny of Mormon practices and Utah's integration into American political life. It contributed to public discourse about religious authority, political influence, and the separation of church and state in American society.

Readers approach "Under the Prophet in Utah" as both historical document and personal memoir. Many find value in Cannon's insider perspective on Mormon Church hierarchy and Utah politics during the territorial and early statehood periods. Readers appreciate the detailed accounts of political maneuvering and religious conflicts that shaped Utah's development. Some readers praise the book's revelations about church influence in secular affairs and its documentation of specific incidents involving church leaders. The collaboration between Cannon's personal experience and O'Higgins' journalistic skills receives positive mentions from readers seeking insight into Progressive Era reform movements. Critics note the book's one-sided perspective and question Cannon's motivations for breaking with the church. Some readers view the work as biased against Mormon institutions and leadership. Others find the writing style typical of early 20th-century exposé literature, which can feel dated to modern audiences. Readers interested in Utah history, Mormon studies, and church-state relations continue to reference the book despite debates about its accuracy and perspective.