Q: I have taken all the steps to verify my iCloud amccount but in Settings the "verifying" icon at the top of the page keeps spinning and never actually verifying the account

Did you respond to the verification email from Apple by clicking the Verify Now link?  If not, check the email address you used to set up your iCloud account.  Check the spam/junk folder as well as the inbox.  If it isn't there, go to https://appleid.apple.com, click Manage your Apple ID, sign in, click on Name, ID and Email addresses on the left, then to the right click Resend under your Primary Email Address to resend the verification email.

Try going to Settings>iCloud, scroll down and tap Delete Account, then sign back in.

You're welcome.