Hi Terry; here's a tried and true and simple finish I use for cherry. Not my invention, but a gentleman professional woodworker by the name of Don Kondra in Canada.
The recipe is -
25% exterior VARNISH (spar)
25% PURE Tung Oil
50% paint thinner
1 capful of Japan Dryer per cup of mix...
Mix only as much as you expect to use in two to three days.
I take a 8" square of old T shirt and throw it right in the container of mix, then squeeze it just enough so it isn't dripping all over the floor and apply liberally to the piece.
Keep going over the piece until it doesn't absorb anymore, then squeeze out the rag firmly and give it one more wipe.. within 15 minutes or so dust will not stick to the finish.
Two coats a day, a total of four coats for non wear surfaces such as legs and six coats for tops, etc...
Before the final coat, sand with a foam sanding pad or scotchbrite pad.
The ONLY thing that will keep cherry from darkening is to store the wood in a dark closet
And please, DO NOT STAIN cherry, it's natural color is beautiful all on its own.....
And if you do, chances are the blotching is simply the curly nature of the wood.
One trick to achieve an even color when staining is to apply a wood condition first, Minwax is one company that sells this.... or apply a wash coat of shellac first.
This should give you a more even absorption of the stain.
I prefer the natural color that cherry gets from exposure to light but I do apply a coat of natural Watco to enhance the grain before applying a top coat.
Hope this helps, but you have received some good advice from everyone before me!