Brigham Young

Brigham Young was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1847 until his death in 1877. He also served as the first governor of the Utah Territory from 1851 until his resignation in 1858.

Young was born in 1801 in Whitingham, Vermont and raised in Upstate New York. After working as a painter and carpenter, he became a full-time LDS Church leader in 1835. Following the death of Joseph Smith, Young was elected as the church's second president in 1847. He led his followers on a long journey from Nauvoo, Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley, where he helped build new communities and temples.

As governor, Young worked to build schools and supported many important projects in the area that would later become the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. His leadership shaped the history of the American West, and many places today are named in his honor. Young had many children, and it is estimated he had around 30,000 descendants by 2016.

Early life

Brigham Young was born on June 1, 1801, in Whitingham, Vermont. He was the ninth of nine children in his family. His father was a farmer, and when Young was three, his family moved to Chenango County in New York. Young did not go to school much, but his mother taught him to read and write. When he was twelve, his family moved again, this time to a place called Genoa near Cayuga Lake. Sadly, his mother passed away from a sickness called tuberculosis in 1815. After that, he moved with his father to Tyrone, New York.

Young’s father married again, and Young went to learn a trade. He moved to Auburn, New York to work with a man named John C. Jeffries. Young became a carpenter, glazier, and painter. Later, he moved to Port Byron. In October 1824, he married Miriam Angeline Works. They had a daughter named Elizabeth. Young later joined a church group called the Reformed Methodist Church in 1824. In 1828, Young met Heber C. Kimball, who was part of a different church group that would later become known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1830, Young learned about a book called the Book of Mormon from his brother. In 1831, some people came to Mendon to share their beliefs, and Young was interested in their special ways of worship. Young met Joseph Smith and joined the church in 1832. After his first wife passed away, he married again in 1834 to Mary Ann Angell.

LDS Church service

Brigham Young was named a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835. He went on missions to share his beliefs with people in Pennsylvania and New York. He helped finish the Kirtland temple and spoke there in 1836.

In Nauvoo, Young took on many important roles. He joined the city council and helped organize church activities. He also traveled to the United Kingdom to support church members there.

When Joseph Smith passed away in 1844, many people were unsure who should lead the church. Most chose Young, and he became the new leader in 1847. He guided the church through a difficult time and helped members move from Nauvoo to new places.

Migration west

See also: Mormon pioneers

Brigham Young decided to move his group of Latter-day Saints because of ongoing problems in a place called Nauvoo. He led them to an area known as the Salt Lake Valley, which was then part of Mexico. The journey began in 1846, first stopping in a place called Winter Quarters, Nebraska, before continuing to Salt Lake Valley.

Young reached Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, a day now celebrated as Pioneer Day in Utah. Soon after arriving, he and his team raised an American flag on a nearby hill. One of Young’s first actions was to name the new settlement “The City of the Great Salt Lake” and organize it into blocks. After a short stay to recover from an illness, Young returned to help other groups make the journey. His leadership helped organize one of the largest and most successful moves of its time.

Governor of Utah Territory

Brigham Young became the first governor of the Utah Territory in 1851. As governor, he helped build settlements, roads, and bridges in many areas. He also worked on projects to help the community, like building forts and organizing ways to support people in need.

Young started important projects, such as building railroads to connect different places. He also set up the first government meetings in the area and helped create a university. However, some of his actions and beliefs were controversial and led to disagreements with others in charge.

LDS Church president

Young served for 29 years as the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, making him the longest-serving leader in that role.

Educational endeavors

During his time as a leader and governor, Young encouraged local leaders to start schools for children in their communities. These schools were supported by volunteers and special payments called tithing. Young believed that education was important for helping people understand how to make the Kingdom of God a reality here on earth. He thought the church itself had everything needed to help people grow in body, mind, and spirit.

In 1875, Young gave buildings and land in Provo, Utah to a group of leaders to start a school. He hoped this school would provide a good education for children without outside influences. This school later became Brigham Young Academy in 1876, and eventually grew into Brigham Young University.

Young also started groups for women in 1867, for young women in 1869, and for young men in 1875. He wanted to help young women avoid wasteful and expensive habits. He also worked on creating a new way to write words called the Deseret alphabet, though it didn’t catch on and mostly disappeared by 1870.

Temple building

Young was very interested in building temples for the church. He helped build the Kirtland and Nauvoo temples before moving to Utah. Just after arriving in Utah, he chose the spot for the Salt Lake Temple and began planning its construction in 1853. During his time as leader, he oversaw the building of the Salt Lake Tabernacle and announced plans for temples in St. George, Manti, and Logan. He also started building the Endowment House, a smaller temple used while the Salt Lake Temple was being built.

Teachings

Most of Young’s teachings are found in 19 books of his speeches called the Journal of Discourses. The church’s Doctrine and Covenants includes one of his teachings that became official scripture in 1876.

Polygamy

Young’s predecessor, Joseph Smith, had practiced having more than one wife, and Young continued this practice. In 1853, Young gave the church’s first official talk about this since arriving in Utah. He said it was hard for first wives but necessary to have large families. Young believed God gave people the desire to be close to each other to help continue human life, and that this closeness should only happen within marriage.

Adam-God doctrine and blood atonement

Main articles: Adam–God doctrine and Blood atonement

Young taught that Adam, the first man, was once a mortal who became a god. He believed Adam brought Eve, his wife, to Earth, where they became mortal by eating fruit from a special tree. After having children and creating the human race, Young taught that Adam and Eve returned to live as gods, and that Adam later returned to Earth to become the father of Jesus. The church later rejected this idea.

Young also taught that some very serious sins, like betraying the church, stealing, or certain wrong behaviors, could not be forgiven through Jesus’s teaching alone. He believed such people could only make up for their sins by giving up their own life. The church later rejected this teaching as well.

Race restrictions on temples, priesthood, and interracial marriage

See also: Black people and temple and priesthood policies in the LDS Church and Interracial marriage and the LDS Church

Young is known for starting a rule in the church that men of black African descent could not hold a special leadership role called the priesthood. He also said they could not take part in certain temple activities. Young taught that this was because they were considered to be descendants of Cain. He believed this rule came from God, not his own choice. Young said one day this restriction would end, and black men would receive the priesthood after everyone else had a chance. This rule stayed until 1978, when another church leader ended it and said the old explanations for the rule were wrong.

Mormon Reformation

Main article: Mormon Reformation

From 1856 to 1857, Young led a time of renewed focus on faith in the church, called the Mormon Reformation. He and another leader, Jedediah M. Grant, traveled around Utah encouraging church members to live better lives and rededicate themselves to their faith. Many members were re-baptized to show their commitment. Young emphasized the importance of strong family ties, rededication, and passionate speeches. The Reformation ended by early 1858.

Conflicts

After Young and his followers arrived, their settlements became part of the United States. Young asked the U.S. government to create a new state called Deseret, but instead, the government made Utah Territory and appointed Young as governor. Young guided both religious and community matters. Many towns in Utah and nearby areas were started under his leadership. Some people thought Young’s way of leading was very strict.

Utah War

Main article: Utah War

In 1857, the U.S. president sent a new governor and soldiers to Utah after hearing reports that Young’s followers were blocking federal officers. When Young learned about this, he organized his militia to slow down the soldiers. During this time, called the Utah War, Young took cattle and burned supply wagons belonging to the U.S. Army. Eventually, Young agreed to step down as governor, and the president forgave him.

Mountain Meadows Massacre

There is debate about how much Young was involved in the tragic event at Mountain Meadows in 1857, where a group of travelers was attacked. Some reports say Young sent a message telling local leaders to let the travelers pass safely, but the message arrived after the attack happened. Over 120 people, including many women and children, were killed, and only a few young children survived. Scholars agree that local church members were involved, but Young’s exact role is still discussed. A monument was later placed at the site to remember those who were killed.

Death

Brigham Young passed away in Salt Lake City on August 29, 1877. Before his death, he had been unwell with a sickness affecting his digestion. It is thought that he died because of problems with his appendix.

His funeral took place on September 2, 1877, and many people came to honor him. He is buried at the Mormon Pioneer Memorial Monument in Salt Lake City. A special bronze marker was put at his grave in 1938 by groups he helped start.

Business ventures and wealth

Brigham Young was very busy with many different jobs and businesses. He worked in many areas, like running a company that moved wagons, a ferryboat service, and even a railroad. He also made things like lumber, wool, sugar beets, iron, and liquor. Young did very well with real estate, which means buying and selling land and buildings.

He helped start many important places in Salt Lake City, such as a gas company, a water company, an insurance company, a bank, and a big store called ZCMI. In 1873, Young decided to stop being the leader of some of these businesses because he wanted to focus on other work. When he passed away, he was one of the richest people in Utah.

Legacy

Brigham Young left a lasting mark on history. He was known by the nickname "American Moses" because he guided his followers, the Mormon pioneers, through a desert to a place they called their promised land. Many monuments and statues honor him, including one in the United States Capitol and another in Salt Lake City.

Young had many wives and children, which was a part of his religious beliefs. His large family lived in special houses he built in Salt Lake City. Even after his death, his family continued to grow and included many important leaders and figures.

In culture

In comics

Brigham Young appeared in some old comic stories. In one, a woman dreams about marrying him. He also shows up at the end of a French comic book in a series about a hero named Lucky Luke.

In literature

Several writers mentioned Brigham Young in their books. A Scottish poet wrote a poem called Brigham the Bold after Young passed away. Famous writer Arthur Conan Doyle included Young in one of his Sherlock Holmes stories. Another well-known author, Mark Twain, wrote about Young in his book Roughing It. There were also other mentions of Young in different stories.

In film and television

Brigham Young has been played by many actors in movies and TV shows. Some of these include Dean Jagger in a 1940 film, Charlton Heston in a 1995 movie, and Terence Stamp in a 2007 film. He also appeared in TV series like Hell on Wheels and Under the Banner of Heaven.

In theater

In a 2011 musical called The Book of Mormon, Young is shown in a humorous and exaggerated way.

Literary works

After Brigham Young passed away, many books were published that collected his speeches and writings.

Some important books include collections of his teachings, letters to his sons, and diaries from different years of his life. These books help people learn about his ideas and beliefs.