507 Brigham YoungPresident of the Church, 18471877 "I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith," said Brigham Young (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 458). He proved to be a loyal friend and follower of the Prophet Joseph. His example of speaking out for truth and righteousness caused some to label him the "Lion of the Lord." "I care nothing about my character in this world," he declared. "I do not care what men say about me; I want my character to stand fair in the eyes of my Heavenly Father" (Brigham Young Office Minutes, 24 April 1859, Historical Department Archives, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). As a colonizer of the West and as governor of Utah Territory, he established orderly cities and fruitful orchards. He acknowledged the Lord's hand in making the desert blossom: "We prayed over the land, and dedicated it and the water, air and everything pertaining to them unto the Lord, and the smiles of heaven rested on the land and it became productive" (Discourses, 483). He left this counsel to those who hesitate to pray: "It matters not whether you or I feel like praying; when the time comes to pray, pray. If we do not feel like it, we should pray till we do" (Discourses, 44). 1801 | Born on 1 June to John Young and Abigail Howe Young in Whitingham, Vermont | 1824 | Age 23, marries Miriam Works on 8 October; she dies in 1832 | 1832 | Age 30, baptized on 14 April in his own millpond near Mendon, New York | 183233 | Ages 3132, serves a mission to Canada and leads a small company of converts to Kirtland, Ohio | 1834 | Age 32, marries Mary Ann Angell on 18 February; she dies in 1882 | 1835 | Age 33, ordained on 14 February as one of the original members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles by the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon: Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris | 183941 | Ages 3840, serves a mission to Great Britain | 1840 | Age 38, sustained as President of the Quorum of the Twelve on 14 April | 1844 | Age 43, becomes leader of the Church as President of the Quorum of the Twelve at Joseph Smith's death on 27 June | 184647 | Ages 4446, leads the exodus west to the Salt Lake Valley and then returns to Winter Quarters | 1847 | Age 46, sustained as President of the Church on 27 December, with Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards as counselors | 1853 | Age 51, lays the cornerstone for the Salt Lake Temple | 1877 | Age 76, dies on 29 August in Salt Lake City after presiding over the Church for more than 30 years |
SummaryBrigham Young, second President of the Church, was the pioneer leader who guided the Saints west to the Salt Lake Valley. He sent families to establish towns and colonies throughout the West. He taught the people to stand for truth and righteousness, to work hard, and to be educated. Artist, John Willard Clawson © 1997 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA |
