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Brigham Young
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Brigham "Bring ‘em" Young (1801–1877) was aMormon spiritual leader andAmerican politician who took over the main branch of theChurch of Latter Day Saints after the death ofJoseph Smith, Jr. in Carthage,Illinois. After becoming the second President and Prophet, Young led the Mormons to the American West and founded Salt Lake City, which would become the capital ofUtah and the de facto capital of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. His force of personality kept the Mormons together in the face of adversity, and kept them from going the way of many otherreligious movements born in the same era.
Young was aracist and is credited as being the person in early LDS history who instituted the policy of barring blacks from the priesthood.[1] Yes, theUniversity is named after him, "in his honor" so to speak.
Searching for meaning[edit]
Brigham Young was born inVermont to apoor family. Before he married, he became aMethodist, but insisted on a full-immersionBaptism.[2]:13 His independent streak made him ill-fitted for the regimented life of Methodism, and he became attracted to an offshoot of Methodism mixed with peculiar notions from the mind of one Joseph Smith, Jr. This group was known as "The Church of Jesus Christ" at the time.
After Smith[edit]
When Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed in Carthage, the "Council of 12" was left in disarray. Brigham Young became thede facto leader by virtue of his seniority and fearsome mien. Shortly after Brigham Young's ascendency, he was made the Second President andProphet in law, as well as spirit.[2]:118-126
The Mountain Meadows massacre[edit]
Brigham Young was believed to be at the heart of aconspiracy that killed 120 settlers headed forCalifornia.[3] He was never tried.
Political career[edit]
Brigham Young was appointed as Governor of the Utah Territory in 1851.[4] The wall ofseparation between church and state is more like a hedgerow in Utah.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑Signature Books Library
- ↑2.02.1Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet, John G. Turner ISBN: 978-0-674-04967-3
- ↑The Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857 and the Trials of John D. Lee: An Account
- ↑Utah & Salt Lake City -1851, Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum