Brigham Young

Brigham Young

1801–1877 (76 years)

Hometown: Whittingham, Vermont

Biography

Brigham Young was the second President of the LDS Church, serving from 1847 until his death in 1877. A skilled carpenter and craftsman from Vermont, Young converted to Mormonism in 1832 after reading the Book of Mormon. He rose quickly in church leadership, becoming one of the original Twelve Apostles in 1835.

After Joseph Smith’s death, Young led the largest faction of Mormons westward to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, organizing one of the most significant mass migrations in American history. As both church president and territorial governor of Utah, he established over 350 settlements throughout the American West and founded Brigham Young University.

Young was an outspoken advocate of polygamy, publicly announcing the practice in 1852. He married approximately 55 women and fathered 56 children. He taught the controversial Adam-God doctrine (that Adam was God the Father) and blood atonement. His presidency was marked by the Utah War with the federal government and the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857, where Mormon militiamen killed approximately 120 emigrants—an event that remains controversial regarding Young’s knowledge and involvement.

He led the church through its most dramatic period of growth and consolidation, transforming a persecuted sect into a thriving religious civilization in the American West.

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith

Apostles Who Served During This Presidency

Apostles who served under this leader during their presidency:

Sidney Rigdon
Sidney Rigdon 1793–1876 (83 years)
Heber C. Kimball
Heber C. Kimball 1801–1868 (67 years)
Lyman E. Johnson
Lyman E. Johnson 1811–1859 (48 years)
John F. Boynton
John F. Boynton 1811–1890 (79 years)
Luke S. Johnson
Luke S. Johnson 1807–1861 (54 years)
Orson Hyde
Orson Hyde 1805–1878 (73 years)
William E. McLellin
William E. McLellin 1806–1883 (77 years)
William Smith
William Smith 1811–1893 (82 years)
Parley P. Pratt
Parley P. Pratt 1807–1857 (50 years)
Thomas B. Marsh
Thomas B. Marsh 1800–1866 (65 years)
Orson Pratt
Orson Pratt 1811–1881 (70 years)
John Taylor
John Taylor 1808–1887 (78 years)
John E. Page
John E. Page 1799–1867 (68 years)
Wilford Woodruff
Wilford Woodruff 1807–1898 (91 years)
George A. Smith
George A. Smith 1817–1875 (58 years)
Willard Richards
Willard Richards 1804–1854 (49 years)
Lyman Wight
Lyman Wight 1796–1858 (61 years)
Amasa Lyman
Amasa Lyman 1813–1877 (63 years)
Ezra T. Benson
Ezra T. Benson 1811–1869 (58 years)
Charles C. Rich
Charles C. Rich 1809–1883 (74 years)
Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow 1814–1901 (87 years)
Erastus Snow
Erastus Snow 1818–1888 (69 years)
Franklin D. Richards
Franklin D. Richards 1821–1899 (78 years)
Jedediah M. Grant
Jedediah M. Grant 1816–1856 (40 years)
John Willard Young
John Willard Young 1844–1924 (79 years)
Daniel H. Wells
Daniel H. Wells 1814–1891 (76 years)
George Q. Cannon
George Q. Cannon 1827–1901 (74 years)
Brigham Young Jr.
Brigham Young Jr. 1836–1903 (66 years)
Joseph Angell Young
Joseph Angell Young 1834–1875 (40 years)
Joseph F. Smith
Joseph F. Smith 1838–1918 (80 years)
Albert Carrington
Albert Carrington 1813–1889 (76 years)

Wives (54)

Brigham Young was a polygamist with 54 wives. These are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time. 5 of these wives were a teenager (18 or less) at the time of marriage.

54 wives · Lifespan: 1801–1877

Miriam Works
1824–1832 (8 yrs)
Mary Ann Angell
1834–1877 (43 yrs)
Lucy Ann Decker
1842–1877 (35 yrs)
Augusta Adams
1843–1877 (34 yrs)
Harriett Elizabeth Cook
1843–1877 (34 yrs)
Clarissa Caroline Decker
1844–1877 (33 yrs)
Clarissa Ross
1844–1857 (13 yrs)
Louisa Beaman
1844–1850 (6 yrs)
Eliza R. Snow
1844–1877 (33 yrs)
Elizabeth Fairchild
1844–1877 (33 yrs)
Clarissa Blake
1844–1863 (19 yrs)
Rebecca Greenleaf Holman
1844–1849 (5 yrs)
Diana Chase
1844–1877 (33 yrs)
Susannah Snively
1844–1877 (33 yrs)
Emily Dow Partridge
1844–1877 (33 yrs)
Olive Grey Frost
1844–1845 (1 yrs)
Mary Ann Clark
1845–1877 (32 yrs)
Margaret Pierce
1845–1877 (32 yrs)
Mary Harvey Pierce
1845–1847 (2 yrs)
Emmeline Free
1845–1875 (30 yrs)
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner
1845–1877 (32 yrs)
Margaret Maria Alley
1846–1852 (6 yrs)
Emily Haws
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Olive Andrews
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Ellen Rockwood
1846–1866 (20 yrs)
Martha Bowker
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Abigail Marks
1846–1846 (0 yrs)
Cynthia Porter
1846–1861 (15 yrs)
Jemima Angell
1846–1869 (23 yrs)
Phoebe Ann Morton
1846–1854 (8 yrs)
Mary Eliza Nelson
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Rhoda Richards
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Zina Diantha Huntington
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Abigail Harbach
1846–1849 (3 yrs)
Amey Cecilia Cooper
1846–1852 (6 yrs)
Julia Foster
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Mary Ann Turley
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Mary Ellen de la Montaigne
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Naamah Carter
1846–1877 (31 yrs)
Nancy Cressy
1846–1871 (25 yrs)
Jane Terry
1847–1847 (0 yrs)
Lucy Bigelow
1847–1877 (30 yrs)
Mary Jane Bigelow
1847–1868 (21 yrs)
Sarah Malin
1848–1858 (10 yrs)
Eliza Burgess
1852–1877 (25 yrs)
Mary Oldfield
1852–1875 (23 yrs)
Catherine Reese
1855–1860 (5 yrs)
Harriet Barney
1856–1877 (21 yrs)
Harriet Amelia Folsom
1863–1877 (14 yrs)
Ann Eliza Webb
1868–1877 (9 yrs)
Mary Van Cott
1868–1877 (9 yrs)
Elizabeth Jones
1869–1877 (8 yrs)
Lydia Farnsworth
1870–1877 (7 yrs)
Hannah Tapfield
1872–1877 (5 yrs)
1801 (born) 1820 1839 1858 1877 (died)
Wife

59 children from 18 wives · Lifespan: 1801–1877

Miriam Works
2 children
Mary Ann Angell
6 children
Lucy Ann Decker
7 children
Harriett Elizabeth Cook
1 child
Clarissa Caroline Decker
5 children
Clarissa Ross
4 children
Louisa Beaman
5 children
Susannah Snively
1 child
Emily Dow Partridge
7 children
Margaret Pierce
1 child
Emmeline Free
10 children
Margaret Maria Alley
2 children
Martha Bowker
1 child
Zina Diantha Huntington
1 child
Lucy Bigelow
3 children
Eliza Burgess
1 child
Harriet Barney
1 child
Mary Van Cott
1 child
1801 (born) 1820 1839 1858 1877 (died)
Wife Child born

54 wives · Ages at marriage

Her age His age Teenage bride (<18)
# Name Born Died Married Her Age His Age Age Diff Children
1
Miriam Works Miriam Works
Jun 7, 1806 Sep 8, 1832 Oct 8, 1824 18 23 5 2
2
Mary Ann Angell Mary Ann Angell
Jun 8, 1803 Jun 27, 1882 Mar 31, 1834 30 32 2 6
3
Lucy Ann Decker Lucy Ann Decker
May 17, 1822 Jan 24, 1891 Jun 14, 1842 20 41 21 7
4
Augusta Adams Augusta Adams
Dec 7, 1802 Feb 3, 1886 Nov 2, 1843 40 42 2 0
5
Harriett Elizabeth Cook Harriett Elizabeth Cook
Nov 7, 1824 Nov 5, 1898 Nov 2, 1843 18 42 24 1
6
Clarissa Caroline Decker Clarissa Caroline Decker ⚠
Jul 22, 1828 Jan 5, 1889 May 8, 1844 15 42 27 5
7
Clarissa Ross Clarissa Ross
Jun 16, 1814 Oct 10, 1857 Sep 10, 1844 30 43 13 4
8
Louisa Beaman Louisa Beaman
Feb 7, 1815 May 15, 1850 Sep 19, 1844 29 43 14 5
9
Eliza R. Snow Eliza R. Snow
Jan 21, 1804 Dec 5, 1887 Oct 3, 1844 40 43 3 0
10
Elizabeth Fairchild Elizabeth Fairchild ⚠
Mar 28, 1828 Jun 26, 1910 Oct 3, 1844 16 43 27 0
11
Clarissa Blake
Oct 28, 1796 Mar 13, 1863 Oct 8, 1844 47 43 4 0
12
Rebecca Greenleaf Holman
Feb 20, 1824 Jul 11, 1849 Oct 9, 1844 20 43 23 0
13
Diana Chase Diana Chase ⚠
Jul 25, 1827 Sep 6, 1886 Oct 10, 1844 17 43 26 0
14
Susannah Snively Susannah Snively
Oct 30, 1815 Nov 20, 1892 Oct 31, 1844 29 43 14 1
15
Emily Dow Partridge Emily Dow Partridge
Feb 28, 1824 Dec 9, 1899 c. Nov 1, 1844 c. 20 43 23 7
16
Olive Grey Frost
Jul 24, 1816 Oct 8, 1845 Nov 7, 1844 28 43 15 0
17
Mary Ann Clark
Dec 28, 1816 Mar 22, 1881 Jan 15, 1845 28 43 15 0
18
Margaret Pierce Margaret Pierce
Apr 19, 1823 Jan 16, 1907 Jan 16, 1845 21 43 22 1
19
Mary Harvey Pierce
Nov 29, 1821 Mar 16, 1847 Jan 16, 1845 23 43 20 0
20
Emmeline Free Emmeline Free
Apr 28, 1826 Jul 17, 1875 Apr 30, 1845 19 43 24 10
21
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner
Apr 9, 1818 Dec 17, 1913 May 22, 1845 27 43 16 0
22
Margaret Maria Alley Margaret Maria Alley
Dec 19, 1825 Nov 5, 1852 Jan 14, 1846 20 44 24 2
23
Emily Haws
Jan 1, 1823 Aug 11, 1902 Jan 15, 1846 c. 23 44 21 0
24
Olive Andrews
Sep 24, 1817 Nov 1, 1879 Jan 15, 1846 28 44 16 0
25
Ellen Rockwood Ellen Rockwood ⚠
Mar 23, 1829 Jan 6, 1866 Jan 21, 1846 16 44 28 0
26
Martha Bowker Martha Bowker
Jan 24, 1822 Sep 26, 1890 Jan 21, 1846 23 44 21 1
27
Abigail Marks
Nov 6, 1781 Jul 14, 1846 Jan 28, 1846 64 44 20 0
28
Cynthia Porter
Feb 2, 1783 Jan 4, 1861 Jan 28, 1846 62 44 18 0
29
Jemima Angell
Oct 4, 1804 Jul 1, 1869 Jan 28, 1846 41 44 3 0
30
Phoebe Ann Morton
Mar 28, 1786 Nov 16, 1854 Jan 28, 1846 59 44 15 0
31
Mary Eliza Nelson Mary Eliza Nelson
Nov 24, 1812 Dec 29, 1885 Jan 31, 1846 33 44 11 0
32
Rhoda Richards Rhoda Richards
Aug 8, 1784 Jan 17, 1879 Jan 31, 1846 61 44 17 0
33
Zina Diantha Huntington Zina Diantha Huntington
Jan 31, 1821 Aug 28, 1901 Feb 2, 1846 25 44 19 1
34
Abigail Harbach
Sep 20, 1790 Mar 25, 1849 Feb 3, 1846 55 44 11 0
35
Amey Cecilia Cooper
Jun 30, 1804 Jul 13, 1852 Feb 3, 1846 41 44 3 0
36
Julia Foster Julia Foster
Nov 18, 1811 Jan 17, 1891 Feb 3, 1846 34 44 10 0
37
Mary Ann Turley Mary Ann Turley
Jul 13, 1827 Dec 24, 1904 Feb 3, 1846 18 44 26 0
38
Mary Ellen de la Montaigne
May 2, 1803 Aug 3, 1894 Feb 3, 1846 42 44 2 0
39
Naamah Carter Naamah Carter
Mar 20, 1821 Aug 5, 1909 Feb 6, 1846 24 44 20 0
40
Nancy Cressy Nancy Cressy
Jan 20, 1780 Dec 17, 1871 Feb 6, 1846 66 44 22 0
41
Jane Terry
May 21, 1819 Feb 14, 1847 Feb 10, 1847 27 45 18 0
42
Lucy Bigelow Lucy Bigelow ⚠
Oct 3, 1830 Feb 3, 1905 Mar 20, 1847 16 45 29 3
43
Mary Jane Bigelow
Oct 15, 1827 Sep 26, 1868 Mar 20, 1847 19 45 26 0
44
Sarah Malin
Jan 10, 1804 Mar 20, 1858 Apr 18, 1848 44 46 2 0
45
Eliza Burgess Eliza Burgess
Dec 8, 1827 Aug 20, 1915 Oct 3, 1852 24 51 27 1
46
Mary Oldfield
Jun 28, 1791 Sep 24, 1875 Dec 16, 1852 61 51 10 0
47
Catherine Reese Catherine Reese
Jan 27, 1804 Nov 8, 1860 Jun 10, 1855 51 54 3 0
48
Harriet Barney Harriet Barney
Oct 13, 1830 Feb 14, 1911 Mar 14, 1856 25 54 29 1
49
Harriet Amelia Folsom Harriet Amelia Folsom
Aug 23, 1838 Dec 11, 1910 Jan 24, 1863 24 61 37 0
50
Ann Eliza Webb Ann Eliza Webb
Sep 13, 1844 Dec 7, 1917 Apr 7, 1868 23 66 43 0
51
Mary Van Cott Mary Van Cott
Feb 2, 1844 Jan 5, 1884 Jun 8, 1868 24 67 43 1
52
Elizabeth Jones Elizabeth Jones
Apr 2, 1812 May 6, 1895 Jul 3, 1869 57 68 11 0
53
Lydia Farnsworth Lydia Farnsworth
Feb 5, 1808 Feb 5, 1897 May 8, 1870 62 68 6 0
54
Hannah Tapfield
Jan 1, 1807 Jan 1, 1886 Dec 8, 1872 c. 65 71 6 0

Children (59)

With Miriam Works Miriam Works  (2 children)

  1. Elizabeth Young (b. Jan 1, 1825)
  2. Vilate Young (b. Jan 1, 1830)

With Mary Ann Angell Mary Ann Angell  (6 children)

  1. Joseph Angell Young Joseph Angell Young (b. Jan 1, 1834)
  2. Mary Ann Young (b. Jan 1, 1836)
  3. Brigham Young Jr. Brigham Young Jr. (b. Jan 1, 1836)
  4. Alice Young (b. Jan 1, 1839)
  5. Luna Caroline Young (b. Jan 1, 1842)
  6. John Willard Young John Willard Young (b. Jan 1, 1844)

With Lucy Ann Decker Lucy Ann Decker  (7 children)

  1. Brigham Heber Young (b. Jan 1, 1845)
  2. Fanny Caroline Young (b. Jan 1, 1849)
  3. Ernest Irving Young (b. Jan 1, 1851)
  4. Shamira Young (b. Jan 1, 1853)
  5. Arta D'Christa Young (b. Jan 1, 1855)
  6. Feramorz Little Young (b. Jan 1, 1858)
  7. Clarissa Hamilton Young (b. Jan 1, 1860)

With Harriett Elizabeth Cook Harriett Elizabeth Cook  (1 child)

  1. Oscar Brigham Young (b. Jan 1, 1846)

With Clarissa Caroline Decker Clarissa Caroline Decker  (5 children)

  1. Jeannette Richards Young (b. Jan 1, 1849)
  2. Nabby Howe Young (b. Jan 1, 1852)
  3. Jedediah Grant Young (b. Jan 1, 1855)
  4. Albert Jeddy Young (b. Jan 1, 1858)
  5. Charlotte Talula Young (b. Jan 1, 1860)

With Clarissa Ross Clarissa Ross  (4 children)

  1. Mary Eliza Young (b. Jan 1, 1847)
  2. Clarissa Maria Young (b. Jan 1, 1849)
  3. Brigham Willard Young (b. Jan 1, 1852)
  4. Phoebe Louisa Young (b. Jan 1, 1854)

With Louisa Beaman Louisa Beaman  (5 children)

  1. Hyrum Young (b. Jan 1, 1846)
  2. Joseph Young (b. Jan 1, 1846)
  3. Moroni Young (b. Jan 1, 1847)
  4. Alvah Beman Young (b. Jan 1, 1848)
  5. Alma Burtts Young (b. Jan 1, 1848)

With Susannah Snively Susannah Snively  (1 child)

  1. Julia Young (b. Jan 1, 1853)

With Emily Dow Partridge Emily Dow Partridge  (7 children)

  1. Edward Partridge Young (b. Jan 1, 1845)
  2. Emily Augusta Young (b. Jan 1, 1849)
  3. Caroline Partridge Young Caroline Partridge Young (b. Jan 1, 1851)
  4. Joseph Don Carlos Young (b. Jan 1, 1855)
  5. Miriam Young (b. Jan 1, 1857)
  6. Josephine Young (b. Jan 1, 1860)
  7. Lura Young (b. Jan 1, 1862)

With Margaret Pierce Margaret Pierce  (1 child)

  1. Brigham Morris Young (b. Jan 1, 1854)

With Emmeline Free Emmeline Free  (10 children)

  1. Helen Elizabeth Young (b. Jan 1, 1847)
  2. Marinda Hyde Young (b. Jan 1, 1849)
  3. Hyrum Smith Young (b. Jan 1, 1851)
  4. Emeline Amanda Young (b. Jan 1, 1852)
  5. Louisa Wells Young (b. Jan 1, 1854)
  6. Lorenzo Dow Young (b. Jan 1, 1856)
  7. Alonzo Bruce Young (b. Jan 1, 1858)
  8. Ruth Young (b. Jan 1, 1861)
  9. Daniel Wells Young (b. Jan 1, 1863)
  10. Adella Elvira Young (b. Jan 1, 1864)

With Margaret Maria Alley Margaret Maria Alley  (2 children)

  1. Evelyn Louisa Young (b. Jan 1, 1850)
  2. Mahonri Moriancumer Young (b. Jan 1, 1852)

With Martha Bowker Martha Bowker  (1 child)

  1. Ida Ames Young (b. Jan 1, 1858)

With Zina Diantha Huntington Zina Diantha Huntington  (1 child)

  1. Zina Presendia Young (b. Jan 1, 1850)

With Lucy Bigelow Lucy Bigelow  (3 children)

  1. Eudora Lovina Young Eudora Lovina Young (b. Jan 1, 1852)
  2. Susan Amelia Young (b. Jan 1, 1856)
  3. Rhoda Mabel Young (b. Jan 1, 1863)

With Eliza Burgess Eliza Burgess  (1 child)

  1. Alfales Young (b. Jan 1, 1853)

With Harriet Barney Harriet Barney  (1 child)

  1. Phineas Howe Young (b. Jan 1, 1862)

With Mary Van Cott Mary Van Cott  (1 child)

  1. Fanny Van Cott Young (b. Jan 1, 1870)

Posts Related to Brigham Young

Images Related to Brigham Young

The next day being Sunday, I sat down, instead of going to meeting, and wrote the conversation, and gave it to my sister, who was not a little surprised; but she said it would be best to go to meeting in the afternoon. We went, and Young administered the sacrament. After it was over, I was passing out, and Young stopped me, saying, 'Wait, Martha, I am coming.' I said, 'I cannot; my sister is waiting for me.' He then threw his coat over his shoulders, and followed me out, and whispered, 'Have you made up your mind, Martha?' 'Not exactly, sir,' said I; and we parted. I shall proceed to a justice of the peace, and make oath to the truth of these statements... - Martha H. Brotherton, Brigham Young & Joseph Smith, Brotherton Affidavit, July 13, 1842 | wasmormon.org 'Sir,' said I, rather warmly, 'it will be too late to think in a month or two after. I want time to think first.' ... 'Well, but look here,' said [Joseph Smith]; 'you know a fellow will never be damned for doing the best he knows how.' 'When, then,' said I, 'the best way I know of, is to go home and think and pray about it.' ... 'Well,' said Joseph, 'I see no harm in her having time to think, if she will not fall into temptation.' 'O, sir,' said I, 'there is no fear of my falling into temptation.' 'Well, but,' said Brigham, 'you must promise me you will never mention it to anyone.' 'I do promise it,' said I. 'Well,' said Joseph, 'you must promise me the same.' I promised him the same. 'Upon your honor,' said he, 'you will not tell.' 'No, sir, I will lose my life first,' said I... Joseph said, 'she looks as if she could keep a secret.'” - Martha H. Brotherton, Brigham Young & Joseph Smith, Brotherton Affidavit, July 13, 1842 | wasmormon.org [Brigham Young] returned with Joseph. 'Well,' said Young, 'sister Martha would be willing if she knew it was lawful and right before God.' 'Well, Martha,' said Joseph, 'it is lawful and right before God–I know it is. Look here, sis; don't you believe in me?' I did not answer. 'Well Martha,' said Joseph, 'just go ahead, and do as Brigham wants you to–he is the best man in the world, except me.... I know that this is lawful and right before God, and if there is any sin in it, I will answer for it before God; and I have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven, and if you will accept of Brigham, you shall be blessed... if you do not like it in a month or two, come to me, and I will make you free again; and if he turns you off, I will take you on.' - Martha H. Brotherton, Brigham Young & Joseph Smith, Brotherton Affidavit, July 13, 1842 | wasmormon.org If you will have me in this world, I will have you in that which is to come, and brother Joseph will marry us here today, and you can go home this evening, and your parents will not know anything about it.' 'Sir,' said I, 'I should not like to do anything of the kind without the permission of my parents,' 'Well, but,' said he, 'you are of age, are you not?' 'No, sir,' said I, 'I shall not be until the 24th of May.' 'Well,' said he, 'that does not make any difference. You will be of age before they know, and you need not fear... But brother Joseph wishes to have some talk with you on the subject–he will explain things–will you hear him?' 'I do not mind,' said I. 'Well, but I want you to say something,' said he. 'I want time to think about it,' said I. - Martha H. Brotherton, Brigham Young & Joseph Smith, Brotherton Affidavit, July 13, 1842 | wasmormon.org My feelings at that moment were indescribable. God only knows them. What, thought I are these men, that I thought almost perfection itself, deceivers? Is all my fancied happiness but a dream? It was even so; but my next thought was, which is the best way for me to act at this time? If I say no, they may do as they think proper; and to say yes, I never would. So I considered it best to ask for time to think and pray about it. I therefore said, 'If it was lawful and right, perhaps I might; but you know, sir, it is not.'— 'Well, but,' said [Brigham Young], 'brother Joseph has had a revelation from God that it is lawful and right for a man to have two wives; for, as it was in the days of Abraham. - Martha H. Brotherton, Brigham Young & Joseph Smith, Brotherton Affidavit, July 13, 1842 | wasmormon.org [Brigham Young] smiled, and then proceeded 'Sister Martha, I want to ask you a few questions; will you answer them?' 'Yes, sir,' said I. 'And will you promise not to mention them to any one?' 'If it is your desire, sir,' said I, 'I will not.' 'And you will not think any the worse of me for it, will you, Martha?' said he. 'No sir,' I replied. 'Well,' said he, 'what are your feelings toward me?' I replied, 'My feelings are just the same towards you that they ever were, sir.' 'But, to come to the point more closely,' said he, 'have not you an affection for me, that, were it lawful and right, you could accept of me for your husband and companion.' - Martha H. Brotherton, Brigham Young & Joseph Smith, Brotherton Affidavit, July 13, 1842 | wasmormon.org Monogamy, or restrictions by law to one wife, is no part of the economy of heaven among men. Such a system was commenced by the founders of the Roman empire....Rome became the mistress of the world, and introduced this order of monogamy wherever her sway was acknowledged. Thus this monogamic order of marriage, so esteemed by modern Christians as a holy sacrament and divine institution, is nothing but a system established by a set of robbers.... Why do we believe in and practice polygamy? Because the Lord introduced it to his servants in a revelation given to Joseph Smith, and the Lord's servants have always practiced it. 'And is that religion popular in heaven?' it is the only popular religion there... - Brigham Young, The Deseret News, August 6, 1862 | wasmormon.org Talk about polygamy! There is no true philosopher on the face of the earth but what will admit that such a system, properly carried out according to the order of heaven, is far superior to monogamy for the raising of healthy, robust children! - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, v. 13, p317 | wasmormon.org “The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” - Brigham Young, Mormon Prophet August 19, 1866, Journal of Discourses, Volume 11, #41 pages 266-272 | wasmormon.org “While being transported to the penitentiary, according to his mother, Elizabeth Jones, Lewis “was taken out of the wagon a blanket put round his head & ... like a pig by taking his testicles clean out & he laid at this place in a dangerous state he was out two nights & part of two days before he was found.” Manti­ bishop Warren Snow had ordered her son’s castration... she asked the church president if her son’s punishment was “right and righteous.”... Though he condoned it afterward, it is uncertain whether Young had authorized Thomas Lewis’s castration in advance.” - John G. Turner, Brigham Young - Pioneer Prophet, 2012 | wasmormon.org “I wish you to write me the names of those persons who have "written letters" to Sanpete concerning the Lewis affair. In relation to an epistle upon that subject, it would be like pissing upon a hot iron, only make the more smoke. Just let the matter drop, and say no more about it, and it will soon die away, amongst the people. ... With many thanks for your good wishes and a sincere desire that you may be adequate to every duty, I subscribe myself your Brother in Christ.” - Brigham Young, Letter to Bishop Warren S. Snow, July 7, 1857 | wasmormon.org “Among the victims to priestly hatred and jealousy was a young man about twenty years of age, in San Pete County, named Thomas Lewis... he was quite attentive to a young lady-friend... It happened that Snow, the Bishop of the ward in which the Lewis family lived, had cast his patriarchal eye on this young girl, and designed her for himself... Lewis's doom was sealed at once... The closest espionage was kept upon him by the Bishop's band of ruffians, and one evening a favorable opportunity presented itself; he was waylaid, and the Bishop's sentence carried out, which was to inflict on the boy an injury so brutal and barbarous that no woman's pen may write the words that describe it.” - Ann Eliza Young, Wife No.19, Brigham Young's Apostate Wife, 1876 | wasmormon.org The church’s whitewashed, faith-promoting history glosses over many crucial parts of Green Flake’s story. It omits that in Nauvoo, the Flake family donated his slave labor to help build the temple. It skips the fact that he was sent west not as a free pioneer, but to perform slave duties—and that when he arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, he plowed the land, planted the first crops, and built a log cabin, all in preparation for the arrival of his enslavers. The church also fails to mention that Green was later given to the church itself as tithing and “served” Brigham Young as a personal servant—a euphemism for slave—for at least a year. Even his eventual emancipation is left unspoken, likely because the details remain unclear and uncomfortable to confront. In 1851, his mother and family went with C. C. Rich and A. M. Lyman to settle San Bernardino. Previous to going she gave her negro slave Green Flake (one of the Pioneers of 1847) to the Church as tithing. He then worked two years for Pres Young and Heber C. Kimball, and then got his liberty and settled near Union. - William J. Flake, February 14, 1894 | wasmormon.org Name of slave owners: Brigham Young Slaves: 1, Greene Description: (age, sex, color) 23, M, Yellow - Utah Territorial Census Schedule 2 for Salt Lake County and Davis County, 1851, MS 2672, The Church History Library | wasmormon.org “Sister Agnes Flake wishes me to inquire of you if there is any chance for her to receive any help by way of the negro man she left when she came here. She has a family on her hands for which to provide. Her health is also very delicate health and if she could realize something from this quarter it would be a benefit to her. Thomas I. Williams told me if he could, he would purchase the negro and pay for him. A word from you on this subject would be received a favor.” - Amasa Mason Lyman, LDS Apostle, in California, Letter to Brigham Young, LDS Church President, in Utah, July 21, 1854 | wasmormon.org “I feel it best to kill the Indians” “My voice is for war, exterminate them.” “I say go kill them!” “We shall have no peace until the men are killed off - Never treat an Indian as your equal.” - Parley P. Pratt, Willard Richards, and Brigham Young Extermination Order - Timpanogos, January 31, 1850 | wasmormon.org "Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins, and be received into the kingdom of God. I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands." - Brigham Young, Mormon Prophet, Salt Lake City, March 16, 1856 Journal Of Discourses, Volume 3, Discourse 35 | wasmormon.org "There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it." - Brigham Young, Mormon Prophet, Salt Lake City, March 16, 1856 Journal Of Discourses, Volume 3, Discourse 35 | wasmormon.org “A recently released streaming series presents a fictionalized interpretation of events in mid-19th century Utah. While historical fiction can be illuminating, this drama is dangerously misleading. Brigham Young, a revered prophet and courageous pioneer, is, by any historical standard, egregiously mischaracterized as a villainous, violent fanatic. Other individuals and groups are also depicted in ways that reinforce stereotypes that are both inaccurate and harmful.” - LDS Newsroom Article: Depictions that Deceive: When Historical Fiction Does Harm - Kim Coates as Brigham Young, in the Netflix series, American Primeval | wasmormon.org "Brigham Young and his wife Mary Ann prayed a lot to the Lord about what to do. They learned that they should obey the commandment of plural marriage." - LDS Scripture Stories, Doctrine and Covenants: 1831–1890 Plural Marriage Faith to obey a law from the Lord even when it's hard | wasmormon.org "No fair-minded person can deny that the massacre was the result of the teachings of Brigham Young, and that the Mormons in church council decided that the emigrants should be killed as they were afterwards killed." - William W. Bishop, Confidential Attorney of John D. Lee. Mormonism Unveiled; The life and confessions of the late Mormon bishop, John D. Lee. Introduction, Page 19 | wasmormon.org "I claim that Brigham Young is the real criminal, and that John D. Lee was an instrument in his hands. That Brigham Young used John D. Lee, as the assassin uses the dagger, to strike down his unsuspecting victim; and as the assassin throws away the dagger, to avoid its bloody blade leading to his detection, so Brigham Young used John D. Lee to do his horrid work; and when discovery becomes unavoidable, he hurls Lee from him, cuts him away from the Church, and casts him far out into the whirlpool of destruction. The assassin has no further use for his weapon. I also claim that if religious fanaticism can clear a man from crime, that John D. Lee was guiltless, for he was one of the most intensely fanatical Mormons that infested Utah in 1857. But I do not claim that the fact of his being a fanatic and blinded believer of Brigham Young's so-called revelations excused him — far from it." - William W. Bishop, Confidential Attorney of John D. Lee. Mormonism Unveiled; The life and confessions of the late Mormon bishop, John D. Lee. Introduction, Page 19 | wasmormon.org “I am told there are some of the brethren who are willing to swear against those who were engaged in that affair. I hope there is no truth in this report. I hope there is no such person here, under the sound of my voice. But if there is, I will tell him my opinion of him, and the fact so far as his fate is concerned. Unless he repent at once of that unholy intention, and keep the secret, he will die a dog's death, and go to hell. I must not hear of any treachery among my people.” - Brigham Young, Cedar City, Speaking of the Mountain Meadows Massacre | wasmormon.org "The Mormons courageously performed their part of the blood bath, after which they took binding oaths to stand by each other, and to always swear that the massacre was committed by Indians alone. This was the advice of Brigham." - John D. Lee, Participant in the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Excommunicated by Brigham Young & Executed by US Marshalls | wasmormon.org When missionaries teach other people about Mormonism, they always leave crucial details out. "Preach my Gospel" does not tell missionaries to share about the 30+ wives Joseph Smith had, and as young as 14 years old, nor the 50+ wives Brigham Young had. They don't teach you about the actual reason why Joseph Smith was killed - that he burned down a press. They don't teach that Joseph Smith was a known treasure digger. All these details are just the tip of the iceberg and will show red flags to anyone trying to join this cult. All the characteristics of a cult are present in the Mormon church. - Searjasub's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/searjasub/ As a missionary, I was told to not teach Black people because they were cursed. Then President Kimball said he had a revelation and they were suddenly all clean again... I remember going door to door on my mission that year and someone asked me what revelations our Prophet had recently had. I told them about how Black people could now hold the Priesthood and get married in the Temple. The person had laughed at me and said their church had always loved and accepted Black people. The Church later said that its treatment of Black people was consistent with the social norms of the times... but it never apologized for its racism or said that Brigham Young and Bruce McConkie were wrong. The Church still hasn’t apologized. - Tom's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/tom808/ Born and raised in the faith, I’m a descendant of pioneers who crossed the plains and settled the Salt Lake Valley. I was the perfect Mormon. Seminary, mission, BYU, Temple marriage, family, Stake, and Ward leadership. Ancestors crossed the plains with Brigham Young. Life revolved around the church in every way. We held family home evenings each week and attended every Church service, conference, and fireside. If something was happening at the Church, we were there! I’m a corporate executive, educator, parent, and husband. I was a Mormon. - Tom's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/tom808/ "He who takes offense when offense was not intended is a fool, yet he who takes offense when offense is intended is an even greater fool for he has succumbed to the will of his adversary." - Brigham Young, Mormon Prophet | wasmormon.org I’m surprised that the gospel topic essays don’t pull more people I know away. They try to be honest but are deceptive at the same time. The essays that bothered me most are on the priesthood and polygamy. I hurt for the blacks who lost their priesthood rights and succinctly family rights. Why does the church refuse to apologize for taking the priesthood away from blacks when they know Brigham Young was not God lead in doing so? I also grieve for early European immigrant converts who were told by missionaries that church didn’t practice polygamy only to find out after a life threatening journey to the Salt Lake valley that they do. I can’t imagine the pain those wives bore when their husbands agreed to practice polygamy and bring in new wives. It makes me want to vomit! - Erica's "I was a Mormon" story. Read more at https://wasmormon.org/profile/ehaner/ On January 19, 1845, Brigham Young sealed Lorenzo Snow to Hannah Maria Goddard (b. 1828), sister of his legal wife and his cousin. After the sealing, but prior to consummating the union, Lorenzo left on a mission. In April 1849, Joseph E. Johnson became intimately involved with Hannah who became pregnant with his child (Joseph Eugene Johnson born January 3, 1850). Upon learning of the incident, Lorenzo Snow relinquished his earthly claim to Hannah as his wife and she married Johnson. Johnson, already married, was disciplined by the church and quickly rebaptized as a polygamist. Lorenzo allowed her to be sealed to Johnson in 1861. - Hannah Maria Goddard, Forgotten Teenage Bride and Divorcee of Lorenzo Snow | wasmormon.org "There are statements in our literature by the early brethren which we have interpreted to mean that the Negroes would not receive the priesthood in mortality. I have said the same things, and people write me letters and say, "You said such and such, and how is it now that we do such and such?" And all I can say to that is that it is time disbelieving people repented and got in line and believed in a living, modern prophet. Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation... [All the views and all the thoughts of the past] don't matter any more... It doesn't make a particle of difference what anybody ever said about the Negro matter before the first day of June of this year." - LDS Apostle, Bruce R. McConkie, BYU Devotional 1978 | wasmormon.org “We recommend that people marry those who are of the same racial background generally, and of somewhat the same economic and social and educational background (some of those are not an absolute necessity, but preferred), and above all, the same religious background, without question” (“Marriage and Divorce,” in 1976 Devotional Speeches of the Year [Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1977], p. 144). Aaronic Priesthood, Manual 3, 1995. Chapter 31: Choosing an Eternal Companion | wasmormon.org “I can say with confidence, that there is no people on the face of this earth that pay more respect to females than do this people. I know of no community where females enjoy the privileges they do here.” - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses Volume 9, 37 February 9, 1862 - Brigham Young had already married 50 of his 56 wives. wasmormon.org "We have to remember, that these people are just simply us who haven't yet learned the truth. I don't know what the answer is. Part of me thinks if we stop talking about it and just love them. Maybe. Maybe that's the answer. Maybe we quit dogging Joseph and Brigham. Those people have heard it. They know. They've just been brainwashed. They can call it whatever they want but that's what it is... Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for the love that you've made my family feel in a time where they felt nothing. You don't know what you've done for me." Mormon Bishop in Mississippi Resigned - Says Thank You | wasmormon.org “The principle spoken upon by brother Pratt, this morning [plural marriage], we believe in. And I tell you—for I know it—it will sail over and ride triumphantly above all the prejudice and priestcraft of the day: it will be fostered and believed in by the more intelligent portion of the world as one of the best doctrines ever proclaimed to any people.” - Brigham Young | wasmormon.org “It was the first time in my life that I had desired the grave, and I could hardly get over it for a long time. And when I saw a funeral, I felt to envy the corpse its situation, and to regret that I was not in the coffin, knowing the toil and labor that my body would have to undergo.” - Brigham Young on his feelings when Joseph Smith privately introduced the principle of plural marriage to him as a divine commandment | wasmormon.org "Question: Was Brigham Young a racist? Brigham Young made a number of statements which are now considered blatantly racist" - Fair LDS Apologist Website | Statue of Brigham Young vandalized with red paint and the term 'Racist' | wasmormon.org "Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so." - Brigham Young, LDS Prophet 1863 | wasmormon.org "Lyman E. Johnson, the first to be called to the Apostleship when the first Council of Twelve was organized, left the Church, but he never had a really happy day after that. According to President Brigham Young he, (Lyman) on one occasion, said, at a meeting" - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses | wasmormon.org “"Have you enjoyed yourself since resigning 'Mormonism?' Now speak the truth. Come, tell us just as it is. Have you experienced joy and happiness since leaving the kingdom of God? Come, now, don't lie!" Brother answers, "I have not enjoyed one day's peace since I left the Church." This is the declaration of the apostates today, when they tell the truth about it. Look at their countenances—is there happiness depicted there? No, it is sorrow; they choose error instead of truth, they love darkness rather than light, and the end thereof, to use Scripture language, is death.” - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Speaking for Disaffected Members | wasmormon.org “"I have not enjoyed one day's peace since I left the Church." This is the declaration of the apostates today, when they tell the truth about it.” - Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, speaking in for all disaffected church members. | wasmormon.org “Prophets in all dispensations have been "men of their times," who were raised with certain beliefs and interacted all their lives with others who shared those beliefs.” - FAIR: Faithful Answers, Informed Response for Latter Day Saints: Was Brigham Young a Racist? | wasmormon.org Wallace: From 1830 to 1978... blacks could not become priests in the Mormon Church, right? Hinckley: That's correct. Wallace: Why? Hinckley: Because the leaders of the church at that time interpreted that doctrine that way. Wallace: Church policy had it that blacks had 'the mark of Cain'. Brigham Young said, 'Cain slew his brother and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin,' Hinckley: It's behind us. Look, that's behind us. Don't worry about those little flicks of history. - LDS Church President Gordon B Hinckley interviewed on 60 Minutes | wasmormon.org Wallace: From 1830 to 1978... blacks could not become priests in the Mormon Church, right? Hinckley: That's correct. Wallace: Why? Hinckley: Because the leaders of the church at that time interpreted that doctrine that way. Wallace: Church policy had it that blacks had 'the mark of Cain'. Brigham Young said, 'Cain slew his brother and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin,' Hinckley: It's behind us. Look, that's behind us. Don't worry about those little flicks of history. - LDS Church President Gordon B Hinckley interviewed on 60 Minutes | wasmormon.org "If there is a despicable character on the face of the earth, it is an apostate from this Church. He is a traitor who has deceived his best friends, betrayed his trust, and forfeited every principle of honor that God placed within him. They may think they are respected, but they are not. They are disgraced in their own eyes. There is not much honesty within them; they have forfeited their heaven, sold their birth right, and betrayed their friends." - President Brigham Young, Journal of Discources 12:20 | wasmormon.org "The Adam-God problem continued to occupy my mind. I finally decided to try to settle the matter. If the doctrine were true, I was willing, as a faithful member of the church, to accept it. If it were not true, I needed some explanation about the apparent fact that Brigham Young (and other church authorities of his time) vigorously taught it. So I composed a letter to Joseph Fielding Smith, whom I respected very much, and who at the time was the Church Historian and the president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I spelled out to President Smith my dilemma: the evidence seemed to be clear and uncontroverted that Brigham Young had taught that Adam is God the Father. But the present church does not teach this. What is the truth? I secretly thought that President Smith would write back and say something like: "Yes, you can be assured that President Young taught the truth: Adam is our Father and our God. The church does not proclaim this precious truth because we do not wish to expose the mysteries of God to the mockery of the world. Preserve this secret truth as you do the secrets of your temple endowment." I received a short and clear answer to my letter from President Smith. It was quite different from what I had expected. He wrote that such an idea was unscriptural and untrue, and completely false. He did not deal with the evidence that Brigham Young had taught it. He ignored the whole problem as if it didn't exist. It bothered me, but I tried to put it out of my mind." - Richard Packham | https://wasmormon.org/profile/richard-packham/ "In two speeches delivered before the Utah territorial legislature in January and February 1852, Brigham Young announced a policy restricting men of black African descent from priesthood ordination. At the same time, President Young said that at some future day, black Church members would “have [all] the privilege and more” enjoyed by other members." - Race and the Priesthood, LDS Church Gospel Topic Essay | wasmormon.org "It is a great blessing to the seed of Adam to have the seed of Cain for servants... Under these circumstances, their blessings in life are greater in proportion than those who have to provide bread and dinner for them... If we suffer the Devil to rule over us we shall not accomplish any good... Consequently, I will not consent for a moment to have the children of Cain rule me, nor my brethren. No, it is not right." - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on February 5, 1852 | wasmormon.org "Were the children of God to mingle their seed with the seed of Cain it would not only bring the curse of being deprived of the power of the priesthood upon themselves but entail it upon their children after them, and they cannot get rid of it. If a man in an unguarded moment should commit such a transgression, if he would walk up and say cut off my head, and kill man mother and child it would do a great deal towards atoning for the sin. Would this be to curse them? No, it would be a blessing to them. It would do them good that they might be saved with their brethren. A man would shudder should they hear us talk about killing folk, but it is one of the greatest blessings to some to kill them." - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on February 5, 1852 | wasmormon.org "Perhaps I have said enough upon this subject. I have given you the true principles and doctrine...they shall have the right of citizenship, but shall not have the right to dictate in Church and State matters. The abolitionists of the east, have caressed them there, and their whole argument is calculated to darken Counsel as it was here yesterday... What the Gentiles are doing we are consenting to do. What we are trying to do today is to make the Negro equal with us in all our privileges. My voice shall be against it all the day long. I shall not consent for one moment for this council to lay a plan to bring a curse upon this people. I shall not while I am here." - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on February 5, 1852 | wasmormon.org "Let this Church which is called the kingdom of God on the earth and here declare that it is right to mingle our seed, with the black race of Cain, that they shall come in with us and be partakers with us of all the blessings God has given to us. On that very day, and hour we should do so, the priesthood is taken from this Church and kingdom and God leaves us to our fate. The moment we consent to mingle with the seed of Cain the Church must go to destruction." - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on February 5, 1852 | wasmormon.org "What is that mark? You will see it on the countenance of every African you ever did see upon the face of the earth, or ever will see. Now I tell you what I know; when the mark was put upon Cain, Abels's children were in all probability young; the Lord told Cain that he should not receive the blessings of the priesthood nor his seed, until the last of the posterity of Able had received the priesthood, until the redemption of the earth. If there never was a prophet or apostle of Jesus Christ who spoke it before, I tell you, the people that are commonly called negroes are the children of old Cain. I know they are, I know that they cannot bear rule in the priesthood." - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on February 5, 1852 | wasmormon.org "In the kingdom of God on the earth, a man who has African blood in him cannot hold one jot nor title of priesthood; Why? because they are the true eternal principles the Lord Almighty has ordained...and not one particle of power can that posterity of Cain have, until the time comes He says He will have it taken away. The time will come when they will have the privilege of all we have the privilege of and more. In the kingdom of God on earth, the Africans cannot hold one particle of power in Government... inasmuch as it is the Lord's will, they should receive the spirit of God by Baptism; and that is the end of their privilege; and there is no power on earth to give them any more power." - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on February 5, 1852 | wasmormon.org "In short, as far as the common comforts of life, salvation, light, truth, enjoyment, and understanding are concerned, the Black African has precisely the same privilege as the white man. But they cannot share in the Priesthood; they cannot bear rule; they cannot bear rule in any place until the curse is removed from them; they are a “servant of servants.”" - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on January 23, 1852 | wasmormon.org "I am firm in the belief that they ought to dwell in servitude. When a master has a Negro and uses him well, he is much better off than if he was free. As for masters knocking them down and whipping them and breaking the limbs of their servants, I have as little opinion of that as any person can have; but good wholesome servitude, I know there is nothing better than that." - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on January 23, 1852 | wasmormon.org "I will remark with regard to slavery, inasmuch as we believe in the Bible, inasmuch as we believe in the ordinances of God, in the Priesthood and order and decrees of God, we must believe in slavery. This colored race have been subjected to severe curses, which they have in their families and their classes and in their various capacities brought upon themselves. And until the curse is removed by Him who placed it upon them, they must suffer under its consequences; I am not authorized to remove it. I am a firm believer in slavery." - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on January 23, 1852 | wasmormon.org "A strong abolitionist feeling has power over them, and they commence to whisper round their views upon the subject, saying, “Do you think it’s right? I am afraid it is not right.” I know it is right, and there should be a law made to have the slaves serve their masters, because they are not capable of ruling themselves. When the Lord God cursed old Cain, He said, “Until the last drop of Abel’s blood receives the Priesthood, and enjoys the blessings of the same, Cain shall bear the curse;” then Cain is calculated to have his share next and not until then" - Mormon Prophet, LDS Church President, Governor of Utah, Brigham Young on January 23, 1852 | wasmormon.org "Those who leave the Church are like a feather blown to and fro in the air. They know not whither they are going; they do not understand anything about their own existence; their faith, judgment, and the operation of their minds are as unstable as the movements of the feather" - Brigham Young | wasmormon.org Brigham Young Jr. Brigham Young