Lyman Wight

Lyman Wight

1796–1858 (61 years)

Hometown: Fairfield, New York

Biography

Lyman Wight was an apostle from 1841 until his excommunication in 1848. A military leader and colonizer, Wight was known as the “Wild Ram of the Mountains” for his fierce temperament.

After Joseph Smith’s death, Wight rejected Brigham Young’s leadership and led his own group of followers to Texas, where he established several colonies. He was excommunicated for refusing to submit to the Quorum of the Twelve.

Wight led his Texas colony until his death in 1858, remaining independent of both the Utah church and the Reorganized Church. His breakaway movement eventually dissolved after his death.

Served Under

Church presidents during this leader's apostolic service:

Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Brigham Young
Brigham Young

Wives (4)

Lyman Wight was a polygamist with 4 wives. Note these are simultaneous marriages — married to multiple living spouses at the same time.

4 wives · Lifespan: 1796–1858

Harriet Benton
1823–1858 (35 yrs)
Jane Margaret Ballantyne
1844–1858 (14 yrs)
Mary Hawley
1844–1852 (8 yrs)
Mary Ann Hobart
1850–1858 (8 yrs)
1796 (born) 1812 1828 1844 1858 (died)
Wife

11 children from 3 wives · Lifespan: 1796–1858

Harriet Benton
7 children
Mary Hawley
2 children
Mary Ann Hobart
2 children
1796 (born) 1812 1828 1844 1858 (died)
Wife Child born

4 wives · Ages at marriage

Her age His age Teenage bride (<18)
#NameBornDiedMarriedHer AgeHis AgeAge DiffChildren
1
Harriet Benton Harriet Benton
Mar 19, 1801Feb 26, 1889 Jan 5, 1823 212657
2
Jane Margaret Ballantyne
Feb 12, 1819Apr 7, 1902 c. Jan 1, 1844 c. 2447233
3
Mary Hawley
Jan 1, 1823Jan 1, 1852 c. Jan 1, 1844 c. 2147262
4
Mary Ann Hobart
Oct 16, 1828Feb 17, 1897 c. Jan 1, 1850 c. 2153326

Children (18)

With Harriet Benton Harriet Benton  (7 children)

  1. Orange Lysander Wight (b. Jan 1, 1823)
  2. Anna Christina Wight (b. Jan 1, 1825)
  3. Rosina Minerva Wight (b. Jan 1, 1827)
  4. Lyman Lehi Wight (b. Jan 1, 1833)
  5. Levi Lamoni Wight (b. Jan 1, 1836)
  6. Loami Limhi Wight (b. Jan 1, 1838)
  7. Laomi Limhi Wight (b. Jan 1, 1838)

With Jane Margaret Ballantyne  (3 children)

With Mary Hawley  (2 children)

  1. Mary Menamento Wight (b. Jan 1, 1848)
  2. Romanan Wight (b. Jan 1, 1851)

With Mary Ann Hobart  (6 children)

  1. Carema Otis Wight (b. Jan 1, 1852)
  2. Roliando Wight (b. Jan 1, 1854)

Images Related to Lyman Wight

“The Melchizedek Priesthood, Mormons now believe, had been bestowed a year or two earlier with the visit of Peter, James, and John. If so, why did contemporaries say the high priesthood was given for the first time in June 1831? Joseph Smith himself was ordained to this 'high priesthood' by Lyman Wight. If Joseph was already an elder and apostle, what was the necessity of being ordained again?” - Richard Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, Page 157-158 | wasmormon.org “During the turbulent [June 1831] meeting, Joseph ordained five men to the high priesthood, and Lyman Wight ordained eighteen others, including Joseph. The ordinations to the high priesthood marked a milestone in Mormon ecclesiology. Until that time, the word 'priesthood,' although it appeared in the Book of Mormon, had not been used in Mormon sermonizing or modern revelations. Later accounts applied the term retroactively, but the June 1831 conference marked its first appearance in contemporary records.” - Richard Bushman, Rough Stone Rolling, Page 157-158 | wasmormon.org