Brigham Young

Brigham Young – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Brigham Young (1801–1877) was a pivotal American religious and political leader in the 19th century. This article explores his early life, leadership of the Latter-day Saints, governance of Utah Territory, controversies, legacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Brigham Young was a towering figure in American religious history, best known as the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a central leader in the Mormon migration west. Born on June 1, 1801, and passing on August 29, 1877, Young guided his people through persecution, exodus, settlement, and institution building. His bold vision, controversial decisions, and far-reaching influence continue to provoke study and debate today.

He is significant not only to followers of Mormonism but also in the broader narrative of American expansion, settlement of the West, and the interactions between religion and politics in a frontier setting. Through his leadership, Young helped transform a persecuted religious minority into a distinct social, economic, and religious community in the American West.

Early Life and Family

Brigham Young was born in Whitingham, Vermont, the ninth of eleven children, to John Young and Abigail “Nabby” Howe.

His mother died in 1815 of tuberculosis, which deeply affected the young Brigham.

As a youth, he trained as a carpenter, painter, and glazier—skills he would carry into his early adult life.

In October 1824, Young married Miriam Angeline Works.

Youth and Spiritual Awakening

In his early years, Young held a devout Christian orientation, reportedly joining a Reformed Methodist group, but he was also spiritually restless, seeking “a church with authority.”

In April 1832, he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (founded by Joseph Smith).

In 1835, at a conference of the church, Young was ordained as one of the Twelve Apostles (Quorum of the Twelve).

During the 1830s, the Mormon community faced financial and organizational challenges—among them the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society, dissent within ranks, and tensions with non-Mormon neighbors. These experiences taught Young lessons in leadership, perseverance, and conflict.

Leadership of the LDS Church & the Westward Migration

Succession Crisis & Rise to Leadership

When Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in 1844, the LDS community faced a succession crisis. Young, as a senior apostle and organizational leader, was a leading candidate to succeed Smith.

Exodus & Settlement

Under Young’s leadership, the Mormons began the exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois, migrating west along the Mormon Trail.

He led multiple voyages back and forth to coordinate the arrival of subsequent pioneer groups.

Church Infrastructure, Temples, and Institutions

Young prioritized building temples and religious infrastructure. He presided over the Salt Lake Temple’s groundbreaking in 1853 and led the planning and construction of other temples in St. George, Manti, and Logan.

Education, self-reliance, and communal welfare were also significant to him. Young encouraged cooperative enterprises, local industry, and the economic self-sufficiency of Mormon settlements.

Political Role and Governance

Governor of Utah Territory

In 1851, President Millard Fillmore appointed Young as the first governor of the Utah Territory.

As governor, Young oversaw settlement expansion into areas that are now parts of Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, and neighboring states.

Conflicts with Federal Authority

Young’s style and the melding of church and state provoked tensions with the U.S. federal government. Accusations of obstructing federal officials and non-Mormons led President James Buchanan in 1857 to send federal troops and install a non-Mormon governor—a confrontation known as the Utah War.

Controversies and Violent Episodes

One of the darkest episodes during Young’s leadership was the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857, in which a wagon train of emigrants was attacked, resulting in the death of an estimated 120 people.

He also supported or permitted policies that regulated slavery in Utah Territory, including the 1852 “Act in Relation to Service.”

Legacy and Influence

Brigham Young’s legacy is complex and multifaceted.

Religious Legacy

As the second president of the LDS Church, Young shaped organizational structures, doctrine emphasis, missionary work, temple expansion, and the cultural identity of Mormon communities. Journal of Discourses, spanning 19 volumes.

Brigham Young University and various institutions bear his name, reinforcing his enduring symbolic presence.

Geographic and Social Impact

Under his leadership, hundreds of settlements and communities were founded across the American West.

Many places, landmarks, and educational institutions are named after him, marking his imprint on the American landscape.

Controversy, Critique & Reassessment

Young’s legacy is not uncontroversial. His advocacy of polygamy, support of restrictive racial doctrines (especially regarding blacks and priesthood when the church enforced a ban), and role in violent episodes invite critique and historical re-evaluation.

Contemporary voices within the LDS community debate how to interpret his words and actions, particularly those considered outdated or problematic.

Personality and Talents

Brigham Young was known for a forceful, commanding presence, often described as stern but driven.

At the same time, sources suggest he was not without personal struggles: periods of illness, doubt, and the burden of leading a persecuted people weighed on him.

His leadership style was at times autocratic; he centralized decision making and merged civil and religious authority, expecting obedience and loyalty. Yet that same firmness allowed him to guide ambitious, uncertain communities through perilous migrations and frontier challenges.

He had an enduring commitment to education, industry, and self-reliance, and he pushed for building institutions that would sustain future generations.

Famous Quotes of Brigham Young

Below are a selection of quotes attributed to Brigham Young—some reflecting his religious convictions, others on life, work, and character. (As with many historical religious figures, attribution and exact wording sometimes vary among sources.)

“You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.” “Why should we worry about what others think of us, do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?” “He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool …” “If you work hard you’ll be happy and if you don’t then you’ll go to hell!” “Infringe upon the rights of no one. Borrow no tool but what you will return according to promise.” “No matter what your circumstances are, whether you are in prosperity or in adversity, you can learn from every person, transaction, and circumstance around you.” “It is wise for us to forget our troubles, there are always new ones to replace them.”

These quotes reflect themes that resonated through his life: education, personal integrity, diligence, self-reliance, and spiritual reflection.

Lessons from Brigham Young

1. Vision combined with execution matters. Young was not only a visionary leader but also an organizer who could carry massive projects (migration, city planning, institutional building) to fruition.

2. Resilience in adversity. He led his followers through persecution, forced migrations, and conflict, often under precarious conditions.

3. Integration of values and community building. Young tried to align spiritual, social, and economic aims—though not always without tension or contradiction.

4. The weight of moral responsibility. His leadership involved decisions with grave ethical consequences (e.g. polygamy, race policies, violent conflicts). Those remind us that power demands accountability.

5. Legacy is complex. Great impact can include both constructive achievements and serious flaws. To understand a figure like Brigham Young is to wrestle with contradictions.

Conclusion

Brigham Young remains one of the most consequential, controversial, and influential religious-political leaders in 19th-century America. Under his stewardship, what began as a persecuted sect of Mormons became a distinctive and organized society in the American West. His achievements in settlement, education, temple building, and community organization left a lasting imprint. Yet his legacy is also shadowed by controversies—especially concerning polygamy, race, and violent episodes in frontier history.

Today, scholars, church members, and historians continue to debate, interpret, and reassess his life and teachings. His words—some uplifting, others jarring—invite reflection on the interplay of faith, leadership, human imperfection, and the challenges of moral authority.

If you’d like, I can create a separate page with more quotes, or a comparison of his legacy with other American religious leaders. Would you like me to do that next?