Early_life_and_succession_to_Latter_Day_Saint_leadership Brigham_Young

the 5 sons of john , nabby young

from left right: lorenzo dow, brigham, phineas h., joseph, , john.

young born john young , abigail nabby howe, farming family in whitingham, vermont, , worked travelling carpenter , blacksmith, among other trades. young first married in 1824 miriam angeline works. though had converted methodist faith in 1823, young drawn mormonism after reading book of mormon shortly after publication in 1830. officially joined new church in 1832 , traveled upper canada missionary. after wife died in 1832, young joined many mormons in establishing community in kirtland, ohio. young ordained member of original quorum of twelve apostles in 1835, , assumed leadership role within organization in taking mormonism united kingdom , organizing exodus of latter day saints missouri in 1838.

in 1844, while in jail awaiting trial treason charges, joseph smith, president of church, killed armed mob. several claimants role of church president emerged during succession crisis ensued. before large meeting convened discuss succession in nauvoo, illinois, sidney rigdon, senior surviving member of church s first presidency, argued there no successor deceased prophet , should made protector of church. young opposed reasoning , motion. smith had earlier recorded revelation stated quorum of twelve apostles equal in authority , power first presidency, young claimed leadership of church fell twelve apostles. majority in attendance persuaded quorum of twelve apostles lead church young quorum s president. many of young s followers later reminisce while young spoke congregation, looked or sounded smith, attributed power of god. young ordained president of church in december 1847, 3 , half years after smith s death. rigdon became president of separate church organization based in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, , other potential successors emerged lead became other denominations of movement.

migration west

repeated conflict led young relocate group of latter-day saints salt lake valley, part of mexico. young organized journey take mormon pioneers winter quarters, nebraska, in 1846, salt lake valley. time young arrived @ final destination, had come under american control result of war mexico, although u.s. sovereignty not confirmed until 1848. young arrived in salt lake valley on july 24, 1847, date recognized pioneer day in utah. young s expedition 1 of largest , 1 of best organized westward treks. on august 22, 29 days after arriving in salt lake valley, young organized mormon tabernacle choir.

after 3 years of leading church president of quorum of twelve apostles, young reorganized new first presidency , declared president of church on december 27, 1847.