"In order to focus on Brigham Young as a pioneer and understand his adventurous spirit, Church members need to know something about his early life," said Susan Easton Black Feb. 21 at a Church Educational System symposium.
Sister Black, BYU associate dean of general education and honors, said Brigham Young was born June 1, 1801, in Whittingham, Vt., and was the 9th of 11 children. His family lived in a one-room log cabin and struggled during their early years to make a living."Because Brigham Young's help was needed so much around the home he only actually spent 11 formal days in a classroom setting," said Sister Black.
He learned to read from the family Bible. "Brigham Young was never your big reader or your big writer. But when it came to hard work, he knew something about that," Sister Black said.
When Brigham was 14, his mother died of tuberculosis. At age 16, he moved away from home and became an apprentice carpenter, glazer, wood joiner and painter. "This will serve him well throughout his life," she said.
At age 23, Brigham married Miriam Works, a singer in the Methodist choir, explained Sister Black. "He will join this church but will continue to be a seeker."
Brigham Young moved his family to Mendon, N.Y. - where in 1830 he first saw a copy of the Book of Mormon. Two years later, on April 15, 1832, he joined the Church.
Then Brigham Young's wife died of tuberculosis, and he was left a widower with two small daughters. "You get this compassionate, nursing, caring husband that comes through at this time," said Sister Black.
After joining the Church and meeting the Prophet Joseph Smith, Brigham Young set out to serve a mission in Canada and then moved to Kirtland, Ohio.
In 1834 Brigham Young joined Zion's Camp and marched from Kirtland to Missouri with Joseph Smith. Later Brigham would say, "I wouldn't have traded all the gold in the county for the privilege it was for me to walk daily with the Prophet Joseph."
Brigham Young's life was further influenced as he was called to the Quorum of the Twelve at age 33, became a master carpenter on the Kirtland Temple, became president of the Quorum of the Twelve, and had responsibility to help the Saints leave Missouri and travel to Illinois - after being in the Church only five years.
Later, said Sister Black, Brigham Young learned of Joseph Smith's death while in Boston, Mass., where he hit his leg and said: "All is not lost."
