# Brigham Young

> American religious leader (1801–1877)

**Wikidata**: [Q203559](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203559)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brigham-young

## Summary
Brigham Young was an American religious leader (1801–1877) who served as the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a key figure in the establishment of the Mormon settlement in Utah. He is best known for leading the migration of Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley and founding Brigham Young University.

## Biography
- Born: June 1, 1801, in Whiting, Vermont, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Self-educated; learned carpentry and theology independently
- Known for: Leading the Mormon migration to Utah and establishing the LDS Church’s central authority
- Employer(s): The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (founder and president), Brigham Young University (founder)
- Field(s): Theology, religious leadership, colonization

## Contributions
- **Mormon Migration**: Led the migration of approximately 140,000 Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, establishing the first permanent Mormon settlement in Utah.
- **Church Leadership**: Served as the first president of the LDS Church, consolidating its leadership and doctrine, including the Adam–God doctrine.
- **Brigham Young University**: Founded Brigham Young University in 1875, the first institution of higher education in Utah.
- **Colonization of Utah**: Oversaw the development of the Salt Lake Valley, including the construction of temples, schools, and infrastructure.
- **Religious Doctrine**: Advocated for the Adam–God doctrine, which posited that Adam was both the father and god of humanity.

## FAQs
**What was Brigham Young’s role in the LDS Church?**
Brigham Young served as the first president of the LDS Church, consolidating its leadership and doctrine, including the Adam–God doctrine, which he taught as central to Mormon theology.

**Where did Brigham Young lead the Mormon migration?**
Brigham Young led the migration of Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah, establishing the first permanent Mormon settlement in 1847.

**What educational institutions did Brigham Young found?**
Brigham Young founded Brigham Young University in 1875, the first institution of higher education in Utah.

**What is the Adam–God doctrine?**
The Adam–God doctrine, taught by Brigham Young, posits that Adam was both the father and god of humanity, a foundational belief in LDS theology.

**How did Brigham Young contribute to the colonization of Utah?**
Brigham Young oversaw the development of the Salt Lake Valley, including the construction of temples, schools, and infrastructure, shaping Utah’s early settlement.

## Why They Matter
Brigham Young’s leadership was pivotal in the establishment of the LDS Church’s central authority and the Mormon settlement in Utah. His migration of pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley created a permanent Mormon community, while his founding of Brigham Young University provided higher education in Utah. His theological contributions, including the Adam–God doctrine, shaped LDS theology. His efforts in colonizing Utah laid the groundwork for the state’s development, influencing its religious, educational, and cultural landscape.

## Notable For
- **Founder of the LDS Church’s central authority**: Served as the first president, consolidating the church’s leadership and doctrine.
- **Leader of the Mormon migration**: Oversaw the relocation of 140,000 pioneers to Utah, establishing the first permanent Mormon settlement.
- **Founder of Brigham Young University**: Established the first institution of higher education in Utah, in 1875.
- **Advocate for the Adam–God doctrine**: Promoted the belief that Adam was both the father and god of humanity, a cornerstone of LDS theology.
- **Pioneer of Utah colonization**: Developed the Salt Lake Valley, including temples, schools, and infrastructure, shaping Utah’s early settlement.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Brigham Young was born on June 1, 1801, in Whiting, Vermont. He was self-educated, learning carpentry and theology independently. His early life was marked by a strong religious conviction, which led him to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in 1830.

### Religious Leadership
In 1830, Brigham Young joined the LDS Church and quickly rose through its ranks. He became a counselor to the church’s president, Joseph Smith, and later served as the first president of the LDS Church after Smith’s death in 1844. Under his leadership, the church consolidated its doctrine, including the Adam–God doctrine, which he taught as central to Mormon theology.

### Mormon Migration
In 1847, Brigham Young led the migration of approximately 140,000 Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. This migration established the first permanent Mormon settlement, which became the foundation of modern Utah. His leadership during the journey, known as the Great Emigration, was crucial in ensuring the survival and success of the pioneers.

### Colonization of Utah
As president of the LDS Church, Brigham Young oversaw the development of the Salt Lake Valley. He directed the construction of temples, schools, and infrastructure, shaping the region’s early settlement. His efforts laid the groundwork for Utah’s growth as a religious and educational hub.

### Educational Foundations
In 1875, Brigham Young founded Brigham Young University, the first institution of higher education in Utah. The university became a key provider of education for Mormon settlers and a center of religious and intellectual life in the region.

### Legacy and Influence
Brigham Young’s contributions to the LDS Church, the colonization of Utah, and the establishment of higher education in the region have had a lasting impact. His leadership and theological teachings continue to influence Mormon theology and the development of Utah. His efforts in founding Brigham Young University and leading the Mormon migration have left a lasting legacy in both religious and educational spheres.

## References

1. Latter-day Saint Literature database
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Genealogics
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. SNAC
10. Find a Grave
11. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
12. GeneaStar
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. RKDartists
15. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb15372452n)
16. CERL Thesaurus
17. Catalogo of the National Library of India