Young, Brigham. President of the Mormon Church, 1847-77. Was born at Whitingham, Vermont, in 1801. Having embraced the teachings of Joseph Smith, he began preaching at Kirtland, Ohio, in 1832. Following the death of Joseph Smith at Nauvoo, Illinois, 1844, Young assumed leadership. In 1845 he led a party westward from Nauvoo, reaching the central valley of Utah in 1847, where he founded Salt Lake City, and established the site of the new temple. In 1852 he proclaimed polygamy, which was finally officially prohibited in 1890. He established in 1868 Zion's cooperative mercantile institution. The growth and prosperity of the Mormon settlements in Utah under his direction attest to his remarkable administrative ability. Died 1877.

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