The Brigham Young Poll

[Benaishtart]

I’m sick and tired of Brigham Young being thrown under the bus. I think he’s one of the greatest prophets who has ever lived on par with Seth, Joshua, and Peter.

[The Airbender]

I second that. Extremely misunderstood? Yes. Wicked, perverted, misled? No.

He is to Joseph Smith what Joshua was to Moses, or what Peter was to Jesus.

Of the original 12 only Brigham Young and Heber C Kimball were faithful to Joseph in every instance. I would believe their word over any other of their day. If we follow historical patterns, things usually go to pot after the original dispensation heads pass away.

If we reject the words of Brigham, we are rejecting truth. We can never understand him if we don't first believe him. He was only sharing what he learned from Brother Joseph anyway, and Joseph was killed for the little he shared.

[Davka]

I think he did the best he knew how with the knowledge he had about the gospel, but made some pretty big mistakes. The Lord was still able to use his administrative and leadership talents to keep the Church alive. Because he was tutored so personally by Joseph Smith, I think he was able to pass on a lot of that knowledge to the Saints.

I don't consider him greater than any other modern day president of the Church/prophet, or even below any, other than Joseph Smith. I definitely wouldn't count him as a "favorite" prophet.

[gkearney]

The word you want is fallible meaning able to be in error. Infallible mean incapable of error.

[ElizaRSkousen]

Brigham young is one of the most loyal, righteous, and greatest men who has ever lived. He fulfilled his calling like few have done. True American Moses.

Edit : he’s my second favorite modern prophet

[Col. Flagg]

For those of you who endear Brigham Young, you may not want to conduct any research into his life and/or what he taught/did.

[ElizaRSkousen]

For those of you who endear Brigham Young, you may not want to conduct any research into his life and/or what he taught/did.

I have deeply studied everything I can get my hands on regarding his life, teachings, parenthood, spousehood, and prophetic calling.

I couldnt find a single thing to make me hate him

[Alaris]

I think he did the best he knew how with the knowledge he had about the gospel, but made some pretty big mistakes. The Lord was still able to use his administrative and leadership talents to keep the Church alive. Because he was tutored so personally by Joseph Smith, I think he was able to pass on a lot of that knowledge to the Saints.

I don't consider him greater than any other modern day president of the Church/prophet, or even below any, other than Joseph Smith. I definitely wouldn't count him as a "favorite" prophet.

What were some of his mistakes?

[Davka]

I think he did the best he knew how with the knowledge he had about the gospel, but made some pretty big mistakes. The Lord was still able to use his administrative and leadership talents to keep the Church alive. Because he was tutored so personally by Joseph Smith, I think he was able to pass on a lot of that knowledge to the Saints.

I don't consider him greater than any other modern day president of the Church/prophet, or even below any, other than Joseph Smith. I definitely wouldn't count him as a "favorite" prophet.

What were some of his mistakes?

Polygamy...I think.

I think he misunderstood the application of the principle taught him by Joseph Smith.

And if not that (because I'm not 100 percent sure), the way he treated at least some of his wives was...less than Christlike.

[ElizaRSkousen]

I think he did the best he knew how with the knowledge he had about the gospel, but made some pretty big mistakes. The Lord was still able to use his administrative and leadership talents to keep the Church alive. Because he was tutored so personally by Joseph Smith, I think he was able to pass on a lot of that knowledge to the Saints.

I don't consider him greater than any other modern day president of the Church/prophet, or even below any, other than Joseph Smith. I definitely wouldn't count him as a "favorite" prophet.

What were some of his mistakes?

And if not that (because I'm not 100 percent sure), the way he treated at least some of his wives was...less than Christlike.

I have read essays and journal accounts and quotes from his spouses and children and they overwhelmingly portray him to have been a humble, gentle, playful, thoughtful, loving father and husband.

[Robin Hood]

I’m sick and tired of Brigham Young being thrown under the bus. I think he’s one of the greatest prophets who has ever lived on par with Seth, Joshua, and Peter.

I think the third choice should read "very fallible prophet...." Infallible means he was incapable of getting anything wrong, and I don't think that's what you mean.

[Alaris]

I think he did the best he knew how with the knowledge he had about the gospel, but made some pretty big mistakes. The Lord was still able to use his administrative and leadership talents to keep the Church alive. Because he was tutored so personally by Joseph Smith, I think he was able to pass on a lot of that knowledge to the Saints.

I don't consider him greater than any other modern day president of the Church/prophet, or even below any, other than Joseph Smith. I definitely wouldn't count him as a "favorite" prophet.

What were some of his mistakes?

And if not that (because I'm not 100 percent sure), the way he treated at least some of his wives was...less than Christlike.

I have read essays and journal accounts and quotes from his spouses and children and they overwhelmingly portray him to have been a humble, gentle, playful, thoughtful, loving father and husband.

Yeah, my mother is hung up on things that were written in folks journals about Joseph Smith or what so and so said, etc. The irony is those who have a testimony of Joseph Smith almost universally accept the fact that since he was fourteen, folks were set out to destroy his reputation. He was told people would speak good and evil of him among all nations!

JSH 1:33 He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.

Were there not folks who conspired against him - even those who were his among his closest friends and confidants? Would there not be written accounts of these conspiracies that corroborate each other?

And wouldn't Brigham Young have endured the same? The adversary succeeded against the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon in getting them each to apostatize though they had all seen and held the plates and beheld an angel (though the only one who never returned never betrayed his witness.)

Wouldn't the adversary have targeted those close to Brigham Young with the same fervor?

[Davka]

I think he did the best he knew how with the knowledge he had about the gospel, but made some pretty big mistakes. The Lord was still able to use his administrative and leadership talents to keep the Church alive. Because he was tutored so personally by Joseph Smith, I think he was able to pass on a lot of that knowledge to the Saints.

I don't consider him greater than any other modern day president of the Church/prophet, or even below any, other than Joseph Smith. I definitely wouldn't count him as a "favorite" prophet.

What were some of his mistakes?

And if not that (because I'm not 100 percent sure), the way he treated at least some of his wives was...less than Christlike.

I have read essays and journal accounts and quotes from his spouses and children and they overwhelmingly portray him to have been a humble, gentle, playful, thoughtful, loving father and husband.

That's good to hear. I can't say this is a topic I'm well read on. The little I've read could have come from his more disaffected family members.

And the quote about his wives being as easy to acquire as a cow probably informed my opinion quite a bit...I didn't vet the quote, so, again, it's possible I'm making a hasty judgement.

Like I said, I don't think he was a bad guy...that's just been the opinion I've carried for awhile. I'm always willing to change my mind if/as I learn more.

[ElizaRSkousen]

What were some of his mistakes?

And if not that (because I'm not 100 percent sure), the way he treated at least some of his wives was...less than Christlike.

I have read essays and journal accounts and quotes from his spouses and children and they overwhelmingly portray him to have been a humble, gentle, playful, thoughtful, loving father and husband.

That's good to hear. I can't say this is a topic I'm well read on. The little I've read could have come from his more disaffected family members.

And the quote about his wives being as easy to acquire as a cow probably informed my opinion quite a bit...I didn't vet the quote, so, again, it's possible I'm making a hasty judgement.

Like I said, I don't think he was a bad guy...that's just been the opinion I've carried for awhile. I'm always willing to change my mind if/as I learn more.

I’d be happy to supply some easy reads on the subject

Edit: here is a good one from BYU studies. https://byustudies.byu.edu/file/1282/do ... n=ojOimluh

“no child ever loved, revered, and cherished a father more than I did mine. . . . He had the affection and tenderness of a woman for his family and friends. . . . Each day of my childhood stands forth in my memory as one long round of happiness.”

[Davka]

And if not that (because I'm not 100 percent sure), the way he treated at least some of his wives was...less than Christlike.

I have read essays and journal accounts and quotes from his spouses and children and they overwhelmingly portray him to have been a humble, gentle, playful, thoughtful, loving father and husband.

That's good to hear. I can't say this is a topic I'm well read on. The little I've read could have come from his more disaffected family members.

And the quote about his wives being as easy to acquire as a cow probably informed my opinion quite a bit...I didn't vet the quote, so, again, it's possible I'm making a hasty judgement.

Like I said, I don't think he was a bad guy...that's just been the opinion I've carried for awhile. I'm always willing to change my mind if/as I learn more.

I’d be happy to supply some easy reads on the subject

Edit: here is a good one from BYU studies. https://byustudies.byu.edu/file/1282/do ... n=ojOimluh

“no child ever loved, revered, and cherished a father more than I did mine. . . . He had the affection and tenderness of a woman for his family and friends. . . . Each day of my childhood stands forth in my memory as one long round of happiness.”

Thanks a bunch. I'll read this.

[rimbauer.peter]

For those of you who endear Brigham Young, you may not want to conduct any research into his life and/or what he taught/did.

He that is without sin among us, let him first cast a stone at him.

[friendsofthe]

The word you want is fallible meaning able to be in error. Infallible mean incapable of error.

That's what I noticed... ironic that the opening poster, who apparently wants to open the door to pointing the finger at Brigham Young is obviously fallible himself...

[investigator]

“I am not going to interpret dreams; for I don’t profess to be such a Prophet as were Joseph Smith and Daniel; but I am a Yankee guesser"

Compete Discourses Vol 3 page 1306 26 Jul 1859

Brigham himself declared he was not a prophet in the same sense as was Joseph Smith.

[investigator]

I have flattered myself, if I am as faithful as I know how to be to my God, and my brethren, and to all my covenants, and faithful in the discharge of my duty, when I have lived to be as old as was Moses when the Lord appeared to him, that perhaps I then may hold communion with the Lord, as did Moses. I am not now in that position, though I know much more than I did twenty, ten, or five years ago. But have I yet lived to the state of perfection that I can commune in person with the Father and the Son at my will and pleasure? No,-though I hold myself in readiness that he can wield me at his will and pleasure. If I am faithful until I am eighty years of age, perhaps the Lord will appear to me and personally dictate me in the management of his Church and people. A little over twenty years, and if I am faithful, perhaps I will obtain that favour with my Father and God.

Complete Discourses, Vol 3 page 1498, 1 Sep 1859

Let Brigham speak for himself.

[Robin Hood]

I have flattered myself, if I am as faithful as I know how to be to my God, and my brethren, and to all my covenants, and faithful in the discharge of my duty, when I have lived to be as old as was Moses when the Lord appeared to him, that perhaps I then may hold communion with the Lord, as did Moses. I am not now in that position, though I know much more than I did twenty, ten, or five years ago. But have I yet lived to the state of perfection that I can commune in person with the Father and the Son at my will and pleasure? No,-though I hold myself in readiness that he can wield me at his will and pleasure. If I am faithful until I am eighty years of age, perhaps the Lord will appear to me and personally dictate me in the management of his Church and people. A little over twenty years, and if I am faithful, perhaps I will obtain that favour with my Father and God.

Complete Discourses, Vol 3 page 1498, 1 Sep 1859

Let Brigham speak for himself.

In my view the key to understanding this comment is contained in the last two verses of D&C 136. In those verses the Lord made it clear to Bro. Brigham and the rest of us that "you have received the Kingdom" and went on to say "so no more at present. Amen and Amen."

[tdj]

There is a theory or observation in what I read that emma smith absolutely despised him.
I have to admit, the polygamy and multiple children with multiple women sort of affects my sense of respect for him. But men, if you let them, will engage in all sorts of misogyny. I'd also read, though I can't say where that he made a comment that if one of his wives were to cheat on him, that he would literally kill her, and that by doing so, he was doing HER some sort of favor.
But then again, that could have simply been some of Hoffmans work I read and nothing more.

[ajax]

I wouldn’t want him around my teenage daughters.

[JohnnyL]

For those of you who endear Brigham Young, you may not want to conduct any research into his life and/or what he taught/did.

Right, because anyone who loves BY, just has to be an ignoramus.

[mtm411]

I personally think Brigham Young was the right man for the job God wanted him to do. The legacy he left for the treatment of blacks and women will leave a lot to be answered for in the next life.

I don't personally think servants of God need to be perfect, but he was playing with that line. Even if polygamy was authorized, the way he practiced it left a broken family who fought over family money and the church's money for generations after he died. He chose favorites among the wives and the children, and spun them all around in mental circles. One son was a cross-dresser, others moved back East to be gentiles and live in finery- until Brigham died, then rushed back to Zion to claim ownership of their gravy-train, the church.

[JohnnyL]

I think he did the best he knew how with the knowledge he had about the gospel, but made some pretty big mistakes. The Lord was still able to use his administrative and leadership talents to keep the Church alive. Because he was tutored so personally by Joseph Smith, I think he was able to pass on a lot of that knowledge to the Saints.

I don't consider him greater than any other modern day president of the Church/prophet, or even below any, other than Joseph Smith. I definitely wouldn't count him as a "favorite" prophet.

What were some of his mistakes?

And if not that (because I'm not 100 percent sure), the way he treated at least some of his wives was...less than Christlike.

I have read essays and journal accounts and quotes from his spouses and children and they overwhelmingly portray him to have been a humble, gentle, playful, thoughtful, loving father and husband.

BY wrote more letters of encouragement to his sons on missions than many fathers do to their sons, and BY sure had a lot more sons to write to, and a lot more work, temporal and church, than most any dad I know.