Defending Brigham Young: Separating Fact from Fiction

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Former Pagan, Christian Conservative LDS Priest 

Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been a figure of controversy since the days of his leadership. Popular media today, as seen in productions like American Primeval, often portrays him as a tyrannical, dogmatic, and power-hungry villain. But who was Brigham Young really? And does the media’s depiction hold up under scrutiny of historical records?

Brigham Young, known as the “Lion of the Lord,” was not just a church leader but also a colonizer, organizer, and builder. Born in Vermont in 1801, Young converted to the early LDS Church after hearing the preaching of Joseph Smith. He became a staunch defender of the fledgling faith, known for his tenacity and organizational skills. Following Joseph Smith’s assassination in 1844, Young’s leadership was pivotal in guiding the Latter-day Saints westward to what became Utah. There, he established not only a religious community but also laid the groundwork for a thriving society in the arid West.

Critics often cite incidents such as the Mountain Meadows Massacre and Young’s role in polygamy as evidence of his supposed villainy. While these are critical elements of history, they require context. The Mountain Meadows Massacre, for instance, was a tragic and deeply troubling event. However, historical research has yet to conclusively prove that Brigham Young directly ordered or sanctioned the attack. Scholars like Ronald W. Walker, Richard E. Turley Jr., and Glen M. Leonard have shown that the massacre was the result of complex local tensions rather than a top-down directive from church headquarters.

Similarly, Young’s practice and defense of polygamy is often cited to paint him as oppressive. Yet polygamy, controversial as it was and is, needs to be understood within the framework of 19th-century religious beliefs and frontier survival. Many Latter-day Saints believed it was a divine commandment for a time, and in their context, it was seen as a way to build a stable community in an unstable environment.

What the media rarely discusses is Young’s role in creating a self-reliant community that valued education, hard work, and mutual support. Under his leadership, the Saints developed irrigation systems, founded universities, and built a strong communal economy. He had a vision of Zion that extended beyond religious boundaries to include societal welfare and growth. Brigham Young College (a precursor to BYU) and the establishment of cooperative stores that aimed to lift communities out of poverty are often overlooked in popular portrayals.

Unfortunately, American Primeval and similar narratives choose to focus on the most controversial aspects of Young’s life, often ignoring the larger picture. Such portrayals can turn a complex historical figure into a one-dimensional caricature. While it’s fair to critique and question leaders of the past, it’s equally important to examine their achievements and the full context of their actions.

The historical record, when examined carefully, reveals a man who was deeply flawed—like any of us—but who was also dedicated to building a community and ensuring the survival of his people. Brigham Young was not perfect, but to paint him as a villain without acknowledging his substantial contributions to the settlement of the American West and the establishment of a faith community is both inaccurate and unjust.

In conclusion, Brigham Young’s life and legacy are best understood through a nuanced lens. Media portrayals like American Primeval often fail to do justice to the complexity of historical figures. By returning to the primary sources, analyzing the broader historical context, and acknowledging both the failings and accomplishments of the past, we can form a more balanced understanding of who Brigham Young really was.

Citations:

1. Walker, Ronald W., Richard E. Turley Jr., and Glen M. Leonard. Massacre at Mountain Meadows. Oxford University Press, 2008.
2. Arrington, Leonard J. Brigham Young: American Moses. University of Illinois Press, 1986.
3. Quinn, D. Michael. The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power. Signature Books, 1994.
4. Brooks, Juanita. The Mountain Meadows Massacre. University of Oklahoma Press, 1962.