Brigham Young was the nineteenth-century leader of the Mormon Church who led the migration to Utah and expanded the church’s settlements, but he taught doctrines that contradict the Bible, including polygamy and the idea that humans can become gods. While Mormons elevate Brigham Young as a prophet, the Bible warns against false prophets and emphasizes salvation through faith in Jesus alone.
Brigham Young was the nineteenth-century leader of the Mormon Church who succeeded Joseph Smith and led the migration of Mormons to Utah, where he established Salt Lake City and over a hundred settlements. Young strongly advocated polygamy, which is against Biblical teaching (Genesis 1:27, 2:24; Deuteronomy 17:17; 1 Kings 11). He also taught that God was once a man and that humans could become gods, a doctrine that contradicts biblical Christianity (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 40:28). The Bible warns against false prophets and urges believers to test all teachings against God’s Word (Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Galatians 1:6-9). While Mormons elevate Young as a prophet, his teachings mislead people away from salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Ultimately, following Jesus—not Brigham Young—is the only way to enter the promised land of eternal life (John 14:6).
Brigham Young was born into humble circumstances. His parents were farmers in Vermont and from a young age he understood the meaning of hard work. As a young man Young worked as a carpenter, painter, and blacksmith. He married his first wife, Miriam Angeline Works, in 1824 and was a Methodist. While living in New York Brigham Young read the Book of Mormon and became interested in joining the new church. After his wife's death in 1832, he officially converted to Mormonism.
From the onset, Young poured his heart into serving the Mormon church, also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). Upon conversion he served as a missionary in Canada and Europe. Young helped to establish the Mormon communities in the US states of Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois. Joseph Smith was impressed with his commitment and made him president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, which was the governing body of the church. Following Smith's death in 1844, Young was elected president of the Mormon church. Although some groups broke into settlements in Missouri and elsewhere, the majority of the Mormon community followed Young on an exodus from Illinois to Utah. There they founded Salt Lake City on July 24th, 1847, which became a sort of promised land to all the Mormons fleeing religious persecution.
After settling in Salt Lake City, he organized the development of over a hundred settlements in and around the territory of Utah. He was elected governor and superintendent of Indian affairs.
As president of the Mormon church, Young built upon Smith's legacy, expanding and adding new doctrine and practices to the Mormon beliefs. He strongly advocated polygamy and had fifty-five wives and fifty-seven children during his lifetime. Young also is known for his teaching that God was once a mortal man and eventually became exalted, therefore presenting the idea that all Mormon men had the potential to reach god status in the afterlife.
Just as his predecessor Joseph Smith, Young was a false prophet. The thousands who followed him physically to Salt Lake City and the millions who follow him spiritually today are pursuing a mirage. For those who follow the teachings of Mormonism the promised land will remain elusive as they continue to wander the desert. Only those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior will enter the promised land of eternity with God. For Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).