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The Brigham Young Journals

Volume 1: April 1832–February 1846
Ronald K. Esplin, Dean C. Jessee, Brent M. Rogers, Gerrit J. Dirkmaat, and Andrew H. Hedges, Editors
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Brigham Young Chronology

1801 - 1846

1801June 1Born in Whitingham, Vermont, to John Young and Abigail Howe.
1804 Family moves to Sherburne, New York.
1806June 7Miriam Works born to Asa Works and Abigail Marks in Aurelius, New York.
1808June 8Mary Ann Angell born to James Angell and Phebe Ann Morton in Providence, Rhode Island.
1815June 11Brigham Young’s mother, Abigail Howe Young, dies of tuberculosis.
1817 Begins trade as carpenter, painter, glazier in Auburn, New York.
1823 Joins Reformed Methodist Church.
1823May 26Purchases one-acre lot in Port Byron, New York, for $60.
1824October 8Marries Miriam Works in Aurelius, New York. They lived in the Aurelius, Haydenville, and Port Byron area for nearly five years.
1825September 26Elizabeth Young born to Brigham Young and Miriam Works in Port Byron, New York.
1829 Spring Family moves to Mendon, New York.
1830 Spring First introduction to the Book of Mormon.
1830June 1Vilate Young born to Brigham Young and Miriam Works in Mendon, New York.
1831FallFirst hears Mormon elders preach in Mendon, New York.
1832April 9-14Baptized by Eleazer Miller at Mendon, New York. Ordained an elder. Miriam Works Young baptized about three weeks later.
 September 8Wife, Miriam Works Young, dies of consumption and tuberculosis.
 September–OctoberTravels to Kirtland, Ohio; meets Joseph Smith.
1833January 2Leaves on proselytizing mission to Canada with his brother Joseph Young.
 ca. March 1Returns to Mendon, New York.
 April–AugustDeparts on another mission to Canada.
 May 20Baptizes Warren Parish and members of the David Patten family.
 SeptemberMoves family from Mendon, New York, to Kirtland, Ohio.
 September 4Performs his first civil marriage for Jonathan Hampton and Julia Foster, Lyons, New York.
 November 12Witnesses the Leonid meteor shower.
1834February 18Marries Mary Ann Angell in Kirtland, Ohio.
 May–JulyTravels to Missouri and back with Camp of Israel (Zion’s Camp).
 Summer–FallLabors on construction of temple and printing office in Kirtland, Ohio
 October 14Joseph Angell Young born to Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angell in Kirtland, Ohio.
1835February 14Appointed to Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
 May 4–September 26Mission to eastern United States with the Twelve.
 May 25–May 31With John P. Greene and Amos Orton preached to Native Americans, including Seneca and Iroquois, in Cattaraugus County, New York.
1835June 16Testifies on behalf of Joseph Smith at Court of Common Pleas: Lake v. Smith.
 FallAttends Hebrew school in Kirtland.
1836March 27Attends Kirtland temple dedication.
 SummerProselytizing mission to the eastern United States.
 December 18Twins Mary Ann Young and Brigham Young Jr. born to Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angell in Kirtland, Ohio.
1837March–JuneBusiness mission to eastern states with Willard Richards.
 July–AugustMission to New York and Massachusetts.
 December 22Forced to leave Kirtland, Ohio, for safety.
1838March 14Arrives at Far West, Missouri, with Joseph Smith.
 April 6Church conference sustains Brigham Young in the Missouri presidency pro tempore.
 July 8Joseph Smith revelations provide direction for the Twelve to preach abroad.
 FallOrganizes the Latter-day Saint evacuation of Missouri as a result of the Mormon War and the governor’s extermination order.
 December 17 Baptizes Asa Works.
1839FebruaryHelps lead Saints and moves family to Quincy, Illinois.
 March 17Takes lead in meeting of Quincy Saints.
 AprilTravels to Far West, Missouri, with the Twelve.
 May 23Moves family to Montrose, Iowa Territory, with the Woodruff family.
1839June–JulyFarewell blessings, instructions, and recommendations given to members of the Twelve Apostles before leaving for England.
 JulyMalaria hits the swampy Mississippi lowlands in Illinois and Iowa Territory. Brigham Young and family affected along with many other church members.
 September 4Alice Young born to Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angell in Montrose, Iowa Territory.
 September 14Very ill, departs for mission to England lying in a wagon bed.
 October 12Father, John Young, dies in Quincy, Illinois.
 November 17Preaches in Kirtland, Ohio, and anoints John Taylor in the Kirtland temple.
1840January 31Arrives in New York City. Preaches in the Columbian Hall two days later.
 March 9Departs New York City for England with Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, and George A. Smith on the ship Patrick Henry.
 April 6Arrives in Liverpool, England.
 April 14First council of the Quorum of the Twelve held abroad; Brigham Young sustained as president; Willard Richards ordained an apostle.
 April 15First general conference held with English Saints, Liverpool, England.
 May 25Visits printers in Manchester, England, for first time about printing British editions of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and a Latter-day Saint hymnal.
 May–DecemberVisits and preaches in settlements and cities throughout England.
 December 29Makes down payment to printers to print British editions of the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and a Latter-day Saint hymnal.
1841March 25–27Serves as a witness in the case of “The Queen v. Joseph Holloway,” Liverpool, England.
 April 6Conference with and farewell to the Saints in Manchester, England. Nearly 6,000 members in England at this time.
 April 21Departs England to return home.
 July 1Arrives in Nauvoo, Illinois.
 July 9Joseph Smith revelation to Brigham Young encouraging him to care for his family.
 August 16Special church conference held in Nauvoo, Illinois, where Joseph Smith gave the “business of the church to the Twelve.”
 September 4Elected to Nauvoo City Council.
1842June 14Marries Lucy Ann Decker, first plural wife.
 August 20Luna Caroline Young born to Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angell in Nauvoo, Illinois.
 November 26Falls ill of apoplexy and fever. Doesn’t leave house until 18 January 1843.
1843May 26Received instruction on priesthood and the new and everlasting covenant from Joseph Smith.
 May 29Sealed for eternity to Mary Ann Angell Young.
 July 1Deposed in Nauvoo city court regarding Joseph Smith in Missouri.
 July–OctoberMission to eastern United States to collect funds for building the Nauvoo House and temple.
 August 27Daughter Mary Ann Young dies at six years old in Nauvoo, Illinois.
 November 2Marries Augusta Adams and Harriet Cook as plural wives.
 November 8Among first signers of “Scroll Petition” to Congress for reparations resulting from the Saints’ Missouri experience.
1844January 29The Twelve and others meet in Nauvoo to nominate Joseph Smith as a candidate for president of the United States.
 February 21The Twelve meet to select first men for western expedition.
 March 11Attends organizing meeting of Council of Fifty.
 AprilAt the conference of the church, 244 missionaries volunteer to stump for Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign and to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 May 8Marries Clarissa Decker as plural wife.
 May 21Begins mission to eastern United States to solicit support for Joseph Smith’s presidential candidacy.
 June 1Holds conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with John E. Page.
 June 27Joseph and Hyrum Smith killed at Carthage, Illinois.
 ca. July 16–18In Peterborough, New Hampshire, when hears of Joseph Smith’s death. In Boston, Massachusetts, gives counsel to the Saints regarding the murder of Joseph Smith.
 August 6Arrives in Nauvoo from mission to the eastern United States.
 August 7Meeting of church leaders in Seventies Hall, determining that the kingdom rests with the Twelve.
 August 8Asserts right of the Twelve to lead the church in opposition to claims of Sidney Rigdon. Young and the Twelve Apostles sustained by vote of conference.
 August 31Elected lieutenant general of Nauvoo Legion.
 September Marries Emily Dow Partridge as plural wife.
 September 8Public six-hour trial of Sidney Rigdon and others; they are cut off from the church.
 September 10Marries Clarissa Ross as plural wife.
 September 19Marries Louisa Beaman as plural wife.
 October 1John Willard Young born to Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angell in Nauvoo, Illinois.
 October 3Marries Eliza Roxcy Snow and Elizabeth Fairchild as plural wives.
 October 6–8General conference held in Nauvoo, first one without Joseph and Hyrum Smith; Brigham Young presides.
 October 8Marries Clarissa Blake as plural wife.
 October 9Marries Rebecca Holman as plural wife.
 October 10Marries Diana Chase as plural wife.
 October 31Marries Susannah Snively as plural wife.
 November 7Marries Olive Gray Frost as plural wife.
 November 12Issues circular urging immigrants to buy Nauvoo land from the church.
 December 19Almon Babbitt reports to Young that the Illinois legislature would repeal the Nauvoo charter.
 December 31Gives sermon on the Godhead and exaltation in Nauvoo, Illinois.
1845 Directs preparations for the Saints to leave Nauvoo.
 January 1 Illinois Senate bill passed for “unconditional repeal” of Nauvoo charter.
 January 14General epistle to the church on gathering and on finishing the temple in Nauvoo.
 January 15Marries Mary Ann Clark as plural wife.
 January 16Marries Margaret Pierce and Mary Pierce as plural wives.
 January 22Issues circular urging help in building Nauvoo temple.
 February 4Council of Fifty meets for first time since the death of Joseph Smith; council is reorganized with Young as standing chairman.
 February 15Brigham Young’s father-in-law, Asa Works, dies.
 March 2Brigham Young visits “Mother” Lucy Mack Smith.
 April 6Issues proclamation to world leaders declaring restoration of kingdom of God on the earth.
 April 6–715th annual general conference; the largest crowds thus far sustained church officers.
 April 30Marries Emmeline Free as plural wife.
 May 10Writes long letter to US president James K. Polk recounting the church’s past and asks for help in their current situation in Illinois.
 May 22Marries Mary Elizabeth Rollins as plural wife.
 May 24Capstone laying ceremony 6:00 a.m.
 September 16Issues proclamation announcing intent of Latter-day Saints to leave Nauvoo.
 September 24Goes with about fifty others to Carthage to surrender on treason; visit Carthage Jail.
 October 5First meeting in Nauvoo temple; Brigham Young gave an opening prayer as a “form of dedication prayer.”
 October 6–8General conference held in Nauvoo temple; the congregants vote to move en masse to the West.
 December 10Temple ordinances begin in Nauvoo temple.
 December 12Fully engaged in overseeing and officiating in temple as first priority.
1846January 7Dedicates the altar in the Nauvoo temple.
 January 14Marries Margaret Alley as plural wife.
 January 15Marries Olive Andrews and Emily Haws as plural wives.
 January 21Marries Martha Bowker and Ellen Rockwood as plural wives.
 January 28Marries Jemima Angel, Abigail Marks, Phebe Morton, and Cynthia Porter as plural wives.
 January 31Marries Mary Eliza Nelson and Rhoda Richards as plural wives.
 February 2Marries Zina Huntington as plural wife.
 February 3Marries Amy Cecilia Cooper, Mary Ellen de la Montague, Julia Foster, Abigail Harback, and Mary Ann Turley as plural wives.
 February 15Leaves Nauvoo to lead Latter-day Saint exodus west.
 February 28Petitions governor of Iowa for aid and protection during exodus from Nauvoo.
 June 14Arrives at Council Bluffs, Iowa, on east bank of Missouri River.
 July 1Advocates raising of Mormon Battalion.
 Fall Establishes Winter Quarters on west bank of Missouri River.