I. Introduction
Brigham Young is one of the most influential leaders in the history of the Mormon Church. He played a crucial role in shaping the beliefs, practices, and community of early Mormonism, serving as the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1847 until his death in 1877. One of the most controversial aspects of his life was his practice of polygamy, which he openly embraced and defended throughout his life. In this article, we explore how many wives Brigham Young had and his role in endorsing polygamy within the early Mormon church. We also examine the impact of polygamy on the gender dynamics of Mormonism and consider the historical and cultural significance of this practice.
II. Listicle: Brigham Young’s Wives
Brigham Young is reported to have had a total of 55 wives over the course of his life, although this number has been debated due to the difficulty of tracing the relationships of early Mormons. Here, we provide a biographical overview of 10 of Brigham Young’s wives in chronological order:
1. Miriam Works Young: Miriam was Brigham’s first wife, whom he married in 1834. She was a strong-willed and independent woman who helped run the family farm during the early years of their marriage. She had two children with Brigham before he began practicing polygamy in the mid-1840s.
2. Mary Ann Angell Young: Mary Ann married Brigham in 1834, the same year as Miriam. She is noted for her artistic talents and was a skilled painter and musician. She had seven children with Brigham over the course of their marriage.
3. Lucy Ann Decker Young: Lucy Ann married Brigham in 1842 and quickly became one of his favorite wives. She was a midwife and nurse who played an important role in childbirth and medical care in the early Mormon community. She had nine children with Brigham.
4. Clarissa Caroline Decker Young: Clarissa was Lucy Ann’s younger sister, whom Brigham married in 1843. She had five children with Brigham and later became a prominent writer and artist in the Mormon community.
5. Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner Young: Mary Elizabeth was just 12 years old when she met Brigham Young and was sealed to him in 1842. She later became an advocate for women’s rights and wrote extensively about her experiences in polygamy. She had nine children with Brigham.
6. Amelia Folsom Young: Amelia married Brigham in 1853 and became one of his most devoted wives, accompanying him on his travels and serving as his secretary and personal assistant. She had four children with Brigham.
7. Margaret Pierce Young: Margaret was a widow with two children when she married Brigham in 1855. She later became an outspoken advocate for polygamy and defended the practice in public speeches. She had two children with Brigham.
8. Eliza Roxcy Snow Young: Eliza was a prominent Latter-day Saint and poet who married Brigham in 1842. She was influential in the women’s suffrage movement and is remembered as one of the most articulate defenders of polygamy in the 19th century. She did not have any children with Brigham.
9. Zina Diantha Huntington Young: Zina was a close friend of Joseph Smith and became one of Brigham’s wives in 1846. She was a gifted writer and helped establish the Young Women’s Mutual Improvement Association. She had four children with Brigham.
10. Emily Dow Partridge Young: Emily was one of three sisters whom Joseph Smith had secretly married before his death. After Smith’s martyrdom, Brigham married Emily and her sisters, angering many Mormons who felt that Brigham was usurping Smith’s authority. Despite this controversy, Emily remained a devoted wife to Brigham and had three children with him.
III. Historical Perspective: Polygamy in Early Mormonism
Polygamy has long been a source of controversy within the Mormon faith, but its origins can be traced back to the teachings of church founder Joseph Smith. Smith claimed to have received revelations from God that endorsed the practice of “plural marriage,” or marrying multiple wives. Despite initial opposition from many of his followers, Smith began practicing polygamy in secret in the early 1840s, during a period when the Mormon community was facing persecution and violence from non-Mormon neighbors and authorities.
After Smith’s death in 1844, Brigham Young assumed leadership of the Mormon community and continued to defend and promote the practice of polygamy. He argued that it was ordained by God and necessary for the exaltation and salvation of Mormon followers. Many Mormons agreed with him, but others were deeply uncomfortable with the practice, which ran counter to prevailing cultural norms in 19th century America.
Polygamy was officially proclaimed as a doctrine of the Mormon church in 1852, causing an uproar among non-Mormon Americans and leading to years of legal battles and social ostracism for the Mormon community. Brigham Young was a vocal defender of polygamy throughout this period, despite mounting opposition from federal authorities and many Mormons themselves.
IV. Political Impact: Brigham Young’s Polygamy and Leadership
Brigham Young’s practice of polygamy had a significant impact on his leadership in the Utah Territory, where the Mormon community had established a stronghold in the mid-19th century. On the one hand, polygamy allowed Young to maintain tight control over the community by creating a large and loyal network of family relationships. Women who were sealed to him as wives were expected to be obedient and supportive of his leadership, which helped him maintain a powerful and cohesive community.
However, polygamy was also a source of tension between the Mormon community and non-Mormon settlers in the region, who viewed the practice as immoral and un-American. This tension was exacerbated by Young’s refusal to bow to federal authority and his claim that he was above the law of the United States. As a result, the federal government sent troops to Utah to suppress what they saw as a rebellion, further fueling conflict between Mormons and outsiders.
Ultimately, Young’s polygamy and resistance to federal authority contributed to delays in Utah’s admission to statehood. It wasn’t until 1896, nearly 20 years after Young’s death, that Utah became the 45th state in the United States.
V. Cultural Analysis: The Gender Dynamics of Polygamy in Mormonism
One of the most fascinating aspects of Brigham Young’s polygamy is its impact on the gender dynamics of the Mormon community. On the one hand, polygamy allowed some women to escape traditional domestic roles and gain greater independence and autonomy. Women who were sealed to Brigham Young had the benefit of his support and resources, which could be leveraged to pursue their own goals and aspirations.
However, polygamy also created many challenges for women within the Mormon community. Women who were part of a polygamous marriage often faced intense competition and jealousy from their sister wives. They also had to deal with the practical complexities of managing a large household and sharing a husband’s time and attention. In some cases, women were forced into polygamous marriages against their will, or were pressured to marry much older men who already had many wives.
The gender dynamics of polygamy continue to be a topic of debate within the modern Mormon community. In recent years, the church has disavowed the practice of polygamy and sought to emphasize the importance of monogamous marriages. However, the legacy of polygamy remains an important part of the Mormon tradition, shaping cultural beliefs and practices in myriad ways.
VI. Personal Profile: Brigham Young’s Life and Accomplishments
Brigham Young led a remarkable life, both as a religious leader and as a political and community leader. He was born in Vermont in 1801 and converted to the Mormon faith in his early 20s. He quickly rose through the ranks of the church, serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and eventually succeeding Joseph Smith as the leader of the Mormon community.
Young’s accomplishments as the president of the Mormon church are many and varied. He oversaw the massive westward migration of the Mormon community to Utah, which involved a trek of over 1,000 miles across some of the most rugged terrain in America. He also played a crucial role in establishing the infrastructure of the fledgling Utah Territory, including the development of agriculture, industry, and transportation.
In addition to his religious leadership, Young was an influential political figure in the Utah Territory. He served as the territorial governor for many years and fought hard to defend the interests of the Mormon community against what he saw as unjust encroachments by federal authorities. He was a staunch defender of states’ rights and the autonomy of the Utah Territory, even when it put him at odds with the federal government.
Despite his many accomplishments, Brigham Young’s legacy is often overshadowed by his controversial practice of polygamy. To his supporters, he was a visionary leader who was willing to defend what he believed to be the will of God, even when it was unpopular or dangerous. To his critics, he was a zealot who placed his own interests above the well-being of his followers and the principles of American democracy.
VII. Conclusion
In conclusion, Brigham Young’s practice of polygamy continues to be a source of controversy and fascination within the Mormon community and beyond. By examining the life and legacy of Brigham Young, we can gain important insights into the role of polygamy in shaping cultural and historical attitudes towards gender, family, and faith. Despite the many challenges and controversies associated with polygamy, it remains an important part of the Mormon tradition and an enduring legacy of one of the most influential leaders in the history of American religion.