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The Brigham Young Monument in Whitingham, Vermont Photo Courtesy of Alexander L. Baugh

Brigham Young, second President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was born in Whitingham, Vermont on June 1, 1801, the ninth child born to John and Abigail Young.

President Young was a leader, a colonizer, and a pioneer. The mantle of the leadership of the Church fell on him after Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred at Carthage Jail. He led the Saints to the Salt Lake Valley where they made the desert "blossom like a rose."¹ Near the end of his life, Brigham Young spoke of the results of his own labors as follows:

"The peopling of this Territory by the Latter-day Saints of about 100,000 souls; the founding of over 200 cities, towns and villages inhabited by our people, which extend to Idaho in the north, Wyoming in the east, Nevada in the west, and Arizona in the south, and the establishment of schools, factories, mills and other institutions calculated to improve and benefit our community.

All my transactions and labors have been carried on in accordance with my calling as a servant of God. I know no difference between spiritual and temporal labors. God has seen fit to bless me with means, and as a faithful steward I use them to benefit my fellowmen-to promote their happiness in this world in preparing them for the great hereafter.

My whole life is devoted to the Almighty's service, and while I regret that my mission is not better understood by the world, the time will come when I will be understood, and I leave to futurity the judgment of my labors and their result as they shall become manifest." ²

In 1950, a memorial was erected to commemorate his birthplace and President George Albert Smith dedicated the monument. Also at the unveiling, Judge Harriet B. Chase of the U.S. Circuit Court, representing Whitingham township remarked, "The name Brigham Young has become accepted as a symbol of perseverance, courage to bear difficulties, and capacity to surmount them. This monument is a fitting tribute to a great American, Whitingham's famous son."³

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SOURCES

¹ Isaiah 35:1.

² Preston Nibley, Brigham Young: The Man and His Work, 4th ed. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1960, 492.

³ Clarence S. Barker, "From the Green Hills To Statuary Hall," Improvement Era, Volume 53, No. 8, (August 1950).