Brigham Young

In this comprehensive biography, John Turner delves into the life of Brigham Young, a pivotal figure in American religion and politics whose journey began as a craftsman in New York and blossomed into a transformative leadership role within the Mormon faith. After the assassination of Joseph Smith, Young led thousands of Latter-day Saints across the Rocky Mountains to establish a thriving community in Utah, where he harnessed his charismatic authority to defend controversial practices like plural marriage. Turner presents a nuanced portrait of Young as both a fervent protector of his followers and a polarizing figure characterized by his autocratic tendencies and deep spiritual commitment, ultimately shaping the course of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the American West.