Brigham Young
by Shauna Gibby

Invite the pioneer prophet, Brigham Young, to join your family for Family Home Evening.

Brigham Young led boldly because he was certain of his direction and his destination. Brigham Young’s approach to life and leadership was simple: “My religion is to know the will of God and do it.”

(Ronald K. Esplin, “Brigham Young: Fire in His Bones,” Liahona, Mar 1997, 18)

Song:

“Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked,” Children’s Songbook, p. 214.

Scripture:

Dear and well-beloved brother, Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you: My servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me. I have seen your labor and toil in journeying for my name.

(D&C 126:1-2)

Object Lesson:

Materials needed: One old-fashioned tool (manual) and one newer tool of the same variety (electric).

Procedure: Show the tools and ask what their use might be. Indicate that the older tool was very modern in its own time and then discuss the similarities and the differences between the tools. Explain that even though the tools are different, their basic use is the same. Tell the class that the most important thing is not the tool but how it is handled and what is the ultimate goal for its use. Point out that both tools can be used to turn out quality work.

Explain that these tools are like changes in church leadership. Even though the leader has changed, the ultimate goal has not. An example of this is when Brigham Young took over leadership of the church after Joseph Smith died.

(adapted from Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, More Power Tools for Teaching, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1991], p. 57.)

Story:

The members of the Church were confused after the death of Joseph. Since he was the first President of the restored Church, they had never before had to seek a new leader. They didn’t know how the next prophet would be selected.

To make things worse, most of the Twelve Apostles were away from Nauvoo on missions and were not able to help and direct the people. Brigham Young was President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and he knew that the Twelve Apostles held the priesthood keys for directing the Church. The problem was that he was in another state when he heard about Joseph’s death.

Even though the Twelve Apostles had authority from God to guide the Church, several men tried to take over the leadership of the Church. One of these men was Sidney Rigdon, who tried to get the members to choose him as their leader before Brigham Young could return to Nauvoo.

However, Brigham Young returned in time, and a special conference was called to decide who would lead the Church. Sidney Rigdon spoke at the morning meeting. He was a great speaker and spoke for an hour and a half, but he could not convince the members of the Church that he was called by God to lead them.

Brigham Young spoke in the afternoon. Because God wanted everyone to know that Brigham Young should lead the Church, He performed a miracle. As Brigham Young was speaking, it seemed to many present that he looked and sounded just like Joseph Smith. It was God’s way of showing the people that Brigham Young should follow Joseph as the next leader of the Church. After witnessing this great miracle and feeling the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, all of the Church members present voted to sustain Brigham Young and the other members of the Quorum of the Twelve as the leaders of the Church.

God knows who he wants to lead his Church, and he prepares them so that they will be ready. He prepared Brigham Young, and he prepares his prophets today. When a prophet dies and a new one is chosen, we can be sure that he has been chosen and prepared by God.

(Allan K. Burgess and Max H. Molgard, Fun for Family Night: Book Two, Church History Edition, [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1992], p. 215-216.)

Activity:

Brigham Young is best known for being a great pioneer leader. He led the members of the Church from Nauvoo to Utah and had them build many new towns throughout the west.

Activity:

Have everyone pretend they are pioneers. The first person says, “I’m going across the plains and I’m taking . . ..” They fill in the blank with something that begins with the letter “A.” The second player says, “I’m going across the plains and I’m taking … and ….” They name something that begins with the letter “B” and then repeat the first person’s item. Keep going around the group until you have gone through the entire alphabet.

Refreshment:

Apple Crisp

Topping

1 cup butter, cold

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup oatmeal

¼ teaspoon baking powder

In a large bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, and baking powder just until butter is broken up and ingredients are mixed. Mixture should be crumbly. Set aside.

Filling

6 cups canned apples or 6 to 8 fresh apples, peeled and sliced

½ cup sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Place apples on 9x13-inch pan. Sprinkle with sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Crumble crisp topping on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. (If fresh apples are used, bake 45 minutes.) Serve warm or cold, with whipped cream or ice cream. Makes 12 to 15 servings.

(Lion House Classics, [Salt Lake City: Shadow Mountain, 2004], p. 123.)