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Brigham Young Quotes

Powerful Brigham Young for Daily Growth

About Brigham Young

Brigham Young (1801-1877) was an American religious leader, politician, and architectural pioneer, best known as the second President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), following the death of Joseph Smith Jr., its founder. Born on June 1, 1801, in Whitingham, Vermont, Young was the sixth of seven children in his family. Raised in a devout Christian household, he converted to Baptism at age 14 but later joined the LDS Church in 1832. Young played an instrumental role in the early development and expansion of Mormonism. He served as Joseph Smith's bodyguard during the Carthage Jail incident in 1844, eventually succeeding Smith as President of the church after his death. Under Young's leadership, the LDS Church experienced significant growth and undertook numerous pioneering journeys westward, culminating in the establishment of Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, in 1847. As a prolific writer, Young authored hundreds of letters, sermons, and articles on various topics ranging from religion, politics, agriculture, and city planning to education and family life. One of his most famous quotes is, "The Lord will not permit any but the honest-hearted to enter into his rest." Among his significant works are "Discourse on the Constitution and Law," "Journal of Discourses," and "History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Young's legacy is complex, with critics pointing out his controversial policies regarding polygamy and Native American relations. Despite this, he remains a highly influential figure in Mormonism and has left an indelible mark on Utah and western United States history as a visionary leader who played a key role in shaping the region's cultural, political, and religious landscape.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"God himself could not save me without granting me agency."

This quote by Brigham Young implies that the concept of personal agency, or free will, is essential for salvation. It suggests that even God cannot save a person against their will; individuals must choose to accept salvation and follow divine guidance. In other words, while God provides the means to salvation, it is up to each individual to exercise their agency in choosing to accept or reject this path.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."

This quote by Brigham Young implies that it's preferable to face adversity, stand up for one's beliefs, and maintain dignity, rather than living in submission or defeat. It suggests a call to courage, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom, even if it means risking death. The phrase "on your feet" symbolizes standing tall and strong, while "on your knees" represents submission, humiliation, or a lack of power. In essence, this quote advocates for the fight against oppression, injustice, or any circumstance that strips one of their dignity.

"I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of the truth."

Brigham Young's quote suggests a concern about blind faith in authority figures, warning against complacency and encouraging individuals to seek and verify truth for themselves. It underscores the importance of self-reliance, critical thinking, and personal responsibility in understanding one's beliefs and values.

"If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything."

This quote by Brigham Young underscores the importance of having strong values and convictions. It suggests that if a person lacks a clear sense of purpose or principles, they may easily succumb to any influence or trend that comes their way, rather than standing firm in their beliefs. Essentially, it encourages individuals to establish and defend their personal ideals in order to maintain integrity and self-respect.

"The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness."

This quote by Brigham Young suggests that true fulfillment lies in understanding and accepting the inherent ups and downs of life, rather than relying on fleeting feelings of happiness for contentment. It emphasizes inner strength and resilience, implying that one can find peace even amidst adversity, as long as they recognize that happiness is not an essential prerequisite for a meaningful or joyful existence.

I am a firm believer in slavery.

- Brigham Young

I Am, Firm Believer, Firm, Believer

If I had a choice of educating my daughters or my sons because of opportunity constraints, I would choose to educate my daughters.

- Brigham Young

Opportunity, Choose, Had, Educating

A good man, is a good man, whether in this church, or out of it.

- Brigham Young

Man, Church, Whether, A Good Man

Any young man who is unmarried at the age of twenty one is a menace to the community.

- Brigham Young

Young, Young Man, Unmarried, Menace

Remember, a chip on the shoulder is a sure sign of wood higher up.

- Brigham Young

Remember, Sure Sign, Chip, Shoulder

Nature is the glass reflecting God, as by the sea reflected is the sun, too glorious to be gazed on in his sphere.

- Brigham Young

Nature, Glass, His, Gazed

Love the giver more than the gift.

- Brigham Young

Love, Birthday, Gift, Giver

Infringe upon the rights of no one. Borrow no tool but what you will return according to promise. Take no wood, nor anything else but what belongs to you - and if you find anything that is not your own, do not hide it away, but report it, that the owner may be found.

- Brigham Young

Own, Away, According, Report

I don't care whether the people believe me to be a prophet, seer, or revelator or not - I have been very profitable to this people, and I have seen a good many things, and I have revealed many things.

- Brigham Young

Been, Prophet, Very, Revealed

Brethren, let us mind our own business - that is, the calling the Lord has called us to - to do everything we can to promote the good of the Cause of Truth, and never ask how big we are, or inquire who we are; but let it be, 'What can I do to build up the Kingdom of God upon the Earth?'

- Brigham Young

Big, Own, Lord, Brethren

If the Devil can only make you think that you are abused or ill treated, and you begin to fret about it, and you give the Devil power over you - in the end, it is as bad as though you had done wrong yourself.

- Brigham Young

Think, Over, Treated, In The End

Produce what you consume; draw from the native element the necessaries of life. Permit no vitiated taste to lead you into the indulgence of expensive luxuries, which can only be obtained by involving yourselves in debt.

- Brigham Young

Taste, Indulgence, Which, Obtained

Don't try to tear down other people's religion about their ears, Build up your own perfect structure of truth, and invite your listeners to enter in and enjoy its glories.

- Brigham Young

Perfect, Other, Listeners, Structure

I don't care about my character here on earth. I don't care about what other people think or say about me, all I care about is my standing before the Lord.

- Brigham Young

Think, Here, Other, I Care

Honest hearts produce honest actions.

- Brigham Young

Honest, Actions, Produce, Hearts

We should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do.

- Brigham Young

Children, Never, See, Permit

It is wise for us to forget our troubles, there are always new ones to replace them.

- Brigham Young

Forget, New, Always, Troubles

The biggest labor problem is tomorrow.

- Brigham Young

Tomorrow, Problem, Biggest, Labor

I want to live perfectly above the law, and make it my servant instead of my master.

- Brigham Young

Law, Servant, Perfectly, Master

Silence may be golden, but can you think of a better way to entertain someone than to listen to him?

- Brigham Young

Think, May, Entertain, Better Way

There is no knowledge, no light, no wisdom that you are in possession of, but what you have received it from some source.

- Brigham Young

Light, Some, Received, Possession

Education is the power to think clearly, the power to act well in the worlds work, and the power to appreciate life.

- Brigham Young

Education, Think, Act, Worlds

Never let a day pass that you will have cause to say, I will do better tomorrow.

- Brigham Young

Never, Better, Pass, Cause

True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right.

- Brigham Young

Freedom, Independence, Doing, Exist

In the adversity of our best friends we often find something that does not displease us.

- Brigham Young

Best, Find, Does, Adversity

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