YOUNG, BRIGHAM

(1801-77), an American, president of the Mormon Church. He joined the sect in 1832, soon rose to importancef and succeeded J. Smith as prophet and president (1844). Under his leadership the Mormons, when driven from Mauvoo, finally settled in Utah, founding Salt Lake City (1847). Y. proclaimed the doctrine of polygamy (1852), and his Nes declined when this was abolished y the government (1869).