FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Brigham Young/Teachings
Teachings of Brigham Young
Topics
Teachings
- Brigham taught that the moon and sun were inhabited—
Brief Summary: It is claimed that Brigham Young taught that the moon and sun were inhabited, and that this is proof he was a false prophet. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Was Brigham Young a racist?—
Brief Summary: Why did past prophets make racist statements? God had already revealed to Peter that he should not call anything "common" that God had cleansed (Acts 10:9-16), yet some modern-day prophets thought that blacks were inferior to whites; why is that? (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Death the penalty for race mixing?—
Brief Summary: "...Brigham Young said race mixing was punishable by death." (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Brigham says his sermons are "scriptures"?—
Brief Summary: Critics sometimes impose absolutist assumptions on the Church. Some critics hold inerrantist beliefs about scriptures or prophets, and assume that the LDS have similar views. Critics therefore insist, based upon the assumptions above, that any statement by any LDS Church leader represents LDS doctrine and is thus something that is secretly believed, or that should be believed, by Latter-day Saints. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Quote mining JD 13:95 on sermons as scripture (Click here for full article)
∗ ∗ ∗ - Brigham Young on need to know for ourselves (Click here for full article)
∗ ∗ ∗ - Brigham Young as Young Earth Creationist?—
Brief Summary: Some try to portray Brigham Young as a "young earth creationist" (YEC). This is someone who believes the earth was created in the recent past, usually 6-7,000 years ago, based upon a literal and fundamentalist reading of Genesis. They hope that by making Brigham appear uninformed about scientific matters, they can challenge his status as a prophet. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Did Brigham Young think too much education was damaging?—
Brief Summary: Did Brigham Young state that too much education would be damaging to children? Brigham stated: "We should never crowd and force the minds of our children beyond what they are able to bear. If we do we ruin them for life." (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗ - Women not to meddle—
Brief Summary: Brigham Young said women "have no right to meddle in the affairs of the Kingdom of God." This is used to portray Brigham as authoritarian and sexist. (Click here for full article)∗ ∗ ∗
- Brigham taught that the moon and sun were inhabited—