“You can do almost anything in this life if you use your head, your hands, and your heart,” said Brigham Young’s invalid mother. Brig was only a boy at the time, but he adopted these inspiring words for guidance through the remaining days of his life.

One time Brig planted an herb garden to surprise his mother. A drouth came and the little plants almost perished from lack of water. Brig was dismayed, but remembering the inspiring words of his mother, didn’t give up. He built a dam in a creek to secure life-giving water for the plants.

Brig’s first teacher was his mother. Mrs. Young taught the Young children from her bedside. Sometimes the children had a lively spelling bee, which Brig often won. Brig also attended a regular school, but his attendance was cut short partly because the family moved so often-always westward.

The Young family was especially well organized for a large family. Each child knew what his duties and responsibilities were, but usually the children helped one another. Often, in carrying on their work, as in making maple sugar, they had as much fun as they did when playing a game.

The family moved often. Once, when the family moved to the western part of New York state, Brig rigged up a special covered wagon for his invalid mother. He wanted her to ride as comfortably as possible over the rough Mohawk toll road.

While still a young man Brigham Young became interested in the Mormon religion. He met Prophet Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church, and became Smith’s right-hand man. Smith sent Brigham Young to spread the gospel of the church in Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and even in England.

For a number of years, Prophet Joseph Smith made his headquarters at Nauvoo, Illinois. Finally he was killed by a maddened mob, and Brigham Young became leader.

Young realized that the Mormons must move and that the only possible direction was west.

In February, 1846, Brigham Young led a heavy-laden wagon train of Mormons westward to a new land of promise. This long Mormon trek to Utah is one of the most amazing feats in the history of all mankind.

The authors of this book, Polly Carver Jordan and Lucy Post Frisbee, have painted an inspiring story about Brigham Young-how he became a great spiritual and social leader and one of the pillars of America.

From the dust jacket