June 1Often referred to as "the American Moses," Brigham Young led thousands of his religious followers across 1,000 miles of wilderness from their Illinois settlement to find refuge in what is now Salt Lake City, Utah. He became the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, whose members are also known as Mormons. The anniversary of Young's birth on June 1, 1801, is observed by Mormon churches worldwide, as is July 24, the date on which he arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 ( see Mormon Pioneer Day).
CONTACTS:
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
50 N.E. Temple St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84150
801-240-1000; fax: 801-240-1187
www.lds.org
SOURCES:
EncyRel-1987, vol. 15, p. 539
RelHolCal-2004, p. 126
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