Wednesday, September 9, 2026

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Brigham Young's childhood abuse examined in Mormon Stories series

September 9, 2026 at 3:13 AM MT · via YouTube / Mormon Stories Podcast · Summarized by Mormon News from original reporting

Brigham Young, the second president of the LDS Church, was physically and verbally abused by his father during his childhood, according to a discussion between John Dehlin and historian Dr. John Turner on Mormon Stories Podcast.

The short video clip, drawn from a longer episode on Young's life, explores how his upbringing shaped his leadership style and theology. Young's harsh childhood has been documented in historical accounts, but the segment frames it as foundational to understanding his later authoritarian governance.

The clip has drawn 9,660 views in 15 hours. The full episode is part of an ongoing series examining Young's biography and legacy.

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