Kindness to Children

From his early days, Brigham Young was always kind to children. He enjoyed being with young people. He took time to listen to them, and he respected what they had to say. Brigham tried to set a righteous example for them to follow.


One winter when Heber J. Grant was about six years old, he jumped on the back of Brigham’s sleigh to go for a ride. The cutter was going so fast that, even though Heber was freezing, he was afraid to jump off. When the sleigh came to a stream, the driver slowed down, and Brigham noticed Heber. He stopped the sleigh, got out, and picked up the small boy who was shivering from cold and frost. Brigham snuggled him into a thick lap-robe, and soon got Heber warm.

Brigham took Heber on a long ride and told him that he loved Heber’s father, Jedediah M. Grant, former Mayor of Salt Lake City, Apostle, and Counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency. After the trip, Brigham took the young boy home and asked Heber’s mother to send Heber to his office in a few months for a visit. When Heber came to the office, Brigham talked with him and was interested in what he was doing. They became friends. Heber J. Grant became the seventh President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Heber J. Grand and Brigham Young

One winter when Heber J. Grant was about six years old, he jumped on the back of Brigham’s sleigh to go for a ride. The cutter was going so fast that, even though Heber was freezing, he was afraid to jump off. When the sleigh came to a stream, the driver slowed down, and Brigham noticed Heber. He stopped the sleigh, got out, and picked up the small boy who was shivering from cold and frost. Brigham snuggled him into a thick lap-robe, and soon got Heber warm.


Brigham took Heber on a long ride and told him that he loved Heber’s father, Jedediah M. Grant, former Mayor of Salt Lake City, Apostle, and Counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency. After the trip, Brigham took the young boy home and asked Heber’s mother to send Heber to his office in a few months for a visit. When Heber came to the office, Brigham talked with him and was interested in what he was doing, and they became friends.

Brigham Young Child Advocate

Brigham Young loved his children. He built a special room on the back of his home that was a gymnasium for his children. There were balls, ladders, hoops, weights, roller skates, marbles, etc, etc. for his children to play with.

As a child he wished for enrichment and fun. He loved dancing, music and theater when he was older and saw that his children took time to sing, participate in theater and enjoy dancing if they wished.

He treated his children with kindness, and they adored him.