WBrigham Young (1801–1877), second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was perhaps the most famous polygamist of the early Latter Day Saint movement, marrying a total of fifty-six wives during his lifetime. He stated that upon being taught about plural marriage by Joseph Smith, "It was the first time in my life that I desired the grave." By the time of his death, Young had fifty-seven children by sixteen of his wives; forty-six of his children reached adulthood. In 1902, only 25 years after Young's death, The New York Times established that Young's direct descendants numbered more than 1,000.
WMary Ann Angell Young was the second woman married to Brigham Young, who served as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married on March 31, 1834. Young's first wife, Miriam Angeline Works, had died on September 8, 1832. In 1842, Angell gave her consent to the practice of plural marriage upon Young's marriage to Lucy Ann Decker.
WHarriet Amelia Folsom Young was a pioneer and an early member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as a cultural and political figure in Salt Lake City, Utah. An accomplished pianist and vocalist, Folsom was the fifty-first plural wife of Brigham Young, who served as the church's second president.
WHannah T. King was a British-born American writer and pioneer. Converting to Mormonism while in England, her family emigrated to the American state of Utah in 1853 where she became endeared to the people of that state. She was the author of Songs of the Heart, several poems, as well as writings addressed to young readers. King was the last woman sealed to Brigham Young.
WMary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Mormon pioneer. One of the plural wives of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, Lightner is credited with rescuing papers that were later published as part of the Doctrine and Covenants from anti-Mormon mobs.
WEliza Roxcy Snow was one of the most celebrated Latter Day Saint women of the nineteenth century. A renowned poet, she chronicled history, celebrated nature and relationships, and expounded scripture and doctrine. Snow was married to Joseph Smith as a plural wife and was openly a plural wife of Brigham Young after Smith's death. Snow was the second general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which she reestablished in Utah Territory in 1866. She was also the sister of Lorenzo Snow, the church's fifth president.
WAnn Eliza Young also known as Ann Eliza Webb Dee Young Denning was one of Brigham Young's fifty-five wives and later a critic of polygamy. She spoke out against the suppression of women and was an advocate for women's rights during the 19th century.
WZina Diantha Huntington Young was an American social activist and religious leader who served as the third general president of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1888 until her death. She practiced polyandry as the wife of Joseph Smith, and later Brigham Young, each of whom she married while she was still married to her first husband, Henry Jacobs. She is among the most well-documented healers in LDS Church history, at one point performing hundreds of washing, anointing, and sealing healing rituals every year. Young was also known for speaking in tongues and prophesying. She learned midwifery as a young girl and later made contributions to the healthcare industry in Utah Territory, including assisting in the organization of the Deseret Hospital and establishing a nursing school. Young was also involved in the Women's suffrage movement, attending the National Woman Suffrage Association and serving as the vice president of the Utah chapter of the National Council of Women.