While still in his early teens, Brigham Young lost his mother, Nabby, to an early death. His father, John Young, felt it was best for Brigham to go out on his own and provide for himself because it was too great a burden for the family to take care of him.
After only 11 days of formal schooling, the future prophet eventually became skilled as a carpenter, painter and glazier (one who sets glass). One example of his carpentry skills is seen in what was once the William H. Seward home in Auburn, New York.
Seward is known as a governor of New York, a United States senator and secretary of state under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. His Auburn home is a National Historic Landmark. Those who maintain and give tours of the home explain that the fireplace mantel pictured was crafted by a youthful Brigham Young, later the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Picturing History” expresses gratitude to the director of the Seward House Historic Museum for the opportunity to photograph the fireplace.