How many wives did Brigham have in real life? Details about the American Primeval character, explored

American Primeval recently premiered on Netflix. The series featured the character of Brigham Young, a controversial figure in American history. Young was not just a leader of the Mormon church but was a colonizer too.

Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had 56 wives throughout his life. Young's plural marriages were based on the beliefs of Mormons and LDSs during the 19th century.

Created by Mark L. Smith, the story features a mother-son duo escaping the Mormon massacre in 1857. The plot is based on several real characters including Jim Bridger, Brigham Young, Wild Bill Hickman, Winter Bird, and James Wolsey.

Brigham Young's character played by veteran actor Kim Coates in American Primeval shows a religious man who is determined to protect his people during the Mormon massacre in 1857.

He acts like the protector of his community under threat. The series shows how Young navigates the challenging landscape and guides his people from external dangers including U.S. government troops.

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How many children and wives did 'American Primeval' s character Brigham Young have in real life?

American Primeval's character Brigham Young had 56 wives, out of them, some were conjugal while others were spiritual in nature. Young fathered 57 children with 16 wives. James Smith, the founder of Mormonism promoted polygamy and thus it was common within the community till 1890.

When interviewed by Horace Greeley in 1859, Young said he had 15 wives. He also mentioned several sealed to him were widows and elderly women for whom he gave protection.

At the time of his death on August 23, 1877, Young had married 56 women out of which 10 divorced him, 23 survived and got their estate share.

His children played a significant role in the expansion of the LDS community. They expanded the Mormon settlements in Utah, United States, and influenced many.

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Why is Brigham Young called the 'American Moses'?

Born on August 29, 1877, Brigham Young, became a devout follower of Joseph Smith's teaching and eventually became the Church's second president.

Young was nicknamed 'American Moses', for leading the mass migration of Mormons westwards similar to how Moses led Israelites out of Egypt. He is also honored for establishing the Mormon community in Salt Lake City, Utah.

His personal life remains controversial due to his practice of polygamy. Young's role in the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre also remains controversial. Many historians believe around 120 non-Mormon settlers lost their lives in the hands of Mormon militia and local native American allies.

However, in the Netflix series American Primeval, Brigham Young is mostly shown as a neutral character, leaving the fans to judge his actions.

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How to watch American Primeval?

American Primeval premereied on January 9, 2025. Directed by Pete Berg, this Western miniseries explores cultural and religious challenges and communal clashes in 1857 America.

Netflix subscription starts from as low as $6.99/month, with premium plans costing $22.99/month.

Stay tuned on SoapCentral for more American Primeval updates.