Archives West Finding Aid

The Alfred Douglas Young autobiography (1808-1843) contain Young's account was written in September 1888, at the suggestion of Mormon apostle George A. Smith. While mainly an account of the visions of Alfred Young, the journal also records the missionary activities of Alfred and his brother William in Tennessee, the brothers subsequent disfellowship from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in 1842 at Nauvoo, and their reinstatement to the church. The mission of Alfred Young and William Young in Tennessee seems to have been significant in provoking quarrels between various Baptist and Methodist churches. The Youngs' mission was marked by numerous prophecies, visions, healings, and baptisms, as described by John D. Lee in an article in Times and Seasons, 1842. By June 1842, Lee had accused the Youngs of teaching false doctrine and brought them to testify before the LDS High Council. The brothers were supported by Brigham Young and Hyrum Smith, and in 1843, as published in the Times and Seasons by Hosea Stout, their membership to the Church was restored.