Lorenzo Brown diary and autobiography

Lorenzo Brown (1823-1902, http://www.findagrave.com/)

L. Tom Perry Special Collections is pleased to announce the availability of a new digitized collection: Lorenzo Brown diary and autobiography (MSS 497). Brown’s handwritten record and starts with an autobiography which takes him to the year 1856 when his diary begins. He describes his conversion to the Mormon Church, life in Nauvoo, Illinois, and his relationship with Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith. Brown then describes his migration to Salt Lake City, Utah, settling in Las Vegas, Nevada, moving to the St. George, Utah area, service on a mission for the Mormon Church in England, and colonization of Nutriosa, Arizona. Dated 1856-1899.

Lorenzo Brown (1823-1902) was born on February 2, 1823 in Pomfret, New York to Benjamin Brown and Sarah Mumford. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1838, and moved with his family to Nauvoo, Illinois in 1839. There he worked as a farmer and barge laborer, while also contributing work to the Nauvoo Temple. In 1846 he left Illinois with the Mormon exodus, staying temporarily in Winter Quarters, Nebraska before arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1848. In 1856 and 1857 he was sent to settle Las Vegas, Nevada, but returned to Utah in advance of the approaching Utah Expedition. In 1862 he was sent to settle Washington County, Utah, establishing his family in St. George. Between 1875 and 1876 he served a mission for the church in England, where he presided over the Leeds Conference. He later moved from St. George to Arizona, where he died on December 28, 1902.