I'm familiar with the story of Samuel Clemens watching a forest burn and enjoying it. (I believe that he caused it, too.)
I haven't seen anything about Brigham Young responding negatively to that story. If he did, though, I would love to find what he said.
MaryannJune 6, 2026
Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens made a statement that the "Mormons" had done a great service to mankind--- by marrying all the ugly women. Perhaps Brigham was thinking of that statement, as he patted Mark Twain's head, and gently put him in his place.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Huntington HallJune 2, 2026
Did Clemens/Twain once relish watching a forest burn, to Brigham Young’s disapproval, as I learned once years ago, or is that an apocryphal story?
TimothyJune 1, 2026
I always enjoy Dr. Peterson's writings and have followed him for many years on his blog, "Sic Et Non" at Patheos.
Regarding Mark Twain's visit West and particularly to Nevada, my own father, although married to one, was no big fan of the "Mormons" until later when he became one, loved to tell about how Mark Twain came to his hometown. Naturally, he wasn't born yet, but in the small mining town of Unionville (at that time probably under 50 citizens from its heyday of over 3000) the dug-out cabin where the cow had walked upon his roof and fallen through was proudly referenced. My father, himself, loved to tell how "Samuel Clemens" got his start as a writer, writing for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise while living in Unionville as a prospector. It was a source of great pride to the inhabitants of the shrinking mining community, that the great American writer had gotten his start by writing episodes of his adventures there for the Virginia City newspaper. It's rarely noted today that Mark Twains adventures as a writer began in Unionville, where rather than dig for silver, the young man found his lifelong calling as a writer.
Richard TarinelliMay 31, 2026
Thanks for the Brigham historical delight. What a setting description. How could Mark Twain not include such a jewel remark? It would have been easy, except his glimmer of respect ( :
Alvin H AndrewMay 30, 2026
I am so appreciative of the work you have done to reveal the true character of Brigham Young to our "modern sensibilities". He may be a conundrum to some, but to me he has always been and will continue to be a significant and powerful Prophet of the restoration. His task to see the Saints "...their rest obtain" probably could not have been done as effectively by any other living Apostle at the time. Your series "Becoming Brigham" has been phenominal. I can hardly wait for Mondays to roll around to see the next episode. Thank you for taking on the task of showing us the real Brigham Young.
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Daniel C. PetersonJune 9, 2026
I'm familiar with the story of Samuel Clemens watching a forest burn and enjoying it. (I believe that he caused it, too.) I haven't seen anything about Brigham Young responding negatively to that story. If he did, though, I would love to find what he said.
MaryannJune 6, 2026
Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens made a statement that the "Mormons" had done a great service to mankind--- by marrying all the ugly women. Perhaps Brigham was thinking of that statement, as he patted Mark Twain's head, and gently put him in his place.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Huntington HallJune 2, 2026
Did Clemens/Twain once relish watching a forest burn, to Brigham Young’s disapproval, as I learned once years ago, or is that an apocryphal story?
TimothyJune 1, 2026
I always enjoy Dr. Peterson's writings and have followed him for many years on his blog, "Sic Et Non" at Patheos. Regarding Mark Twain's visit West and particularly to Nevada, my own father, although married to one, was no big fan of the "Mormons" until later when he became one, loved to tell about how Mark Twain came to his hometown. Naturally, he wasn't born yet, but in the small mining town of Unionville (at that time probably under 50 citizens from its heyday of over 3000) the dug-out cabin where the cow had walked upon his roof and fallen through was proudly referenced. My father, himself, loved to tell how "Samuel Clemens" got his start as a writer, writing for the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise while living in Unionville as a prospector. It was a source of great pride to the inhabitants of the shrinking mining community, that the great American writer had gotten his start by writing episodes of his adventures there for the Virginia City newspaper. It's rarely noted today that Mark Twains adventures as a writer began in Unionville, where rather than dig for silver, the young man found his lifelong calling as a writer.
Richard TarinelliMay 31, 2026
Thanks for the Brigham historical delight. What a setting description. How could Mark Twain not include such a jewel remark? It would have been easy, except his glimmer of respect ( :
Alvin H AndrewMay 30, 2026
I am so appreciative of the work you have done to reveal the true character of Brigham Young to our "modern sensibilities". He may be a conundrum to some, but to me he has always been and will continue to be a significant and powerful Prophet of the restoration. His task to see the Saints "...their rest obtain" probably could not have been done as effectively by any other living Apostle at the time. Your series "Becoming Brigham" has been phenominal. I can hardly wait for Mondays to roll around to see the next episode. Thank you for taking on the task of showing us the real Brigham Young.
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