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A Boy Such As I

Brigham Frederick Grant, affectionately known as BF Grant, was born October 17, 1856, in Salt Lake City. When he was six weeks old his father, Jedediah M. Grant of the First Presidency, passed away, having worn out his life in the Lord’s service. When B.F. was two years old, his mother married out of the Church and left the area. The child was sent to live with a family in Richmond, Utah.

As the boy came of age, he became unhappy where he was and made plans to run away. He arranged with a passing wagon boss to catch a freight wagon into the mining camps of Montana. The boy carried it out and disappeared, leaving behind family, friends, and the faith of his fathers. It is reported that he became “a very profane man and that he hadn’t the slightest interest in the Gospel.”

One day in Montana, B.F. met a freighter from Utah, who upon learning who he was, invited him to come back to Utah. At about age 15, B.F. returned and began working shoveling coal. He hadn’t been there long when he was summoned to the office of President Brigham Young. B.F. records the conversation as follows,

The next day I called on him at his office, and he happened to be along. I told him who I was, and he did not merely reach out his hand to shake mine, but he arose from his chair and gave me a father’s handshake. In so doing he discovered that the callouses on my hands were hard and thick, and he remarked, “My boy, what kind of work are you doing?” I replied, “I am unloading coal and chopping wood.”

He then resumed his seat and continued his inquiry regarding my past life and what I had been doing. He remarked, “Isn’t it pretty heavy work shoveling coal and chopping wood for a boy of your age?”

I replied, “No sir, I have been used to hard work all my life.”

He answered, “wouldn’t you like to have something easier than your present work, for instance, a position in a store?”

I replied, “I haven’t got sense enough to work in a store.”

He said, “What do you mean by that?”

I replied, “I can neither read nor write.”

I discovered this great and good man’s heart was touched by this remark. I saw a tear rolling down his cheek, and he took his handkerchief and wiped them off and said, “My boy, come and live with me; I will give you a home. I will clothe you; I will send you to school; and you can work during the vacation for me.”

I accepted his kind offer. He became a father to me. He furnished a home; he clothed me and provided an opportunity for me to attend school; and he gave me five dollars a week for spending money, which was a very princely allowance in those days of hardship and toil. His own sons would laughingly tell me they thought I was their father’s pet.

Soon after I went to live with President Young, I was given a team and was doing general work on his farm and performing other duties incident to pioneer life. Many a time Have passed him on the road with a load gravel, sand, or tother materials, and I don’t remember an instant in my life this great man, if he saw me, ever failed to recognize me by waving his hand.

I cannot help but think, where in the world could you find another man of his importance and busy life who would condescend to recognize or speak of a boy such as I?

President Young’s investment in the lad paid off. B.F. Grant went on to become a successful businessman, farmer, police chief, hospital administrator, and finally general manager of the Deseret News. Such is the power of love and kindness.

Source: B.F. Grant, “Church Section” Deseret News, May 30, 1942, p. 4

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KW88-7K7