Brigham Young's Wife Miriam Transfigured at Death, Praising God Until Her Last Breath (1832)

Shortly after Brigham Young and his wife Miriam were baptized into the Church in April 1832, an extraordinary spiritual manifestation occurred at her death.

Vilate Kimball records the remarkable circumstances: "Brigham Young and his wife Miriam, with their two little girls, Elizabeth and Vilate, were at the time living at our house; but soon after her baptism Miriam died."

What made Miriam's passing extraordinary was her spiritual state at the moment of death. Vilate records:

"In her expiring moments, she clapped her hands and praised the Lord, and called on all around to help her praise him; and when her voice was too weak to be heard, her lips and hands were seen moving until she expired."

Even as physical strength failed and her voice became inaudible, Miriam continued in silent expressions of praise to God—her lips and hands continuing their movements of thanksgiving and worship until the moment of her death.

Vilate testifies to the spiritual significance of this manifestation:

"This was another testimony to them of the powerful effect of the everlasting gospel, showing that we shall not die, but will sleep and come forth in the resurrection and rejoice with her in the flesh."

Miriam's death, though sorrowful, became a powerful testimony to those who witnessed it. Rather than being fearful or mournful, her final moments radiated joy, praise, and spiritual assurance of eternal life.

Vilate took Miriam's two young daughters into her care: "Her little girls, Sister Miriam left to my care, and I did all I could to be a mother to her little ones to the period of our gathering to Kirtland, and the marriage of Brigham to Miss Mary Ann Angell."

Vilate concludes: "The glorious death of Sister Miriam caused us to rejoice in the midst of affliction."

This miracle documents the power of the gospel to sustain the faithful even in death, transforming the moment of mortality into a testimony of eternal life and God's divine presence.