T. B. H. Stenhouse facts for kids

Thomas Brown Holmes Stenhouse (born February 21, 1825 – died March 7, 1882) was an important early Mormon pioneer and missionary. Later in his life, he became part of a group called the Godbeites. With his wife, Fanny Stenhouse, he openly disagreed with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Early Life and Missionary Adventures

Thomas Stenhouse was born in a place called Dalkeith, Scotland. He joined the LDS Church in England in 1845. This was a big step for him.

In 1850, Thomas married Fanny Warn. Soon after, he went on a special trip with Lorenzo Snow and Joseph Toronto. They traveled to Italy and became the very first LDS Church missionaries to share their beliefs there. Later that same year, Thomas went to Switzerland. He was also the first Mormon missionary to preach in Switzerland.

Moving to Utah and New Ideas

In 1855, Thomas and Fanny Stenhouse moved to Utah Territory. They made their home in Salt Lake City. Thomas became the editor of a newspaper called the Salt Lake Telegraph. This newspaper usually supported the LDS Church.

Their daughter, Clara Federata Stenhouse, married Joseph Angell Young. In 1870, Thomas Stenhouse started to agree with the ideas of William S. Godbe. Godbe had different views from LDS Church President Brigham Young on both political and religious matters. The Stenhouses especially disagreed with the LDS Church's practice of plural marriage. Because of their new views, Thomas and Fanny became part of the "Godbeites" group. They were later removed from the LDS Church.

Writing and Later Years

As Godbeites, Thomas and Fanny Stenhouse wrote several books that shared their opinions about Mormonism. Thomas Stenhouse's most famous book was published in 1873. It was called The Rocky Mountain Saints: A Full and Complete History of the Mormons. In 1872, Fanny Stenhouse also wrote a book titled "Tell it All": The Story of a Life Experience in Mormonism.

Thomas Stenhouse passed away in San Francisco, California.