Jason W. Briggs was a Mormon clergyman born in Pompey, NY. He moved to Wisconsin in 1838, joined the Church of Latter Day Saints at Potosi in 1841 and was ordained an elder in 1842.

In 1843 he organized a "branch" at Beloit. A struggle for leadership in the church followed the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, and in 1851 the leaders of the Beloit and Blanchardville branches met at Blanchardville to form the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints according to the plan given by Joseph Smith in 1830.

Briggs was ordained an apostle, was representative president from 1853 until 1860, and was president of the Quorum of Twelve from 1854 until 1886. He traveled widely in the United States and Europe as a Wisconsin missionary. While in England, he edited The Restorer from 1874 until 1875, and in Utah served as editor of The Messenger.

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