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Mormons and Utah
Mormons and Utah
Mormons and Utah
1831 Kirkland, Ohio 1832 Smith was tarred and feathered by locals
In 1837 economic depression caused the bank he had founded to go bankrupt, and the Mormons were driven out altogether.
1837 Missouri
Smith tried to defend the church with arms The Mormons were attacked by mobs, and an extermination order was issued by Governor Boggs.
1839 Nauvoo, IL
Most successful settlement rivaled Chicago The Mormons were hated by the locals, especially when Smith began to sanction polygamy. In 1844, while awaiting trial for promoting a riot along with his brother Hyrum, Smith was killed by a mob.
More Reasons
The Gentiles persecuted them
In 1846 Brigham Young told the US President, James K. Polk, that the Mormons had decided "to leave the country for the sake of peace
Solution!
Brigham Young sent advance 'pioneers' ahead, to plant crops, build houses, set up staging posts for the travelers.
More Problems
The journey
The Mormons faced a journey of 1,398 Made them 'weary and footsore They endured 'stormy weather' in winter and 'excessive heat' in summer
Solution??
More Problems
Organization
16,000 Mormons migrated between 1846-52 Faced accidents, breakdowns, moldy food, fever, lack of medical facilities and Native American attacks
Solution!
Young taught Mormons how to manage a wagon train, and how to defend themselves against attack at night.
Solution!
Young said: "If there is a place on this earth that nobody wants, that's the place I'm looking for."
Governance
Utah became a territory in 1851 Young was the first governor and superintendent of Indian affairs
Served until 1858 As governor, he had repeated difficulties with 'outside' non-Mormon presidential appointees, especially judges and territorial secretaries, who were envious, if not fearful, of his power
More Problems
No manufacturers
Several failed attempts at setting up industries Necessary items often had to be made by hand
What Happened??
Cedar City was the last stop before California
In Cedar City, the Fancher party attempted to buy grain and supplies Refused by the local Mormons due to the Mormons suspicion of aiding potential enemies Fancher party left Cedar City and continued southwest through the mountain pass called Mountain Meadows
Next Steps
Young directed the colonization and development of some 350 settlements in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona and California In 1861 Young contracted to build the transcontinental telegraph line from Nebraska to California
Erected the 1200-mile Deseret Telegraph line from Franklin, Idaho, to northern Arizona Connected all Mormon villages with one another and with Salt Lake City.
More
Contracted to prepare the roadbed for part of the transcontinental railroad line Organized railroads to provide rail transportation for most Mormon communities in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada
Extended Argument
Set A Why the Mormons were hated. Why the Mormons decided to go west. How important Brigham Young was, in the Mormons' decision to go to Salt Lake. Set B How the Mormons moved to the West. How the Mormons survived the journey to Salt Lake. How the Mormons succeeded in Salt Lake.