Rachel Evans
The first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. However, the Utah territory had been settled by Catholic mountain men and trappers as early as 1776, including the famed Kit Carson. Thus, Catholics were in Salt Lake before the Mormons. After the murder of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young led thousands of Latter-day Saints to the Great Salt Lake in 1848. By 1869, 80,000 Mormons had made the journey to Salt Lake, and today, Utah is home to more than 2 million Mormons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Mormons Settled in Salt Lake Valley | 22 July 1847 |
| Date Catholics were in Salt Lake Valley | Before 1847 |
| Catholic Population in Salt Lake Valley | Mountain men and trappers, including Kit Carson |
| Reason for Mormons Settling in Salt Lake Valley | Seeking religious and political freedom |
| Mormon Population in Salt Lake Valley | 148 pioneers in 1847; 16,000 by 1852; 80,000 by 1869 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Utah territory had many Catholic mountain men and trappers before 1847
- Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormons, may have met a Jesuit missionary who recommended the valley of the Great Salt Lake
- Mormons settled in Utah to escape anti-Mormon hostility in New York, Ohio, and Missouri
- The first Mormon settlers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847
- The Salt Lake Valley was chosen as it was outside the United States in territory owned by Mexico
The Utah territory had many Catholic mountain men and trappers before 1847
Mountain men were most common in the North American Rocky Mountains from around 1810 through to the 1880s, with a peak population in the 1830s. They played a crucial role in opening up emigrant trails, which allowed Americans in the east to settle in the new territories of the far west. The mountain men were employed by major fur companies, and their lives were almost militarized. They faced many dangers, including biting insects, wildlife, bad weather, diseases, injuries, and opposition from Indigenous people.
The Utah territory, in its early years of settlement (1776-1847), was home to many Catholic mountain men and trappers, including Kit Carson. These Catholic mountain men and trappers were part of the fur trade, which was already in decline by the mid-1830s due to over-trapping. By the early 1840s, the focus had shifted to the westward expansion and the establishment of new settlements along the Oregon Trail.
In 1847, Brigham Young led a group of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, to the Great Salt Lake in Utah. This migration was in search of religious and political freedom after the murder of Joseph Smith, the founder and leader of the Christian sect. The Mormons settled in the Salt Lake Valley, which was described as an arid and isolated spot devoid of human presence. Upon arrival, Brigham Young declared, "This is the place," and they began preparing for the thousands of followers who would soon join them.
The arrival of the Mormons in 1847 marked a significant change in the demographics of the Utah territory. While there had been a presence of Catholic mountain men and trappers in the region before the Mormons' arrival, the establishment of Salt Lake City as a Mormon stronghold led to a shift in the religious landscape of the region. The construction of the Salt Lake Temple and the dominance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the city's architecture and culture solidified the Mormons' presence in the Utah territory.
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Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormons, may have met a Jesuit missionary who recommended the valley of the Great Salt Lake
The history of the Mormon settlement in the Salt Lake Valley is a fascinating one. The area was initially populated by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Latter-day Saints or Mormons, who were seeking a place of religious and political freedom. The Mormons had faced persecution and violence in Missouri and Illinois, which led to the murder of their founder and leader, Joseph Smith, in 1844.
Brigham Young, Smith's successor, led the Mormons on their journey west. Young is sometimes referred to as the "American Moses" due to his leadership during this challenging period. In 1846, Young and his followers were driven from Nauvoo, Illinois, and they wintered in Iowa and Nebraska. During this time, Young met with various people to gather information and plan their route. One of these people was Father Pierre-Jean De Smet, a Jesuit missionary familiar with the Great Basin region.
It is rumoured that De Smet recommended that Young head towards the valley of the Great Salt Lake. On July 24, 1847, Brigham Young and a group of Mormon pioneers reached the valley, and Young declared, "This is the place." Within days, they began building what would become Salt Lake City. By 1852, thousands of Latter-day Saints had made the journey to the valley, and by 1869, that number had grown to 80,000.
While the Mormons were the driving force behind the settlement of Salt Lake City, it is important to note that there were Catholics in the Utah territory before and during the Mormon migration. The area attracted Catholic mountain men and trappers, including the famous Kit Carson. Additionally, the Mormon pioneers worked closely with Catholic Relief Services, demonstrating a history of cooperation and mutual aid between the two religious groups.
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Mormons settled in Utah to escape anti-Mormon hostility in New York, Ohio, and Missouri
The Mormons, also known as the Latter-day Saints, settled in Utah to escape anti-Mormon hostility in New York, Ohio, and Missouri. The Mormon exodus began in the 1830s, with the group moving several times in search of a place to practise their religion in peace. The murder of their founder and prophet, Joseph Smith, in 1844, and the continued mob violence in Illinois, further fuelled their desire to find a permanent home.
Brigham Young, the new church leader, led the Mormons on a 1,300-mile westward trek through the wilderness to the Rocky Mountains. On July 24, 1847, Young and 148 Mormons arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, which was then part of Mexico. Young declared, "This is the place", and the pioneers began preparations for the thousands of followers who would soon arrive.
The valley of the Great Salt Lake was chosen due to its low population and separation from the United States. The Mormons were drawn to the idea of religious and political freedom, as well as the opportunity to establish their own communities. Over the next two decades, thousands of Mormon immigrants followed Young's westward trail, with some travelling by wagon and others pulling handcarts. By 1852, 16,000 Latter-day Saints had arrived in the valley, and by 1869, that number had grown to 80,000.
The Mormons' journey was not without difficulty, as they faced sickness, death, and harsh weather conditions. They also encountered opposition from famous scouts like Moses Harris and Jim Bridger, who warned them against settling in the Salt Lake Valley. However, the Mormons were determined to find a place where they could practise their religion freely and establish their own communities. They transformed the arid terrain of the Salt Lake Valley, creating irrigation systems, farms, houses, churches, and schools.
The settlement in Utah allowed the Mormons to escape the persecution they had faced in the East and establish a religious community they called "Zion". They influenced the territory's political, cultural, and economic landscape, with their choices shaping the region for years to come. The migration continued until the late 1860s, with converts from across the United States and Europe joining the main body of the church in Salt Lake City.
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The first Mormon settlers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847
The Mormon settlers were seeking religious and political freedom. They had been facing persecution and violence from hostile mobs in the east, where they had been based since the Church was founded in 1830. The murder of Joseph Smith, the founder and first leader of the Church, in 1844, had prompted the group to plan their migration west.
The first group of Mormon immigrants arrived in the Salt Lake Valley after 111 days on the trail. They immediately began planting crops and establishing homes. Within a few days, plans were drawn for Great Salt Lake City, named after the large inland lake to the west of the city. The streets of the city were designed to be wide enough for a team of four oxen and a covered wagon to turn around.
The settlement of the Salt Lake Valley by the Mormons marked a significant transition in the history of Utah. The Mormons were the first non-Indigenous people to settle permanently in the region, which was then part of Mexico. The arrival of the Mormon settlers attracted thousands more Mormon pioneers, who travelled across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains in covered wagons. Many walked beside the wagons, and some groups pulled handcarts.
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The Salt Lake Valley was chosen as it was outside the United States in territory owned by Mexico
The Salt Lake Valley was chosen by Brigham Young, who led the Mormon pioneers, also known as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Young was seeking a location that was isolated and unwanted by other colonizers, and the Salt Lake Valley, with its arid climate and lack of human presence, fit that description.
At the time of the Mormon exodus in 1846, the territory comprising present-day Utah was part of the Republic of Mexico. The Mormon settlers entered this territory without authorization from the Mexican government, despite sovereignty rights held by Native American tribes such as the Shoshone, Utes, and Goshutes. Brigham Young had a vision of the valley, including Ensign Peak, and he believed that it would provide the Saints with many advantages. He declared, "This is the place," and the pioneers began preparing for the thousands of followers who would soon come.
The decision to settle in the Salt Lake Valley was influenced by the group's desire for religious and political freedom. The Latter-day Saints had faced persecution and criticism for their unorthodox practices, including polygamy. Their founder and first leader, Joseph Smith, was murdered in 1844, which further prompted their search for a sanctuary. Brigham Young, Smith's successor, led the exodus of thousands of Latter-day Saints from Nauvoo, Illinois, along the western wagon trails.
The Salt Lake Valley, being outside the United States and in territory owned by Mexico, offered a degree of separation from federal authority that the Latter-day Saints desired. Brigham Young was wary of the often-hostile federal government and sought to establish a theodemocracy, combining church and state. The valley's isolation also provided an opportunity to create a community based on their religious beliefs and promote the concept of Zion. Additionally, the valley's natural resources, such as water sources and arable land, made it a feasible choice for settlement, despite the challenges posed by the arid climate.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Utah territory held many Catholic mountain men and trappers in its early years of settlement (1776-1847).
The famed Kit Carson was one such Catholic.
Yes, Jesuit missionary Father Pierre Jean De Smet is rumoured to have met Brigham Young and recommended that he head towards the valley of the Great Salt Lake.
The first group of Mormon immigrants arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on 22 July 1847. Brigham Young arrived two days later on 24 July.
The Mormons were seeking religious and political freedom. They had been considering migrating West beyond the reach of the United States government, and the murder of their founder Joseph Smith solidified this intention.
