How the Mormons Created Utah
22 Aug 2024 (25 days ago)
INTRO
- Joseph Smith, the leader of 26,000 Mormons, was murdered in Illinois.
- Following the murder of their leader, Mormons fled to the mountains of Mexico seeking safety and established a new society.
- This new society developed its own language, symbols, government, economy, and was led by a new prophet.
GOING WEST
- By the 1840s, after being forced out of Illinois and Missouri, Mormons embarked on a thousand-mile journey to the remote mountains of Mexico.
- The Mormons' migration was driven by a desire to escape religious persecution and establish a society where freedom of worship was paramount.
- Despite settling in Mexico, Mormons held onto the belief that they would eventually return to Jackson County, Missouri, a place they considered sacred and where they believed they would play a role in the second coming of Jesus Christ.
BUILDING
- The Mormons, inspired by Joseph Smith's designs for the city of Zion, constructed Salt Lake City with the Holy Temple at its core, using a grid system and demonstrating remarkable cooperation and industriousness.
- Brigham Young, the leader of the Mormons, dispatched members to establish similar settlements with temples at their centers, leading to the rapid expansion of Mormon communities throughout the Mountain West region.
- The Mormons, known for their industriousness, implemented innovative irrigation systems, engaged in mining, and established a communal economic system where surplus resources were shared, reflecting their vision of a utopian society.
POLYGAMY
- Joseph Smith, the leader of the Mormon church, introduced the concept of polygamy, claiming it was a commandment from God and part of the new and Everlasting Covenant.
- Brigham Young, Smith's successor, publicly announced polygamy as a divine law in 1852, emphasizing its importance for exaltation in Mormon doctrine.
- The U.S. government opposed polygamy, viewing it as akin to slavery and a threat to their authority, leading to increased tensions with the Mormons in Utah.
THE UTAH WAR
- Brigham Young prepared his militia, the Nauvoo Legion, to fight the federal government, who wanted to end their establishment in Utah.
- The Mormon militia used insurgent tactics such as disrupting supply lines, burning resources, and blocking canyons to slow down the federal troops.
- Despite escalating tensions and the Mountain Meadows Massacre, the Utah War never escalated into a full-blown battle, and Brigham Young eventually backed down, negotiating with the government to allow the Army into Utah.
THE GOVERNMENT V. THE MORMONS
- The government passed laws making polygamy illegal, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of thousands of Mormons. (00:19:05)
- The government also gained the authority to seize church property, including temples, which were argued to be used for unlawful plural marriages.
- Wilford Woodruff, the prophet at the time, shared a vision about the potential consequences of not abandoning polygamy, including the seizure of temples, imprisonment of church leaders, and the church's demise.
CONCLUSION
- The speaker grew up surrounded by Mormon culture and history, which shaped their identity and instilled values of hard work, discipline, and obedience.
- The speaker now recognizes a darker side to this history, including the exploitation of women and children, the theft of Native American land, and an unquestioning obedience to leadership. (00:21:46)
- The speaker plans to create a future video detailing the Mormon Church's transformation from a rebellious, isolated group to a wealthy and powerful global organization.
CREDITS
- The speaker expresses gratitude to viewers for watching the video and acknowledges the effort involved in creating the second part.
- The speaker announces the upcoming release of part three in the following months and encourages viewers to stay tuned.
- The speaker promotes their new YouTube channel, "Search Party," featuring content by Sam Ellis, and expresses appreciation for Patreon supporters. (00:24:12)