OriginalOscar
Active member
Utah History 101 - Mormon History - Current State of the State. Understanding history offers insight for today
First documented exploration was Father Escalante in 1776. He came as far as Utah Valley (Provo) during a trip from Santa Fe to California. Trappers 1820's-1830's; Jim Bridger, Peter Skene Ogden (Ogden namesake), Etienne Provost (Provo namesake), William Henry Ashley, John C. Fremont explored Utah and the Mountain West.
Mormon Church founded 1820's in New York, moved to Missouri in 1830's and left after Missouri - Executive Order 44 was issued that authorized "extermination of Mormons" and then Illinois around 1840. Joseph Smith founder and prophet was killed in 1844 by a mob. To escape continued persecution Brigham Young led the Mormons west in 1847. During the trip several hundred Mormon Men were recruited to serve the US Military during the Mexican War. The Mormons arrived in Utah July 1847 which at the time was still part of Mexico. They literally left the United States to find peace and built a community for themselves.
Mormons envisioned founding the state (not nation) of Deseret in 1849. Continental Divide to Pacific, Oregon to Mexico. Mormons began settling these areas of the west in the ensuing decades. The US government would not allow Utah statehood until 1896 due to Polygamy and most of these lands became part of other states.
Continued conflicts and isolation through the 1800's; Utah War 1857-1858 when US troops marched on Utah; with the low point being Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857. After statehood in 1896; Utah evolved with two distinct groups; Mormons and Gentiles (non-Mormons) with both groups living separate. Early 1900's Utah was a hotbed of labor strife in the mines; coal, copper, silver, gold. Areas around Park City, Bingham Canyon and central Utah coal country where majority non-Mormon with high percentage of immigrant populations.
During 1940's - 1950's Southern Utah was subjected to Nuclear Fallout from testing in Nevada. Government denied threat and fought compensation for decades. Most families around St. George can tell you family members lost to cancer in the ensuing years.
Utah today like many states is red (conservative) with islands of blue (progressive). Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden, Moab are predominantly non Mormon. Salt Lake City is one of the most progressive cities in the United States. Politics are 50%+1 so our elected offices are primarily conservative and the state is pro business, pro family, and pro active. Economy is diverse and strong, quality of life is excellent, infrastructure roads-rail is modern and growing.
Now let's discuss the so called elephant; the LDS Church. Yes there are individual members of the church which are insular and I've seen those people first hand. These are individuals and not the LDS Church. The church has numerous outreach programs and promotes being good neighbors to all including refugees who are settled in Utah. Yes you may encounter people or groups of people who seem reluctant to say hello and my response to that is go meet them. I live in the burbs which is 90% Mormon and I'm not; being proactive in meeting people and finding something in common; kids, dogs, cars, hobbies, gardening, etc, etc builds relationships.
What I can attest is the day crap hits the fan; I want to be in Utah. When fire, flood or any other problem happens the Mormons immediately respond with help to all; not just members of the church. This community ethos is why Utah has a Beehive on the state flag and why Utah is able to plan and respond to any challenge. 2002 Olympics was a success by any measure; financial, US pride following 9/11, logistics and performance. Hopefully we'll get another shot in 2026 if LA is not selected to host 2024 summer games.
Utah was founded by self reliant people with strong sense of community and demonstrated ability to get things done. During the last government shutdown Utah paid to reopen the National Parks to minimize impact on those rural communities and to welcome visitors to our state. Very pragmatic approach with emphasis on solution in the most efficient and expeditious manner.
Great state and you should definitely consider becoming a resident.
Regarding hunting. Too damn many people. The CWMU program has opened large areas of private land to public hunters through the limited entry draw and with value of wildlife you don't hear about ranchers wanting elk herds eliminated like you did years ago. Personally I would like to see changes with the limited draw units; make people pay upfront for the tag cost, eliminate turn back option, increase cost of resident tags/permits, eliminate SFW Expo tags and put them back into drawing.
First documented exploration was Father Escalante in 1776. He came as far as Utah Valley (Provo) during a trip from Santa Fe to California. Trappers 1820's-1830's; Jim Bridger, Peter Skene Ogden (Ogden namesake), Etienne Provost (Provo namesake), William Henry Ashley, John C. Fremont explored Utah and the Mountain West.
Mormon Church founded 1820's in New York, moved to Missouri in 1830's and left after Missouri - Executive Order 44 was issued that authorized "extermination of Mormons" and then Illinois around 1840. Joseph Smith founder and prophet was killed in 1844 by a mob. To escape continued persecution Brigham Young led the Mormons west in 1847. During the trip several hundred Mormon Men were recruited to serve the US Military during the Mexican War. The Mormons arrived in Utah July 1847 which at the time was still part of Mexico. They literally left the United States to find peace and built a community for themselves.
Mormons envisioned founding the state (not nation) of Deseret in 1849. Continental Divide to Pacific, Oregon to Mexico. Mormons began settling these areas of the west in the ensuing decades. The US government would not allow Utah statehood until 1896 due to Polygamy and most of these lands became part of other states.
Continued conflicts and isolation through the 1800's; Utah War 1857-1858 when US troops marched on Utah; with the low point being Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857. After statehood in 1896; Utah evolved with two distinct groups; Mormons and Gentiles (non-Mormons) with both groups living separate. Early 1900's Utah was a hotbed of labor strife in the mines; coal, copper, silver, gold. Areas around Park City, Bingham Canyon and central Utah coal country where majority non-Mormon with high percentage of immigrant populations.
During 1940's - 1950's Southern Utah was subjected to Nuclear Fallout from testing in Nevada. Government denied threat and fought compensation for decades. Most families around St. George can tell you family members lost to cancer in the ensuing years.
Utah today like many states is red (conservative) with islands of blue (progressive). Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden, Moab are predominantly non Mormon. Salt Lake City is one of the most progressive cities in the United States. Politics are 50%+1 so our elected offices are primarily conservative and the state is pro business, pro family, and pro active. Economy is diverse and strong, quality of life is excellent, infrastructure roads-rail is modern and growing.
Now let's discuss the so called elephant; the LDS Church. Yes there are individual members of the church which are insular and I've seen those people first hand. These are individuals and not the LDS Church. The church has numerous outreach programs and promotes being good neighbors to all including refugees who are settled in Utah. Yes you may encounter people or groups of people who seem reluctant to say hello and my response to that is go meet them. I live in the burbs which is 90% Mormon and I'm not; being proactive in meeting people and finding something in common; kids, dogs, cars, hobbies, gardening, etc, etc builds relationships.
What I can attest is the day crap hits the fan; I want to be in Utah. When fire, flood or any other problem happens the Mormons immediately respond with help to all; not just members of the church. This community ethos is why Utah has a Beehive on the state flag and why Utah is able to plan and respond to any challenge. 2002 Olympics was a success by any measure; financial, US pride following 9/11, logistics and performance. Hopefully we'll get another shot in 2026 if LA is not selected to host 2024 summer games.
Utah was founded by self reliant people with strong sense of community and demonstrated ability to get things done. During the last government shutdown Utah paid to reopen the National Parks to minimize impact on those rural communities and to welcome visitors to our state. Very pragmatic approach with emphasis on solution in the most efficient and expeditious manner.
Great state and you should definitely consider becoming a resident.
Regarding hunting. Too damn many people. The CWMU program has opened large areas of private land to public hunters through the limited entry draw and with value of wildlife you don't hear about ranchers wanting elk herds eliminated like you did years ago. Personally I would like to see changes with the limited draw units; make people pay upfront for the tag cost, eliminate turn back option, increase cost of resident tags/permits, eliminate SFW Expo tags and put them back into drawing.
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