Who led the Mormons to present-day Utah in search of religious freedom?

Brigham Young in 1844

Answered by TimeRaven | 2024-06-10

Brigham Young and the Mormon Migration to Utah
After the death of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Brigham Young led the Mormons to present-day Utah in search of religious freedom. Young became the new leader of the church and directed a massive exodus across the Mormon Trail, a 1,300-mile route to the Great Salt Lake in what was then a territory of Mexico. The Mormons undertook this journey to establish a community where they could practice their religion without persecution. The initial group, comprised of the first 12,000 Mormons, made the trek between 1846 and 1847, with more following in the subsequent years, especially during 1848-1860.
To ease the financial burden of migration, from 1856 to 1860 the church advocated the use of handcarts instead of wagons pulled by draft animals. This innovation allowed many European converts, later known as 'handcart pioneers', to complete the last leg of their migration. Unfortunately, casualty rates were significant in two out of the ten handcart companies over this period.
Following their arrival, the Mormon settlers found themselves under U.S. jurisdiction once again after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed at the conclusion of the Mexican-American War, ceding much of the Southwest, including Utah, to the United States. In 1860 Utah became an incorporated territory, and Brigham Young was appointed as the territorial governor by President Millard Fillmore.

Answered by JaymaMays | 2024-06-18

Brigham Young led the Mormons to present-day Utah in 1847 in search of religious freedom following the death of their founder, Joseph Smith. They migrated to the Salt Lake Valley to escape persecution and establish a new community based on their beliefs. This significant journey helped shape the cultural landscape of the region.
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Answered by TimeRaven | 2024-12-26