Great Basin Kingdom: An Economic History of Latter-Day Saints 1830-1900, By Leonard J. Arrington

Susanna Metzger
Essay #2
Around 2000

The close relationship between economics and religion was obvious in the Mormon’s choice of settlement in the Salt Lake Valley; a secluded yet fertile land, the perfect place for their intentions. The Mormon people who left Nauvoo were already planning on settling in the Great Basin, and Joseph Smith’s death only hastened their journey.

After gathering much information on the Great Basin, they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley July 1847. Explorations revealed a dry, mountainous land, protected by huge mountains to the east and west. Committees were formed, and each was assigned their own work tasks for building up the city. One such group was called the “council”, and acted as a type of government.

In September, the arrival of about 1,540 more people forced the council to command more houses to be built, and a large field staked off for farming purposes. A type of famine came upon them during the winter, caused by destroyed crops and too many people.

The second year, land was distributed, laws were made concerning regulation of natural resources, and irrigation canals and ditches were dug. They also constructed more public works, and began a circulation of money, backed by gold dust from California. Although the Mormons tried to prevent another winter famine, they failed, and hunger was again a problem during the winter. Also, as a means to provide for the poor, the council prohibited the use of corn for making whiskey, and commanded the more fortunate to share with the less fortunate. When spring began to come, the people grew discouraged, and began to leave. But Brigham Young reminded them that God had called them to the Great Basin.

The Mormon settlement of the Salt Lake Valley was patterned after their earlier attempts, and their seemingly different way of living can be attributed to their seclusion from the rest of the country.