Brigham Young and the Expanding American Frontier

Brigham Young

At first, Young was ambivalent towards the Methodist -- or any other -- Church. He "held back from joining the Methodists" like his brothers had because of an "independent, deliberate personality" that rejected belief under pressure (8). Methodist revival meetings also turned Young off because of their "loud, crowded, and hyperactive" qualities," (8). Yet while living in the Auburn-Port Byron area, during an economic depression, he was "swept up by religious enthusiasm" and joined the Methodist Church in 1824 (13). The conversion turned out to be integral to Young's "program of self-improvement," (14). The Church prompted Young to give up swearing, one of his self-admitted habits. He experimented with vegetarianism, too, in an attempt to live an overall cleaner and healthier lifestyle. The religion also helped him to overcome his shyness and fear of public speaking (14). In addition to helping him on his personal path, the Methodist Church also introduced Young to Miriam Angeline Works, who he would later marry.

2. In February of 1838, Young, Smith, and other Mormons moved to Missouri to join a large Mormon settlement there. It was a thriving region socially, distant from other Mormon settlements and therefore conducive to greater political control (34). The new beginnings that had seemed so promising, though, grew increasingly filled with conflict and challenge. In March of 1838, dissention within the Church became a problem. Smith began to "purge" dissenters from the Church, "a move that involved reorganizing the High Council of Zion," (35). This led to the promotion of Young, and to his eventually being drawn "even closer to the center of Mormon power and influence," (35). Increased political power and his position of prominence placed Young in the awkward position of mediating between the Missouri non-Mormons and the Mormons. The Missourians who were not Mormon feared "Mormon political and economic domination" of the region (35). Young handled his role deftly: by avoiding conflict and confrontation and instead "maintaining a low profile," (35). However, more hot headed Mormons became political agitators. Some formed the Sons of Dan, the Danites, as a militia group determined to rise Mormon passions in opposition to the non-Mormon Missourians. The paramilitary Danite organization led to a small war: the Missouri Mormon War, in which seventeen Mormons died (37). The war also resulted in the official extermination of the Mormons by the governor. In 1838, Young was set to depart on a mission to England. Mormonism was already taking root there, and Young was able to capitalize on the groundwork laid by his predecessor missionaries. He helped to establish a Mormon magazine called the Latter-day Saints Millennial Star, and secured the rights to publish the Book of Mormon in England. His time in England "clearly demonstrated his abilities as an organizer and administrator," (45).

3. In Nauvoo, "Young sought to affirm his claim as Mormon leader, beating back the counterclaims of a series of rivals," (64). Young's increasing political power drew him into conflict with Smith. Polygamy became a point of dissent within the Mormon community, but Young's leadership was equally as controversial. "Smith assailed Young's tyrannical leadership and accused him of promoting polygamy," (66). Emma Smith, moreover, "strenuously opposed Mormonism's still secret practice of plural marriage," (67). While internal conflicts in the Church were brewing, Joseph Smith ran for the office of Presidency in 1844. He ran as an independent, driven by a fierce belief in "Mormon millennialism," (60). Young had been campaigning for Smith, unaware of the intense anti-Mormon sentiments brewing in Nauvoo. In the crux of the campaign, while Young was in Massachusetts, Smith was violently killed by a "well-organized, disciplined mob," (62).

4. In 1846, "Young departed Nauvoo directing what would become the largest and best organized westward trek of pioneers in American history," (79). The final destination of the trek remained unknown, but their hearts were set on the Rocky Mountains. The outbreak of the Mexican-American War in 1846 put a slight damper on the expedition. However, Young developed a brilliant policy of working with, rather than against, the Native Americans. His philosophy, which worked well, was "it is better to feed the Indians than fight them," (84). The Indians subsequently rendered some of their land to the Mormons. However, the Pawanee Indians would present a greater challenge for Young and the Mormons.

5. The Gold Rush altered the course of westward expansion, driving increasing numbers of non-Mormons to western lands and especially to California. The Gold Rush was therefore instrumental in preventing Young from entertaining the idea of moving the Mormon camp to California. Young feared a "renewed Mormon/non-Mormon conflict," (94). Mormon Samuel Brannan struck gold and was later excommunicated because he refused to tithe on his huge fortune (94-95). A large number of fortune-seeking trailblazers had made the path to the Great Salt Lake basin easier, which solidified the decision to settle in what is now Salt Lake City (95). Therefore, the Gold Rush had a huge impact on the geography of Mormon settlement. The Gold Rush also directly benefitted the Mormons economically, as gold seekers would stop in Salt Lake City en route to California.