Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, July 26, 2026
The conflict between the US government and Mormons, known as the Utah War, occurred from 1857-1858, resulting in civilian deaths, including the Mountain Meadows Massacre where around 120 people were killed. By 1869, nearly 70,000 Mormon pioneers had followed the overland route to the Great Salt Lake Valley. Utah was finally admitted as a state in 1896, contingent upon Mormon leadership formally renouncing the practice of polygamy.
“The discomfort with Mormons in the US at the time led to what became known as the Utah War in 1857 and 1858, when the US government sent troops into the territory to establish federal control.”
“Approximately 120 non-Mormons and a wagon train heading for California were killed by a Mormon militia.”
“According to the National Park Service, nearly 70,000 Mormon pioneers followed the overland route to the Great Salt Lake Valley between 1847 and the arrival of the transcontinental railroad in Utah in 1869.”
“Utah eventually became a state in 1896.”
“The change only occurred after Mormon leadership renounced the practice of polygamy.”