Utah history stereographs photograph collection, 1860-1920

The history of Utah is inextricably tied to the History of the Mormon Pioneers. After 17 months and many miles of travel, Brigham Young leads 148 pioneers into Utah's Valley of the Great Salt Lake. The pioneers began preparations for the thousands of followers of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as Mormons) who would soon come. Seeking religious and political freedom, the Latter-day Saints began planning their great migration from the East after the murder of Joseph Smith, the Christian sect's founder and first leader.

Later, Young rejoined the main body of pioneers in Iowa, who named him president and prophet of the church. Having formally inherited the authority of Joseph Smith, he led thousands of more followers to the Great Salt Lake in 1848. Other large waves of pioneers followed. By 1852, 16,000 Latter-day Saints had come to the valley, some in wagons and some dragging handcarts. After early difficulties, Salt Lake City began to flourish. By 1869, 80,000 had made the trek to their promised land.