Forgotten Kingdom: The Mormon Theocracy in the American West, 1847-1896

by David L. Bigler

A broad examination of early Mormon efforts to establish in Utah an independent, theocratic Kingdom of God. Those bold efforts resulted in struggles with national republican ideology, Mormon opponents within and outside of Utah, and the federal government.

Genres: History, Religion, American History, Mormonism, Nonfiction

414 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Hunter McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earlier this year I visited Pipe Spring National Monument in Arizona and was inspired to learn more about how the Mormons finessed the transition from theocracy to full-fledged state. A ranger recommended this book. It's a remarkable story of how they wanted to be a state but on their own terms. For decades they used all the tools in their arsenal to protect their vision of a "theo-democracy." These included restrictive land ownership and voting, stacked courts, their own army, murder and intimidation, and business boycotts. Ultimately, they could not withstand the tide of federal intervention and the influx of non-Mormans. One wonders if founder Joseph Smith hadn't been a libidinous old charlatan and hadn't instituted polygamy if Utah might look quite different today.

Notes:
35 Smith's vision was the Kingdom of God would replace the US and then the world.
46 In 1849 they created their own nation-state without government approval.
46 A Mormon diplomat in Washington admitted the Mormon state looked a bit vast. It covered Utah, Nevada, parts of Colorado and Arizona and southern Calif with San Diego as a port.
61 Polygamy would cause the eventual downfal of the kingdom.
208 Utah the only state to not provide troops to the Union during Civil War.
218 Merrill Act of 1862 outlawed polygamy.
208 Lee of Mt Meadows infamy excommunicated then readmitted posthumously.
241 Diluting Mormon influence by hyping silver rush.
250 Restricted non-Mormons from buying land.
262 Campaign against non-Mormon merchants.
272 Young opposed public education and wanted Deseret alphabet adopted.
In 1990 memorial marker dedication at Mt Meadows no mention made of who caused it

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a history graduate student with a love for fiction, I must confess I usually despite academic monographs. They are bland, the writing is dry, and I typically need to force myself to skim them. But not this book. Perhaps this is due to how little I knew about the Mormon theocracy of the 19th century, or perhaps it is owed to Bigler's writing style, which is engaging, and at times both harrowing and humorous. Whatever the case, this is easily one of the best books I've read in my graduate studies. Most don't even know that there was a theocratic government active west of the United States around, during, and even after its Civil War—a theocratic state that engaged in armed violence with the U.S. and even perpetuated a grizzly massacre at Mount Meadows. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Mormon history, American religious history, or the formation of the state of Utah.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bigler's book is a comprehensive history of the Mormon Church's fights with the federal government over its theocracy in Deseret/Utah. It records the accomplishments and the brutality of Brigham Young's reign and lays out the long battle over polygamy and the theocracy that expected to exercise dominion over the entire world upon Christ's return.

[Jacque Sherbak · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Political and Social History of the Mormon pioneers' arrival and settlement in Salt Lake City. The author particularly documents the struggle for statehood. Excellent, factual, unbiased. Utah State Government and Mormon Church archives serve as the main sources for this book. I grew up in Utah 100 years afer the settlment began. My ancestors were part of the initial settlement and one of about 50 families who chose to create the first settlement in Utah Valley (County) where I grew up. This book brought documented light to many stories I had heard throughout childhood. Very well researched and written. A must-read if you are studying or curious about Utah's beginnings as a state and how Mormonism shaped its' government and standing within late eighteenth century America.