The Utah Arts Council, founded in 1899, is the oldest state arts agency in the country. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Practices common to Mormons include studying scriptures, praying daily, fastingregularly, attending Sunday worship services, participating in church programs and activities on weekdays, and refraining from work on Sundays whe… Despite warnings about the region’s unsuitability for agriculture and the hostile Native Americans living near the smaller, freshwater Utah Lake, the Mormons were drawn to the low population of the Salt Lake Valley. If you don't know anything about Utah-Mormon culture many of the jokes won't make sense but it is a good look at what the culture is like. Jump to Subtopic: Question: Was Utah was a hotbed of violence, murder, and lawlessness that can be attributed to Mormon doctrine and practices? In 1857, President James Buchanan declared the Utah Territory to be in rebellion, and ordered federal troops to Salt Lake City to force Young to step down in favor of a non-Mormon governor. By 1896, when Utah was granted statehood, the church had more than 250,000 members, most living in Utah. Inside the church building and at the church activities, it is the same to me as the Mormon culture inside Utah. Forced to flee anti-Mormon hostility in New York, Ohio and Missouri, in 1839 Smith and other church members arrived in Nauvoo, Illinois, on the banks of the Mississippi River. For the next two decades, wagon trains bearing thousands of Mormon immigrants followed Young’s westward trail. And the mountains ringing the valley were stocked with freshwater streams and creeks that could nourish crops, despite the saltiness of the Great Salt Lake itself. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is world-famous. “It’s a proclamation saying that for the good of the church, for the survival of the church, we have to abandon plural marriage.”. A colorized photograph of a 19th century polygamous Mormon family with two wives and nine children. Held annually in January in and around Park City, the Sundance Film Festival is widely considered the most important American showcase for independently produced motion pictures. But in early 1848, Mexico ceded some 525,000 square miles of its territory to the United States at the end of the Mexican-American War, including all or parts of present-day Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming—and Utah. Utah is now home to more than 2 million Mormons, or about one-third of the total number of Mormons in the United States. Also known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), the Mormons have very conservative ideologies based around their religion that include abstention from … (If it were just about beer for me I would have gone back years ago.) Top leaders from the Utah-based faith known widely as the Mormon church said they are concerned about political and cultural divisions in the United States and … In popular music, the Osmonds, a family of singing siblings from Provo, first gained fame in the 1960s and ’70s and continued to perform in various groupings (the Osmond Brothers, Donny and Marie) and as soloists into the 21st century. In 1847, Brigham Young and the first party of Latter-day Saint (known as Mormon) emigrants reached the desolate Salt Lake Valley. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Cu… Mormons, even with their domination, have made Utah an incredibly safe and wonderful place to live. Instead, as part of the Compromise of 1850, Congress greatly reduced Deseret’s size and renamed it the Utah Territory. 'Cultural Mormons' Adjust The Lifestyle But Keep The Label Some members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints choose to leave the faith but not the community. MORMON STUDIES The Tanner Humanities Center launched its Mormon Studies Initiative in 2010 to encourage the vibrant, intellectual exploration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all religious traditions that trace their roots to Joseph Smith in an effort to better understand their various institutions, histories, cultures, and peoples. The Tabernacle Choir The Tabernacle Choir After fleeing persecution and arriving in Utah, Welsh-immigrant church members created a choir that has since become […] (Credit: Sheridan Libraries/Levy/Gado/Getty Images). A year later, when the church celebrated the 50th anniversary of Brigham Young’s arrival in the Salt Lake Valley—Young himself died in 1877—the newly completed Mormon temple in Salt Lake City was draped in American flags. The culture is geographically concentrated in the Mormon Corridor in the United States, and is present to a lesser extent in many places of the world where Latter-day Saints live. These views are reflected in their alcohol laws, which are the most conservative in the USA. Young largely ignored the federal agents the Fillmore administration sent to Utah, and did what he wanted. And Brigham Young, who emerged as de facto leader after Smith’s death, had just the place in mind. On June 27, 1844, a mob gathered at the jail and killed Smith and his brother Hyrum. As the faith spread around the world, many of its more distinctive practices followed. Joseph Smith is jailed and killed by an angry mob. Top leaders from the Utah-based faith known widely as the Mormon church said they are concerned about political and cultural divisions in the United States and urged members to set aside partisan differences and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. There is a culture among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that denies the very teachings of Christ himself and gives Mormons a … Young and his fellow apostles considered options such as Texas (during its brief period as an independent republic), California and Canada. Among the performing arts, music is emphasized. Each stake has a “tabernacle,” or stake centre, with one or more chapels and recreational and cultural facilities. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Utah becomes the 45th state. Though Young eventually agreed to be replaced as territorial governor, the Mormon practice of plural marriage would delay Utah’s statehood for nearly four more decades. Because of its strong Mormon influence, Utah holds primarily conservative views. Why all the hostility against Smith and his fellow Mormons? I am an active Mormon, and I hate the Utah Mormon culture. Mormon converts are urged to undergo lifestyle changes, repent of sins, and adopt sometimes atypical standards of conduct. In 1847, Brigham Young and the first party of Latter-day Saint (known as Mormon) emigrants reached the desolate Salt Lake Valley. I am happy you have enjoyed your experiences in Utah- I think it would only be natural and normal for an outsider to make all the observations that you did! Mormons, through their callings, develop the ability to lead and follow, teach, and be instructed. About 60% of Utah is Mormon, and the church’s history, doctrine and practice influence the state’s entire culture. Young led the Mormons on their great trek westward through the wilderness some 1,300 miles to the Rocky Mountains—a rite of passage they saw as necessary in order to find their promised land. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which performed for the first time in 1847, now consists of about 325 members with trained but nonprofessional voices; it presents concerts and national weekly radio and television broadcasts. Moreover, the influx of immigrants-beginning in the 1840s from Great Britain and in the 1850s from Scandinavia-brought directly to Utah pioneer settlements institutions not as readily accessible to many other agrarian societies in … The University of Utah Children’s Dance Theatre and the Brigham Young University folk-dance troupes are well known. The Utah Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Opera Company, and the Oratorio Society of Utah are other major ensembles located in the capital. (Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images). FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Never mind that plenty of former Mormons leave for philosophical reasons and not always because they would prefer beer over worshiping God. Utah gained an early start in drama with the opening of the Salt Lake Theater in 1862. “They tended to vote in blocs, they tended to consolidate all their economic activity within their own communities. The most famous buildings in Utah are the many-spired Mormon Temple and the turtleback Mormon Tabernacle, both in Salt Lake City. Having already produced nationally known writers such as Pulitzer Prize winner Wallace Stegner, Bernard De Voto, and Fawn McKay Brodie, Utah emerged in the 1980s as a centre of Western American literature (a journal with that title is published by Utah State University). “The Mormons were fairly clannish, you might say,” Matthew Bowman, professor of history at Henderson State University and author of The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith, explains. When spring came, Young and an advance group of 143 men, three women and two children left the winter camp and headed for their final destination. All Rights Reserved. Every year, Utah celebrates Pioneer Day on July 24 in honor of the Mormon pioneers who settled the Salt Lake Valley in the mid-1800s. Founded in Park City in 1981 by actor, director, and prominent Utah resident Robert Redford and others, the Sundance Institute supports the development of independent motion picture projects and filmmakers, as well as (since 1984) theatrical projects and playwrights. Utah is one of 18 control states, where the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and retailing of all alcoholic beverages. The church is divided into “stakes” consisting of 6 to 10 local congregations, or “wards,” of about 500 members each. Instructors: Christopher Lewis, Associate Professor, and Margaret Toscano, Associate Professor, World Languages & Cultures This course explores literary texts that engage the culture, tradition, and worldview of Mormonism in the broad sense (i.e. Top leaders from the Utah-based faith known widely as the Mormon church said they are concerned about political and cultural divisions in the United States and … Size (approx. Because the population of Utah is overwhelmingly Mormon, the church has a strong influence on the state’s cultural life and traditions. Though the Mormons had been considering migrating West, beyond the reach of the United States government, before their founder’s murder, the crime solidified this intention. It is theirs. Since that day, Mormon cultural and heritage has made Utah a unique place to visit, today, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members comprise about 60 percent of the state's population. It also made the Mormons a useful political foil for Washington politicians, some of whom likened the religion to another highly divisive institution: slavery. Relying on reports of Western explorers and the low population, the Mormons set their eyes on Utah. Dallas Jensen is a practicing psychologist in Provo, Utah. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Jensen says he sees his LDS patients experience their mental illnesses in unique ways because of church culture. At that time, naturalist writer Terry Tempest Williams, literary critic and nature writer Thomas J. Lyon, and natural history writer Stephen Trimble began to publish extensively. The annual Utah Shakespearean Festival is held in Cedar City. Noted for its unique architecture and its exceptional acoustical qualities, it is used as a house of worship and for the presentation of cultural concerts and nationwide radio broadcasts. The "Mormon Culture" in Utah may be thick, and have it's pros and cons, but all in all I think it's a wonderful culture to be a part of. By: Kylea Custer. “There was not a large Native American presence, but there was the potential for agriculture, and for supporting a large population.”, In a later account of their arrival, the future LDS leader Wilford Woodruff wrote that Young paused and gazed down at the valley for several minutes when they first arrived, and “he saw the future glory of Zion and of Israel, as they would be, planted in the valleys of these mountains.”, Sheet music cover for a song titled “If You Saw What I Saw, You’d Go To Utah!” by Howard Patrick, 1917. So, it became a cultural norm, at least in Utah, for Mormons to … As another answer to this question (Toby Dillon’s) notes, 63% of the state is Mormon. Mormon Heritage. Almost every town has a small museum or historical building that similarly dates to the mid-1800s. Though during the Civil War these laws were not pursued, Bowman says, this changed in the decade after that conflict. Culture Music Music and hymns have been an integral part of our culture since its very inception. Mormon culture emphasizes closely knit family life, widespread interest in family genealogy, prohibitions against consumption of alcoholic beverages and use of tobacco, a relatively small amount of nightlife, and participation in sports and personal-development programs. But for everyone to feel safe, we need to be valued and respected, especially when it comes to religious and personal beliefs. Are your neighbors your “family”? Yes, absolutely. “When that happens, the president of the church, Wilford Woodruff, issues what Mormons call the Manifesto,” Bowman explains. The latter was built in the 1860s. When Utah becomes part of the U.S., Young sees an opportunity to control a state government. The state would have been massive, encompassing present-day Utah, most of Nevada, good chunks of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Idaho, and even the city of San Diego. © 2021 A&E Television Networks, LLC. But relying on the reports of Western explorers like John C. Frémont, they decided on the Great Salt Lake Valley in the Rocky Mountains. Assimilation into the Union and later developments. In the 1880s and early 1890s, more than 1,000 Mormon men would be convicted of charges relating to plural marriage. Today, according to official LDS statistics, Utah is home to more than 2 million Mormons, or about one-third of the total number of Mormons in the United States. Utah - Utah - Sports and recreation: Salt Lake City is the home of two major professional sports franchises: Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer (football) and the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Top leaders from the Utah-based faith known widely as the Mormon church said they are concerned about political and cultural divisions in the United States and urged members to set aside partisan differences and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. But when a local newspaper, the Nauvoo Expositor, published a front page article criticizing the Mormon doctrine of polygamy, Smith ordered its printing press smashed. The culture of Utah revolves heavily around its most influential group, the Mormons. (Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images). > How is the Mormon culture outside Utah? Ross is the author of “To Mormons with Love: A little something from the new girl in Utah,” a non-fiction book she wrote about the Mormon vs. non-Mormon culture after several years of living in Utah. Once Woodruff had formally renounced polygamy on behalf of the LDS, Congress’ attitude changed greatly, and the path to statehood became considerably clearer. Jailed in Missouri, Smith was allowed to escape to Illinois, where he helped build Nauvoo into a thriving city. The International Society–Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, with branches throughout the United States and in Canada, maintains a museum and monuments, preserves old landmarks, marks historical sites, keeps a library of historical matter, and collects data and relics to document the lives of the Utah pioneers. In the 1874 case Reynolds v. United States, in which Young’s secretary, George Reynolds, tested the constitutionality of an 1862 anti-bigamy law, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the Constitution does not protect polygamy. Dance companies in Utah include Ballet West, which features classical ballet, and the Repertory Dance Theatre, which features modern dance; both are based in Salt Lake City. The murder of Joseph Smith. A replica has been constructed on the University of Utah campus, and performances are held there regularly. It holds up to 8,000 people and has rare acoustical qualities that enrich the sounds of its world-famous organ, with some 11,600 pipes. President Millard Fillmore appointed Young as territorial governor, a decision made “largely as a matter of practicality,” Bowman points out, as Young had essentially been governing Deseret (as he called it) and the Mormon Church as one entity for three years already. Books of Mormons: Mormon Literature | CLCS 4900 001. not exclusively referring to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Culture. Two years later, Young led the Mormons on their great trek westward through the wilderness some 1,300 miles to the Rocky Mountains—a rite of passage they saw as necessary in order to find their promised land. The basic beliefs and traditions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) have a cultural impact that distinguishes church members, practices and activities. Isolation in Utah had allowed Mormons to create a culture of their own. They set out from Nauvoo in April 1846, but were forced to spend several months camped along the Missouri River between Iowa and Nebraska. Recently, Mormons have won or have been finalists in many singing, music, and dance competitions in the U.S. and elsewhere. Culture and good, clean fun are also central to Mormon life. A2A. The Mormon church emphasizes folk drama in its youth organization; more than 2,000 wards produce at least one play a year, many of them written locally. They settled it. The Utah State Historical Society has a collection of manuscripts, publications, and photographs and publishes the Utah Historical Quarterly, monographs, and full-volume diaries. Biography. (Credit: Culture Club/Getty Images). Young saw an opportunity in this turn of events: State governments had a lot of power, and controlling one could give the Mormons considerable autonomy. After the Mormon church banned polygamy in 1890 in exchange for the recognition of Utah as a state, polygamists went underground, some moving to Mexico, others settling in Short Creek. Smith evaded extradition for a while, and even began planning a run for president of the United States in 1844. In the ensuing uproar, Smith was convinced to turn himself in at the county seat in Carthage to face a hearing. Old Deseret Village, in This Is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City, is a reconstructed Old West town containing original buildings and furnishings. In Utah, Young is able to ignore the federal government, until the practice of polygamy prevents Utah’s statehood. Patrick Q. Mason holds the Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at USU. Since that day, Mormon cultural and heritage has made Utah a unique place to visit, today, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members comprise about 60 percent of the state's population. 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