A scarcely remembered and yet very significant event that occurred in the years leading up to the US Civil War was the so-called “Utah War”, which took place from the latter half of 1857 into the first half of 1858.
Frequently referred to as “Buchanan’s Blunder” (after then-US President James Buchanan), it was one of the most notorious examples in US history of a president ginning up a “rally ’round the flag” war to distract the populace from domestic strife.
The so-called “Mormons” (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) had been driven from Missouri to Illinois, and following the assassination of their founding prophet Joseph Smith, were compelled to leave the United States altogether to escape persecution.
The vanguard, led by Brigham Young, arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake in July 1847. The area was still part of Mexico at the time. Young was passionately encouraged by
— source imetatronink.com | Aug 7, 2022