How did the Mormons make the move west so successful?
There
were four key reasons; Mormon spirit, leadership of Young, rapid prosperity of
Salt Lake and a growing population.
Mormon
spirit was forged in the difficult journey west, and in the early suffering.
They relied on each other and no one else. Land and important resources like
water were shared equally. They each supported the Church with a tithe tax.
Brigham Young’s
inspirational leadership was a powerful tool. He had a vision of a city in the
desert. He gave them rules to help them in the move west, and as they settled to
keep Mormons safe and contented. He encouraged Mormons to sponsor others to move
to Salt Lake. He also succeeded in making the city an important centre of trade.
Salt
Lake became prosperous partly due to the nearby
Gold Rush in California and in the
Mountains. Supply points and rest stops for the Gold Prospectors brought in a
lot of money. The newly built railroad also passed through the city, therefore
all the traffic and goods traded with the West coast had to go via Salt Lake.
Any traveller heading west over Mormon land had to pay a toll.