Essentials in Church History / A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"

by Joseph Fielding Smith

Church Activities

1850–1857

A Provisional Government

When the first settlers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, they were directed exclusively by Church authority. However, the people realized that civil government must be inaugurated in their several settlements after they were founded. As early as the fall of 1847 some municipal officers were appointed, although no city government was effected at that time. Before leaving Nauvoo, the authorities of the Church had expressed the desire of organizing a civil government under the flag of the United States. While on the plains they wrote to President James K. Polk, under date of August 6, 1846, and “resolved” that as soon as they were settled in the Great Basin they would petition the United States for a territorial government, “bounded on the north by the British, and south by the Mexican dominions, and east and west by the summits of the Rocky and Cascade Mountains.”

The First Political Convention

In February 1849, a call was issued for a political convention. The people residing within the territory bounded by the Rocky Mountains, the Republic of Mexico, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Territory of Oregon, were invited to assemble at Great Salt Lake City, March 5, 1849. On that date a convention was held, and Congress was petitioned to organize the Territory of Deseret.^[1] A constitution was adopted and a provisional government was set up.

The Territory of Utah

Other petitions were also sent to Washington, asking for statehood, but the government was not willing to grant all that the inhabitants of the Great Basin desired. Enemies and bitter apostates lent their aid to defeat the project. In September 1850, Congress passed a bill for the organization of the territory of Utah, which was approved by the President. The people preferred the name “Deseret,”^[2] but gladly accepted what was offered them.

Territorial Officers Appointed

In September 1850, President Millard Fillmore appointed the federal officers for the territory of Utah. Brigham Young was appointed governor, a position he had held in the “Provisional State of Deseret.” Broughton D. Harris, of Vermont, was appointed secretary; Joseph Buffington, of Pennsylvania, chief justice; Perry C. Brocchus, of Alabama, and Zerubbabel Snow of Ohio—the latter a member of the Church— associate justices; Seth M. Blair, attorney; and Joseph L. Heywood, United States marshal. The two latter were residents of Utah. Judge Buffington declined and Lemuel C. Brandebury, of Pennsylvania, was appointed in his stead. In addition to these officers there were three Indian agents. Four of these federal officers were members of the Church. The appointment of President Young as governor, was due to the influence of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, the staunch and faithful friend of the Latter-day Saints.