Great Basin Kingdom: An Economic History of the Latter-day Saints

Great Basin Kingdom traces the economic development of Mormon settlements in Utah and surrounding territories from 1847 to 1900. This work examines the Mormon church's attempts to establish a self-sufficient commonwealth in the American West. The book documents the various economic initiatives, cooperative programs, and industrial projects undertaken by Mormon leadership during this period. The narrative follows key financial decisions, agricultural endeavors, and infrastructure development that shaped the region. The text draws upon extensive primary sources including church records, personal journals, and business ledgers from the era. Maps, statistics, and detailed accounts of specific ventures provide context for understanding this unique economic system. At its core, this study reveals the intersection of religious values with practical economics, and how isolation and communal organization influenced the development of a distinct regional economy. The work stands as an examination of alternative economic models in American history.

Readers view this as a detailed economic history that documents how Mormon settlers built settlements and businesses in Utah and surrounding areas. Many note it provides extensive research and statistics while remaining readable. Likes: - Clear explanations of complex financial systems and cooperative enterprises - Balance between religious and economic aspects - Inclusion of primary sources and historical documents - Focus on practical aspects of colonization rather than theology Dislikes: - Dense statistical data can be overwhelming - Some sections move slowly through minutiae - Limited coverage of non-Mormon economic activities - Few personal stories or individual perspectives Ratings: Goodreads: 4.18/5 (154 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 reviews) Notable reader comment: "Presents Mormon history through the lens of economics rather than religion - refreshing approach that reveals practical challenges of settlement." - Goodreads reviewer Several academic reviewers note its influence on Western American economic history studies, though some question if its Mormon institutional focus limits broader applications.

The Mormon Experience: A History of the Latter-day Saints by Leonard J. Arrington This history examines Mormon settlements in the American West through social and economic development from 1830-1980.

Building the City of God: Community and Cooperation among the Mormons by Leonard J. Arrington, Feramorz Y. Fox, and Dean L. May The book details Mormon cooperative economic institutions and their implementation in nineteenth-century Utah Territory.

The New Mormon History: Revisionist Essays on the Past by D. Michael Quinn A collection of essays explores Mormon economic and social history through primary sources and statistical analysis.

Making Space on the Western Frontier: Mormons, Miners, and Southern Paiutes by W. Paul Reeve This work examines the economic and cultural interactions between Mormon settlers, mining communities, and Native Americans in the Great Basin region.

Desert Between the Mountains: Mormons, Miners, Padres, Mountain Men, and the Opening of the Great Basin by Michael S. Durham The book chronicles the economic development of the Great Basin through the interactions of diverse groups who shaped the region's early history.

🌟 Leonard Arrington served as the first professional historian of the LDS Church and gained unprecedented access to previously restricted Mormon archives to write this groundbreaking 1958 work. 🌟 The book reveals how Mormon leaders used tithing funds as venture capital, establishing cooperative enterprises in industries ranging from sugar production to iron manufacturing. 🌟 The "Great Basin Kingdom" extended beyond Utah, encompassing parts of Idaho, Nevada, and Arizona, with Mormon settlements strategically placed along major transportation routes. 🌟 Despite being published over 60 years ago, this book remains the definitive economic history of Mormon settlement in the American West and has never gone out of print. 🌟 The author's research showed that Mormon communal economic practices were so successful that by 1880, income inequality among Mormons was significantly lower than in the rest of the United States.