Brigham Young chose to settle in Utah for several key reasons:
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Religious Freedom and Isolation: After facing intense persecution in the Eastern United States, notably in places like Missouri and Illinois, Brigham Young sought a location where the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) could practice their faith freely and without the threat of violence or discrimination. Utah, being remote and sparsely populated at the time, offered the isolation necessary for a growing community of Mormons to establish their own society based on their religious beliefs.
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Desire for a New Zion: Young envisioned Utah as a "New Zion" where the Latter-day Saints could build a model community centered around their values and principles. He believed that by establishing a utopian society in the West, they could create an environment conducive to their religious beliefs and communal lifestyle, free from the influences of the outside world.
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Economic Opportunities and Land: The land in Utah had the potential for agricultural development and settlement, which appealed to Young and the pioneers. The vast arid landscape, though challenging, could be transformed with irrigation and hard work. Young and his followers were adept at forming cooperative communities, and the region provided opportunities for farming, trade, and resource utilization, which were vital for the survival and prosperity of the nascent community in the harsh conditions of the Great Basin.
Overall, Young's decision was driven by a combination of the desire for safety and autonomy, spiritual aspirations, and economic prospects.
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