Agency Histories
State of Deseret
Abstract
Biography/History Notes
The State of Deseret was provisionally created by Mormon settlers in the Salt Lake Valley in anticipation of a U.S. territory or state, following the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848. The proposed territory encompassed all that was now a part of the U.S. but not already California or close to disputed borders.
It began in 1849 with a constitutional convention to establish a state in the absence of action from Congress after the war. The finished Constitution set out three departments (or branches) for Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary. Further articles overview a militia, handling amendments, and a declaration of rights.
Following the establishment of the territory of Utah September 9, 1850, the General Assembly met to officially dissolve Deseret April 4, 1851.
The purpose of organizing Deseret was to provide a civil government and laws for the new emigrants. As stated in the Constitution's Preamble: "all political power is inherent in the People; and Governments instituted for their protection, security and benefit[.]" Bodies such as a House of Representatives and Senate were able to pass acts, resolutions, and ordinances to organize elections, a militia, various courts, taxes, education, local offices, and surveys. Later, the same or similar functions would be established by Congress for the territorial government.
During its short existence, Deseret was run by a governor, secretary, chief justice, marshall, attorney general, assessor, treasurer, and supervisor of roads. In addition, there were magistrates for each ward in the city, with the same boundaries as religious congregations after which they were named.
The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young was also the governor of the Deseret, similar to how he would become the first territorial governor of Utah.