The State of Utah has a reputation; the Mormon State. Rightfully so, as most of Utah is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This religion, despite being a sect of Christianity, is often considered an outcast. The religion brings with it many seemingly overbearing expectations on the part of its members, as well as many additions and revisions to the initial concept of Christianity. However, in Utah, Mormonism is seen in a different light, like any religion seen from the inside. It is the saving grace, the reason for prosperity, the panacea. As far as religions go, Mormonism is one of the most close-knit. The posts become close communities, where everyone knows everyone; the greatest motto and guideline for Mormons in the Bible is "love your neighbor as yourself." This sense of family among church members is incredibly evident in the atmosphere of the state. It is almost an obvious characteristic of the Church, considering the ridiculed and discriminated history of the Saints. However, if their beginning wasn't enough to keep them bound to each other for eternity, Mormons found an even stronger sense of unity during the Great Depression. This national and global event hit Utah with particularly intense ferocity. Previously experiencing prosperity thanks to the mining district, Utah actually hit an economic depression in the 1920s, while most people enjoyed the frivolity of the otherwise Roaring '20s. However, due to this pre-Depression crisis, institutions and programs were established for the welfare of the Mormon community. Therefore, when the Great Depression hit, there was little idea of what to do to survive. However, this by no means indicates that Utah breezed through the 1930s easily. That decade came with many hardships, but through it all, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined forces to fight the conflict of the Great Depression. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay This topic seems to be the general direction of opinion among scholars when it comes to the topic of Mormons during the Great Depression. There are some sources that are more skeptical about the Church's reactions in the 1930s, but these perspectives also lead to the same conclusion; during this decade the Church became a stronger and more influential force in the lives of its members. Studying this topic has brought to light a story that almost could have been surmised by anyone with a general knowledge of Mormons; there was broad rejection of federal aid and federal intervention. Eventually this diminished, as the situation worsened without sight or hope of improvement (Bonner 53, 298). The best first source to consult is the Dictionary of American History. An encyclopedia packed with information, this one featured an article dedicated to the state of Utah, and among the subtitles was a section on the Great Depression; there was also an article based on Latter-day Saints, with an identical subtitle. The author of these articles is Dr. Jeremy Bonner, affiliated with the Catholic University of America. His research focuses on religious interconnections with the New Deal. These articles are primary sources because of the context and background information they provide on the specific topic. It provides the researcher with a stable base of knowledge to pursue more in-depth studies. Dr. Bonner provides not so much an opinion as hard facts and an account of events, which is exactly what you expect from an encyclopedia entry. A reliable match to.
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