In balkanizing the United States, it seems, and independent Deseret is a must. I can't think of any region in the United States that has combated so much with the federal government to the point that independence would be palatable/possible (other than the South of course) than Utah. Though the Civil War is a draw for most students of American history (and understandably so), I think they tend to look over the development of the Mormons in Utah and their relationship with the federal government in the years leading up to the Civil War, culminating in the bloody Utah War. With all this in mind, how realistic is an independent Deseret? If an independent Mormon state is possible, under what conditions would they occur?
One problem for an independent Mormon state would be the White Horse Prophecy, an unconfirmed but occasionally reference prophecy concerning the role of the Mormon Church in end-time America. On occasion, Prophets will allude to a prophecy purpotedly made by Joseph Smith which predicted the Mormon Church would save the United States when the Constitution "hangs by a thread." I'm not sure how "patriotic" mid-19th century Mormons would be as to prevent the establishment of an independent Utah.
Another problem is, of course, the military situation. Though the Mormons proved to be fierce in their continual clashes with the federal government, they could not truly push back federal troops from Utah. I have a difficult time imagining the federal government would be less determined to hold on to rogue territories in the wake of, say, CSA-victory scenario.
But what do you think?
One problem for an independent Mormon state would be the White Horse Prophecy, an unconfirmed but occasionally reference prophecy concerning the role of the Mormon Church in end-time America. On occasion, Prophets will allude to a prophecy purpotedly made by Joseph Smith which predicted the Mormon Church would save the United States when the Constitution "hangs by a thread." I'm not sure how "patriotic" mid-19th century Mormons would be as to prevent the establishment of an independent Utah.
Another problem is, of course, the military situation. Though the Mormons proved to be fierce in their continual clashes with the federal government, they could not truly push back federal troops from Utah. I have a difficult time imagining the federal government would be less determined to hold on to rogue territories in the wake of, say, CSA-victory scenario.
But what do you think?