Utah Centennial County History Series - Sanpete County 1999

T h e history of ~ a n p e t eCounty cannot be understood or appreciated without comprehending the religious motivation that brought about its settlement, development, and vitality. From the moment the pioneers first set foot in the county to the present, life in Sanpete has been dominated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormon church. Still, Sanpete County residents are not exclusively Mormon, and other groups, including Presbyterians, Methodists, Catholics, and even splinter groups from mainstream Mormonism have played an active role in the county's history.

Founded in Fayette, New York, in 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grew rapidly while moving its headquarters to Ohio, then Missouri and Illinois, each time being expelled and exiled, before making the mass exodus to the Great Basin starting in 1847.

A core belief in Mormon theology is the concept of Zion, a word of many meanings for Mormons. It refers to God's chosen people, his church, and the places where the church and his people reside. The church collectively is Zion and its individual members are citizens of