BULWARK OF THE KINGDOM:
Utah's Iron and Steel Industry.. BY GUSTIVE O. LARSON
Scrap iron from abandoned equipment along the Oregon-California Trail, reworked in a simple forge, met emergency needs of the first Mormon colonists in Salt Lake Valley. But the meagerness of the supply mocked them as they dreamed of "The Kingdom" they were to build in their Great Basin retreat. As the mountains, canyons, and plains of their new environment suggested hidden resources, President Brigham Young announced "The Lord has done His share of the work. He has surrounded us with the elements . . . with which to build up, beautify and glorify the Zion of the last days and it is our business to mold these elements to our wants and necessities."1 Among these elements were coal and iron ore in undisclosed abundance. The Mormons knew that in the Great Basin, separated from civilization by a thousand miles, they must make their Kingdom self-supporting. Parley P. Pratt led a company of horsemen southward from Salt Lake Valley in the winter of 1849-50 to explore for colonizing sites and discover available resources. Beyond Little Salt Lake Valley in the region of the Little Muddy (later called Coal Creek) he discovered "thousands of acres of Cedar, constituting an almost inexhaustible supply of fuel which makes excellent charcoal. In the center of these forests rises a hill of richest iron ore."2 Iron Mountain rose before them to challenge their ability to utilize its mineral stores. Back at Zion's capital reports of available iron ore set the leaders to planning for early development of iron manufacturing. While Pratt introduced a bill in the legislature for creation of Iron County, Brigham Young issued a call for volunteers for an "Iron Mission." Brethren of the Salt Lake City and vicinity who have faith and good works, who have been blessed with means, are informed by the Presidency of the Church that a colony is wanted at Little Salt Lake this fall; that fifty or more good effective men with teams and wagons, provisions and clothing are wanted for one year. Seed, grain, and abundance of tools in all their variety for a new colony are wanted to start from this place immediately after the fall conference to repair to the Valley of the Little Salt Lake without delay, there to sow, build, and fence, erect a saw Mr. Larson is professor of church history at Brigham Young University, Provo. 1 Journal of Discourses (26 vols., Liverpool, 1854-1886), IX, 283. 2 "Journal History" (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Historian's Library, Salt Lake Citv) December 28-29, 1849. '"
