Brigham Young chose to settle in Utah primarily because of religious reasons. He was the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) during a time of intense persecution of the religious group in the mid-1800s. They were seeking a place where they could practice their religion freely and without fear. Utah, part of the Mexican territory at the time, was a remote and sparsely populated region, making it an ideal location for the Mormons to establish their own community. Furthermore, the area's natural resources, fertile land, and access to fresh water resources, such as the Great Salt Lake, made it an attractive location for building a sustainable settlement. Upon arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Young reportedly declared, "This is the place," signifying Utah as their new home.
