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Show 44 Creer, in his book, The Founding of an Empire, states! It h clear that the activities of the Saints in providing economic wants precluded any immediate consit1;eration for the establishment of civil government. need for such. quir ements . The 16 In fa.ct. tere was no organization of the Church met all ze - . In 1,847 the community 'of Salt Lake voted to entrust c,omplete jurisdiction over municipa.l alf airs to the High €.ouncil of the Stake. This was the first form of government established in the newly settled territory of Utah, and for the next two yeUs there existed a pure "Thea-democra.cy".17 This form of love·rnment was a complete fusion of church and state. The eclesiastieal duties of the High CO'UncU became so num e reus that it was de.cicded early in 1849 to relieve that body of all its civic functions. The ctvi e functions of the various wards were now entrusted to the bishops throughout the city. M01"l'non Theo-democracy. which was establisbed, result of dire necessity. that time t ile ... were the It functioned well because in the valley at mostly people belonging to the Church; but, population grew,. was as the gen- it became apparent tha.t 'they reaHnted the exclusive control of the government by the spirited leaders of the Church. 16Leland H. Creer, The Founding of an Empire, 310. 17For a more detailed account of Mormon Thea.democracy, see Creer's book. Empire, 310-316. Utah and the Nation, 59-6Z; and The FOUllding of an |
