| Description |
This thesis paper analyzes and compares two types of religious settlements in the Western United States, primarily during the 1700-1800s. The Plat of Zion was the first rudimentary plan laid out for Salt Lake City created by Joseph Smith, the first prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Plat laid out very specific plans and visions for the creation of the city, which was built by the Mormon pioneers after they came to the valley in hopes of finding refuge. The city today still shows many of the impacts of the Plat, as well as the clear and intentional design laid out by Joseph Smith. The Spanish Missions in California and other Western states were also very specifically designed but were built out of a necessity for power and control. These missions were involved in a number of political and cultural events within California and grew to have a large authority over the local native population, and against the early government that had formed there. While they share their differences and similarities, the missions lost their power, and now serve as historical sites, while Salt Lake has gone from a small agricultural town to an established city. |
