When Deseret became a Nation

Artist Statement

“What if…” is often the beginning of a form of art called design fiction, a term coined by Julian Bleecker in his essay of the same name. What if the world was fundamentally different? What would it look like? H.G. Wells was a master in design fiction, particularly with his novel, The Time Machine, in which he describes the future state of mankind. It’s not real, but it follows real patterns and rules. Most science fiction falls into this category. It’s a fantasy world, but it has its roots in real science. And so it is with the design. Artifacts from these manufactured worlds both augment and represent a kind of parallel reality displayed in the world from which they come.

So what if? As students at Brigham Young University, we have a natural interest in our Mormon roots. At one point in the history, a state of Deseret was proposed. It never happened because of issues with the U.S. government regarding polygamy and other things, but what if? What if the South won the war? What if the Union was so fractured that they didn’t care about a burgeoning community far in the west? What if the Mormons pulled it off and gained sovereignty? And then what would happen?

The images and descriptions below are a chronological representation of what this nation may have looked like over the years, carefully designed in context of the period and what conversations may have been taking place.

South wins Civil War:

The 1860s would see a drastic change in the world when the South would end up winning the Civil War.  The members in the state of Deseret took this chance to seriously begin building their nation.  With the North and South separated, there was be little notice to the Mormons building up a sovereign state; they were taken not be much of a threat to the Confederates or the Union.  The slaves of the south would begin to immigrate to Deseret for the chance of a new life.  Part of being a sovereign state meant they would need their own currency for the exchanging within its economy and government.  This Currency reflected the events of Mormon history and significance to the nation of Deseret as well as its prominent leaders.  

3 For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations.

Deseret Nationalism:

“And I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of apromise, a land bflowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no ccurse when the Lord cometh;”

(Doctrine and Covenants 38:18)

Because of the industry of the West, and the lack of Power from any opposing country, Deseret would thrive. The country would benefit from its strong support of immigration, its control of the railroad, its trading of oil and gold, its organization, its colonization, and its immense population growth. Without any other countries to intervene, by 1900 Deseret would have become a world superpower, a land filled with promise and a community bent on growth, forward and upward. A sense of religious nationalism would have been deeply rooted, and many would frame or carry defining documents, as Americans might with copies of their constitution.

War:

And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.
And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.

(Doctrine and Covenants 45:69-70)

In fulfillment of this prophecy, the people of Deseret would take a strong defensive stance during the conflicts throughout the 20th century. Though their ambassadors (i.e. missionaries) would still be sent out, they would also employ military force toward any country that sought harm to their congregations. Their powerful military would incite fear into the many warring nations and it’s likely many citizens would encourage the nation to assert her dominance. The evolution of this thought might be expressed in a new flag (shown below, contrasted against the old). The last ties to the United States have been severed, as Deseret is now a fully functioning a capable force in the world. The twelve stars, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, point inward toward deseret, a honeybee, the protector of the hive. And the red field represents the blood of the righteous calling for justice. The flag is a symbol of the state’s fierce defense and retribution against any that dare to come against God’s people.

Modern Day Deseret:

Many events of our world would still “come to pass” in this world.  Hitler would still try to dominate the planet.  But what if Einstein immigrated to Deseret?  What if revelation was given to our military leaders just as Captain Moroni received it in the Book of Mormon?  Deseret would emerge as a world power.  We also read of the pride cycle in the Book of Mormon.  If Deseret prospered for too long there would likely be much apostasy.  Different factions of the faith would compete for power.

“Yea, it shall come in a day when the power of God shall be denied, and churches become defiled and be lifted up in the pride of their hearts; yea, even in a day when leaders of churches and teachers shall rise in the pride of their hearts...” - Moroni 8:28