(1831-1915)
CHARLES S. ZANE Until recently, the interpretation of U t a h territorial history has suffered from two conflicting conspiratorial points of view. Some writers have seen in the tremendous economic, political, and social power of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a conspiracy against the United States government; and others have viewed congressional enactments and the actions of territorial officials as a conspiracy against the Mormons' basic rights of self-government, economic freedom, and religious liberty. A superficial examination of such issues as congressional legislation, the disfranchisement of 12,000 voters, the filling of the penetentiaries with polygamists, and the church's loss of property could support either conspiratorial view. 1 I n a recent study one historian, himself not a proponent of either conspiratorial viewpoint, justifiably called the period of intense conflict " T h e Raid." 2 Though a federal marshal may undertake a raid, the consequences of the arrests which he makes depend upon the trial judge. Thomas G. Alexander is an assistant professor of history at Brigham Young University. The author expresses appreciation to Professors S. George Ellsworth of U t a h State University and Clark C. Spence of the University of Illinois for their suggestions and comments. 1 For examples of each point of view see R. N. Baskin, Reminiscences of Early Utah (Salt Lake City, 1914) ; B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (6 vols., Salt Lake City, 1930) ; and Orson F. Whitney, History of Utah (4 vols., Salt Lake City, 1892-1904). 2 Leonard J. Arrington, Great Basin Kingdom: An Economic History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1900 (Cambridge, 1958), 353-79.
