Flag of the Province of Utah
Flag of the Province of Utah
As the first winter after the nuclear war ebbed, the government of the State of Utah collapsed. To fill the power vacuum, in early February of 1986 followers of the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, led by Ezra Taft Benson, occupied Salt Lake City, Utah and declared the Mormon state of Deseret. The takeover was largely peaceful. Upon the declaration of Deseret the Mormon leadership enacted a policy forcing the non-Mormon population to convert or to leave, by force if necessary, the state of Deseret.
Deseret would begin to build a safe haven for surviving Mormon refugees in North America that would continue on after the death of Ezra Taft Benson in 1994. As Orin James McClelland became President shortly after he would begin to build Deseret into a military power as he quickly began plans for military buildup and expansion for over two years before annexing southern Idaho in a 3 week campaign in May 1996. After consolidating his hold on southern Idaho he turned toward the Navajo Nation to the south and launched an invasion on October 1, 1999. While Deseret advanced unopposed during the first month the Army of Deseret was annihilated by the combined armies of the Hopi and Navajo Nations at the Battle of Shiprock on November 9. With this defeat Deseret was forced to surrender to the newly formed Hopi-Navajo Alliance signing a peace treaty on April 22, 2000 in which the terms included the demobilization of the Army of Deseret.
Deseret would live peacefully for several years until August 2006 when Deseret was attacked by a large biker gang terrorizing the Great Salt Lake valley. The various Deseret militia's were easily defeated by the biker gang in the Battle of Ogden (August 28) and with the destruction of the last resistance the biker gang split into three groups and continued their rampage throughout Deseret until forces under McClelland defeated each of the three separate biker gangs and drove the rest from Deseret by September 2. This would mark McClelland's return to power and would begin once again the reorganization of the Deseret military and instituting many reforms including general conscription of all Mormon males. With this McClelland would begin a period of militarization of Deseret, surpassing the Army of Deseret of the previous decade, which would continue with future Mormon leaders during the next 15 years. After the death of McClelland in 2010 was succeeded by Bryan Kevin Wolford and under his leadership continued Deseret's military buildup and began new ambitious plans for expansion. In mid May another biker gang attempted to invade Deseret and was defeated by forces under Wolford in the Battle of Idaho Falls on May 23-26, 2010. Although the Army of Deseret did not decisively defeat the biker gang it showed a great improvement in driving the remaining bikers out of Deseret by the end of August.
The next several years saw Deseret establish contact with other powers including the emerging west coast power the UKA and on May 2, 2018 the UKA Prime Minister Patrick Dolphin married Margaret Thompson, daughter of a high ranking Deseret government official, in Declo, Deseret. In 2020 war broke out once again between Deseret and the Hopi-Navajo Alliance when Wolford led Deseret forces in an invasion of the "Four Corners" area on May 30. Deseret forces finally encountered the Hopi-Navajo military near Framingham on June 20 fighting one of the bloodiest battles fought during the war. Due to the extremely high casualties suffered by both sides Wolford orders a retreat while the Hopi-Navajo forces decide not to pursue. By the end of the summer Deseret forces had regrouped and drove off a major Hopi-Navajo raid from September 15-17 before winter set in.
In March of 2021 Deseret again successfully defeated another raid by the Hopi-Navajo Alliance however as the months continued neither side was able to gain any significant ground. Hoping to outflank the Hopi-Navajo Alliance with a surprise attack in an attempt to break the stalemate Wolford decided to lead his forces through the eastern route bypassing the "Four Corners" area however Deseret forces were met by the Hopi-Navajo Alliance at the Battle of Durango on June 23. The second major battle of the war resulted in a Deseret victory however, once again due to extremely high casualties, Wolford's forces were forced to retreat. The ensuing pursuit by the Hopi-Navajo Alliance lost much of the ground gained by Deseret and suffered severe damage in the resulting raids by the Hopi-Navajo Alliance during August 24-September 3. Faced with the possibility of a long and drawn out conflict Wolford decided to negotiate with the Hopi-Navajo Alliance and on March 21, 2022 officially signed a peace treaty agreeing to pay $50,000 for the next 10 years.
With the Hopi-Navajo Alliance paid off Wolford turned his attentions toward the growing UKA to the west. It has been speculated that Wolford had resented, what he viewed as encouragement on the part on the UKA, in its lack of expected support against Deseret's war against the Hopi-Navajo Alliance. However it is generally accepted Wolford's unrealistic territorial ambitions as the major factor in Deseret's attack against the UKA. For the next three years Deseret prepared for a major invasion of the UKA and on August 11, 2026 Wolford launched an attack on western Oregon. However, with the recent tensions between Deseret and the UKA, Prime Minister Shawn Cromett had stationed troops in the region in the area and as Deseret forces advanced into western Oregon UKA forces under Marshall Joseph Pratt and Maj. Gen. Darryl Kilroy were able to plan a counter offensive halting the Army of Deseret at the Battle of Boise (August 23-25) and later driving Deseret forces back into Deseret. Deseret forces were pursued by the two armies into Deseret occupied southern Idaho and, despite valiant fighting seen by the Army of Deseret its officers were largely ineffective and in many cases incompetent, were defeated in several decisive battles breaking up much of the Deseret army the most serious engagement being the Battle of Boxtel Creek (September 2) as the Mormon 5th Div. was forced to surrender however the Deseret army narrowly escaped capture as the entire Mormon 2nd Div. under Gen. Henry Nihsen, known as "Nihsen’s Last Stand", was completely annihilated while supporting the Deseret retreat. By mid September UKA forces had reached the Mormon capital of Ogden and during September 17-18, despite initial success by Mormon defenders, a combined attack by the UKA Guards Brigade and Royal Marine Commando Brigade managed to break the cities defenses and after fierce resistance from the Mormon defenders finally managed to capture the city forcing the surviving Mormons to flee to the "Great Redoubt" a Deseret stronghold in the Wasatch Mts. long thought to be virtually impregnable. UKA forces, now under the direct command of King Josh, quickly surrounded the "Great Redoubt" and ordered the firing of pre-1985 binary nerve gas against the redoubt resulting in the deaths of thousands of soldiers and civilians alike including Deseret President Kevin Wolford among the dead. With the defenders incapacitated the Royal Marine Commando Brigade were easily able to take the main complex capturing its food stocks and records. With this devastating defeat the Deseret leaders formerly surrendered to the UKA shortly after. Several days later Eugene Duane Wayne was elected leader of the Deseret government and would continue to collaborate with the UKA until his death in 2040. The rise of Jeffery W. Carr as Deseret President however has recently seen a more aggressive policy as he has stated his opposition to UKA occupation.
November 10
Ezra Taft Benson is elected President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
February 27
Ezra Taft Benson, President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints declares the former state of Utah the holy Mormon State of Deseret. Strong pressure is put on the remaining gentile population of the area to convert or emigrate. Those who choose to emigrate fall prey in large numbers to bandit and biker gangs. Benson sends word to all surviving Mormons worldwide to congregate in Deseret.
May 30
President and Prophet Ezra Taft Benson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints dies.
June 4
Orrin James McClelland is elected President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. McClelland favors a more militant church, based on that of Brigham Young in the early days .
May 6
Mormon President and Prophet Orrin James McClelland orders the Army of Deseret to invade southern Idaho. Mormon troops capture the area in a three-week campaign.
October 1
Mormon President and Prophet Orrin James McClelland orders the Army of Deseret to invade the lands of the Navajo Nation.
November 9
The Army of Desert is all but destroyed by the combined warriors of the Navajo and Hopi nations in the Battle of Shiprock.
April 22
The Mormons sign a peace treaty with the Hopi-Navajo Alliance.
August 23
An army of allied biker gangs invades the Mormon nation of Deseret. They fight their way over the Wasatch Range and enter the valley of the Great Salt Lake, killing, burning and enslaving as they go.
August 28
A hastily assembled Mormon army is savagely crushed near Ogden. After the battle, the bikers split up into small bands. .
September 2
Mormon President and Prophet Orrin James McClelland assembles his scattered followers and defeats three of the largest marauding biker bands in succession. Laden with plunder and slaves the biker bands begin retreating to the East, satisfied with their success.
September 28
Mormon President and Prophet Orrin James McClelland has a revelation that every male Mormon must become an armed soldier of the faith. Mormon culture begins a period of militarization that will continue until its conquest by the UKA.
January 11
President and Prophet Orrin James McClelland of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints dies.
January 16
Bryan Kevin Wolford is elected President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. President and Prophet Bryan Kevin Wolford of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
May 16
Determined to repeat their success of five years earlier, a biker army invades the Mormon state of Deseret through Lolo Pass from Montana. Some of the bands come from as far away as Arkansas and Missouri.
May 20-23
The Mormon Army of Idaho stops the biker invasion in a battle at Idaho Falls. While not decisively beaten, the bikers split up into many small bands and plague Deseret for the rest of the summer.
May 2
Patrick Dolphin marries Margaret Thompson in Declo, Deseret.
May 30
President and Prophet Bryan Kevin Wolford of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints leads a second invasion of the Four Corners area.
June 20
The Mormon Army fights a savage, but inconclusive battle against the Navajo-Hopi alliance near Farmington. Wolford orders a retreat. While his men suffer terribly, most survive to return to friendly territory. He vows to continue the war to the bitter end.
September 17-23
A large Navajo raid into southern Deseret is contained.
March 8-21
A large Navajo raid into southern Deseret is contained.
June 9
The Army of Deseret launches another invasion of the Four Corners, trying an eastern invasion route through Moab and then toward Mesa Verde.
July 23
Battle of Durango. The brave, but poorly led, Mormon army wins a Pyrrhic victory and is forced to retreat back to its home territory after taking excessive losses. The Indian warriors follow the retreating army, picking off stragglers.
August 24-September 3
A series of major Navajo raids into southern Deseret are eventually repulsed after doing severe damage.
March 21
President and Prophet Bryan Kevin Wolford of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints signs a peace with the Navajo-Hopi Alliance, ending the Second Navajo War. The Mormons are required to pay a $50,000 a year subsidy to the Indians for the next ten years.
January 5-19
President and Prophet Bryan Kevin Wolford of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints holds a secret LDS strategy meeting that decides to expand to the west into the UKA rather than continue trying to conquer the Navajo and Hopi. A major missionary effort will be directed towards the Portlanders to create a fifth column, to be followed by direct conquest and conversion when the Army of Deseret is ready.
August 11
President and Prophet Bryan Kevin Wolford of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints orders the conquest of Western Oregon from the U.K.A. Due to growing tensions, King Patrick has had large numbers of UKA troops mustered in the Hermiston area, so when word of the invasion reaches Marshal Joseph Pratt, a major counter offensive is launched against the invaders.
August 23 -25
The Battle of Boise. Major General Darryl Kilroy's Cavalry Division ambushes the lead wing of the Deseret Army and breaks it up, halting the Mormon advance. Poor leadership on the part of the mostly inexperienced Mormon officers negates the bravery of their men. While not routed, the Mormons fall back on the center column to regroup.
August 28
Pratt's hard marching columns contact the Deseret Army at Fox’s Hill. Launching an all out assault, Pratt’s men turn the Mormon flank and force a withdrawal. The Mormon soldiers again fight bravely and stubbornly, taking excessive losses due to the incompetence of their leadership.
September 2
Battle of Boxtel Creek. Kilroy's Cavalry Division cuts off the Mormon rear guard and traps it against Pratt’s leading units. After over fifty percent of the Mormon 5th Division under Maj. General Daniel Wright is dead or wounded, it surrenders.
September 2
Nihsen’s Last Stand. Mormon General Henry Nihsen and his 2nd Division are sacrificed to buy time for the rest of the Army of Deseret to escape.
September 17-18
The Battle of Ogden. Every available Mormon soldier is assembled in the defenses of Ogden. In the first day’s fighting, an assault on the Mormon trenches is bloodily repulsed. Marshal Pratt, now joined by King Josh, orders another attack the next morning, spearheaded by the Guards Brigade and the Royal Marine Commando Brigade, which breaks through into the Mormon capital city. Piecemeal, ill-coordinated counterattacks cost many Mormon soldiers their lives and by the evening of the second day, the Mormons are in full retreat.
September 26
The Mormon Army flees to its Great Redoubt in the Wasatch Mountains. Finding no other practical solution to its capture save for a long, costly siege, King Josh orders old binary nerve gas shells to be fired at the Mormon positions. Tens of thousands of Mormons, many of them civilians, are killed. The Royal Marine Commando Brigade storms into the Great Redoubt, capturing the Mormon’s food stocks and records. Utterly demoralized, the surviving Mormon leadership surrenders. President and Prophet Bryan Kevin Wolford is among the dead. The UKA annexes Deseret.
October 1
Eugene Duane Wayne is elected President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Wayne is the head of the collaborationist wing of the LDS leadership.
May 18
President and Prophet Eugene Duane Wayne of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints dies.
May 24
Jeffrey W. Carr is elected President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He promises to conduct a more confrontational policy to the UKA than his predecessor.
The population of the province was 216,201 in 2045.
Rocky Mountains: Running north to south through the United States, the Rocky Mountians are an imposing presence in many of the western states. In Utah, two ranges of the Rockies extend through the northeast corner of the state; the Uinta Range and the Wasatch Range.
The Uinta Range extends from Colorado in the east almost all of the way to Salt Lake City in north central Utah. It is the only range of the Rocky Mountains that runs east and west. Lakes and flat-bottomed canyons, formed by glacial activity, are interspersed with mountains that reach over 13,000 feet above sea level. Kings Peak, the highest point (13,528 feet above sea level) in Utah, is found in the Uinta Range.
The Wasatch Range stretches from Mount Nebo in north central Utah northward into Idaho. On the west, the mountains range from 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level.
Basin and Ridge Region: One of the driest areas of the United States, the Basin and Ridge Region covers parts of several states, including Utah. The Basin and Ridge Region of Utah, which spreads over the western part of the state, is covered by small mountains and basins except on the east and west edges where the mountains are higher. Great Salt Lake is located in the northeastern corner of the Basin and Ridge Region with the Great Salt Lake Desert to the west and southwest of the lake. About 4,000 acres of hard flat salt beds are found in the center of the Great Salt Lake Desert; Bonneville Salt Flats. The Bonneville Salt Flats are named after the ancient sea that covered the area, Lake Bonneville.
Colorado Plateau: The Colorado Plateau covers most of the southern and eastern areas of Utah. The area is characterized by broad high country cut by deep canyons and valleys. The western part of the region is comprised of high plateaus such as Aquarius, Fish Lake, and Markagunt. These plateaus are more than 11,000 feet above sea level. Famous Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks Canyon, and Zion Canyon are found in the Colorado Plateau area. The Colorado River passes through Utah in the east with the Henry Mountains on the west banks of the river and the Abajo and La Sal mountains to the east of the river.