Why were the Mormons successful in establishing a communitarian settlement in the West?
The Mormon Church (a.k.a Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints) was founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith after a vision that he had that had told him that the Christian Churches were following Doctrines incorrectly. He had wrote his plan in the book of Mormon, which is told his followers to get ready for the second coming of Christ and organize themselves like early Christian Churches with apostles, prophets, teachers, and evangelists. Mormons practiced a missionary religion, and had promised to spread faith throughout the land. But because the practiced polygamy (promoted by Joseph Smith), Mormons were persecuted. A group of settlers led by a man named Brigham Young made their way to the territory of Utah. They developed a new method of farming, and turned the desert into a thriving community. When they tried statehood, the outrage against polygamy resulted in a renewed persecution. After all of the terrible conflict, Mormons renounced polygamy in 1890.
One could argue that the Mormon's belief in polygamy was not a big issue if they weren't bothering others. Would it have harmed anyone? The belief was not right, but it also didn't affect the others living around the area. How do you think the Mormons felt? They were probably all up and excited because of their new religion, and were looking forward to a new home. Being harassed time after time after time wasn't fun, and probably hurt. And in the end, they renounced it. The Mormons had renounced a part of their own religion so they could find a place to stay.