SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Superbowl champion Steve Young
carried the placard for the British Olympic Team during the Opening Ceremonies
of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games signifying a unique link between Utah and
Great Britain.
Steve is the third great grandson of Brigham Young, the Mormon prophet who
led a group of 148 pioneers into the Great Salt Lake Valley on 24 July 1847.
This small group of original colonizers was joined by an estimated
100,000 converts to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from
the British Isles who emigrated to Utah between 1837 and the turn of the
century.
Brigham Young, before he became leader of the Church, was one of the early
Mormon missionaries sent to Great Britain.
Converts from England went on to help found some 350 townships in Western
America -- townships with British names like Wales, Chester, Preston,
Leamington, and Kenilworth.
Brigham Young had a great fondness for British architecture which is
reflected in many of the historic buildings in downtown Salt Lake City
including the world famous Salt Lake Temple and Young's home, "The Lion
House."
Today, only 14 percent of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints live in Utah. Less than half live in the United States.
The British Isles has 180,000 Church members in almost 400 local
congregations. Latter-day Saints in Britain today fondly remember the
contributions of early British converts to the fledgling Church.
Contacts for news media only. Please do not publish.
SOURCE The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
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