Pretty much nothing. There were a few smaller Native American tribes in the area, but other than that it was a bare land filled with grass and scrub brush, surrounded by high mountains that are covered in snow year-round.
young wanted to move the Mormons far from hostile neighbors
Yes. Brigham Young lead most of the Mormons to the Great Salt Lake after Joseph Smith was murdered.
Brigham Young was the leader who led Mormons on a trek to Salt Lake.
Brigham Young was the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Later Day Saints by the time the Mormon migration reached Utah. Prior to Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, originator of the LDS led the Mormons until he was killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois, in 1844.The first group of Mormon Pioneers was lead to the Great Salt Lake by Brigham Young. Later groups were lead by experienced trail guides who had traveled with Brigham Young previously.
Brigham Young
Brigham Young
Brigham Young only lead the Mormons to one place, Utah.
The Great Basin area, near the Great Salt Lake. What is now Salt Lake City, Utah.
Brigham Young
Utah
When Brigham Young saw the Great Salt Lake Valley he recognized it as a place he had seen in a dream and concluded that it was the place God intended for His people.
Mormon pioneers.Brigham Young led the caravan of Mormons across the Midwest into the Salt Lake Valley