The Great Basin area, near the Great Salt Lake. What is now Salt Lake City, Utah.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church) believe that God lead the pioneers to safety in Utah. Each of the hundreds of wagon or handcart groups that came was lead by an experienced trail guide. The first group to arrive in Salt Lake City was lead by Brigham Young, who acted as President of the Church after the murder of Joseph Smith. He had received a vision of the Salt Lake valley, so he knew the right place when he saw it.
When Brigham Young and the first Mormon pioneers arrived in Utah, it was only sparsely inhabited by Native American Tribes. Brigham Young sent groups of Mormons to settle in different parts of the western United States, mostly in what is now Utah, for many reasons (to provide different supplies, to help travelers, and to expand the territory) and those families multiplied, which increased the number of white people and Mormons in Utah.
The Brigham Young Historical Park, just east of the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a park on land that originally was part of Brigham Young's farm. Brigham Young was the second President of that church, and considered a prophet by many, often referred to by Mormons and non-Mormons alike as "The American Moses." Young oversaw the settlement not only of Utah, where he was governor, but of the lands that eventually became Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and much of Southern California. Young's cities are still examples of the early master-planned communities--Salt Lake City being famous for having been originally constructed in the 1850s with six-lane roads and elevator shafts.
About 2000 came to Utah in 1847 with Brigham Young.Entry: 1847: Aug. "Thurs. 26 - '...Between six and seven hundred wagons, with about two thousand souls enter the valley that fall." (LDS Church Chronology 1805-1914, page 34)But the Mormons kept coming and about 70,000 Mormons came to Salt Lake City between 1847 and 1867.
Brigham Young was appointed the first governor of the Utah Territory by President Fillmore in 1850, and served until 1858. The territorial capital of Utah was Fillmore, and it was placed in Millard County. It remains a thriving small town.
Brigham Young was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called the "Mormon" church). He lead the majority of Church members away from persecution in Illinois to settle in Utah.
Brigham Young was a Mormon, so his faith in the mission of Joseph Smith shaped many of his beliefs. He was a very pragmatic and practical man. Most unusually, he believed that plural marriage was closer to God's will for man than monogamous marriage. He had several wives himself and he encouraged all of the Mormons to follow his example.
Loretta Young was not directly related to Brigham Young, the prominent early leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, she was a descendant of Brigham Young through her mother, who was a member of the Young family. Brigham Young's influence extended through many generations, making Young a notable figure in her family history.
Mormons don't generally use the word "epiphany" to describe any religious or spiritual occurrences, they use the term 'revelation' or 'vision'. Brigham Young did have many revelations and visions. One of these is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants as Section 136.
Brigham Young was not an explorer. He was a leader. He lead the Mormon people from Illinois to Utah. He sent many pioneers from Utah to establish colonies in Idaho, Arizona and Alberta. He also sent pioneers to establish colonies in California and Mexico.
Brigham Young lead the Mormon Pioneers from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah. They left February 2, 1846 and arrived July 24, 1847, staying several months in Winter Quarters, Nebraska.