Irrigation

Under Young’s leadership, the settlers built irrigation systems carrying water from streams to their fields. Cooperation therefore had a practical purpose: shared labour helped turn an unpromising environment into a functioning agricultural settlement. Later Mormon settlements supplied resources to Salt Lake City and included people with different useful skills.

The Mormons built irrigation systems carrying water from streams to their fields. This made crop production possible and required cooperation to build and maintain the channels.

The Mormons built irrigation channels to bring fresh water from streams to their fields. This made cultivation possible and required organised labour to build and maintain the system. Young’s authority mattered because followers regarded him as God’s prophet and were willing to carry out his instructions.