The capital and largest city of Utah, in the north-central part of the state near Great Salt Lake. Brigham Young and his followers settled here in 1847, establishing it as the center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Population: 159,936. the capital city of Utah in the western US. It is the centre of the Mormon religion. City (pop., 2000: 181,743), capital of Utah, U.S. Located on the Jordan River, near the southeastern end of Great Salt Lake, it was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young and a group of 148 Mormons as a refuge from religious persecution. It was known as Great Salt Lake City until 1868. It prospered from rail connections to become a hub of western commerce and became the state capital in 1896. The largest city in the state, it lies at an altitude of 4,390 ft (1,338 m). It is a commercial centre for nearby mining operations and has diversified manufacturing industries. It is the headquarters of the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which influences the social, economic, political, and cultural life of the state and region. It is the site of the Mormon Temple and Tabernacle. It was the host city of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games
the capital and largest city of Utah; located near the Great Salt Lake in north central Utah; world capital of the Mormon Church