In the 1850s and 1860s Gentiles monopolized the mercantile profession in Salt Lake valley. Conflict arose between the Mormons and anti-Mormon merchants for essentially five reasons: Mormon Church leaders believed merchants charged exorbitant prices, encouraged the coming of Johnston's army, falsely accused them for the "assassination" of two Salt Lake City Gentiles, supported Gentiles who were "jumping" Mormon land claims, and supported an adamantly anti-Mormon newspaper. Church leaders maintained that the motive behind these actions was essentially the destruction of their church; therefore, they levied a boycott against the anti-Mormon merchants in 1866.Because Church leaders felt the coming of the railroad would bring more Gentiles to Utah to fight against the Saints and because the merchants persisted in supporting an anti-Mormon press, Church leaders expanded the boycott in 1868 to include all Gentile merchants.The boycott was effective until Mormon patriotic support for the boycott wained and Gentile prices dropped. The boycott was officially lifted in 1882.

This study is an examination of the contributions made by George A. Smith (1817-1875) to the Mormon society in the Utah Territory. It is an historical exposition and appraisal of his work as a Church leader, colonizer, historian, military leader, and politician.George A. Smith was one of the most distinguished Mormon leaders during Brigham Young's administration as Church President. He played a vital role in aiding the exiled saints living in Iowa to complete the long exodus to Utah. The first colonizing mission to venture south of Utah Valley was led by George A. Smith. He acted as an administrative overseer to the central and southern Utah communities during most of his career in the territory. He assisted in the establishment of new communities in the region and concerned himself with their spiritual well-being as a Church leader, their political and economic growth as a legislator and economist, and their protection as a military leader. The study concludes that probably no man, save Brigham Young himself, made greater contributions as a Mormon colonizer and community builder. It is also maintained in the dissertation, that George A. Smith's achievements as a Mormon historian apparently exceeded that of any other nineteenth century Church member.