Warren Stone Snow was an early convert to the LDS church who during the Church's first four decades was often involved in defensive roles as Mormonism encountered various conflicts on the American frontier. While he protected the lives of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and defended Illinois Saints from houseburning mobs and took a leading role in the Battle of Nauvoo, his greatest defensive contributions took place after the Mormons settled in Utah. As commander of the Sanpete Military District, he was one of the leading figures in Mormon defensive efforts during the Utah War in 1857 and later as brigadier general in the Nauvoo Legion he was the single most important Mormon military leader during Utah's longest and most intense Indian War, the Black Hawk War of 1865-1867. This thesis is a biography of Snow's life during his protecting years and examines his background and character as well as his motivations and defensive activities.