Utah, (Yuta) is a native word for the powerful Ute Nation, meaning “the people who live in the tops of the mountains.” The Ute creation story explains how their creator placed them around the high peaks to be close to him. The Mormon pioneers had a similar belief that this area was their promised land.
 
These are some of the elements that make Utah’s history, a unique, often incredible and sometimes tragic tale, full of legend, controversy, pride and prejudice.
 
Join the host, Merlin Olsen, for this fascinating and educational program for the whole family, with noted historians, educators, and special guests, Governor Leavitt, Steve Young, Jake Garn and others.

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Utah was home to many people over the centuries. It’s been ten thousand years since the first native tribes left traces of their passage in unassuming danger cave near Wendover. A thousand years ago the mysterious Anazazi people flourished and then suddenly disappeared, leaving remarkable ruins and few clues. The Spanish came, and European and American trappers walked the stream banks while Mountain Men crossed the valleys, investigating the areas curiosities
 
Of all these residents and visitors, the “Johnny-come-lately” Mormon pioneers brought the most profound changes to Utah. Although still Spanish territory in 1847, Brigham Young declared the area, “the right place” for his followers, and began one of the largest mass migrations in American history. Pioneers poured in from the world over. They came by wagon, handcart, and later by the train, but not without tragedy and conflict. Brother Brigham’s ambitious state of Deseret originally
stretched to the Pacific Ocean. It wasn’t long before the newly organized, (and smaller), Utah Territory was dotted with well organized and loyal Mormon farming communities.
 
The Tops of the Mountains investigates all of this and more, including the contributions of Brigham Young and the faithful pioneers to the building of Utah, the famous 50 year struggle for statehood, the Utah War and conflict with the government, polygamy, and the mining era that proved that Utah’s rich in many ways. With such heritage, beauty, diversity, Utah is indeed a jewel in the crown of America..