“...they thumbed their noses at the US gov’t and started their own country...”
What’s the difference between thumbing your nose at someone and telling them to ‘go to hell’? I guess we agree on that point.
“The US GOV’t was oppressive for taking a moral stand?”
No, the U.S. government was oppressive in trying to legislate one’s chosen religion, whether they agreed with it or not. Perhaps it is you that is not a “conservative” if you choose to alter our Constitution to fit your agenda?
That “Freedom of Religion” thing always gets in the way, doesn’t it?
Try reading the article I posted and then tell me that those men (and women) didn’t have the grit that so many these days lack?
Yep, Young's mormon did both.
No, the U.S. government was oppressive in trying to legislate one’s chosen religion, whether they agreed with it or not.
Bzzzzzt, panny, dude, the law of the land was clear, and Young chased out the duly appointed representatives of the US gov't from his theocratic "deseret" kingdom - inspite of the fact it was US territory (and Mexican before that). As for 'legislating' - wasn't one of the articles of faith to obey the laws of the government - guess that didn't apply to bigamy and polygamy eh?
Look around - are animal sacrifices sanctioned? NOPE. Lots of religious practices are prohibited - but mormonism is still allowed - fancy that. Must be that discord with wanting to follow the law of the land eh?