Deseret

Deseret was a proposed territory in the western United States, envisioned by Mormon pioneers in the 19th century. The term means "honeybee" in the Book of Mormon and symbolized industry and community effort. Although the U.S. government never officially recognized Deseret as a territory, the settlers aimed to establish a self-governing Mormon society across parts of present-day Utah, Nevada, and surrounding areas. The name was later used for the Deseret News newspaper and the University of Utah’s initial name. Today, Deseret remains a historical and cultural reference linked to the Mormon community’s early westward expansion and settlement efforts.