The Mormon Republic of Deseret, as it is commonly known, is a landlocked theocratic republic in North America, occupying the former state of Utah. During the North American War, it launched repeated attacks against Pacifica, but was ultimately repelled. With the collapse of the Rocky Mountain Confederation, many counties of the former states of Colorado and Wyoming have sided with their fellow Mormons for protection from warring factions vying for control of the region. The Republic of Deseret still holds claims to lands in the former states of Idaho, Nevada and Arizona.
Government[]
Deseret is ruled by a president who is appointed to a four year term by the Prophet and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. These religious positions are lifetime appointments; the Prophet chooses new replacements to the Quorum of the Twelve and the presiding member of the Quorum of the Twelve becomes the new Prophet upon the death of his predecessor. These leadership positions, with few exceptions, have remained in the hands of Deseret’s leading families since the nation’s inception. The President wields all executive power, but may be vetoed by the Prophet. The Council of the Twelve Apostles writes or approves much of the legislative material before it is voted on by the Council of Deseret, a largely rubber stamp legislative body. Elections, as known in most nations, are banned, and political parties do not exist. The Quorum of the Twelve selects national leaders and a yes/no vote is carried out by all the adult male members of the Republic. Rarely is there a no vote.
Society and Culture[]
Deseret is a theocratic state, with its national laws mirroring those of the Mormon church. Deseret is extremely conservative, both socially and economically. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco are all illegal, with possession being punishable by harsh prison terms and with intent to sell punishable by death. Its economic system is trumpeted as being socialist, although the church itself possesses significant stakes in all of Deseret’s leading corporations and industries. Taxes are paid only in exchange for government services with the church/state earning most of its income from the mandatory 10% tithe. The rights of citizenship can only be conferred to members of the Mormon Church, with all outsiders being considered second class citizens.
Polygamy is legal and possessing multiple wives is seen as a symbol of paramount status. In order to support this practice, families enter into marital alliances with the patriarchs exchanging their daughters and granddaughters with one another in order to obtain the desired number of wives before death. This practice has deprived many young men of the chance of ever marrying particularly if they belong to a disfavored segment of their family. In order to prevent any unrest that this practice may cause, the church promises a wife to anyone who serves in the Nauvoo Legion for 15 years with a second wife being awarded upon completion 20 years of service. It is rumored that these wives are obtained as a form of blood tithe from Deseret’s poorest families.
Military[]
Deseret’s Nauvoo Legion is a surprisingly large military force given the nation's relatively small population. It is well disciplined and equipped with domestically designed and manufactured small arms although most of its more advanced military hardware is imported from elsewhere. The Nauvoo Legion fights using a combination of Great Lakes Confederation armored vehicles, Russian aircraft and Japanese communications equipment.
Consequently Deseret’s advance into Pacifica’s Idaho province suffered immeasurably from a shortfall of replacement parts and constant harassment from Pacifica’s localized air superiority.
Economy[]
Deseret’s economy is largely centered around mining, ranching, and banking. Deseret serves as a tax shelter for dozens of corporations and it is alleged that billions of pounds were laundered into Deseret by the Rocky Mountain Confederation’s senior leadership during the republic’s final years.
Foreign Relations[]
Deseret has poor relations with all of its neighbors, both due the extensive Mormon diaspora which is viewed by many countries as a potential fifth column, and its continued territorial claims in Idaho, Californian Nevada, and Aztlan.