In the eighteen twenties, in the state of New York, a man named Joseph Smith started the Mormon religion.

VOA: special.2009.06.04

The Arizona state senator who sponsored SB1070, Russell Pearce, is also Mormon, which has led to speculation that this is why the Mormon Church has not yet expressed a moral opinion on the matter.

ECONOMIST: Utah's immigration debate

The author of a harsh state law against illegal immigrants in Arizona, passed last year, is a Mormon.

ECONOMIST: Can a Mormon get to the White House?

The Mormon Temple is a Salt Lake City landmark, and the church's influence in the city and across the state remains enormous.

CNN: Mormon church influences alcohol debate in Salt Lake City