Sculpture of Brigham Young at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah(Photo courtesy of the author)

Driving into northern Utah, you notice something different almost immediately. The rural, hilly landscape isn't much different from Idaho's yet. But the humble farmhouses are suddenly newly built mansions. This state's industriousness is apparent from the start.

Utah is called the Beehive State because early Mormon pioneers, led by Brigham Young, who were fleeing persecution in the Midwest used the beehive as a symbol of relentless hard work, community cooperation, and unity toward a common divine purpose. In the harshest desert environment, they would band together to build something beautiful.

Because of its collectivist connotations, I'm not too big on the beehive ...

National Review

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