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Q. Do you know who the President of the USA was when Johnsons army was sent to destroy the temple. I seem to think it was Andrew Johnson, hence Johnsons army, however no body seems so know if this is correct or the year Johnsons army came [to Salt Lake City].

A. In July of 1857, U.S. President James Buchanan sent an army of 2.500 men to Salt Lake City to "restore order and forcibly install a new governor to replace Brigham Young."[1] Apparently, President Buchanan had received biased reports regarding the early Saints from federal officials who had deserted their posts. However, the army was delayed and chose to winter at Fort Bridger, Wyoming, waiting until spring to resume their journey.

In March 1858, upon hearing of the army's threat, Brigham Young ordered the 30,000 Saints residing in the Salt Lake Valley to move South. He also ordered that the foundation of the Salt Lake Temple be completely covered with dirt and then tilled to resemble a freshly plowed field.