From 1849-1850 there existed the proposed State of Deseret. It was founded by Mormons, and it spanned in the area of several modern day U.S. States in the Southwest. It was never recognized by the U.S. government, and it also combined theocracy (rule by religion) with democratic elements seen in the United States. The hypothetical state of Deseret ended when the United States took most of the land as the Utah Territory.