It seems you have fast-forwarded a tad in your take on Mormon "colonization". I think, in the case of Utah, we can say that Brigham and company "pioneered" a settlement out West beyond the jurisdiction of the United States. They even managed to stave off intervention from outside using violent tactics, such as, Danites (Young's own 'secret service') dressing as Native Americans and attacking wagon trains before the newcomers were "rescued" by Mormons and led to their death (Meadow Mountain Massacre). It wasn't until later when the promise of statehood and the federal subsidy that came with it (if they renounced polygamy)(which brought to bare the progressive revelation that God decided against plural marriage) did the Mormons spread out across the West. And everywhere else. Now Utah enjoys all the perks of being one of the federal colonies known as States.