Tom Rea pens series on "Wyoming's Mormons"

Wyofile is featuring a series of articles on "Wyoming's Mormons" by Casper writer and historian Tom Rea. Tom's most recent book is "Devil's Gate: Owning the Land, Owning the Story," from University of Oklahoma Press.

Here's some info on the series from Wyofile:

Beginning Monday, Casper journalist/historian Tom Rea looks at the significant role played by Wyoming's large Mormon population in the state's culture, politics and business.

The first part of the three week series on Wyofile.com focuses on Wyoming's beautiful Star Valley, where Mormons migrated in the late 19th Century to avoid arrest under anti-polygamy laws. Rea interviews prominent Mormons and those who have fallen away from the church in a compelling portrait of an LDS stronghold.

Subsequent articles will explore the conflicts between temple and state along the Mormon Trail; the growing LDS population in Laramie and the increasingly powerful political influence of Wyoming's Mormons who count for about 12 percent -- one of nine Wyomingites -- of the state's population.