| Name | New Jerusalem |
| Type | Theocratic state |
| Founded | Mid-19th century |
| Founders | Dissident Mormon settlers |
| Location | American West |
| Government | Fundamentalist Christian dictatorship |
| Notable features | Complete government control over civic and private life • Significant political and economic influence in the region • Widespread condemnation from the international community for repression of human rights and religious freedoms |
New Jerusalem is a small, landlocked country located in the western United States, bordered by the states of Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. Officially known as the "Kingdom of New Jerusalem," it functions as a conservative Christian theocracy with a population of just over 1 million people. The country was founded in 1852 by dissident Latter-day Saints (Mormons) who seceded from the United States after facing persecution for their religious practices and beliefs.
The origins of New Jerusalem date back to the 1830s, when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established in New York by Joseph Smith. As the Mormon faith spread westward, its adherents increasingly came into conflict with the secular US government over issues such as polygamy, communal land ownership, and the role of religious law.
In 1846, after the Mountain Meadows massacre and the death of Smith, a faction of Mormons led by Brigham Young decided to break away and establish their own sovereign state. After years of negotiation and armed confrontation, Young's followers were granted permission to settle a remote, arid region of the West in 1851. The following year, they formally seceded from the US and founded the theocratic "Kingdom of Deseret," which was later renamed New Jerusalem.
New Jerusalem is an absolute monarchy ruled by the President-Prophet, who serves as both the head of state and the highest religious authority. The President-Prophet is selected by a council of elders from the Church of New Jerusalem and holds power for life. All laws and policies must be approved by this church council and align with fundamentalist Christian doctrine.
The government tightly controls nearly all aspects of public and private life in New Jerusalem. Citizens are required to attend approved churches, send their children to state-run schools, and obtain permission for travel, work, and other activities. Dissent and non-conformity are harshly punished, with critics of the regime facing imprisonment, exile, or even execution.
New Jerusalem's society is rigidly patriarchal, with women having few rights outside the domestic sphere. Polygamy is widely practiced, and those who do not follow the "true faith" are considered second-class citizens. The country has drawn widespread international condemnation for its human rights abuses, including the persecution of religious and political minorities, restrictions on free speech and the press, and the mistreatment of women and children.
New Jerusalem's economy is largely agricultural, with farming and livestock production accounting for a significant portion of GDP. The country is mostly self-sufficient, with tight controls on imports and exports. Key industries include food processing, textiles, and basic manufacturing.
The government owns or tightly regulates all major businesses, banks, and infrastructure. Private property is limited, with most land and assets belonging to the church or the state. New Jerusalem has also drawn criticism for exploiting the labor of its citizens through a system akin to indentured servitude.
New Jerusalem maintains an isolationist foreign policy, with very limited diplomatic and economic ties to the outside world. It views itself as the one true Christian nation, in opposition to the "Babylonian" secularism of the United States and other Western nations. The country has been the target of international sanctions and aid embargoes due to its human rights record.
Neighboring states, including Utah and Idaho, have at times considered military action against New Jerusalem, fearing the spread of its fundamentalist ideology. However, the regime's possession of nuclear weapons has deterred overt aggression so far. New Jerusalem remains an international pariah, reviled by human rights groups and religious freedom advocates worldwide.
