Salt Lake City is the capital of the U.S. state of Utah, with a population about of 190,000. The city was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young, and other followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) who were seeking to escape religious persecution. Due to its proximity to the Great Salt Lake, the city was originally named "Great Salt Lake City". The city is headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).