according to church belief, god inspired brigham young, (joseph smith's successor as president of the church), to call for the saints (as church members call themselves) to organize and head west, beyond the western frontier of the united states (into what was then mexico, though the u.s. army had already captured santa fe de nuevo méxico and the settled parts of alta california in late 1846). during the winter of 1846–47, latter-day saint leaders in winter quarters and iowa laid plans for the migration of the large number of saints, their equipment, and their livestock. it was here that brigham young first met thomas l. kane, a non-mormon from philadelphia with deep personal connections to the polk administration. kane obtained permission for the mormons to winter on indian territory, and the site was originally called kanesville. brigham young continued to trust kane throughout his own lifetime, particularly as an intermediary with the often hostile federal government. this major undertaking was a significant test of leadership capability and the existing administrative network of the recently restructured church. for his role in the migration, brigham young is sometimes referred to as the "american moses."