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Mountain Meadows Massacre - Page 4

The Mountain Meadows Massacre was not masterminded by one man, and no the people involved were not tried and convicted. A first trial, with a fully Mormon jury, failed to convict the people responsible for the massacre. The second trial was a sham where Brigham Young had agreed to allow John D. Lee be convicted, and executed, for the massacre. But Lee was not the only person involved in its planning.

The causes of the massacre are many. Primarily, in my opinion, it was because of fear. The federal government had sent troops to Salt Lake City, which after years of violent persecution, terrified the Mormons in the North.

The people in So. Utah knew about this, and also feared a similar invasion from the South, particularly California. Thus, the Fancher party, the victims of the cold-blooded massacre, became something to be feared, regardless that it wasn't true.

Additionally, Brigham had created an atmosphere that led the murderers to believe violence against non-Mormon invaders was acceptable. He DID NOT order the massacre itself, and should not be accused of such. But his words and policies made it possible.

One example is that he sent Church and militia leader George A. Smith on a trip to the south, where he stopped at each settlement and told their church and military leaders to preserve ammunition to prepare for a possible war. His sermons were full of fiery rhetoric that alarmed the Saints, making them angry and fearful. The massacre's perpetrators heard these sermons, and it played a role in their choice to murder the wagon train.

Another factor is Brigham and the Church's leaders had started a religious reformation, because he believed the Saints were becoming soft in their commitment to the Church. Those with weak testimonies were weeded out, and a group fervor took over where everyone was re-baptized, sometimes numerous times. This was an extremely emotional experience, which contributed to the heightened feeling of being threatened.

Finally, there was the factor of anger and revenge for the many, many violent persecutions they had already endured in Missouri and Illinois. While not a doctrine of the Mormon Church today, when Brigham Young was the leader, a doctrine called "blood atonement" was preached from the pulpit. This doctrine had been preached by Joseph that some sins could only be atoned for by spilling the person's blood. This included murder and rape.

But the members of the massacre took the doctrine of "blood atonement" and applied it to the Fancher train members. They felt justified in spilling the adult's blood as the only way to atone for the sins that had been committed against them by mobs in other states.

The Church's historians say Isaac Haight is the person who led the massacre. But over thirty militiamen committed the cold-blooded murders. John D. Lee was one of them, and probably deserved his fate, but it is a travesty he was the only one convicted.

If you look at the situationn in perspective, it is fear, combined with the perpetrators' isolation, a religious reformation, the belief that only blood could atone, and again, fear, that caused the horrific tragedy to occur.

Elphaba

Massacre Meadows Mountain

In the PBS "The Mormons" some historians said that although it is hard to gain facts without debate about the Mountain Meadows Massacre two things are for sure:

1. According to Glen Leonard, an LDS Church Historian, Brigham may have added to the zeal of those who participated in the Massacre either directly or indirectly by his rhetoric against outsiders.

2. There was a cover-up of the Massacre or should I say an attempted cover-up.

Will Bagley felt that Brigham must have ordered the Massacre because nothing happened without his consent.

If it was done without his consent - is there any record of the Church taking action against the 75-100 men who participated in this?

For me it is interesting the date when this happened: September 11th, 1857.

I also want to know, after John D. Lee leads this Massacre did he have any role in the Church?

Mountain Meadows Massacre Studies Doctrine Mormon

Utah wants to make the Mountain Meadows site a US national park: Source 2

Page 4 Massacre Meadows Mountain

I'm not familiar with US national parks but I'm guessing there are guide tours, etc and since this goal has been accomplished as a team by the Church and the relatives of those who died in the MM massacre AND the fact that the Church owns this place, my question is: What is the story that is going to be told with regards to what happened that day? Will they say it was the Indians? Will they say it was LDS members? I'm really curious.

Massacre Meadows Mountain

I don't doubt the church members of the time had major involvement in the Mountain Meadows massacre. I think zealous reached a stage similar to how jihadist think they are doing some right by killing women and children - this was all so wrong.

Mountain Meadows Massacre

Peace and Violence among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints

Although some Saints ignored these threats, other local Church leaders and members in Cedar City, Utah, advocated violence. Isaac C. Haight, a stake president and militia leader, sent John D. Lee, a militia major, to lead an attack on the emigrant company. When the president reported the plan to his council, other leaders objected and requested that he call off the attack and instead send an express rider to Brigham Young in Salt Lake City for guidance. But the men Haight had sent to attack the emigrants carried out their plans before they received the order not to attack. The emigrants fought back, and a siege ensued. Ref. Source 5

Mountain Meadows Massacre - Page 4

I just read the entire article. In one of the parts, the Church statement reads:

I can certainly appreciate the honesty of the statement so we can stop once and for all blaming the Indians entirely for something our Church leaders did.

Having said that, there is VERY important thing I think the Church is lacking in that statement: A public and heartfelt apology. It is way over due and with this new statement acknowledging a deliberate massacre, it is more than needed.