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September 11th, 1857, was the 'last' day of the Mountain Meadows Massacre;
A Horrible incident which occurred in SW Utah territory, wherein about 110 men, women, & children were Murdered 'IN COLD BLOOD' by members of the Iron County Militia, which was a successor of the Nauvoo Legion. The leadership of the Iron County Militia was 1 to 1 with the local LDS stake. The victims were in a wagon train of people intending to move to California, they were well-to-do, and had a large herd of Prime cattle with them that they intended to sell in California. They had a wealth of wagons & carriages. They started their journey in Arkansas, not Missouri as was later said.
this was at a time when tensions between the Mormons and 'Gentiles' was at a fever pitch; it was rumored (correct) that Pres. Buchanan had dispatched an army to take control of Utah away from Brigham Young. Someone later started a rumor that the victims had inflamed the Mormons by claiming that they (travelers) were the individuals responsible for the murder of Joseph Smith/Parley Pratt that they possessed with them the pistol that killed joseph, and brandished it as they passed through Mormon settlements.
Various theories have sprung up as to Why. It has been theorized that the travelers (on a well-established road to California) inflamed the Mormons. It is established that BY issued an edict Not to trade with the emigrants-travelers; Will Bagley says that some saints were punished for violating this instruction.
At the dedication of a monument at the site, GBH said: (paraphrase) 'We will never know what happened here' ... Well, HE might not know, but most of the others there did. You see, Denial & Obfuscation have been the LDS way of dealing with the MMM (and other negative-controversial happenings) ever since it happened.
I find it amazing that this incident has been whitewashed from the history books; it was blamed on the local Indians, who were involved as aides to the Mormons, who had planned the event a few days prior to 9/11/1857. A LDS history book, used at church colleges, attempted to place the blame on the emigrants-travelers. Over the years, this incident has become the prototype for the way LDS leaders handle negative and/or controversial events-incidents.
“Amazingly’, only one person was tried & executed for responsibility for the MMM, John Doyle Lee. Mormons were told that he was the only person responsible, which, of course, was nothing short of Preposterous; later examination of the victims revealed they had all been killed by small arms, at close range. Those down to the age of four were killed so there would be no survivors who could be reliable witnesses. About 15 infants were later returned to surviving relatives in Arkansas.
Many people graduate from Utah public schools, LDS seminaries & colleges and NEVER hear of it, because of the lessons it gives us: When bad, violent plans are made against others, Someone should say NO.
This, of course, is antithetical to the main message of Mormonism: 'Follow the prophet', defer to authority, don't ask questions, ‘stay in your place'.
for more info: Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks.
Long may her memory live in the lives of people who Love the Truth.
Blood of the Prophets by Will Bagley
http://www.mtn-meadows-assoc.com/
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_Massacre
American Massacre: the Tragedy at Mountain Meadows by Sally Denton
A Horrible incident which occurred in SW Utah territory, wherein about 110 men, women, & children were Murdered 'IN COLD BLOOD' by members of the Iron County Militia, which was a successor of the Nauvoo Legion. The leadership of the Iron County Militia was 1 to 1 with the local LDS stake. The victims were in a wagon train of people intending to move to California, they were well-to-do, and had a large herd of Prime cattle with them that they intended to sell in California. They had a wealth of wagons & carriages. They started their journey in Arkansas, not Missouri as was later said.
this was at a time when tensions between the Mormons and 'Gentiles' was at a fever pitch; it was rumored (correct) that Pres. Buchanan had dispatched an army to take control of Utah away from Brigham Young. Someone later started a rumor that the victims had inflamed the Mormons by claiming that they (travelers) were the individuals responsible for the murder of Joseph Smith/Parley Pratt that they possessed with them the pistol that killed joseph, and brandished it as they passed through Mormon settlements.
Various theories have sprung up as to Why. It has been theorized that the travelers (on a well-established road to California) inflamed the Mormons. It is established that BY issued an edict Not to trade with the emigrants-travelers; Will Bagley says that some saints were punished for violating this instruction.
At the dedication of a monument at the site, GBH said: (paraphrase) 'We will never know what happened here' ... Well, HE might not know, but most of the others there did. You see, Denial & Obfuscation have been the LDS way of dealing with the MMM (and other negative-controversial happenings) ever since it happened.
I find it amazing that this incident has been whitewashed from the history books; it was blamed on the local Indians, who were involved as aides to the Mormons, who had planned the event a few days prior to 9/11/1857. A LDS history book, used at church colleges, attempted to place the blame on the emigrants-travelers. Over the years, this incident has become the prototype for the way LDS leaders handle negative and/or controversial events-incidents.
“Amazingly’, only one person was tried & executed for responsibility for the MMM, John Doyle Lee. Mormons were told that he was the only person responsible, which, of course, was nothing short of Preposterous; later examination of the victims revealed they had all been killed by small arms, at close range. Those down to the age of four were killed so there would be no survivors who could be reliable witnesses. About 15 infants were later returned to surviving relatives in Arkansas.
Many people graduate from Utah public schools, LDS seminaries & colleges and NEVER hear of it, because of the lessons it gives us: When bad, violent plans are made against others, Someone should say NO.
This, of course, is antithetical to the main message of Mormonism: 'Follow the prophet', defer to authority, don't ask questions, ‘stay in your place'.
for more info: Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks.
Long may her memory live in the lives of people who Love the Truth.
Blood of the Prophets by Will Bagley
http://www.mtn-meadows-assoc.com/
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_Massacre
American Massacre: the Tragedy at Mountain Meadows by Sally Denton
Well, I am a REALLY BIG sinner. I don't submit so easily. 
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