Mormon leader 'ordered massacre of settlers'

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 02/27/2002 | Oliver Poole

[Pokey78]

A CONFESSION etched on a newly discovered lead sheet has shaken the Mormon Church by linking its revered leader, Brigham Young, with one of the worst massacres in American history.

The note claims that the founder of Salt Lake City ordered the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre, when a wagon train of 120 settlers, mostly women and children, were killed after they had thrown down their weapons on a promise of safe passage.

The Church of the Latter-Day Saints, as Mormons are properly known, first tried to blame Indians for the slaughter but after huge pressure from the federal government, John D Lee, a militiaman who was Young's adopted son, was tried and executed 20 years later for organising the attack.

The Church has always maintained that the militia acted alone, despite persistent claims that documents incriminating its leaders were burned at the end of the 19th century. Schoolbooks in Utah do not mention the incident and it has been airbrushed out of the religion's official history.

The lead sheet is the first evidence to directly link the killings to Young, who is considered a modern-day prophet by Mormons after he led them on their trek across America to found the city at Salt Lake.

It was found during restoration work on the debris of Lee's Fort, the citadel at which Lee's militia forces were based on the Colorado River, under several inches of dirt and rat droppings in the main chamber.

It is signed by Lee, who had 19 wives and 64 children, and claims to be written "by my own hand", 15 years after the events it describes.

Filled with misspellings, grammatical errors and halted sentences, it says: "I do not fear athorty for the time is closing and am willing to take the blame for Fancher."

The wagon convoy was known as the Fancher party, after Alexander Fancher, who led it.

It continues: "Col Dane, Maj Higby and me - on orders from Pres Young thro Geo Smith took part - I trust in God - I have no fear - Death hold no terror."

The massacre occurred amid a climate of war hysteria as Utah's Mormons prepared for an invasion by federal troops, who had been dispatched to suppress the theocracy established in the region a decade earlier.

As the settlers' convoy entered the state en route from Arkansas to California, rumours spread that it contained men who had killed a Mormon leader and church leaders vowed vengeance.

After a five-day siege the Mormon militia sent in a party under a flag of truce and promised safe passage. When the "gentiles" left their encampment all but the youngest children were killed.

Historians were yesterday clamouring to examine the sheet, and tests were being conducted to determine where the lead was mined in an attempt to date it.

The possibilities of a forgery or a false claim by Lee have not been ruled out, but experts said that at the time that it was not unusual for people who wanted to preserve a record to etch it on lead.

Scott Fancher, a lawyer in Harrison, Arkansas, who is president of the Mountain Meadows Monument Foundation and a descendant of Alexander Fancher, welcomed the discovery as a significant step in forcing the Church to face up to the reality of its past behaviour. He said he had long believed that Young sanctioned the massacre as a demonstration to federal authorities that only he could control the Paiute Indians who supposedly took part in the attack.

"The only thing that surprises me is that it's taken this long to find the letter, not the admission of guilt or that Lee pointed the blame at Young," he said.

In Salt Lake City, Mormon leaders insisted that further checks had to be conducted on the authenticity of the note before it could be accepted as a historical document.

Dale Bills, a Mormon spokesman, insisted that Young did not order the killings although "some members of the faith acted independently at Mountain Meadows ".

In 1999 work to restore a memorial at the settlers' burial site turned up bones and forensic tests showed many in the group had been shot and not bludgeoned to death by the Indians, who had no guns.

[RichardW]

Hmmmm, I thought this was already well known.

[lodwick]

Damm, Pokey. You are the man. Thanks. (Where do you get all this stuff?)

[maro]

bump

[william clark]

This actually isn't the first time it's been alleged that Young gave the order. One of the area tribal chiefs in an after-the-fact interview said that he'd received a note from Young urging the tribe to cooperate in the slaying of the Fancher train. Given that the note has never surfaced, his account has understandably been given minimal weight. More troubling to those wishing to absolve Young is the overall atmosphere of Utah at the time, over which Young had absolute authority, and the relationship of John Lee to Young. Aside from his leadership position in the Danites, Lee had even been sealed to Young as an adopted son. The close personal and official relationship they shared makes it difficult to argue that Lee acted without Young's tacit approval.

[nofriendofbills]

I'm not a Mormon but to be fair this doesn't prove that Young ordered the massacre. This sounds like an early version of the; "We were just following orders" excuse.

[Physicist]

I'm surprised that this didn't come out just before the Olympic games.

[nmh]

Well for once this isn't a reflection on Christianity since they don't follow the teachings of Jesus but instead this other guy Smith who is also not a Christian.

[alcuin]

The past of ALL religions will spoil the view . .

Of the purpose of all religions.

Let us all now remember the injustices of all toward all.

And move on.

[donozark]

The Mormons were burned out of Nauvoo. Run out of Missouri by a governor who threatened them with "extermination" if they did not leave. Almost an Hitlerian pronouncement. Most all religious have violence in their past. Except of course us peace loving Presbyterians! HA!

[randog]

Hmmmmmm.....brings to mind that guy that created phony Mormon historical documents and then set off bombs all over SLC to hide his deeds.

[LibKill]

I'm not Mormon.

Perhaps we could all declare a 200 year Statute of Limitations on blood-guilt.

Just think. In 2065 we could let go of the War of Northern Aggression!

[crystalk]

This is old news. Everyone has known that the Mormons did this for 150 years now. It is doubtful that this admittedly wrongful act, makes them as much sinning as sinned AGAINST, including by the subsequent legal reign of terror in which many men, women, and children perished in an attempt to end polygamy by violence at gunpoint: --

To say nothing of the original murders and persecution that led to their ever having to migrate to Utah in the first place.

[Ciexyz]

There was a made-for-cable TV movie about ten years ago that starred Charlton Heston as Brigham Young and Tom Berenger as a militiaman (a "Danite") concerning the activities of this secret militia. It was basically complementary to the Mormons but it did show that the militia engaged in some excessive behavior (assassinating those who betrayed the faith).

[JRandomFreeper]

Perhaps we could all declare a 200 year Statute of Limitations on blood-guilt.

I think it's called the Jubilee. And it happens every 50 years.

/john

[GuillermoX]

That's the first thing that came to mind when I read it. But, using Mormon logic, there can be no absolute truth, so, who knows what to believe.

[Captain Shady]

The Mormons were burned out of Nauvoo. Run out of Missouri by a governor who threatened them with "extermination" if they did not leave. Almost an Hitlerian pronouncement. Most all religious have violence in their past. Except of course us peace loving Presbyterians! HA!

I can understand this sentiment. The LDS leadership were expecting another round of persecution and genocide. Over-reaction ,although unfortunate ,can be understood when that is weighed in.

[shaggy eel]

ping

[Constitution Day]

Just think. In 2065 we could let go of the War of Northern Aggression!
Let's see... in 2065, if God willing I am still here, I will be 95.

Maybe then I can "let go". Maybe not.

[Captain Shady]

There was a made-for-cable TV movie about ten years ago that starred Charlton Heston as Brigham Young and Tom Berenger as a militiaman (a "Danite)

I saw that movie. Everybody's prophet should be portrayed by Charlton Heston at some time.

[kezekiel]

Nothing new here folks. Move along, now...

[Ranger]

I wonder why he would want to leave a permanent 'lead' record of his orders and actions? Do you think it was to partially absolve himself or be recognized by later Mormon generations as the fall guy for the massacre? Curious.

[Revelation 911]

...and with the UG ping - this thread will be deleted in 3...2...1

Besides, I already posted Maj Careltons report - and it swiftly got yanked

Funny thing is - JimRobs thread admonishing us not to bash was deleted, so how could you possibly know.

BTW - I agree completely with the articles assertions

[chaosagent]

In that case, why do they end every prayer with "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

[coffmg]

It did come out before the Olympics. This story comes out about every six months. Every six months the Red Ragg of the local news paper will come forth with the same thing. The church has always claimed to have taken part. BY. sent a letter to the Bishop, Lee, that stated to let the people go unharmed. For years the same parer will state that BY told the rider not to go very fast to take the letter to the south. The truth is the Lee person knew exactly what BY wanted all along but took the matter in his own hands. The Lee fellow stateed in the court that he alone gave the order to kill. Only the paper tryes every six months to make the story change. l

[joesnuffy]

"Avenging Angel" 1995

[joesnuffy]

Mormons vs Christianity http://www.daveandangel.com/CRN/AreMormonsChristians.html

[GovernmentShrinker]

Actually, if this document is authenticated, it would tned to indicate that we will never know for sure whether or not Young ordered the massacre. The writer says he took part "on orders from Pres Young thro Geo Smith", indicating that those who participated were relying on what George Smith said, and had no first hand knowledge of what Young may have wanted.

[AppyPappy]

Everyone has known that the Mormons did this for 150 years now.

First I heard of it. The event is not as troubling as the coverup.

[Illbay]

Uh-huh. And the Salamander Letter was genuine, too.

[blam]

"Hmmmm, I thought this was already well known."

Me too.

[IronJack]

This has been aired repeatedly on the History Channel. It's not exactly breaking news. But it strikes me that it's an attempt to resurrect some stale tragedy in order to discredit the Mormon Church.

[Illbay]

The Church of the Latter-Day Saints, as Mormons are properly known, ...

They have never been "properly known" by any such name. The proper name is "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," which is common knowledge. I have no idea whose press releases they're just reprinting with no editing, but this is obviously a put-up job.

[Illbay]

But, using Mormon logic, there can be no absolute truth, so, who knows what to believe.

That's an interesting statement, given that we consider that we HAVE "absolute truth." I wonder where you got such a preposterous idea.

[texson66]

Find out at What are the differences between Mormonism and Christianity?

[GuillermoX]

Obviously you're not too familiar with Mormon doctrine. Any Prophet can have a "revelation" of new doctrine. And a living Prophet carries more weight than a dead Prophet. Let's see if you can follow the logic to its ultimate conclusion. If you can't, I'll s-p-e-l-l it out slowly for you.

[sabe@q.com]

I'd be interested to hear your theory.

[Illbay]

Been a Mormon for thirty-six years.

You do not understand the role or function of a prophet, so naturally you are clueless.

Hope you find your way through the darkness.

[sabe@q.com]

Don't prophets speak for God?

[jackbill]

Hmmmm, I thought this was already well known.

Me too.

I've done some reading about the Mormons and The Church of Scientology and I'm having trouble discerning the difference. Can anyone help?

[gcruse]

 a newly discovered lead sheet

Lead sheets, golden plates...I think
Mormons confuse antiPaper with antiPapist! ;)

[sabe@q.com]

I thought it was brass plates?

[GuillermoX]

You certainly don't act like one.

Are you saying that a Prophet can't receive a new "revelation"? Just which doctrines are not allowed to be changed by the current Prophet? Prior to the late 70's, blacks were not allowed into the Priesthood. Was this a truth back then, and if it was, was it absolute?

Like I said before, all truth is relative to a Mormon, as ALL doctrine is SUBJECT TO CHANGE by the current church Prophet.

[yooper]

The fact that these people were handling lead explains a whole lot to me.....

[jackbill]

The event is not as troubling as the coverup.

The "event" was not troubling?

a wagon train of 120 settlers, mostly women and children, were killed after they had thrown down their weapons on a promise of safe passage.

How many would it take to make it "troubling"?

[Illbay]

Yes, when they are speaking as such. But prophets are men, as well.

And the notion that God never "changes" the things He pronounces through His prophets is ridiculous. If that were so we would still be observing blood sacrifice and isolating women during their menstrual periods.

[Illbay]

Are you saying that a Prophet can't receive a new "revelation"?

Of course they can. And new revelations were received by ancient prophets as well. What's your point?

You seem to infer that "doctrine" has changed. It has not.

[terycarl]

you've got to be kidding....if they hadn't migrated to Utah, who would use that big church that is there....and that choir, .....perhaps the apache tabernacle choir????