©2022 Victor R. Claveau, MJ
After Mormonism’s founder Joseph Smith Jr. was killed on June 27, 1844, an election was held that made Brigham Young the Mormon ruler. Those who voted against him, the new Prophet cursed and cut off, and by a well devised system of rewards and punishments he soon inspired love in the hearts of his friends and adherents and fear in the hearts of his enemies.
Violence has played a great part in the history of the Mormon Church. One incident that has plagued the Mormon Church is the 1857 massacre of a wagon train passing through Utah, laden with gold and 600 head of cattle, and 30 prize horses.
The ”Mountain Meadows massacre” was a series of attacks on the Baker–Fancher emigrant wagon train, at Mountain Meadows in southern Utah. The attacks began on September 7 and culminated on September 11, 1857, resulting in the mass slaughter of most in the emigrant party by members of the Utah Territorial Militia from the Iron County district, together with some Paiute Native Americans. Approximately 140 men, women, and children were slaughtered; only 17 children under the age of eight were spared.
In an autobiography written, while in prison and just before his death, by the only person hanged for the Mountain Meadows massacre, John D. Lee wrote:
“Brigham began his administration with a reign of terror. If any person, whether Saint or Gentile, became obnoxious to him, a word or a sign to the Danites or his secret police was sufficient to seal the fate of the unfortunate offender, who would either be waylaid and murdered or enticed to some lonely place and there executed. If the offending person happened to be so prominent that his death or disappearance would cause inquiry and investigation, he would receive warning from Brigham’s agent that it was no longer healthy for him to remain in that locality, and the warning was sure to be heeded and acted upon, for the power of the new Prophet was soon understood and dreaded by all.
“By this system of murdering and banishing his enemies Brigham soon had his authority firmly established, and his leading men were bound to him forever by the common fear of the penalties of the law if they should be detected or any of their number turned traitor. The Prophet felt so secure in their confidence that one day in counsel he openly dared them to betray him, plainly intimating that they were all in the same category and if he fell they must fall with him.”
(John D. Lee, Mormonism Unveiled or Life & Confession of John D. Lee and Brigham Young, (Albuquerque, New Mexico: Fierra Blanc Publications), 2001. Originally published in 1877., pp. 404-405).