Category: Mountain Meadows Massacre
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“American Primeval” and the Mountain Meadows Massacre
Netflix’s American Primeval takes a wildly fictional swing at the Utah War, portraying Mormons as bloodthirsty villains in a brutal massacre of a U.S. Army camp that never happened.
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In the Line of Duty: The Mountain Meadows Massacre
“There was a massacre in these hills.…” (Stewart Lee Udall, The Mountain Meadows [1990], from a poem written by Udall, a descendant of John D. Lee, and read at the reinterment of victims bones at Mountain Meadows, September 1999) It was spring of 1857. Promises of a bright future in the west beckoned. A collection…
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Book Review: Massacre at Mountain Meadows
Written by Ronald W. Walker, Richard E. Turley Jr., and Glen M. Leonard The “Mountain Meadows Massacre,” as it has been called, has intrigued historians and laypeople alike for more than a century and a half. The story involves a group of southern emigrants to California on September 11th, 1857 (the original “September 11th”) who,…
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Ballad of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
On September 11, 1857, a Mormon mob perpetrated the Mountain Meadows Massacre, killing 120 travelers in Utah. A ballad by Pete Moore recounts this tragic event, highlighting the betrayal and brutality experienced by the victims.
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Horrific Tragedy in Mormon History
In two days, on October 30, 2013, the 175th anniversary of a very dark day in American history will pass mostly unnoticed. On this date in 1838, 18 men and boys were murdered at Haun’s Mill on the western Missouri frontier. Of the 18 victims, 17 were Mormons – mercilessly shot and killed by a…
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An Account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre as Described by John D. Lee
The testimony of Lee given to his attorney, William W. Bishop that describes the events leading to, and during, the Mountain Meadows massacre of 1857.
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When Regret is Not a Synonym with Apology
Last Tuesday I attended the memorial service commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The day before, I had the pleasure of meeting several of the descendants of the Fancher family in Cedar City. Suffice it to say that the memorial service was a somber occasion. Short speeches were given by both descendants…
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September 11, 1857
A significant date in the history of our nation. A date marking tragedy in the history of many families. A day of mourning 150 years ago. A day of sorrowful remembrance in 2007. The Mountain Meadows Massacre is not pleasant to recall, but it should not be forgotten. There are lessons for all of us…
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The Mormon Church vs. Hollywood
Today the Hollywood movie September Dawn opens in 1000 theaters nationwide. The dramatized portrayal of the Mountain Meadows Massacre–wherein Mormon men massacred 120 emigrants as they peacefully passed through southern Utah in 1857–is unwelcome among Latter-day Saints. The film has been called “controversial” by the news media, but has received stronger condemnation from Latter-day Saints.…
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Obeying Orders at Mountain Meadows: Would You?
Michael Medved’s criticism of the film September Dawn has garnered support from the LDS community, but many argue it overlooks historical complexities of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, questioning the motivations behind its portrayal.
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September Dawn: An American Tragedy Portrayed
The Mountain Meadows Massacre, where around 120 emigrants were killed in 1857, remains a controversial historical event. Current discussions, spurred by the upcoming film “September Dawn,” challenge traditional narratives about church leadership’s involvement in the massacre.
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Mountain Meadows and the Honorable Thing
Two recent Associated Press articles discuss the Mountain Meadows Massacre and its legacy. One article focuses on the controversial John D. Lee statue, while the other examines the film September Dawn, which portrays the event and seeks to confront historical misconceptions about the massacre.
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The LDS Church Calls it a Distortion
The film “September Dawn” depicts the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857, implicating LDS Prophet Brigham Young. The LDS Church condemns the film as a distortion of history, raising concerns over its portrayal and potential impact on their image.
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The Mountain Meadows Massacre
In 1857, tensions escalated between Mormons and the government, culminating in the Mountain Meadows Massacre where local Mormons, fearing federal troops, secretly orchestrated a brutal attack on an emigrant wagon train, resulting in significant fatalities.