Mountain Meadows Massacre
In attempting to discredit both the members and leaders of the Mormon Church, critics and opponents frequently refer to a tragic, isolated incident in the history of Mormonism which they claim proves that Mormons are violent and ready to kill any who oppose them. This incident, the Mountain Meadows Massacre occurred in early September, 1857 in Southern Utah. Contrary to the sensationalist and angry words that have been thrown at the Mormon Church and at Brigham Young, second Prophet and President of the Church in particular, this heartbreaking massacre of a wagon train had little to do with Mormonism or even with religion. Instead, it was the tragic and inexcusable act by a handful of frightened settlers who believed, right or wrong, that their lives were danger. They acted independently and rashly, but sadly their deeds remain in our memories.
To understand why this massacre happened, a little background is necessary. The Mormon Church was founded in 1830 in upper state New York, but persecution drove them to Ohio and then to Missouri. Much of this persecution centered on Joseph Smith, the Prophet and founder of the Church, because of his claims to revelation and visions. Mormons also tended to be communal and work closely with one another, which worried their neighbors who fear Mormon political and economic dominance. In the late 1830s, the Mormon Church was severely persecuted in Missouri and thousands of its members were driven from their homes by mobs or massacred. Eventually the surviving members fled to Illinois where for some time they had peace, but the same problems arose. In 1844, Joseph Smith was murdered by a mob and in February 1846, the Mormons were expelled from Illinois. Brigham Young, successor to Joseph Smith, led the Mormons out west to Utah, where they established their own cities and hoped to be free of mob violence and interference and for approximately ten years they were.
By 1857, only 27 years after its founding, the Mormon Church had over 55,000 members, many, if not most, living in Utah. In 1852, the Church had announced its practice of polygamy, or plural marriage as they called it, which caused further tensions with the U.S. Government. In 1850, U.S. President Millard Fillmore had appointed Brigham Young as territorial Governor. The federal government also appointed many officials in the territorial government. Some of these federal appointees clashed with the Mormons and other officials in the territory. They returned to Washington and told U.S. President James Buchanan that the Mormons were rebelling against the United States, a rebellion that turned out to be totally false. The new president immediately cut off all communication to Utah and appointed a new governor, Alfred Cumming, without informing Brigham Young. He also ordered federal troops to escort Cumming. When Mormons and other travelers crossing the Great Plains to Utah reported the rumors about this army, the Mormons in Utah, unsure as to its purpose, prepared for the worst. Many of those living in Utah had vivid memories of being driven by mobs and armies in Missouri and Illinois and determined that this time they would not go. This mostly bloodless conflict became known as the Utah War. News of this army’s approach arrived in late July, 1857 and in August that year the Baker-Fancher wagon train entered Utah on their way to California.
The Baker-Fancher train consisted of approximately 120 emigrants from Arkansas and Missouri. At first they camped just outside Salt Lake City. They marched south through Utah. At first there were no problems, but farther south Mormons started reporting comments from the wagon train about how some of them had participated in the Missouri persecutions of the Mormons or how an army was coming to wipe them out. Added to the tensions of the approaching army and the isolation caused by the government cutting off all communications, the incidents with the wagon train, which were really minor, acted like a spark.
In September of 1857, the Baker-Fancher train camped near Cedar City, Utah, in a place called Mountain Meadows. The heightened anxiety brought on by rumors swirling about the train, the advancing federal troops, the drought that many had suffered through for the year, and the memories of violence in Missouri and Illinois all combined in an explosive atmosphere, yet the residents were unclear on what action they should take. Some counseled together, other went as riders to Salt Lake City to ask for advice. Another group, led by John D. Lee met with the local Paiute Indians. While the Mormons in Cedar City decided to wait until word came from Salt Lake City and tempers could mellow, Lee arrived at Mountain Meadows with a band of Indians. It is unknown why or by whom the first shot was fired on September 7, but at any rate, the battle began. During the attack the Baker-Fancher train sent men to Cedar City to ask for help against the Indians, but unfortunately some unknown white men attacked them and forced them to return. The Mormons in the area were hysterical and worried that if the Baker-Fancher party made it to California, they would send back an army to attack the Mormon settlements. So, on September 11, 1857, the John D. Lee and several other men massacred the remaining adults in the wagon train. Only seventeen children under the age of eight survived. Riders from Salt Lake City rushed to the scene to tell the locals not to interfere with the wagon trains, unfortunately the riders arrived on September 13, two days too late.
Brigham Young and the rest of the Mormons in Utah up north were too concerned with the approaching army to deal with the massacre. Ultimately the army marched peacefully in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young stepped down as governor and Alfred Cumming took over. When President Buchanan learned that there had been no rebellion, he issued a general pardon to the citizens of Utah, which Cumming interpreted to include the massacre. Local Mormons distrusted the Federal Government and so would cooperate with any attempts to investigate the matter. Finally, the Mormon Church excommunicated those shown to have been involved and in 1877, John D. Lee was executed for his part in the massacre. Other attempts to bring the other leaders to justice failed for lack of evidence.
Critics of Mormonism try to claim that Brigham Young ordered the massacre or that Mormon doctrine and practice inspired a murderous rage against non-Mormons. However, this can easily be shown false. Mormon doctrine does not teach violence, but follows the teachings of Jesus Christ to turn the other cheek and to love one’s enemies. If anything, these men committed these acts despite being Mormons, not because of it. The Mormons had been driven time and again in Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio without killing their opponents. Moreover, the wagon train and many hundreds of others passed peacefully through Utah during the same time period. This particular incident arose from a tragic series of events. Likely, if no army had been on the march to attack them, the Mormons would likely have permitted the wagon train to pass just as they had all the previous ones.
Every large community is bound to have its troubles and the Mormon Church has never claimed that its message is based on the perfect conduct of its members. In the history of religion, many different groups at various times have acted contrary to the peaceful teachings of most religious founders. One need only look at the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the support of slavery by many southern preachers prior to the U.S. Civil War. Likely no religious community is without such incidents as these, and when studying someone else’s faith, it is important not to compare your best with their worst. Mormons and the Mormon Church condemns the Mountain Meadows Massacre, but also denies attempts to pin its responsibility on the Mormon Church itself which tried, unsuccessfully to stop it.
Excellent Articles about the Mountain Meadows Massacre:
Shining New Light on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, by Gene Sessions
Background on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, from LDS Defense
The website of the Mountain Meadows Association, a joint effort of descendent of both sides to memorialize the tragedy and bring healing