Mountain Meadows Massacre
The Mountain Meadows Massacre is one of the most disturbing events in Mormon history. September 11, 1857, in southern Utah, a group of 120 emigrants traveling through Utah were slaughtered by members of the local Mormon militia. The victims were killed after being promised safe passage under a truce. Only a handful of young children were spared. The massacre, carried out by Mormon militia and some Native American allies, was initially blamed entirely on the Native Americans to shield the church and its members from scrutiny.
In the years following the massacre, church leadership consistently denied any prior knowledge or involvement. However, internal communications and testimonies from participants suggest otherwise. Local militia leaders acted with the confidence that they had implicit approval from higher authorities.
When the federal government investigated, the church resisted, framing the inquiry as persecution. This tactic was effective in delaying justice and obscuring the chain of command. The truth eventually came to light, revealing deliberate efforts by high-ranking church officials, including Brigham Young, to obfuscate the events and deflect accountability. John D. Lee, a militia leader and close confidant of Brigham Young, ultimately became the scapegoat for the massacre.
For decades, the church avoided acknowledging its role in the massacre. It wasn’t until 2007, during the 150th anniversary, that the LDS Church formally expressed regret for the event. Even then, the statement fell short of admitting full responsibility, framing the massacre as a result of “tragic misunderstandings and overreactions.” This partial acknowledgment leaves many dissatisfied, as it skirts the systemic issues and leadership failures that enabled the atrocity.