He said the meeting will take place at the Old Yell Lodge in Carrollton, Ark., where the few children who survived the massacre eventually were returned to relatives and friends years after the killings. An advisory announcing the private meeting among the three groups and LDS officials was sent to Arkansas media organizations by the LDS Church, Fancher said, informing them of a press conference to follow the meeting.

Church representatives also will host a "fireside" meeting Friday night for LDS members in Arkansas, Fancher said, adding he didn't know what the topic for the meeting will be.

Richard Turley is one of three LDS historians who have researched the massacre in depth, and he authored an article in the church's official publication, The Ensign, last year acknowledging that local LDS leaders were responsible for planning and carrying out the massacre.

The authors are scheduled to detail their findings later this year in a book to be titled, "Massacre at Mountain Meadows," published by Oxford University Press.

Fancher said he doesn't know if LDS leaders have talked with any of the Arkansas politicians who have expressed support for national historic landmark designation at Mountain Meadows. "I know the local senator here has not been contacted."

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