From Deseret News archives:

LDS link to Cinco de Mayo

Published: Sunday, May 11, 2008 12:46 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Your editorial about Cinco de Mayo (May 4) points out that it is a Mexican holiday of little interest or importance to Americans. Not so. Mormon leader Brigham Young, who brokered a loan for a visiting delegation from Mexican President Benito Juarez from Samuel Brannan (the richest man in California), was responsible for getting Juarez the money to buy the rifles that enabled the Chapultepec cadets to repulse the French invaders, saving Mexican independence when the United States was involved in the Civil War and unable to enforce the Monroe Doctrine.

The story was told to me 20 years ago by a Mexican secondary school principal, well-read in Mexican and Southwestern American history, who — as a longtime member of the LDS Church — had the privilege of knowing and talking to church old-timers.

David Timmins
Salt Lake City

Recent comments

And, like many holidays and observances that float with their...

Charles Hammerkraut | May 11, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.

From what I've read, Brannan lost most of his money through a nasty...

veedub | May 11, 2008 at 2:14 p.m.

And of course those Mexican war bonds were never paid off and Brannan...

historynut | May 11, 2008 at 9:18 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

Move over, Monopoly

A couple years ago a friend of mine got 12 games for Christmas for his...

Our community would do well to think carefully about this article.

Max Hall issues apology

Doesn't sound like an apology to me. He meant what he said and stood by it.

well said i guess(coming from a true Y fan) maybe a little exagurated. come...

good for george.good job cougs

i wonder why utah or utefans don't have a nervous breakdown after the games...

Max Hall issues apology

I watched 2 games Saturday-one Florida/Florida State the other UT/BYU-2...

Utahns back anti-bias laws

TO the comment entitled above "To The Previous Posts" You have been...

This is ill-advised on so many sides. BYU, unlike other schools, even...

BYU is champion of the state

I don't know about the rest of you, but I watched the game and it was about...

Advertisements