Massacre services reopen wounds

While many of the descendants seem to have come to terms with what took place, others "are incredibly angry still," Rawlinson said, noting conversations she has had with others who are in southern Utah this weekend for a variety of memorial events. The largest events have been sponsored by the Mountain Meadows Association, whose mission has been to seek reconciliation and forgiveness.

Yet some members of that group, as well as two others comprised mostly of victims' descendants, say they remain troubled "because there has been no specific apology" from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, despite their creation of monuments and memorials to the victims, said Elisa Rawlinson, Milene's daughter.

"It was because of actions that were started with the church, and there's been no apology for that," she said.

Milene's husband, John, said another sticking point is that "the Mormon Church is the owner of the bones of those who died." In studies for a Ph.D. in religious history, he said the situation parallels that of Native Americans who are now questioning why white men who invaded their territory can lay claim to the bones of their ancestors.

The Rawlinsons said they would like to see federal control of Mountain Meadows to help assuage the feelings.

Paul Fancher, a descendant of one of the victims and an MMA member, said he would like to see the LDS Church retain control of the site because he believes it will be well-preserved. But that doesn't mean he feels reconciled about what happened.

"There's two things that rankle the Fanchers: one, that the massacre occurred; and two, that no one has ever stepped up and said, 'We did it, and we're sorry.' For 100 years, it was covered up the best it could be," he said.

Fancher doesn't claim to be a researcher or historian, but he's read all the books available about the massacre and compiled a thick volume of family history.

"The truth will set you free," he said, quoting historian Juanita Brooks, whose work on Mountain Meadows several decades ago helped set the stage for contemporary examinations of the event.

He said he believes true reconciliation will only come with time and a direct apology from top church leaders.

"I think if they would step up today and say, 'Look, we did everything everybody says except Brigham Young wasn't in on it,' I think in 10 to 25 years, there would be a new generation and everyone would have forgotten about it."

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