Deseret News | Massacre apparently will never die

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Lee Benson: Massacre apparently will never die

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Lfarknagel | 11:28 a.m. Aug. 31, 2007

I am one of John D. Lee's great great grandsons. I make no excuses for his actions. I feel that the MMM was a truly lamentable affair.

First, no amount of misery that the Mormons suffered can justify their actions. Haun's Mill caused the loss of 17 Moirmon lives. 17,000 lost Mormon lives would have not justified the Mountain Meadow tragedy.

Second, even so, there is value to trying to understand what was happening at the time. Many do not know that during the first winter after the Mormon expulsion from Illinois and Missouri, over 400 mormons died from sickness and and exposure (including many of Lee's family members). Sure, nobody came at them with rifles and clubs -- they didn't need to. The result was just as sure. These folks died just the same and it was because of the actions of the intolerant. Dozens and dozens more perished during the exodus to Utah in the years following. Note that the gap here is just a little over ten years (1846 -1857). My great great grand father had children who died from the elements even after he got to southern Utah. I am sure that the Arkansans were not to blame (nor did he plame them specifically) but with each death and with continued privations, the feelings for the "gentiles" did not ameliorate. My great great grandfather had a good home and all that he needed in Illinois and was no doubt bitter at having to leave his life there. Many of the other Mormons had had the same experience.

The deadly result of Mormon intolerance at MMM was inexcusable. Even with a greater understanding, it remains baffling.

Don | 11:30 a.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Funny, I have never seen an article on Han's Mill.
I wonder how many nonLDS even know what I am talking about?

Anonymous | 11:54 a.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Interesting comments all around. If I get this rightï¿½ 1)we should judge people by the actions of their ancestors (we must now be good or bad because of ancestorï¿½s behaviors), 2) Godï¿½s work is to be judged by the actions of a few of his children, 3) we must read about how those that hate us interpret our beliefs to truly know how we should feel about our faith/religion, 4) lack of historical knowledge should never be allowed to stop anyone from making personal prejudices into historical fact, and 5) religious leaders that make mistakes make the beliefs of their religion wrong. Thank God the protestant leaders in the KKK, 50 years ago, werenï¿½t able to change the truths of their religions. Neither do the actions of some priests, pastors, teachers, missionaries, or ï¿½religiousï¿½ leaders who commit grievous sins today. I have to forgive them all, according to scriptures. If you donï¿½t believe in scriptures I guess it is okay to continue throwing stones. What religion am I? Does it matter?

Comments continue below

JGolden | 12:00 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

God Bless you Lfarkangel...you need make NO excuses for your ancestor...I believe his is with God and the Prophets as I type...When the day arrives, that the Gentiles shed as many tears for the innocent men, women and children of Haun's Mill...Then I might shed a tear for the "tragedy" that is MMM...

Ken Baguley | 12:01 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

I have to tell this story again in defense of Brigham Young. More than 30 years ago we were celebrating my wife Diane's aunt's 90th birthday...The aunt's name is Dorothy Cannon Brown. She called us aside and said she wanted to tell us a story she knew we would be interested to hear...She said, when she was young, her family (Frank J. Cannon) had a housekeeper who had been Brigham Young's housekeeper at the time the rider came from the South to report about the wagon train and to get Brigham's counsel as to what they should do. Brigham was heard to say, "Let those people go". And to the rider he said, "Don't spare the horseflesh". He had some 240 miles to go and was 2 days late. Brigham Young's counsel to the rider is a true account of his feelings...He was not a murderer, but a peace loving true leader of his people and respected the rights of all.

LDS Texan | 12:40 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Some things to consider:

1. NO ONE will get away with anything in this life. When all is said and done, Christ will make sure of that.

2. Hollywood makes fun of Christians because they can do so without fear of having their heads cut off with a sword.

alan | 12:50 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Trust Lee Benson to write something so insensitive and one-sided as this article. As usual he only looks at the Mormon side of life. Now when Doug Robinson writes about it also we can join the two columns together and have them cannonized. Isn't that how those two work?

ohmye | 12:57 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

to those wondering about Allegory and others of his ilk. the Internet is a wonderful tool and I discovered several years ago you can use it to find what you want: if you're looking for reasons to leave the LDS church you'll find them; if you're looking for reasons to stay in the LDS church you'll find them also. same applies to the MMM fiasco.

Cameron | 1:25 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Re: observer:
Bless you!

Re: M. in Utah, Allegory:
Being bitter doesn't give you the right to make up "facts."

Re: 92Landcruiser, others:
The mission of the LDS is to Proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Redeem the Dead, and Perfect the Saints. It's not to make sure everybody knows every dirty deed done by members of the church. In fact, the LDS church has commissioned a big book/research project into the MMM. One of the main stories for the Church's 9/07 Ensign magazine deals with the this and if you go to lds.org and search about the MMM, there're a lot of articles - hardly sweeping under the rug:
http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=1c234dc029133110VgnVCM100000176f620a____

That said, I don't think anyone is excusing the horrible thing it was, but don't go making things up to justify your point of view.

blain | 1:41 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

The merciless slaughter of 120 Arkansas immigrants, ordered by Brigham Young, was wrong 150 years ago and is still wrong today. This senseless massacre should not be forgotten. The Mormon Church will never accept responsibility for such a merciless act. And in my opinion the ancestors of the Arkansas immigrants should sue the Mormon Church for everything that it has, not the other way around as the idiotic, elitist, arrogant Lee Benson would contend.

LOOTB | 1:46 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

92LandCruiser - "it's not a stretch to imagine that he did in fact order it." Yeah, well, it's not a stretch to imagine a lot of things. In fact, I imagine you haven't really read much about the MMM. Have you, in point of fact, read Juanita Brook's work on the MMM? Didn't think so. And just how would you like the LDS church to address the issue? What would satisfy you? BTW--Dallin Oaks has acknowledged it. No one disputes what happened. No one disputes the role of the Catholic church in the inquisition, and on that their was very direct involvement of the Holy See. Do you think less of the Catholic Church today because of that? I 'imagine' that you are just bitter towards the LDS church for some reason. Look--here's a suggestion. Go to a home improvement store, buy a ladder, and get over it.

TIGE WINGO | 2:04 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A GREAT ARTICLE I THINK YOU SHOULD BE PROMOTED!!!

GDTeacher | 2:06 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

With many cries to move on past MMM, shouldn't the Mormon church similarly move on from things like Haun's Mill and being driven out of Missouri and Nauvoo. I haven't heard anyone at church claiming that we should forget and move on from other attrocities committed against members of the church. Why should we move on from MMM, but continue to wave our flag about these other incidents, which are in some ways less atrocious? As a church, we seem to revel in talking about the "persecutions," and effectively how they make us special. In reality, we are no more special than those killed in the Fancher party. Many of us like to think we are more special than the next "non-Mormon." We are not. When the church stops talking about the persecutions, then perhaps MMM should fade as well. I would submit that the MMM should gain as much coverage at church as Haun's Mill, Missouri, and the expulsion from Nauvoo. These events should live or die together in the collective discussion and memory of the church.

This movie may not be the most accurate representation of events as they are known, but most LDS folks are naive as to what actually happened. All should read Juanita Brooks book, The Mountain Meadows Massacre, as it accepted as a model of responsible, honest history by historians, LDS or not, regarding what was known at the time she wrote it. She doesn't cover up and whitewash church history, simply because someone else deems that it "isn't useful." She was brave and honest, took heat for it, and is celebrated today amongst the best Mormon historians, in and out of the church.

Flew the Coop | 2:07 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

This is not the only massacre of innocent people done by early Utah Mormons. The Circleville Massacre of the remaining Paiute Indians of the Circleville valley is another example. See "The History of Piute County" by Linda King Newell from the Utah Centenial County History Series.

arc | 2:30 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

http://lds.org/mountain-meadows-massacre

Most folks should read what we know, and not be blown around by the anti-mormons that hang out here.

The article doesn't pull any punches, and is better than anything else out there.

Based on even national critics, the movie is just a flop, and not worth the film used.

vegas ed | 3:15 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Come on people. You all know who is at fault. It was George Bush's fault.

Jenny | 3:24 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

to arc: do you believe everything that that organization tells you wholesale?

Please think for yourself every once in a while.

Anonymous | 3:33 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

I don't think remembering the Mountain Meadows Massacre is the problem. I think it is something we should all remember, and guard ourselves that we don't allow hatred and fear to overcome our ability to feel and know and do what is right. The story of the pioneers, the persecution, extermination order, Haun's Mill, etc. should also not be forgotten, not so we are angry at those responsible but in a sense of gratitude for those willing to give up so much for the gospel. Their faith and sacrifice inspire us to also move forward with faith.

Chesterb26 | 4:01 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Forgetting about something is never the solution. I grew up in the church and never heard about the massacre until my mid-20s. And yet somehow I heard of Han's Mill at least once a year. Tell the church to stop teaching all the bad things that happened to its members and maybe then you might have the right to ask anyone to forget about Mountain Meadows.

Barry | 4:09 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Chesterb26, the Church doesn't "teach" us about all of the bad things that happened to the members to villainize the "bad-guys." We are taught such things so that we can see that trials and obstacles can be overcome with dignity and grace. The Church has issued formal statements, apologizing for the massacre. Likewise, the Governor of Missouri has apologized to Church members, and rescinded the extermination order. The only reason the Mountain Meadows Massacre keeps rearing its ugly head is because there are evil people who cannot and will not forgive or forget ANYTHING ANY Mormon does. It goes with the territory.

Carlos | 4:15 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Reparations!
Jon Voight has not made a good movie in a very long time. Since Deliverance, he has gone down hill. Now he stoops to this?

God will sort out all of this stuff!

Chad | 4:23 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

OK everyone knows it was wrong, it was a very awfull thing to have happen. And still everyone ever talks about is how to give peace and mind to the wagon train group and about the loss of money that should be owed to their desendance. but what about the Mormon pioneers who were run out of towns and left with what they could carry some in the middle of winter and had an exstinction notice put on thier heads BY THE GOVERNMENT. will they be compensated? no the mormons just say "hey we will get by god will provide"

Anonymous | 4:25 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Would you people learn how to spell, and how to use correct grammar? My goodness! I can hardly stand to read most of the comments because they are so ill-conceived and executed. If you hate Mormons, state that fact clearly and succinctly. You don't have to compose a diatribe, misspelled and with poor grammar, that describes your feelings, just say, "I hate Mormons!" Let's be honest. The LDS Church has had renegade-members do things that have been an embarrassment to the Church. So have the Jews, the Catholics (Spanish Inquisition), Muslims, Baptists, etc., etc.

George | 4:39 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

I don't understand why so many of our LDS people want others to "simply forget about it". Yet, every week in EQ, Sunday School, and Sacrament Meeting we are taught about Mormon history...but only the positives. This isn't one of them, so people call those who bring this to light: "Anti-Mormons." This is so cliche and bigoted.

We should accept this for what it is...and quit making excuses. This is a part of our past that LDS members need to accept and quit whining about.

Mark White | 4:44 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

You and each of you do covenant and promise that you will pray and never cease to pray Almighty God to avenge the blood of the prophets upon this nation, and that you will teach the same to your children and to your children's children unto the third and fourth generation." (The Reed Smoot Case, vol. 4, pp. 495-496).

The Mormons were just keeping their covenants.

SFC RET DENIS | 4:46 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Blain Were is your proof? You sound as if you speak from hatred. So from your point of view all the ancestors of early saints should sue the ancestors of everyone who wronged their ancestors, stolen, raped, tortured, murdered. Do you agree?

Hateful People | 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Hector I certainly would not want you on a jury because of the inaccurate conclusions you make. Yes, MMM was horrible and yes members were involved, but there is absolutely no shred of evidence that Brigham Young was involved in planning, carrying out and executing the orders. There are some "faithful" members who get carried away and forget what their religion is about and go off the deep end. This is what happened. They commited crimes against humanity. Why should the Church continue to apologize every time a member commits a crime and makes a serious mistake. The Church cannot be responsible for every action of every member every time.

When I was in Germany on a mission the magazine called Der Stern ran an article about the MMM and claimed that John Lee did a backwards somersault into his casket when he was executed. Other far out statements were made in the article. The rationale German looked at that article and laughed. It also tried to tie Brigham Young to the Massacre using stretched logic and closed minded hate. The only ones who believed the article and tried to use it every time one of the missionaries talked to them were the Jehovah Witnesses.

Anonymous | 7:47 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

To: Ken | 10:44 a.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Ken, my friend, everyone knows that the Boston Massacre dates to 1978 and was authored by the New York Yankees.

Morgan | 7:52 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Listen up: we do not have all the facts. There are still events that took place in WW2 that we are still clueless about. Don't judge things that happened in the past with today's hindsight and judgment. Although people did die--and it was atrocious, we should have historical empathy and realize that it was a different time back then. Mormons had an extermination order against them and had been hunted by the government etc, for all we know they could have thought that the MMM victims were hostiles coming to once again kill THEM and steal their land.

JWK | 8:42 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

The Church published the facts to the event in this months issue of the Ensign. It fills in a lot of the blanks as to what happened and helps us to understand how.

If people want to judge the Church for repugnant actions of members who made a monument error in judgment then so be it.

As for me, my faith is not based on actions of a few people for if I were that shallow I would not be a believer today.

Terrible things happen even by normally good people. Lets see what others would do if they felt their life or family threatened.

JGolden | 8:43 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

YeeHaw...Can I feel the HATE...You bet...Bottom line is this...Until 1976 it was legal to kill Mormon's in Missouri...Now all you haters, gather round...and no this...we survived your drunk grandpappies...and will survive you too...

Just the mere thought of a Mormon in the White House must have y'all catatonic...

Julene Evans | 9:52 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

When is the anniversary film of the Trail of Tears and the one of the encampment of the Japanese in WWII, let's see, do we have an anniversary film about the slaves? And do we learn from our mistakes, do you think that today we would take all the Native Americans and drive them out of their land, do you think that we would put US citizens in prison camps because of their ancestry, and do you think that we would be waiting at the boats to own another human being? Do you think that Mormons are going to kill people again, one thing, the MMM was not an official endorsed act of the church, it was members of the LDS church who got out of control. Was the Trail of Tears and the prison camps out of control people, or was it an official act of the government, even slavery was a legalized act. I do not condone any actions against innocent people, and that includes the MMM, but we can't change what happened, we just don't do it again. Each of these acts were stupid and reacting, the only difference, I think that the only one that was not condoned was the killing at Mountain Meadows, action was taken right away with those who caused this. As for Brigham Young, face it, all Mormon haters will blame him, and will try to prove he did it. Why do we have to use that past to cause contention, we have plenty of issues in the present that we can use for issues? Is there an anniversary movie about Hauns Mill and were not the heartaches for those people valid? But it is past, they are in a happy place and I don't think they hold a grudge, should we?

E | 10:16 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

It's disappointing seeing the discussion on both sides here. Heated debate does us little good.

As an LDS member, the multiple accounts of Mountain Meadows stirs much emotion. I am embarrassed by the action of those members of the church, and greatly sorry for these actions.

May the memory of Mountain Meadows constantly reinforce in us to live more gentle and Christlike lives.

Halwrite | 10:40 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Hollywood dramatizations are no way to "teach" history. It is irresponsible to present purported history as entertainment and, in the process, hold an entire people up to ridicule. September Dawn attracted the box office it deserved. It was, essentially, ignored.

Sharon | 11:19 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

Who said that the persecutors of the early LDS Saints were not punished for their actions. If you study the lives of the persecutors, they were punished in horrible ways, not by man but by God. If you go back into family history's of the persectors you will find that not only they, but there family's for at least 4 generations suffered horribly, or at the least had struggles especially with NOT knowing God. Just as the Egyptians suffered because of their hate for the Prophets and Christians of their day, so shall those who hate Mormons,Jews, Muslims, sinners(which takes in all of us) or anyone else will suffer for their hate and anger in our day, and probably a lot of innocent people. Why can we not love and forgive each other? WHY?

Johnny-be-Good | 11:39 p.m. Aug. 31, 2007

The memory of this atrocity should live on, not as a point of anger, but rather one of sorrow and not just by the Church organization and membership, but by all peace-loving people. That an otherwise probably good people would commit such a crime against humanity and conscience is, to me, incomprehensible.

I don't need to fully understand the path that led to this massacre to appreciate the need for greater tolerance and love in society. I'm not trying to brush over a significant historical event, but the memory of it is only valuable if we all seek to avoid the hatred that led to it in the first place. Hatred that, I'm discouraged to find, has permeated much of this discussion board from both sides. Do we ever learn?

Wyoming | 12:06 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I am a active member of the Church and hate the fact that this event did happen. But I think that, as some people say, "it was the worst act of mass murder in US history until 911" (MMM was also on Sept 11) is going too far. Julene, you said it best. There were many Government sanctioned attrocities against people here in the United States. But that does not change the fact that it was a horrible thing to happen. Have any of you read the article in the Ensign this month on the MMM. It answered a lot of questions. I liked seeing the comments from two families that are descendents of the VICTIMS who are now members of the Church. They were a lot less judgemental than many of those commenting on this article. A author of one of the more recent books written says he believes Brigham Young did order the action against the wagon train and pretty much called my ancestor, Jesse Nathaniel Smith, a liar because what he had written in his journal did not suport the authors beliefs. I guess someone might suggest suing him for deframing my ancestor but not only is that "not my way", but by saying those things against my ancestor, it helped me see how little the author really wanted to find facts, instead choosing to blame the Church rather than the Church members - there is a difference- The Chruch and Preisthood are perfect, the people are not, and the Priesthood did not fail as someone suggested in these comments, the people did and yes that is very sad. The correct offenders did not "get away" with anything they will be held accoutable for their actions. I too hope we have learned from mistakes of the past.

EJC | 12:12 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Now let's not judge each other by our spelling and grammar. Have you ever read any of Joseph Smith's unedited letters?

VaLynne | 12:32 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

vegas ed, Oh my gosh how could we possible forget of course Geoge Bush caused it all. Where would we be if we couldn't blame him.
And Chesterb26-were you really in your 20's before hearing about MMM. Where did you grow up. I was still in Primary when I first heard about it and yes I heard about it less that Hawns Mill but not with any less feeling than the sad things that happened TO us. The difference is in MO the Government did things to us. With MMM the Chruch did not do it-members did. I can't beleive people are still saying the Church should appologize. I guess it would be nice if the Church appolgized everytime I did something I know to be wrong-that would take the responsability of my actions off my shoulders. Yes that works for me. Wow now I really do think we should blame George Bush for all our actions.

Perfection | 12:51 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I just wonder why mormons get upset about their past? The truth is mormons murdered innocent women and children.
Anyway, I never considered mormons as Christians, may be that is the reason they are radical and irrational people concerning their faith based on mr smith's teachings.

tribfan2 | 8:47 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

My respect for Mr. Benson just decreased considerably after reading this piece. There are a few things that the Church could do that would help the situation: 1) an official apology from the Church to the descendants of the slaughtered families; 2) surrender the land and monument of the Mountain Meadows to the federal government so that the site is treated impartially and properly in the context of its history; 3) acknowledge teachings of its leaders (including Brigham Young) that fostered the extremist views and actions of the murderers; 4) acknowledge that there was a cover-up of the truth and that its members and the public were deliberately misinformed (lied to) about who the murderers were (not the indians). I am ashamed of my Church for their actions at the time of the massacre and everything relating to it ever since.

jmdspk | 9:03 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Well lets face it, there is enough blood on American's hands to go around. The 1800's was a violent time in our country.

To the people that say the church only talks about the positive: I grew up Catholic and I never heard anything negative about the Catholic Church only the positive and I am sure its the same for those in Catholic school today, do you think they are told about priest.

To Perfection: Yes I am sure you consider you and your church the only true Christens. What is your definition of a Christian?

Made me laugh | 9:06 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

....Perfection...lol, don't look now, but that is a mormon doctrine. Your just another christian borrowing lds theology.

cp | 10:43 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

Christ said

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as I or your Father who is in Heaven is perfect".

Mormon doctrine?

You see, Mormons are Christian, after all.

cjarizona | 10:44 a.m. Sept. 1, 2007

1-GIVE US YOUR LANDS, which don't belong to us.

2-GIVE US YOUR DIARIES, JOURNALS, PAPERS etc. which don't belong to us.

3-GIVE US YOUR RELIGION, (baptisms for the dead 1 Cor. 15:29), which
does not belong to us.

The LDS Church has been great stewards of this property for many
years and treated it with respect and dignity, as hallowed ground.

Now here comes the demands of rabble rousers, with their false
accusations and pathetic anti Mormon film september dawn. Universally
panned by critics worlwide.

If this keeps up, then maybe it's time to put out
"NO TRESPASSING" signs.

The Mormons have not been paid one cent for the
properties stolen from them. Let alone the hundreds upon hundreds who
lost their lives because of the persecutions they endured.

The case can just as well be made that compensation should be
given to the Mormons for the properties stolen from them in Ohio,
Missouri, and Illinois.

In fact, some of the relatives of these groups, now making irrational
demands, may have even been involved in the wrongs done to the Mormons
in the mid-west.

The atrocities committed on the Fancher wagon train were no greater
nor less than those committed upon the Native Americans, African
Americans, the Mormons, or the Witches of Salem.

It's a long line. Q up.

What these groups are trying to establish is complicity of Brigham
Young and the Church itself. History does not support this and yet,
they don't care. Beware of those who seek not truth and attempt to
re-write history to satisfy their own objectives. In actuality they
are trolling for dollars, a big payday.

Stop the Grandstanding!

There is a "Spitit of Contention" in the air, and it's not the Mormon's
who are perpetrating it.

Perfection | 11:00 p.m. Sept. 1, 2007

I just wonder if some day mormons have the mental capacity to understand reality that their ancerstors killed or murdered children and women.

Also, considering mormons as a cult or sect, they will never recognized a wrong doing since the mormon teachings shows the way to Godhood.

There are not doubt people that believe in bizarre doctrines must have some kind of mental problems.

JOSHUA | 7:20 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Are we expressing opinions here about tragic historical events or demeaning the LDS church? It doesn't make sense to attack the doctrine of the church because of the actions of some of it's members a century and a half ago. Should we discredit the apostolic calling of the twelve because of JUDAS ISCARIOT'S actions? I admit I do not know all the facts regarding MMM. However, I can vouch for Brigham Young as being an honorable man. Accusing him of ordering a terrible decree is in itself bizarre.

dpamm | 10:52 p.m. Sept. 2, 2007

Perfection, you sound like a bored 17-year old Mormon kid from Utah just posting flame-throwers to see what kind of rise you get out of people. It takes one to know one, I used to do that sort of thing when I was a bored teenager too.

Anyone who doesn't get that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are Christians is clueless. "By their works ye shall know them." Mormons do a ton of good in this world, everyone stop being so sensitive.

Leanne | 1:21 p.m. Sept. 3, 2007

Mr. Benson is right about the ludicrous liberties Hollywood took with the script. But that's where it ends. Sad that he cannot ask himself what he would want if generations of his family were wiped out by an organization that disavowed any complicity of its leaders, and never took action to bring justice to the other 99% of the known perpetrators.

And that is why Mormons still have this problem today, not because hateful folks need a cause.

Lee should ask himself what Jesus would do? I'll bet he'd pave the road down to the site, give Federal Stewardship to the Fancher family, offer an apology, and put up a few latrines for visiting folks. (You know, something comparable to the 6-stalled marble toilets the Church erected at Jacob Hamblin's home).

The Fancher-Baker families haven't threatened to sue the Church. They just want the back-hoes to stop destroying the bones of their grandparents. I would be on the war-path to get the Cross put back on top of the original cairn... But then, I'm just a Bible- believing Christian.

Anyone interested should be at Mountain Meadows on September 11 at 10 am for the service. Judge for yourself the actions of the Fanchers and Lee families. Then ask Mr. Benson who should be suing whom?

Natural born Utahn | 2:59 p.m. Sept. 3, 2007

Benson: ï¿½...Historians have been digging for 150 years and have never found any such evidence. Not to mention the fact that nothing Brigham Young did in 33 years leading the church suggested so much as an inkling toward such action.ï¿½

Lee, have you read any of the books on MMM? How can you say that ï¿½Blood Atonement,ï¿½ the Temple ï¿½Oath of Vengeance,ï¿½ his meetings and comments about ï¿½unleashing the Indians,ï¿½ Brighamï¿½s sermons on preparing for WAR and even his Martial Law declaration on Aug. 5, 1857 had no bearing on the massacre?

Lee, you need to study this one more!

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