The Mountain Meadows MassacreQuite possibly the most controversial event to occur in Mormon history,

The Mountain Meadows MassacreQuite possibly the most controversial event to occur in Mormon history, the Mountain Meadows Massacre was the murder of 120 settlers at the hands of Mormon militia and Piaute allies while passing through Utah towards California. The settlers were not treated very well while passing through the country, most Mormons eyed them with suspicion or derision. At the time, the Mormons were fighting what was called the Utah War, a bloodless clash between Mormon militia and Federal troops over who would claim sovereighty over Utah Territory. Thus tensions were running high between the Mormons and non-believers.On September 7th, 1857 fifity to sixty Utah Militiamen disguised as Native Americans under the command of William H. Dame along with a number of Piaute natives attacked the wagon train. The settlers circled their wagons and set up defensive positions to fend off the attack. Over the next five days the settlers remained surrounded, but fended off two further attacks. During the siege, the settlers had discovered that the men were not Piaute natives. It was at this point that Dame decided that no witnesses could be left alive. On September 11th, the settlers were running low on water and decided to call a parlay. Militia leaders promised that they would escort the settlers to safety. Under armed guard, the wagon train and settlers marched little more than a mile before they were gunned down. When the signal was given, each militiaman shot the settler next to him, while at the same time the Piautes emerged from their hiding places and attacked. Within mere moments 120 settlers were dead. The only survivors were 17 children under the age of 7.In the aftermath of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Brigham Young ordered an investigation into the incident. As a result, two of the massacre’s main planners, John Dee and Isaac Haight were excommunicated from the LDS Church. In 1959 the Federal Government and US Army began an investigation of the massacre, even finding the mass grave holding the dead settlers. Unfortunately the investigation was cut short by the American Civil War during the 1860’s. In 1870 the investigation was resumed. Four conspirators were arrested and indicted, while arrest warrants were issued for four others in hiding. At the center of the investigation was John D. Lee, who was seen as the main planner of the massacre. Lee was found guilty by an all Mormon jury, and executed by firing squad.Today the Mountain Meadows Massacre sparks heated controversy among Mormons and historians. Theories as to why the massacre happened include the tension caused by the Utah War, as well as a culture of religious frenzy caused by the earlir Mormon Reformation. One theory was the settlers oxen spread a virulent disease as they passed through Mormon towns, which caused the Mormons to believe they were being purposely poisoned. There are also questions as to the extent of Brigham Young’s involvement in the massacre. Ironically his only correspondance on the subject is a message sent to the militia on September 10th, which the militia didn’t recieve until after the massacre had occured. The message stated that the Utah War was over, and that the militia were not to interfere with settlers passing through the country. -- source link

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