In September 1857, southern Utah became the stage for one of the darkest tragedies in American frontier history, the Mountain Meadows Massacre. This was no spontaneous clash but a calculated act of religious extremism and territorial paranoia that left 120 emigrants from the Baker-Fancher party dead, while Mormon leaders shifted blame onto Southern Paiute tribes. In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan trace how fear, fanaticism, and frontier politics converged to turn faith into violence, revealing the systematic manipulation, secret councils, and chilling conspiracy that made the massacre possible. It’s a story of families caught in the crosshairs, leaders willing to sacrifice morality for survival, and the enduring stain this event left on Mormon and American history.
SHOWNOTES:
- Massacre at Mountain Meadows by Richard Turley and Glen Leonard
- The Mountain Meadows Massacre by Juanita Brooks
- Blood of the Prophets.; Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows by Will Bagley
- American Massacre.; The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857 by Sally Denton
- Historical Topography: A New Look at Old Sites on Mountain Meadows
- Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath by Richard Turley and Barbara Jones Brown
- Mountain Meadows Massacre: The Andrew Jenson and David H. Morris Collection by Richard Turley and Ronald Walker
- The Mountain Meadows Massacre.; A Special Report by J.H. Carleton, Bvt. Major U.S.A. Captain 1st Dragoons 1859 by J. H. Carelton
- BYU Studies, 2008. Paperback. special issue–“Mountain Meadows Massacre Documents”–includes excerpts from Andrew Jenson and David Morris collections.
- Brigham Young: American Moses by Leonard Arrington
- Emma Lee by Juanita Brooks
- Useful to the Church and Kingdom: The Journals of James H. Martineau, Pioneer and Patriarch, 1850-1918, vol. 2
- Mormonism Unveiled or The Life and Confessions of the late Mormon Bishop John D. Lee
- John D. Lee: Zealot – Pioneer Builder – Scapegoat by Juanita Brooks
- The Aiken Party Executions and the Utah War, 1857-1858 by David L. Bigler
- Problems with Mountain Meadows Massacre Sources by Richard E. Turley Jr.
- The Earliest Written Account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre?by Connell O’Donovan
- To Feed a Tree in Zion: Osteological Analysis of the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre by Shannon A. Novak and Derinna Kopp
Could you please let the audience know the exact quote about the immigrants being “mean” in the store? Please consider that the word, “mean” had a different use than our modern use. Rather than meaning “unpleasant” or “aggressive,” “mean” often meant “cheap” or “stingy.” This definition would fit the context you’ve provided, regarding immigrants being charged outrageous prices for goods. If they complained, they might have been accused of being “mean.”
Haha, this is such a treasure trove! Its fascinating to see how many symposiums and discussions have happened on topics like the Mountain Meadows Massacre and Mormon history. The sheer number of names and events listed here makes it feel like Church history is as busy as a symposium schedule! Who knew there were so many panels and discussions about everything from the Book of Mormon to the Vagina Monologues? Its like a never-ending quest for understanding, complete with podcasts, articles, and even a symposium dedicated to The One Adam and Eve. Talk about thorough research! Its almost enough to make one want to attend a symposium or two. Just imagine the coffee breaks between all those discussions! 😉basketball stars io