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Critics claim that "any man who defied Young's orders would be put to death was made evident in his statement 'When the time comes to burn and lay waste our improvements, if any man undertakes to shield his, he will be sheared down.'"
As is typical in such cases, the critics quote only a fragment of Brigham's speech. The more complete text reads:
Brigham was anticipating the need for a 'scorched earth' policy against the invading U.S. army.
Brigham makes the following statements that the critics ignore:
The only threat made is to those who, under military conditions, actively seek to resist the legal order of the territorial governor and militia commander to refuse aid and supplies to a military enemy. The property could not be preserved in such a case, because it would either be destroyed or appropriated by the enemy army. Military and militia commanders in all ages would have done nothing less, and Brigham's stance was moderate and merciful—no one was compelled to remain, no one was compelled to destroy anything.
But, if retreat became necessary, he would not allow supplies or shelter to fall into the hands of the enemy, which could cost Utahan lives if the war turned hot. This is not a dictatorship or megalomania; it was simply military prudence.
Shining New Light on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Gene A. Sessions , 2003 FAIR Conference |
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