Criticism of Mormonism/Books/American Massacre/Chapter 6
Claims made in "Chapter 6: Sevier River, October 26, 1853"
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Claim
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Response
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Author's sources
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79
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- The author claims that Brigham's fortification of villages against attack by the Indians was a reversal of Book of Mormon prophecies regarding the Lamanites.
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- During the so-called "Walker War" against Indians (1853–54) Brigham Young and the Nauvoo Legion preferred defense and peaceful resolution over attack. This strategy—as well as self-defense—is consistent with numerous Book of Mormon teachings (e.g., Alma 43꞉14,47, Alma 61꞉10).
- See: Howard A. Christy, "The Walker War: Defense and Conciliation as Strategy," Utah Historical Quarterly 47 (fall 1979): 395–420.
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- No source provided, although the author dates this to July 21, 1853.
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90
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- The author claims that Latter-day Saint elders were "in the habit of confiscating at will younger wives of less ranking members of the church."
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- Absurd claim: the author would need to provide some evidence for this claim.
- An abbreviated version of a talk by Brigham Young is sometimes used in this vein, but a review of the contemporaneous text gives a different picture.
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90
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- In the Gunnison death, the Mormons are claimed to have defamed the victims while blaming the Indians.
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- Despite anti-Mormon polemic to the contrary, Gunnison's death was the fault of an Indian attack.
- Gunnison's death
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