AboutMichael Kelley Expertise For a different viewpoint on Mormonism for your questions, try me. I am a staunch believer in the Book of Mormon and belong to another church (the Church of Christ)that is set up identically to the Biblical church. If there are things about traditional Mormonism that trouble you or you have questions about, just ask and you might find the answers from the Book of Mormon to be quite surprising. I have been studying the scriptures diligently for 16 years under the school of hard knocks... I may not have all of the answers but will sure go find them if I don`t. I`m strongest on Biblical and Book of Mormon doctrines, and am also somewhat familiar with Mormon history and archaeology.
Question What is your take on the Mountain Meadows Massacre? Does the LDS Church have an “official” position on that event?
Elliot Werner
Answer Hi Elliot,
I will be happy to answer your questions. Please note I am ex-LDS and belong to the Church of Christ that believes in the Book of Mormon.
I have not been LDS since 1983 so cannot speak for their "official" position on the event. I checked thier website and could not find much, just some comments about setting up a marker as reconciliation. You can ask some of the other LDS Experts on this website for a more official explanation. I looked up the event on Wikipedia.org and was shocked at what happened but not surprised.
I just recently discovered a sermon by Brigham Young from LDS sources where he preached the doctrine of blood atonement... where an enemy could have salvation by spilling their blood. Young also preached a similar sermon where he was sick of the women whining and complaining about plural marriage and that if they did not quit it there were also going to get "cut off" or murdered. I was just outraged when I read this... nothing less than rape at knifepoint. I met an elderly woman in Colorado whose grandmother escaped Utah and forced polygamy by hiding under the floorboards of a wagon.
I've confronted several LDS folks about Young's sermons and all I ever got back was lame excuses and a whitewash... I am sure the same would be given for the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Regardless, the Book of Mormon bitterly condemns murdering innocent women and children, as well as polygamy. The very reason why I left the Utah faction is because I believe in the Book of Mormon. It is not uncommon for apostates to not follow their own books.
Feel free to ask other questions or followup if you wish.
