Criticism of Mormonism/Books/American Massacre/Chapter 5

Chapter 4

A FAIR Analysis of: Criticism of Mormonism/Books A work by author: Sally Denton

Chapter 6

Claims made in "Chapter 5: Salt Lake City, August 24, 1849"

Page	Claim	Response	Author's sources
67	The author notes that several new federal officials fled the Utah Territory because they felt threatened.	This claim is also made in One Nation Under Gods: p. 227-228 . Both authors rely upon the same source for this claim. For a response, see: Threats to early federal officials?	House Exec. Doc. 25, 15 quoted in David L. Bigler, Forgotten Kingdom: The Mormon Theocracy in the American West, 1847–1896 (Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press, 1998), 59. (bias and errors) Review
68-69	Blood atonement	Blood atonement	Gunnison, 83.
69	The author claims that apostasy and adultery were punishable by beheading.	19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"	Gunnison, 72.
70	Brigham is claimed to have said that the revelation on polygamy said that "all worthy men" should cleave to as many women as possible.		According to the author, this was said by Brigham Young at "an emergency conference of Young's apostles organized in August 1852."
70	Brigham said that Adam was God and was a polygamist.	Adam-God	According to the author, this was said by Brigham Young at "an emergency conference of Young's apostles organized in August 1852."
73	Brigham is said to have threatened to "unsheathe" his bowie knife against the Gladdenites.	Although the author provides no source, this reference is found in Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 1:83. Brigham says, I say, rather than that apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath my bowie knife, and conquer or die. [Great commotion in the congregation, and a simultaneous burst of feeling, assenting to the declaration.] Now, you nasty apostates, clear out, or judgment will be put to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. [Voices, generally, "go it, go it."] If you say it is right, raise your hands. [All hands up.] Let us call upon the Lord to assist us in this, and every good work. Brigham and "unsheathing the bowie knife"	No source provided.