Criticism of Mormonism/Books/American Massacre/Chapter 6

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 7

Claims made in "Chapter 6: Sevier River, October 26, 1853"

Page	Claim	Response	Author's sources
79	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.	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.	No source provided, although the author dates this to July 21, 1853.
90	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."	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.	No source provided.
90	In the Gunnison death, the Mormons are claimed to have defamed the victims while blaming the Indians.	Despite anti-Mormon polemic to the contrary, Gunnison's death was the fault of an Indian attack. Gunnison's death	No source provided.