FAIR is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing well-documented answers to criticisms of the doctrine, practice, and history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormon Reformation
The Mormon Reformation
History of the Mormon Reformation
Historical background
Doctrine taught during the Reformation
Blood atonement
Summary: It is claimed that during the administration of Brigham Young apostates were secretly put to death. They claim this is in line with the teachings of LDS leaders at the time that apostasy was the unforgivable sin, and that the only thing an apostate could do to redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly.Brigham Young's preaching style
Summary: Critics have often misunderstood or misrepresented Brigham Young's (and others LDS preachers') preaching style19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
Summary: Critics expand to idea of blood atonement to include a long list of crimes that were alleged to be "worthy of death."Brigham Young: "bowie knife" (JD 1:83)
Brigham Young: "javelin through heart" for adultery (JD 1:108)
Brigham Young: "cut their throats" (JD 2:311)
Brigham Young: "cutting off from the earth" (JD 4:53)
Brigham Young: "killing the evil doers" (JD 3:50}
Brigham Young: "meanest devils" (JD 6:176)
Brigham Young: murder unfaithful Mormons to save souls? (JD 4:219-20)
Brigham Young: dictator? (JD 14:205)
Brigham Young: President of the US?
Brigham Young ordered the Saints to "starve the Gentiles" when the future victims of the Mountain Meadow Massacre arrived
Summary: The order not to trade with immigrants applied to all commodities, and was prompted by the threat of siege due to the imminent arrival of the US Army to Utah. It was not intended to kill immigrants.Heber C. Kimball used violence and intimidation against non-Mormons or apostates?
Summary: The speech cited as evidence for this claim does not show any evidence of threats of violence or intimidation.Danites
Early territorial officials were threatened by Mormons
Summary: Some early territorial officials claimed Mormons threatened their lives. They made no such claims at the time, however, even when safely back in Washington. The evidence does not support the charge, which was likely made out of animus against the Mormons.Surveyor general David H. Burr threatened with death
Vengeance hymns
Summary: D. Michael Quinn cites several LDS hymns as evidence that the Saints encouraged vengeance against their enemies. The hymns ask instead for God to revenge them of their wrongs in the coming judgment—they do not anticipate taking matters into their own hands, and in some cases even explicitly rule it out.Castration of sinners in Utah?
Summary: I have read about a group of men (LDS) that went around castrating immoral men (who were also LDS) with the express permission of local church leaders. These events supposedly happened during the Brigham Young's administration. It is claimed that Brigham was aware of and approved of this and may have given the order. What can you tell me about this? I read that missionaries who selected plural wives from female converts before allowing church leaders to select from them first were castrated.The Mountain Meadows Massacre
The Mountain Meadows Massacre (1857) was the killing of members of a wagon train passing through southern Utah by a local Mormon militia, with help from some Native American allies, during a time of fear and tension connected to the Utah War. Some critics say Church leaders were responsible because of the situation in the territory and what was being said at the time, but historical evidence shows the attack was planned and carried out by local leaders, and does not show that Brigham Young ordered it. The Church has since said the event was a tragedy, expressed sorrow for what happened, and rejected the actions taken there. Click the links below for faithful answers to questions about and criticisms of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
- Historical Summary of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- The Perpetrators of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Brigham Young and the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Others Involved in the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Additional Resources on the Mountain Meadows Massacre
Video published by the Church History Department:
Oath of vengeance
Summary: In nearly every anti-Mormon discussion of the temple, critics raise the issue of the "oath of vengeance" that existed during the 19th century and very early 20th century. These critics often misstate the nature of the oath and try to use its presence in the early temple endowment as evidence that the LDS temple ceremonies are ungodly, violent, and immoral.
History of the Mormon Reformation
Historical background
Doctrine taught during the Reformation
Blood atonement
Summary: It is claimed that during the administration of Brigham Young apostates were secretly put to death. They claim this is in line with the teachings of LDS leaders at the time that apostasy was the unforgivable sin, and that the only thing an apostate could do to redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly.Brigham Young's preaching style
Summary: Critics have often misunderstood or misrepresented Brigham Young's (and others LDS preachers') preaching style19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
Summary: Critics expand to idea of blood atonement to include a long list of crimes that were alleged to be "worthy of death."Brigham Young: "bowie knife" (JD 1:83)
Brigham Young: "javelin through heart" for adultery (JD 1:108)
Brigham Young: "cut their throats" (JD 2:311)
Brigham Young: "cutting off from the earth" (JD 4:53)
Brigham Young: "killing the evil doers" (JD 3:50}
Brigham Young: "meanest devils" (JD 6:176)
Brigham Young: murder unfaithful Mormons to save souls? (JD 4:219-20)
Brigham Young: dictator? (JD 14:205)
Brigham Young: President of the US?
Brigham Young ordered the Saints to "starve the Gentiles" when the future victims of the Mountain Meadow Massacre arrived
Summary: The order not to trade with immigrants applied to all commodities, and was prompted by the threat of siege due to the imminent arrival of the US Army to Utah. It was not intended to kill immigrants.Heber C. Kimball used violence and intimidation against non-Mormons or apostates?
Summary: The speech cited as evidence for this claim does not show any evidence of threats of violence or intimidation.Danites
Early territorial officials were threatened by Mormons
Summary: Some early territorial officials claimed Mormons threatened their lives. They made no such claims at the time, however, even when safely back in Washington. The evidence does not support the charge, which was likely made out of animus against the Mormons.Surveyor general David H. Burr threatened with death
Vengeance hymns
Summary: D. Michael Quinn cites several LDS hymns as evidence that the Saints encouraged vengeance against their enemies. The hymns ask instead for God to revenge them of their wrongs in the coming judgment—they do not anticipate taking matters into their own hands, and in some cases even explicitly rule it out.Castration of sinners in Utah?
Summary: I have read about a group of men (LDS) that went around castrating immoral men (who were also LDS) with the express permission of local church leaders. These events supposedly happened during the Brigham Young's administration. It is claimed that Brigham was aware of and approved of this and may have given the order. What can you tell me about this? I read that missionaries who selected plural wives from female converts before allowing church leaders to select from them first were castrated.The Mountain Meadows Massacre
The Mountain Meadows Massacre (1857) was the killing of members of a wagon train passing through southern Utah by a local Mormon militia, with help from some Native American allies, during a time of fear and tension connected to the Utah War. Some critics say Church leaders were responsible because of the situation in the territory and what was being said at the time, but historical evidence shows the attack was planned and carried out by local leaders, and does not show that Brigham Young ordered it. The Church has since said the event was a tragedy, expressed sorrow for what happened, and rejected the actions taken there. Click the links below for faithful answers to questions about and criticisms of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
- Historical Summary of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- The Perpetrators of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Brigham Young and the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Others Involved in the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Additional Resources on the Mountain Meadows Massacre
Video published by the Church History Department:
Oath of vengeance
Summary: In nearly every anti-Mormon discussion of the temple, critics raise the issue of the "oath of vengeance" that existed during the 19th century and very early 20th century. These critics often misstate the nature of the oath and try to use its presence in the early temple endowment as evidence that the LDS temple ceremonies are ungodly, violent, and immoral.
History of the Mormon Reformation
Historical background
Doctrine taught during the Reformation
Blood atonement
Summary: It is claimed that during the administration of Brigham Young apostates were secretly put to death. They claim this is in line with the teachings of LDS leaders at the time that apostasy was the unforgivable sin, and that the only thing an apostate could do to redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly.Brigham Young's preaching style
Summary: Critics have often misunderstood or misrepresented Brigham Young's (and others LDS preachers') preaching style19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
Summary: Critics expand to idea of blood atonement to include a long list of crimes that were alleged to be "worthy of death."Brigham Young: "bowie knife" (JD 1:83)
Brigham Young: "javelin through heart" for adultery (JD 1:108)
Brigham Young: "cut their throats" (JD 2:311)
Brigham Young: "cutting off from the earth" (JD 4:53)
Brigham Young: "killing the evil doers" (JD 3:50}
Brigham Young: "meanest devils" (JD 6:176)
Brigham Young: murder unfaithful Mormons to save souls? (JD 4:219-20)
Brigham Young: dictator? (JD 14:205)
Brigham Young: President of the US?
Brigham Young ordered the Saints to "starve the Gentiles" when the future victims of the Mountain Meadow Massacre arrived
Summary: The order not to trade with immigrants applied to all commodities, and was prompted by the threat of siege due to the imminent arrival of the US Army to Utah. It was not intended to kill immigrants.Heber C. Kimball used violence and intimidation against non-Mormons or apostates?
Summary: The speech cited as evidence for this claim does not show any evidence of threats of violence or intimidation.Danites
Early territorial officials were threatened by Mormons
Summary: Some early territorial officials claimed Mormons threatened their lives. They made no such claims at the time, however, even when safely back in Washington. The evidence does not support the charge, which was likely made out of animus against the Mormons.Surveyor general David H. Burr threatened with death
Vengeance hymns
Summary: D. Michael Quinn cites several LDS hymns as evidence that the Saints encouraged vengeance against their enemies. The hymns ask instead for God to revenge them of their wrongs in the coming judgment—they do not anticipate taking matters into their own hands, and in some cases even explicitly rule it out.Castration of sinners in Utah?
Summary: I have read about a group of men (LDS) that went around castrating immoral men (who were also LDS) with the express permission of local church leaders. These events supposedly happened during the Brigham Young's administration. It is claimed that Brigham was aware of and approved of this and may have given the order. What can you tell me about this? I read that missionaries who selected plural wives from female converts before allowing church leaders to select from them first were castrated.The Mountain Meadows Massacre
The Mountain Meadows Massacre (1857) was the killing of members of a wagon train passing through southern Utah by a local Mormon militia, with help from some Native American allies, during a time of fear and tension connected to the Utah War. Some critics say Church leaders were responsible because of the situation in the territory and what was being said at the time, but historical evidence shows the attack was planned and carried out by local leaders, and does not show that Brigham Young ordered it. The Church has since said the event was a tragedy, expressed sorrow for what happened, and rejected the actions taken there. Click the links below for faithful answers to questions about and criticisms of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
- Historical Summary of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- The Perpetrators of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Brigham Young and the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Others Involved in the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Additional Resources on the Mountain Meadows Massacre
Video published by the Church History Department:
Oath of vengeance
Summary: In nearly every anti-Mormon discussion of the temple, critics raise the issue of the "oath of vengeance" that existed during the 19th century and very early 20th century. These critics often misstate the nature of the oath and try to use its presence in the early temple endowment as evidence that the LDS temple ceremonies are ungodly, violent, and immoral.
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]
History of the Mormon Reformation
Historical background
Doctrine taught during the Reformation
Blood atonement
Summary: It is claimed that during the administration of Brigham Young apostates were secretly put to death. They claim this is in line with the teachings of LDS leaders at the time that apostasy was the unforgivable sin, and that the only thing an apostate could do to redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly.Brigham Young's preaching style
Summary: Critics have often misunderstood or misrepresented Brigham Young's (and others LDS preachers') preaching style19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"
Summary: Critics expand to idea of blood atonement to include a long list of crimes that were alleged to be "worthy of death."Brigham Young: "bowie knife" (JD 1:83)
Brigham Young: "javelin through heart" for adultery (JD 1:108)
Brigham Young: "cut their throats" (JD 2:311)
Brigham Young: "cutting off from the earth" (JD 4:53)
Brigham Young: "killing the evil doers" (JD 3:50}
Brigham Young: "meanest devils" (JD 6:176)
Brigham Young: murder unfaithful Mormons to save souls? (JD 4:219-20)
Brigham Young: dictator? (JD 14:205)
Brigham Young: President of the US?
Brigham Young ordered the Saints to "starve the Gentiles" when the future victims of the Mountain Meadow Massacre arrived
Summary: The order not to trade with immigrants applied to all commodities, and was prompted by the threat of siege due to the imminent arrival of the US Army to Utah. It was not intended to kill immigrants.Heber C. Kimball used violence and intimidation against non-Mormons or apostates?
Summary: The speech cited as evidence for this claim does not show any evidence of threats of violence or intimidation.Danites
Early territorial officials were threatened by Mormons
Summary: Some early territorial officials claimed Mormons threatened their lives. They made no such claims at the time, however, even when safely back in Washington. The evidence does not support the charge, which was likely made out of animus against the Mormons.Surveyor general David H. Burr threatened with death
Vengeance hymns
Summary: D. Michael Quinn cites several LDS hymns as evidence that the Saints encouraged vengeance against their enemies. The hymns ask instead for God to revenge them of their wrongs in the coming judgment—they do not anticipate taking matters into their own hands, and in some cases even explicitly rule it out.Castration of sinners in Utah?
Summary: I have read about a group of men (LDS) that went around castrating immoral men (who were also LDS) with the express permission of local church leaders. These events supposedly happened during the Brigham Young's administration. It is claimed that Brigham was aware of and approved of this and may have given the order. What can you tell me about this? I read that missionaries who selected plural wives from female converts before allowing church leaders to select from them first were castrated.The Mountain Meadows Massacre
The Mountain Meadows Massacre (1857) was the killing of members of a wagon train passing through southern Utah by a local Mormon militia, with help from some Native American allies, during a time of fear and tension connected to the Utah War. Some critics say Church leaders were responsible because of the situation in the territory and what was being said at the time, but historical evidence shows the attack was planned and carried out by local leaders, and does not show that Brigham Young ordered it. The Church has since said the event was a tragedy, expressed sorrow for what happened, and rejected the actions taken there. Click the links below for faithful answers to questions about and criticisms of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
- Historical Summary of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- The Perpetrators of the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Brigham Young and the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Others Involved in the Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Additional Resources on the Mountain Meadows Massacre
Video published by the Church History Department:
Oath of vengeance
Summary: In nearly every anti-Mormon discussion of the temple, critics raise the issue of the "oath of vengeance" that existed during the 19th century and very early 20th century. These critics often misstate the nature of the oath and try to use its presence in the early temple endowment as evidence that the LDS temple ceremonies are ungodly, violent, and immoral.Notes