Rating: 
Summary: What Did Brigham Young Know and When Did He Know It?
Review: Will Bagley has chosen to tackle one of the most difficult subjects in Western American History--the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Bagley is to be commended for examining new sources of information, re-examining old sources, and drawing deeper conclusions than in previously written material.This book challenges Juanita Brook's "Mountain Meadows Massacre" as being the most authoritative book dealing with the subject. Brook's book was well-written and meticulously researched. However, Brooks was too accepting of unsupported statements and failed, perhaps, to reach certain logical conclusions. For those who are unaware, in 1857, an unfortunate group of pioneers traveling by covered wagon from Arkansas passed through Utah Territory on their way to California. The journey happened to coincide with the murder of LDS Church Apostle, Parley P. Pratt, in Arkansas shortly before. It also occurred at the same time President Buchanan was sending the United States Army to Utah to gain control over the "disloyal" Mormons. In September of 1857, as the pioneers were camped in the Mountain Meadows west of Cedar City they were initially assaulted by a group of Indians (there may have been Mormon settlers dressed as Indians among the group as well). When several days of hard fighting failed to destroy the pioneers, a group of Mormons appeared on the scene and pretended to negotiate a ceasefire with the Indians. As soon as the Arkansas pioneers laid down their guns, they were than slaughtered by a group including both Mormons and Indians. It is estimated 120 people were butchered in this fashion. Only one man, John D. Lee, was ever tried in a court of law for this crime and that occurred twenty years later after a massive cover-up took place involving church leaders and the whole community in southern Utah. Lee alone paid the penalty for this event. He was executed by firing squad in 1877 for his role in the massacre. Many haunting questions remain unanswered: 1. How many Mormons were involved in the massacre? 2. Was the massacre the result of action by local church leaders, or a directive from the President of the Church? 3. Why did the church allow the property of the emigrants to be looted by settlers and Indians? 4. Why was there a need to cover-up the details of this incident for so many years afterwards? 5. Why was John D. Lee the only man punished for the crime? Bagley's answers are more disturbing than anything that has ever been written about the massacre so far. He concludes that the killing of the settlers had to be ordered in some fashion by high church leaders. And, it is difficult to explain away the actions of Apostle George A Smith who left Salt Lake City and rode south at the time to condemn the pioneers in the wagon train, at the same time they arrived in Salt Lake City. It is also difficult to explain away the journal entries of Dimick Huntington which provide support for the theory that church leaders encouraged Indians to attack the pioneers. Bagley is subject to criticism because much of any account of the massacre is simply "interpretation". Bagley chooses to interpret evidence to blame church leaders. In fact, the evidence may be capable of different interpretations. Perhaps, Bagley doesn't give Brigham Young enough credit for the letter he sent to the Southern Utah communities instructing them to leave the pioneers alone. (which somehow arrived just a day or two too late to prevent he massacre). Also, its difficult to rely on much of anything John D. Lee said. Lee wrote and said many contradictory things about the massacre. Additionally, his statements may have been motivated by a desire to escape criminal responsibility for his acts. Much of the other evidence in the book is both dated and circumstantial. However, if there is a conclusion that can be drawn from the book it is this. The true and complete story of the massacre has never been told. Obviously, there is much more to it than has ever been explained. That the church participated in a coverup of the events cannot be denied. And, one has to ask why, if no one "higher up" had any culpability for what occurred. Will Bagley is to be applauded for tackling a difficult subject and having the courage to reach the conclusions that he has. Perhaps, his book will result in more thoughtful research and inquiry into this subject.
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Summary: A Major Contribution to Western American History
Review: Will Bagley's "Blood of the Prophets" is a superb example of what real history should be---painstakingly researched, well-written, and capably topped off with original analysis. It is, in short, a major contribution to the literature of the period, because Bagley takes on and answers two central questions: was the Mormon church as an institution involved in the Mountain Meadows massacre? Was Brigham Young involved? The job he does at researching, writing and providing penetrating analysis will, no doubt, stand the test of time. Now, if most other historians could follow this-type blueprint (a few already do, but not many), history would be more enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: A Major Contribution to Western American History
Review: Will Bagley's "Blood of the Prophets" is a superb example of what real history should be---painstakingly researched, well-written, and capably topped off with original analysis. It is, in short, a major contribution to the literature of the period, because Bagley takes on and answers two central questions: was the Mormon church as an institution involved in the Mountain Meadows massacre? Was Brigham Young involved? The job he does at researching, writing and providing penetrating analysis will, no doubt, stand the test of time. Now, if most other historians could follow this-type blueprint (a few already do, but not many), history would be more enjoyable.
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