Mountain Meadows massacre

The most tragic and disturbing event in Mormon history took place on 11 September, 1857, when approximately 120 men, women and children, travelling through Utah to California were systematically massacred by a force consisting of Mormons and Southern Paiute Indians. The Mountain Meadow Massacre, as it is known, has remained a topic of interest and controversy as Latter-day Saints and historians struggle to understand this event, and the Church's detractors seek to exploit it for polemical purposes.

Setting the stage

(Will briefly discuss the settlement of Utah, the Utah War and overland travel conditions in the West in the 1850's.

The main participants

(Introduce Lee, Klingensmith, Haight and Dame, and set out the composition of the Fancher party.)

The massacre

(The battle, the surrender, the murders.)

The aftermath: investigations and trial

(Look at official inaction, the eventual trial and execution of Lee.)

Polemical accounts

(Look at accusations that Brigham Young ordered the massacre. Examime claims that the Indian participants were white Mormons in fancy dress. Look into the "cover-up" allegations.)