The wind whipped across the sky as dark clouds rolled over the mountains. A couple hundred people were gathered in what seemed to be a not so special place. The grass was tall and itchy. The smell of stagnant water was carried on the air by the wind and random dried cow pies lay hidden in the grass.
Today was the day where men, women and children remembered those souls from a tragedy long since past; the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
I only knew bits and pieces of this part of history. I had the opportunity to be formally educated about the event by direct descendants of the victims from the Fancher-Baker wagon train from Arkansas and relatives to the Mormon frontier men who massacred them.
All in all, it's a terrible dark day in history. I understand now why Mormons don't like talking about it. The day at the memorial reflected the mood of the event.
When I showed up with my friend and photographer, Chris, it was sunny. There was a slight breeze but nothing to complain about. People were mingling and enjoying being together.
When the program began the day steadily grew darker, more dreary, more windy, more cold. The feeling from the present company was solemn, yet understanding, and united in a strange way. Whether they were descendants from Arkansas or the Mormon frontier men, everyone was united in one cause, to honor those who lost their lives and to never forget it.
For 152 years the descendants from Arkansas have let the pain of the massacre fester and grow into a hatred, while the Mormons spent those years trying to bury and forget it. From what I can tell, it's only been in the past decade and a half the two groups have united in the common effort to let those murdered in cold blood be remembered and get the memory throughout the years they deserve.
And I say, what took so long?
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Indeed it has only been the past few years that everyone has come together to admit their sins. Historians have finally been granted access to LDS documents and the descendants have come forward to corroborate facts that had long ago been forgotten. But questions still remain. What did LDS teachings have to do with the massacre, did Brigham Young know about the planned attack, did he indeed order it? Why did Young attempt to cover-up the massacre. Finally, why would a faith so concerned about the sanctity of life find it justifiable to slaughter 120 people, with the exception of 18 children deemed ‘too young to relate what happened’ and implicate the LDS. These questions and more are still left unanswered. However, secrets are still kept, historians and even journalists have not seen all the documents or been told the true story. These secrets may indeed have been lost to future generations, but I would think an intrepid reporter unafraid and unbiased to the answers they would find may have a chance and indeed the responsibility to share the whole story with the rest of us. But secrets are still kept, the LDS church has yet to make a formal apology acknowledging the culpability of any of its members. Why? That is the true story here, not a memorial. If one truly intends to honor the slain, they should hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Bring the story to light.
ReplyDeleteWhat took so long indeed? Why is the world still waiting?
The true story is as acuratlely reported as possible in the Comprehensive History of the Church by B.H. Roberts. Yes he was an LDS Church leader but the "History" was written for a national magazine. The sad tale of these "calamatous events" are very well documented and much of the misunderstandings and answers to questions and quotes on the matter are recorded. While Roberts notes pointedly that "it is well-nigh impossible to sift out the absolute truth of the matter from the conflicting statements made by witnesses and near witnesses of the affair; and equally difficult to reconcile the differences of contending partisans;" I hope quite frankly this article by De Masters will stir people's hearts to seek more of the truth. It was an equitable and heart felt tribute to those who lost their lives that day. De Masters reputation of covering both sides of ccontroversial subjects remains strong!
ReplyDeleteWhy is the world still waiting?????? Why are the world and it's leaders so soon not remebering the tragedy of 9/11. How many times a day does someone think on the horrible loss of innocent lives? Yes, I believe we move forward but where is the truth???
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