The Mountain Meadows Massacre was a tragic event that occurred in September 1857 in southern Utah, where a group of Mormon militiamen, possibly assisted by some Native Americans, attacked and killed approximately 120 emigrants from Arkansas who were traveling to California[1][2][3]. The massacre took place over several days, beginning on September 7th with an initial attack on the encamped emigrants, known as the Fancher-Baker company[1][3]. On September 11th, after promising safe passage, the militiamen, led by John D. Lee, executed the emigrants, sparing only 17 young children[1][2][4]. The massacre occurred during a time of high tension in Utah, with Mormons fearing invasion by U.S. troops and harboring resentment over past persecutions[1][4]. The event remained largely uninvestigated for nearly two decades, partly due to the outbreak of the Civil War and alleged efforts to block investigations[1][4]. In 1877, John D. Lee was eventually tried, convicted, and executed for his role in the massacre[1][2]. Historians continue to debate the extent of Brigham Young's involvement in the massacre and subsequent cover-up[1][4][5].

[1] Kerns, T. S. (2018). Mountain Meadows Massacre. In H. W. House (Ed.), The Evangelical Dictionary of World Religions (p. 331). Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group.

[2] Encyclopædia Britannica. (2016). In Encyclopedia Britannica (Logos Edition). Encyclopædia Britannica.

[3] Ure, J. W. (2019). Stop the press: how the mormon church tried to silence the salt lake tribune. Prometheus.

[4] Ostling, R., & Ostling, J. K. (2024). Mormon America: The Power and the Promise (p. 80). HarperOne.

[5] Roberts, D. (2024). Devil’s Gate: Brigham Young and the Great Mormon Handcart Tragedy. Simon & Schuster.