Commentary

"I define fundamentalism as a group of invariably male leaders who consider themselves superior to other believers. The fundamentalists believe they have a special relationship with God. Therefore their beliefs are inherently correct, being those of God, and anyone who disagrees with them are first of all wrong, and second inferior, and in extreme cases even subhuman. Also, fundamentalists don't relish any challenge to their positions ... It makes a great exhibition of rigidity and superiority and exclusion." President Jimmy Carter

So the Mormons have never had to face their dark past, and now 150 years later the truth comes to light and they are being blindsided, and are unprepared to to deal with something they didn't learn about in school, why? Because it was not taught in school! Less than 1% of the population are aware of the past. If you find this statistic hard to believe conduct your own pole. Now as the truth is being shoved in their face they are screaming "it's not true, it's not true!" Sadly they are unconscious of the facts and they are being victimized for something they didn't know about. So taking out your anger on the filmmakers is wrong, don't shoot the messenger when the real culprit is the Church for covering it up. But don't take my word for it, or anyone else's, I would suggest that first, we read the historical accounts, then second, ask why we have never been told the truth?

The irony in this Mormon community is that the historic record can easily be found in nearly every library throughout the state, in bookstores and here on this website are nearly 54 books for sale, yet very few take the time to read. We assume that whatever the Church does or doesn't tells us is true, so we don't need to question anything or anyone! Fact, historians say that less than 1% of the population of Utah know of their past. Why? Because the fact is events such as the Mountain Meadow Massacre, the Black Hawk War, Circleville Massacre, Grass Valley Massacre, Bear River Massacre and over a hundred other bloody events have been glossed over, left out school curriculum and Church cannon, consequently people like you and me have been made to think that anything else is pure bunk! And what is as interesting is that if we are Mormon we feel guilt should we be found guilty of discussing these accounts. For doing so it may bring into question our allegiance to the Church. Well now the cat is out of the bag, and the cover-up has been uncovered. So the filmmakers are being beat up for uncovering the cover-up, and the Church is supposed to be exonerated for being deceitful? What's wrong with this picture here?

As Mormons we are taught that we should never question the authority of the Church. To follow with blind faith those who are the chosen mouth piece of God. This is the very dilemma the members face both individually and collectively. We are damned if we do and damned if we don't.

The following e-mail I copied from a blog by The Mainstream Iowan wherein a viewer posted the following:

You said: "Mormons were taught to obey the orders of their priesthood leaders, as long as they coincided with gospel principles."

I'm not sure where that's documented but, even today, Mormons are taught that they should obey the Prophet, even if he is wrong. The following quotes from Mormon leaders illustrate the mindset:

"I remember years ago when I was a Bishop I had President (Heber J.) Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting I drove him home . . . Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: 'My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.' Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, 'But you don't need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.'" (CR, October 1960, p. 78.)

"Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you." (D&C 21:4-6) 

"It is wrong to criticize the leaders of the Church -- even when that criticism is true." -- Apostle Dallin H. Oaks
 

If you judge September Dawn against the Church's sanitized, or shall I say "accommodation history" it is a lie, exaggerated truth, bashing at it's worst, an insult to every Mormon on earth! Church Historian D. Michael Quinn in 1981 spoke to an assembly of Church members and had this to say: "The Accommodation History advocated by Elders Benson and Packer and actually practiced by some LDS writers is intended to protect the Saints, but actually disillusions them and makes them vulnerable... The tragic reality is that there have been occasions when Church leaders, teachers, and writers have not told the truth they knew about difficulties of the Mormon past, but have offered to the Saints instead a mixture of platitudes, half-truths, omissions, and plausible denials..." I read where brother Quinn was excommunicated for his taking a stand for truth in education. (Google D, Michael Quinn.)  

However, if you judge September Dawn against the official historic record, government accounts, Utah State archives, firsthand accounts, family journals, and those written by objective Church historians i.e. John Alton Peterson, it was spot on the truth! Professional historians and noted scholars like Will Bagley, Juanita Brooks, and a plethora of others who have studied these events in depth, well it's all there my friends, seek and ye shall find! It is what it is, and I think the Mountain Meadow Massacre has been long over due coming to light. But whether you accept it or not, that's your choice, but your opinion doesn't change the facts. What matters is that we take the time to learn and openly discuss these issues and events before we go out and verbally massacre innocent people... again!

It is obvious that the harshest critics of the film are Mormons who are simply shocked, stunned, hurt and haven't read a damn thing. Okay, they being blindsided by a truth they have not been told about, it is natural why there is so much anger being expressed. But you know what? I think these people are being very hypocritical, just think a minute about the victims, and the descendants of the victims who have endured generations of pain and anger than expressed by those who watched a hour long film.

Speaking of Lee, John D. Lee, the one who led the attack on the Fancher party, I have personal contact with one of the descendants of Lee, and while they don't deny his involvement in the massacre at all, they have publicly stated that the film is accurate, again there is far more to his story than the film depicted. But lets be real, to tell the complete story and cover every detail of those times would take hours upon hours of film to do so. My point being that we should be respectful to those who are descendents of these people like Lee whose lives are affected everyday for their ancestors past. And have the critics of the film addressed their sufferings? Hell no! They are to arrogant to do that right now.    

Regarding the movie critics, they talk about truth, hell I congratulate the efforts and convictions of those who have spent many long years and have had to move mountains to stand up and tell the truth. That is far more than I could say for Mormon Church leaders, and Church owned media, that continue to deny that this event ever happened. Because of my own Mormon background I'll be honest, I can tell you there were more truths than exaggerations in the September Dawn. You and I have seen far worse films believe me, and they have not been dealt with such contempt and harsh criticism as this has been. Most all of the criticism is just sour grapes and one-sided.

The movie left me thinking far more about the victims than and the impact this will have on the viewer than anything else. And that should be noted, as I am only being honest as to how I reacted. But thinking about the way the Paiute were depicted, I have a lot of concern. I listened very intently to that segment, perhaps more than most would because of where my head is at at this time. They should have given more explanation and time to this, instead it was like a drive by shooting. And the way they hurried over that controversial aspect regarding the Paiute bothered me very much and really did a disservice to the Paiute who have in fact been found innocent by history scholars and researcher's. They should have given less attention to the romance story and used that time to explore the Paiute's side of the story. The fact it was down-played as it was, may have been the only redemption leaving the viewer with doubt more than being conclusive or altogether misleading. But critics are bound to grab that and milk it for all it worth, unfortunately, again demoralizing the Native Indian without any remorse.

When I walked out of the theater I was thinking about how religious fanatics can be so damn destructive to life. I thought about how the Fancher and Baker family has suffered so much over these years and have had to fight like hell to bring the truth to light. And of coarse I am waiting to see what happens next as the Church searches for just the right blend of platitudes and plausible denials to navigate around this. Which brings me to comment, critics of the film are so quick to lash out and expressed their rage for the film, but they have not said one word of kindness or regret to address those who were the victims of this heinous crime. They are more concerned about the reputation of their Church than the feelings of the descendents of those victims. 

In the September Dawn movie they show some of the LDS temple ceremony. "Throats cut" is a common method of killing throughout Mormon history of both Indian and white victims. What is significant about this is that it is related to the temple ceremony. I went through the temple several times when I was preparing for my mission for the church in 1963. During the ceremony each person makes an oath never to divulge the details of the ceremony. We are made to swear that should we speak of it that we agree we will "suffer our lives to be taken." At that moment when we swear this oath, we make a sign that suggests our throats will be cut from ear to ear, and our stomachs be cut open. In my g-grandfathers book are numerous accounts of people having their throats cut.
 

There is far more to the dark side of the Mormon history than just Mountain meadows, i.e. the Black Hawk War. This is just the tip of a much bigger story. Keep in mind that in 1850 the Mormon militia had murdered the family of Nuche

"Black Hawk" and beheaded 50 of his kin and placed the heads in front of captured Nuche

for two weeks at Fort Utah. Nuche

was just in his early twenties. From 1850 to 1866 there were approximately 150 bloody confrontations with the Indian people, and in 1866 a Mormon bishop by the name of Jackson Allred ordered that 26 Indians, men, women and children have their throats cut which became known as the Circleville Massacre. They spared children under the age of eight, and they covered it up. But as news of the murders reached Brigham he did nothing but verbally criticize them. Sound familiar?

I often think of those days. Killing was a common occurrence. I try to grasp what kind of atmosphere it created for all who were living here in Utah at the time. It had to be a place where people lived in fear and depression daily. I mean come on, how could you not be affected by death and dying all about you? I have accounts of church members that wanted to leave Utah because it was just too much for them, but were threatened by Church leaders if they did. Brigham Young had his militia take control of all the mail coming and going from Utah. The mail was intercepted, opened and read to make sure that news of the circumstances did not reach the outside world. People lived in total fear and near isolation until the railroad was completed in 1867. Then the population exploded going from approximately 80,000 to nearly 160,000 in just over a year, and doubled again by 1873. By then I think people for the most part choose not to talk about their dark past and focused on the future. For at last they were liberated from the evil carnage and found relief in replacing their fears and disgust, with the intoxicating future of progress as they embraced the American dream with open arms. And the more distance they could put between themselves and the past the better. They embraced with joy any and all attempts to cover up the past, setting the stage for the sanitized versions of how the west was won. Movies and stories that exonerated the whites however far fetched they may have been, became the medicine to heal their burning consciousness of wrong doing, and vindicated their actions. Hence the birth of slogans such as "That's all in the past, we should just forget about it and move on." A slogan that continues to roll off the tongues of modern Mormon society today.

When I first entered the theater I couldn't help but notice that there were no posters or signs, no advertising of any kind about the September Dawn. TV ads have run here in Utah, but they do not say where the movie is being shown. This is censorship! In a small way much the same attitude that was shown the Fancher and Baker wagon train, like yes the movie is being shown, but we are not going to tell you where.

In a theater of 200 seats I was one of 23, but it was the first showing at 1:20, and three got up and left before it was half way through. The look on the faces of people after the show was very sober, as if on the verge of tears or anger. No one said anything. Many sat still after the lights came up, like me I guess they were some what paralyzed with thought and emotion as I was. And what was even more curious, everyone seemed to avoid eye contact looking down at the floor. 

I couldn't help but think of all who have worked so hard to bring this story to light, a lot of courage and conviction to have done so. It's a miracle they got it on the big screen. And there is no doubt in my mind all will be criticized and slandered without mercy. But I for one have a great admiration that they followed their convictions and stood up for the truth, as any good Christian should. This is a golden opportunity for the LDS Church to show the world the true meaning of repentance. It's time to walk your talk!

Update: 
Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have expressed sympathy. "My heart has gone out to the descendants," Elder Dallin Oaks said in a recent PBS documentary. "What a terrible thing to contemplate, that the barbarity of the frontier and the conditions of the Utah war, whatever provocations were perceived to have been given, would have led to ... such an extreme atrocity perpetrated by members of my faith." - Christian Science Monitor

August 3, 2007

Book Review

Never have I written a book review, but I just finished reading D. Robert Carter's Founding Fort Utah, written in 2002. I am pleased to have read a plethora of accounts on this subject of Fort Utah before I came upon Mr. Carter's. Carter is an excellent writer, clean, clear, to the point. But I am most impressed by his accuracy of the event, but is the victor's point of view, and most importantly the respectful way he has portrayed our Native people. Rather than assuming the Ute's point of view, with honesty he clearly indicates he doesn't know. It has been very refreshing to read a historians account without all the platitudes, omissions, and half truths. Nor does he write of these troubling times as an amusing old west story. He has been very respectful and balanced in his depictions. For these reason's I highly recommend Mr. Carter's book to anyone who wants to know what happened at Fort Utah in 1850. This is, in my opinion, how history should be written and taught in our schools. But, had Mr. Carter taken the time to ask the Utes what their side of the story is, his account would have been all the more complete. 

I was delighted to find his work available on Amazon, allowing me to make it available here in our bookstore. 

August 3, 2007

An Amusing Story?

Over the past few days I spent my time in the archives scanning through old books in the special collections section of the Provo City Library. Reading an account by Ray C. Colton titled A historical Study of the Exploration of Utah Valley and the Story of Fort Utah written in 1946. A lead-in to one of his sentences gave me reason to pause. The sentence started out, "An amusing story..." he notes one of the troops firing a cannon at a tee pee when another soldier takes over, loads the cannon with chain, fires the cannon sending the chain ripping through the tee pee and "cutting off the legs of a squaw." An "amusing story" he says. Reading over the paragraph several times I was trying to understand exactly what was so "amusing." Personally I find comics amusing. I find nothing amusing about a woman having her legs torn off by a cannon.

No longer amused by Colton's book, I returned it to the shelf and selected something entirely different. This book written in the 1840's titled "Provo, A Pioneer City" was interesting for the first few paragraphs, when I began to see the same kind of slant as the  previous book. So I took another book from the shelf and read awhile, and another, and repeated until I had several books by different authors, but one thing in common, they were all written by Mormon authors. I know, your eyes are probably rolling back in your head, you might be thinking what is it I have against Mormons? The truth is reader, I don't have anything against Mormons purse. Keep in mind I have spent several years reading books written by Mormon scholars, and have kept an open mind. I can't help but see a pattern in the writing style of these authors though. For when ever they are writing about church members, or those of European descent in general, they always portray the person they are writing about with respect. But when they write anything about the Native Indian their remarks are rude, racist, degrading, and unkind. And when they speak of the battles with them, they are "skirmishes." During a "skirmish" Indian people are killed, most are outright murdered. But these are just skirmishes. Just a minor argument or dispute that ended up with some deserving "savage" getting killed. And more than half the time the victims have no names, and their bodies left to be eaten by animals, unless his family happens along and finds him unexpectedly. And the story becomes an amusing tale of the old west. But when a white man is killed, its not amusing at all, it's a massacre. They are respectfully carried off, funeral services are held, the ground where they are buried is consecrated, and their names enshrined in glory. Most always followed by a depiction of the victims suffering, and the militia called out to hunt down the "savage murders" and slaughter any who even look suspicious.

The racism and hatred the early pioneers had toward the Indian permeates every line and paragraph of every account, directly and indirectly, and to think these are the historical records that have long been the source material for educators for decades of time. There is no reason to misunderstand why our society discriminates, why bigotry thrives, why our Native brothers continue to suffer. So often the Mormon mindset is so well cloaked in innocence and purity, exempting themselves from any wrong doing, as they discusses their deadly deeds of genocide with amusement.

I suppose its been very amusing for those who are behind the BIG LIE, I imagine they are getting a real good laugh. But for you and I, and our Native brothers, if we have one thing in common it would be that we all have been the brunt of someone else's very sick amusement.

Sorry Mr. Colton, I am not amused. May I suggest to historians and educators who find Indian history amusing that you speak with the descendants of the victims and see how amused you are then. 

July 4, 2007

Its a new day here in Utah. Our 4th of July celebrations are over and people are all back at work again. I listened to the people sing the song "Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. For purple mountains majesty, above the fruited plans." But I notice the air is filled with smoke. There are so many fires burning around here. Every year it seems there are more and more fires because people are so careless about the environment. There hasn't been any rain here for months so the mountains are bone dry. From where I am I see the mountains blackened from fires. I have gone into the mountains and where the rivers and streams used to run freely they are dry. It is because man has diverted every last drop, and it is still not enough to satisfy the ever growing need for more. When I spoke with my friend about the fires on the reservation, he said he could see the animals running trying to stay ahead of the fires. And as I listen to the news reports they talk about the fires and the men fighting them, but they say nothing about the animals and plants , its just a fire to them, and they worry more about the cost of fighting the fire than the untold numbers of life that is lost. Bears and cougars are being forced to leave their habitat, but man here see them as a threat and are killing them, if not they are relocating them from their homes. And where the great Provo River runs from the majestic mountains to the lake, the river is no longer visible, houses and factories have been built right to it's shores, and most of it runs underground through tunnels making it no longer accessible for miles. The lake is filled with silt and so polluted, the water is less than five feet deep across miles of lake. There once was 17 native species of fish in the lake, now there just 2, and both are on the endangered list. Yet they continue to build more factories around the lake. Urban sprawl has no boundaries. There is not a an inch of ground that has not been dug up by the hands of man. All that was once beauty has vanished beneath asphalt, concrete and buildings.

"It's not my problem, I am just doing my job trying to make ends meet to feed my family." These are the words of locals here. Some say, "I care deeply about the environment, but what can I do?" And when I bring up the subject of the Utah Indians I hear, "That's all in the past we should just forget about it." What does matter to these people here? Where are their hearts?   

The culture here has little or no compassion for the environment. There is no sign of connectedness to Spirit. While greed and arrogance are common and normal. Just like their ancestors who came here a 150 years ago, nothing has changed. They continue in their destructive ways as they always have from the beginning. The only difference is there are more of them. They say they care, but the don't walk their talk. The natural forests have become a threat. Once they were an asset, now they are declared a liability because of their potential to burn. They are more likely to burn because the water resources have been diverted to Las Vegas and California. The wild animals such as bears and cougars have become a threat. They are a nuisance to those who have built their homes in their habitat. But could it be this way because they are finding it harder to find food and water?

Will it get better? Will there ever come a time when enough is enough and society will be satisfied with what they have? Or will the mindset of corporate self destruction prevail? I bet my money on the later. It would take an act of God to wake people up, and who is to say that is not exactly what will be?

"Oh beautiful our smoke filled skies, for pesticides on our grain. For stripped mined mountains majesty, above the asphalt plans. America, America, God shed his grace on thee, and crowned thy good with brotherhood from sea to oil slicked sea."