Standard of Truth Podcast Summary: S2E20 "Under the Banner of Heaven Part 2"

Host: Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat
Guest: Professor Richard Leduc
Release Date: May 19, 2022

Introduction

In the twentieth episode of Season 2, titled "Under the Banner of Heaven Part 2," Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat continues his in-depth exploration of the complex and often tumultuous history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church). Joined by Professor Richard Leduc, the conversation delves into pivotal events leading up to the infamous Mountain Meadows Massacre, examining the socio-political tensions and misconceptions surrounding the LDS community in the mid-19th century.

Contextualizing the Utah War and Rising Tensions

The episode begins by setting the stage with the political climate of the time. Professor Leduc recounts the atmosphere leading up to the Utah War, highlighting President James Buchanan and Senator Stephen Douglas's vehement opposition to Brigham Young's leadership of the LDS Church. Douglas's rhetoric, steeped in xenophobia and misconceptions, fueled fears and misconceptions about the Mormon settlers.

Stephen Douglas's Rhetoric:
"The territory of Utah was organized under one of the acts known as the Compromise Measures of 1850... They are entitled to admission... But thirteen years experience has disclosed a state of facts entirely different..."
(03:50)

Douglas's portrayal of the LDS population as predominantly alien-born and unassimilated underscored widespread anti-Mormon sentiment. Professor Leduc critiques Douglas’s claims, asserting that genealogical research disproves the assertion that 90% of Utah's inhabitants were non-naturalized aliens.

Xenophobia and Misrepresentation of the LDS Community

The discussion shifts to the broader theme of xenophobia embedded in 19th-century American politics. Professor Leduc emphasizes how figures like Douglas exploited fears of "the other" to justify aggressive actions against the LDS Church.

Douglas's Accusations:
"The inhabitants... are bound by horrid oaths and terrible penalties... to recognize and maintain the authority of Brigham Young... to subvert the government of the United States."
(04:44)

Professor Leduc dissects these claims, highlighting their lack of evidence and the broader trend of associating Native Americans and Mormons as threats to American governance. He underscores that while conflicts like the Walker War did occur, official LDS policies under Brigham Young were generally conciliatory towards Native Americans.

Anti-Mormonism and Perpetuated Myths

A significant portion of the episode tackles the persistent myths and negative stereotypes propagated about Mormons, particularly regarding their supposed alliances with Native American tribes and secretive violent groups like the Danites or Destroying Angels. Professor Leduc argues that these narratives were often fabricated or exaggerated by opponents of the LDS Church to delegitimize and marginalize the community.

Myth vs. Reality:
"Latter Day Saint settlers and Native Americans have frequent conflicts... but the official policy of Utah Territory under Brigham Young was to be as conciliatory as possible to the Native Americans."
(12:30)

He further explains that accusations of Mormons inciting violence were part of a broader attempt to paint the group as inherently antagonistic towards the United States, ignoring the nuanced and often peaceful interactions they maintained with neighboring Native tribes.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre: Unraveling the Truth

The heart of the episode focuses on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, one of the most tragic events in LDS history. Professor Leduc provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the massacre, emphasizing the role of misinformation, fear of impending military action, and internal pressures within the LDS community.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Military Threat and Mormon Response:

   • The fear of President Buchanan's approaching army led Brigham Young to declare martial law in Utah Territory.
   • Brigham Young's Directive:
     "Let all the immigrants pass in peace... we will protect you."
     (15:45)

2. Conflict with the Baker-Fancher Party:

   • The Baker-Fancher wagon train faced growing hostility due to trade restrictions imposed by LDS leaders.
   • Encounters between the wagon train and local Mormon settlers escalated tensions, leading to violent confrontations orchestrated by John D. Lee.

3. Execution of the Massacre:

   • On September 11, 1857, under the guise of a flag of truce and negotiations, members of the Iron County Militia, aided by Paiute Indians, attacked the wagon train.
   • Outcome: Approximately 120 men, women, and children were brutally killed, marking the darkest day in LDS history.

Description of the Massacre:
"Members of the Iron County Militia... turn and kill the men... there is the attack of the Indians as well, which kills those other survivors."
(33:15)

Professor Leduc highlights Brigham Young's delayed and somewhat oblivious reaction to the massacre, as misinformation and deceit from local leaders prevented him from grasping the full extent of the atrocity initially.

Misrepresentations in Literature and Media

The episode critiques contemporary and historical attempts to malign the LDS Church through flawed research and biased narratives. Professor Leduc specifically addresses Richard L. Evans and Jon Krakauer's works, pointing out their inaccuracies and motivations to portray Mormons negatively.

Examples of Criticism:

1. Richard L. Evans's Erroneous Claims:

   • Misidentification of historical figures and events to fit anti-Mormon narratives.
   • Incorrectly labeling LDS apostles' titles to undermine their authority.

2. Jon Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven":

   • Presents a skewed interpretation of LDS theology, suggesting inherent violence.
   • Fabricates connections between unrelated biblical and Book of Mormon figures to depict Mormons as murderers.

Krakauer's Inaccuracy:
"Krakauer refers to Mark E. Peterson and calls him a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as the LDS president."
(60:05)

Professor Leduc emphasizes the importance of relying on well-researched historical accounts and encourages listeners to consult works by reputable historians like Richard Turley and Ronald Walker, who offer nuanced and evidence-based perspectives on events like the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Human Nature and Bias in Historical Interpretation

Drawing parallels to broader societal tendencies, Professor Leduc discusses the human inclination to generalize negative traits based on the actions of a few within any group. He argues that attributing violent tendencies to the entire Mormon community based on the actions of individuals is both inaccurate and unjust.

On Broad Generalizations:
"Members of every faith... have done horrific things. It's an unfair brush to use to paint so broadly..."
(66:26)

Professor Leduc advocates for individual accountability and cautions against allowing historical atrocities to overshadow the diverse and often peaceful contributions of the LDS community.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Dr. Dirkmaat wraps up the episode by reaffirming the importance of understanding historical contexts and seeking out credible sources. He urges listeners to critically evaluate biased narratives and to turn to scholarly works for a more accurate portrayal of LDS history.

Final Thought:
"Just because members of our church have done something horrific doesn't mean our faith is illegitimate."
(69:50)

Listeners are encouraged to explore further readings, notably the comprehensive study by Turley and Walker, to gain a more in-depth and balanced understanding of events like the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Notable Quotes

• Stephen Douglas on Utah Territory:
  "Suppose I repeat that Congress should pass a law prescribing a criminal code and punishing polygamy, among other offenses. What effect would it have? Would you call on 23 grand jurymen with 23 wives each to find a bail of indictment against a poor, miserable wretch for having only two wives."
  (20:34)

• Professor Leduc on Historical Misrepresentation:
  "This is an attempt to make a wider argument that in fact even Brigham Young ordered this murder that is problematic."
  (48:15)

Further Resources

For those interested in a deeper dive into the Mountain Meadows Massacre and LDS history, Professor Leduc recommends:

• Books:
  Mountain Meadows Massacre by Richard Turley and Ronald Walker (published by Oxford University Press).

• Gospel Topics Essay:
  Peace and Violence in 19th Century

• Official Church Responses:
  The LDS Church has published rebuttals and official statements addressing inaccuracies in critical works, accessible on their newsroom website.

Closing Remarks

Dr. Gerrit Dirkmaat and Professor Richard Leduc provide a compelling narrative that challenges prevailing misconceptions about the LDS Church's history, particularly focusing on the Mountain Meadows Massacre. By highlighting the importance of accurate historical research and the dangers of biased narratives, the episode serves as a crucial resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of 19th-century Mormonism and its interactions with broader American society.

For more detailed discussions and historical insights, visit standardoftruth.com and share this episode with anyone interested in the intricate history of the LDS Church.