Visiting the Site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre - One of the Worst Crimes of the Old West

On September 11, 1857, one of the most horrendous crimes of the old west took place, when over 120 members of a wagon train bound for California were killed in cold blood in southwestern Utah. This event, which is little remembered today, became known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
The attackers, who comprised of members of a Mormon militia and local Paiutes, were sworn to secrecy after the attack, and despite the large number of men, women, and children who were killed, it would be 20 years before any justice was had for the attacks, and even then only one person would face punishment.
In this video we head to the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, explore its monuments, and talk about the history of what happened here.
For more information on the Mountain Meadows Massacre check out these articles:
www.smithsonia...
www.npr.org/20...
And here is a link to the book John D. Lee wrote about his life and involvement in the MMM: www.classicapo...
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[@danlundgren262]

I never enjoyed history classes in school, but as I get older I realize how important it is to learn history - great segment

[@CherokeeJackson]

Same here Dan!

[@Lynn-r8h]

I’ve been a history nerd all my life and am a certified history teacher in my state. And believe me, I love these videos!

[@wmjohns881]

Modern history has often become politically correct history. Example: Lincoln’s war of northern aggression against the south, has been re-named “the civil war” Northerners and liberal media prefer reducing this northerners aggression to its lowest common denominator … …. Including politically correct history revision. CSA monuments have been removed and southern leaders have been demonized.

[@sammyseguin2978]

"Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it." -Winston Churchill Sadly, humans are very slow learners.

[@MikeJohnson-ld9rn]

@@danlundgren262 I have a double major in History and English, and also taught both for five years before getting my masters in Counseling and spending the next 25 years working in a middle school in the inner city of Phoenix. Learning how to sugar coat the bitter pill of duration Getting to make it palatable and /or relevant for young minds is the real art of teaching! Getting kids to by in and forget that they are being skillfully entertained and taught at the same time is what we teachers always strive for! Steve would do well at this task !

[@jc72outdoors]

This is such a dark peice of history within Mormonism. I have studied this a bit, and I was surprised to see my family name among those who murdered these men, women and children. I researched a little more and discovered that I'm related to this individual. This story is heartbreaking. To think that people could commit this horrific crime, especially a relative of mine. My grandma's uncle. He went on to live a happy life, raising a family and finally settling in Snowflake Arizona. As if it never happened. I have been to this place and I wept. I was born and raised in this church, and have heard various versions of this story. What these men did is unforgivable. Thank you for sharing. Subscribing to your channel.

[@sandraluhnow7474]

My family lived in Modena and we always stop there on our way to show our respect.

[@passiveaggressivenegotiato8087]

This massacre of Arkansans led to our government pressuring Utah into statehood or get marched on. It got their little theocracy nipped in the bud, and they even had to change their doctrine. There is a lesson in sectarianism here though; as these Arkies were going from town to town picking Biblical debates - and that shouldn't cause a massacre, but it's not the first or last time that it has.

[@Umega101]

@@passiveaggressivenegotiato8087 Do research into what the Mormons went through before they ended up in Utah, and you'll find it is very likely that these 'Arkies' did say some derogatory things in a place they shouldn't have

[@Ken-ej6sc]

There's no such thing as "Mormonism" or the "Mormon Church". This is only a nickname given to the church by its enemies.. And no, the theology was NOT crushed, or doctrine changed. This massacre was never condoned by the Church. In fact, President Young tried to prevent it, but they didn't get the message in time.

[@jc72outdoors]

@@Ken-ej6sc Please stop with that stupid argument over using the phrase Mormonism or Mormon. All my years in the church, we were proud to be Mormon. Do you remember the I'm a Mormon campaign? Paid for by the church. Do you remember the church owned website with Mormon? If president Nelson wouldn't have changed it, you would be a proud Mormon. This argument is redicouls. I'm not changing just because one man said so.

[@kennymorris6329]

I wouldn't have said that the "Children were taken in by local families" more like kidnapped by local families. Horrible, thanks for the history as always.

[@unbreakable7633]

Exactly.

[@JamesKonzek-xr5zy]

Steve gets a passing grade at minimizing.

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@Nova2032-exactly 🤢

[@datrikstr]

And when the kids families claimed them, the Mormon families demanded reimbursement for taking the kids in.

[@markstevenson6635]

Always trying to grift on the gov't. In those days.

[@bradmarr8765]

My mother's maiden name is Fancher. When I moved to Salt Lake City my mother's relatives told me about Mountain Meadows and warned me not to keep silent about my Fancher blood. I went to this site several times while living in Utah to pay respects. On September 11 2001 I was in Las Vegas at a trade show. I flew to Vegas from Salt Lake but managed to get the last car rental to get back home. I took a side trip to Mountain Meadows on my way back. It occurred to me then that the dates were the same; September 11. Religious zealots murdering innocent people.

[@hollacewilliams4341]

Those mormons were dressed up as native indians so the natives would be blamed instead ...

[@daveenyart]

Wow...excellent connection to our 9/11.

[@retriever19golden55]

When I first read about this story some years ago I was also struck by the date. The history books I've read about the massacre make it pretty plain the train was attacked because it was wealthy and extremely well-equipped, including some very valuable livestock such as Capt. Baker's fine Thoroughbred horse. Your relations were smart and determined to have success in California. Without the jealousy and violence of Brigham Young, they had every chance of establishing themselves very well in California. RIP to all.

[@chezsnailez]

Augusto Pinochet took power from Salvador Alendé in Chile on 9/11...

[@c.joelummus8880]

@@bradmarr8765 too bad they weren't innocent ,Fancher was an accessory after the fact. Instead of dissolving the wagon train he let the Missourians murder the Indians I guess that's okay with you?

[@RetroRobbin59]

What a beautiful, sad place. Thanks Steve for sharing this place.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

The whole area is amazingly beautiful.

[@eagletalons5333]

@@SidetrackAdventures I see what you did with 'sight', or is it 'site', oh that's right, it's both. Good one Steve, it gets the mind a working!

[@skylark1250]

The terrain has changed dramatically due to a huge flood in the 1863. It barreled through and took out trees, changed drainages. John D. Lee lost a wife and two children to the flood and he was as far away from the meadow as Harmony. This is a very nice video.

[@ryanm4013]

Steve needs a show on the History Channel NOW! He is such a great narrator without being biased or opinionated.

[@garbski42]

I agree.

[@GailWoodyard-ov5lw]

That would be great, except the history channel doesn't have any history on it!

[@tomhirons7475]

@@GailWoodyard-ov5lw i agree

[@thedude8046]

Today's history channel is totally biased man!

[@Neil-ru7kw]

Totally agree 👍

[@ydnallah1541]

As an Englishman this channel is fascinating as its places and history I’d never heard of before. Thanks for your work, it’s excellent!

[@notseekingconverts]

It’s no coincidence really. Mormonism was originally an English territorial play on the continent. Ultimately globalist in nature. A fundamentalist religion is exactly what the king ordered.

[@Bob-rd9vd]

Ah, an Englishman. Look up "The battle of Cowpens, SC. Also Francis Marion, The Swamp Fox. But don't be concerned, all is forgiven. Come visit. -A South Carolinian.

[@Crusty_Camper]

@@Bob-rd9vd Well THIS Englishman has done just that. I was specially interested in what happened around Ninety-Six, which was in itself an example of how complicated those times were. I first became aware of it in the book " Blue Highways" by William Least Heat-Moon which is well worth reading if you don't already know it. I have family, now in Georgia, who fought on the side of the new republic and my family in England were supporters of the ideas of fellow Englishman Thomas Paine.

[@bender7565]

Read about this in school 50yrs ago, remembered the name. You showed me the site, memorials and filled in so many details. Thanks. I always thought it was horrendous even for the times but it was so much worse.

[@roberthevern6169]

As is often the case...deceit reigns supreme!

[@georgesheffield1580]

Probably not taught anymore ,too embarrassing.

[@jerrysteffens4540]

My brother and I visited the site about 10 years ago. It's hard to imagine an event so horrific happening in such a peaceful place.

[@2pugman]

The members of the wagon train had to surrender their weapons before they were "escorted" thru the territory.

[@eeroala5132]

I heard about this years ago, but I didn’t realize it was so horrible and that so many people were killed. Thank you for the levelheaded explanation.

[@onrycodger]

I had never heard of this. Thank you for such a sobering history lesson. It's very well done and researched. Safe travels.👍

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@marknovak2413]

The settlers were enraged by the recent murder of Mormon higher-up Parley P. Pratt in Arkansas, by the husband of a gal he recruited as a plural wife. Joseph Smith was killed in 1844 in Illinois.

[@benwinter2420]

Mark Twain recounted it in detail

[@onrycodger]

@@benwinter2420 , bless his heart!😆

[@blackislepeastoo]

I'm from the UK and have visited the site twice - it's easy to see why the wagon train stopped here, good grazing and water. I've read all the info boards BUT your video adds so much - THANK YOU. I find it difficult to accept people could do this to unarmed men let alone to women & children. And then the ultimate hypocrisy, taking surviving children and trying to indoctrinate them - No EXCUSES would bear humane or logical thought. Once again THANK YOU.

[@stuartle888]

We talking about the afghan war?

[@IExposeMormonism]

The Mormons claimed they had to ransom the children from Indians and billed the US $7000 in 1857, some $1 million today. Avg wage was about $1 day then. $2 was good. $5 big money. Esp in Mormon Utah, The Nation of Deseret, with 350,000 sq mi needed US money to expand its dream of empire.

[@marilynpomponio8335]

My Grandmother was my Dads Mother. She moved to Moab, Utah. My Grandfather had a ranch there. She was always afraid of Mormons. Her mother was a Flancher and knew the history of the massacre . She did not trust Mormons.

[@andyanderson1016]

They are not to be trusted.

[@SpanishEclectic]

Very respectful and well done video, Steve. There are so many sad events in American history, some (like the murders of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman) caused by misunderstanding, and others, like this one, by people who did what they wanted because they could get away with it. The Mormons did not improve their reputation by following the cold, heinous directions of one man. When I play out the story in my mind, such deliberate murders, especially of young children, makes me sick. You are to be commended for reminding us about these tragedies, and what can happen when people blindly follow a leader who cares only for himself. Thank goodness the surviving children were returned to their families, but what a waste of human life.

[@nancyekstrom8409]

What’s interesting about this tragedy is that, as a fifth grade teacher, This incident was included in our 5th grade history book. Basically, the info given was that Narcissa was a problem in that she was was too demanding (and demeaning) as far as the Native Americans were concerned. I also taught about the heroism of Columbus and his men (according to the board-adopted textbook), but knowing what I now know, I wish I could take it all back! How many other lies did I promote? It makes me wonder how many other untruths were drilled into me since childhood…

[@SpanishEclectic]

@@nancyekstrom8409 As an adult I've read both Narcissa's diary and that of Eliza Spaulding. (I grew up in CA, so don't recall learning about it in school). My understanding was that the Cayuse blamed her and her doctor husband for failing to stop a plague of disease that killed many of their people. I'm sure there were other factors as well, but my point was that the massacre by the Mormons of other white settlers for no reason other than a cover up is inexcusable. Here we have since learned about the crimes of Father Serra (once held as a shining example for establishing the California missions) and the Spanish against the Kumeyaay and other local native people. History is not pretty; I appreciate that Steve brings little known stories to light, and does so calmly and fairly. I long ago gave up expecting 'great men' to be perfect heroes. There is no such thing. Thanks for your comment.

[@billyboy1093]

Funny you mention "what can happen when people blindly follow a leader who cares only for himself" looks like we're living that scenario yet again. It's strange how the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[@cdybft9050]

Or follow the media, The “science”, the establishment, the “current thing”, and all without question. Very puritanical but without the religion.

[@devonbond3093]

Exactly my thought too.

[@zoneonemusic]

We made it out there last year. Fascinating story. However, if you do visit and you see a dog roaming around kind of begging for food, don't fall for it. He lives right next door to the main parking lot at the overlook. He's learned to hang out and beg for food. We spent 45 minutes trying to "rescue" the dog, he had no collar, and he was having none of it other than whatever food people were offering. I decided to take a picture of the dog. As we left and headed north I noticed the driveway and figured I'd go down and ask them if it was their dog. As I pulled up to the front I noticed a dog bowl on the front porch. I knocked on the front door and asked the man if that was his dog. Sure enough. He then tells me how he's figured out his meal train.

[@guaporeturns9472]

Awesome story.. thanks 🙂

[@michaeltaylor4984]

Dogs be smart

[@aguy7848]

What breed was he?

[@zoneonemusic]

@@aguy7848 I'm not much of a dog person but it looked like a medium sized mutt.

[@jcarry5214]

That is very funny. I went about 3 years ago, did not see the dog. My dad did the same thing when he was a kid, went around the neighborhood playing the no-mommy card. Go and hang out with the neighbors every afternoon for a few hours, get invited to stay. Go home for second dinner when his father got home late from the jobsite.

[@charsbob]

Thanks for illustrating this little-known bit of American history. Knowing what happened before our time is essential to understanding what we see today. Keep up the good work!

[@fokkerd3red618]

Fear and Hysteria sanctioned by the Government is something we saw during the pandemic. Our economy is still suffering from it right now.

[@leapinlizard9487]

My father was born in 1912 in Bentonville, Arkansas which is in northwest Arkansas. When he was 21 he moved to Arizona. He told me that his aunt who was a school teacher and an "old maid", told him when she learned that he was moving to Arizona to "watch out for the Indians, coyotes and Mormons". I'm sure she was well aware of this massacre. This is only one of many atrocities committed over the years by members of this cult.

[@ImsunaSong-gw2gs]

I grew up knowing that story. Always made me sad . Still upset over it. 😢 shameful.

[@maryannweldin4633]

I read a book when I was in high school in the mid 60 s Called the mountain meadow War. Had a group Mormon friends that said it was fiction so looked it up. It was real.

[@ccrider77]

Thanks for finally highlighting this historic location. I've been there, and despite the peacefulness of the rural scenery, you can almost imagine the brutality and screams that occurred here all those years ago. This was always a point of contention in my family, as my dad was originally from Utah and my mom was from Arkansas.

[@jcarry5214]

Seeing the layout and where the groups were when the shooting started, knowing they could hear each others' execution across the valley was absolutely gut-wrenching.

[@markmark2080]

Thank You for posting this, a location I've been curious about for a long time but have never visited... "what evil lurks in the minds of men..."

[@TheStuport]

I have always appreciated the way you deliver these horrific stories Steve! Absolutely tragic and gut wrenching when you hear the number of children, youthful adults and grown-ups. I'm quite certain those children that were spared in the beginning were never the same spiritually or mentally. No book to reference on how to present this type of story....but you find a way to bring comfort and a solemn fervent feeling amongst all the that is written in history about this Mountain of Meadows Menagerie of Madness. As always Steve, Thank You for my seat on your weekly Rides with You and Your Family. MOO From COW-lumbus, Ohio 👋

[@georgepoore3840]

" Mountain Meadow Massacre" by Juanita Brooks

[@TheStuport]

@@georgepoore3840 I looked this up George after seeing your comment! Much Thanks! I wasn't aware of this! Salute👋

[@richardfontaine8157]

Wow. I never heard about this event. I have a minor degree in US History and this massacre was never covered. Thank you for sharing this!!!

[@brianbranson2306]

yah i would say most general Historians, dont know about this. but its pretty common knowledge among old west types.

[@dp-sr1fd]

Superbly done, the narration was factual without being overly emotional. No pointing of fingers or moralising. We are left to judge for ourselves.

[@tracyphillips3325]

Hi Steve. Nice video. I'm from Arkansas. Lived here my entire life, I'm 61. But my wife and I travel out west twice a year. I have saved several of your videos, and already visited a few of your locations. Since my wife's mother lives in Phoenix, we visit Arizona regularly. But Utah is were we really love to explore. Take care.

[@balonzo58]

Thank you Steve. We were able to visit the memorial a couple years ago. Sad indeed. As we stood in the meadow, after taking in the account of the massacre, you have the realization on how fragile our lives can be. Thanks again.

[@davidmathis-xd6nf]

Visited Utah last spring Beautiful state

[@samdefrancomusic]

Thank you Steve! I always enjoy watching Sidetrack Adventures!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@pacwest1000]

@@SidetrackAdventures Great video Steve. John Krakauer in his book 'Under The Banner of Heaven' mentioned that these monuments had been dynamited at one time. Also that the Arkansans didn't exactly ingratiate themselves with the Mormon's and their practice of polygamy called the women 'whores' as they passed through Mormon settlements.

[@axerxes3981]

Steve.... this is one of your best videos yet!! Nice job and thanks for sharing. Ax

[@jimcunningham5376]

I live about 15 miles from where that wagon train started in Arkansas. Some of those dead were distant relatives.

[@dalescroggins3844]

I have seen the historical marker near the field in Arkansas where the wagon train gathered, then departed. I had not heard about the massacre before reading the marker. Seventeen years in Arkansas schools, and I had never heard of this truly brutal event.

[@georgewilson9121]

this is horrific

[@glendawoodward8750]

I'm also a realities. Bakers. First time I was at this sight it had cows grazing and pooping all over everything. Not the cows fault but disrespectful people. I was glad to see that the church decided to clean it up and make it a monument. First they had to admit fault. Very sad situation. Still a lot of truths unexplored.

[@danmgc]

Thank you for covering these topics, as an ex-mormon I'm constantly horrified at the history of something that used to be my entire identity.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

You're welcome.

[@ricksonora6656]

Kudos for your journey. I hope the counterfeit has not soured you on the real or sent you to another counterfeit.

[@joaquinmurrieta2406]

As an Ex-Jehovah's Witness I can Identify and agree with your comment. I have found so much deception perpetrated towards their current members, it's a dangerous cult.

[@matildagreene1744]

Religion is never a persons entire identity.

[@lilacbird8193]

@@matildagreene1744 Unfortunately, it can be and is with most Mormons.

[@paulmorris5166]

Brit here. Did not know about this. Was expecting to read about an Indian attack and when I learned the truth the real horror of the massacre hit me. Thank you for educating me.

[@planetminecraft411]

I've lived in Utah all my life, and I never knew about this. This is a dark part of Utah's history. Wow. Great video, as always!

[@patriciamolina5841]

The cruelty that some men do.😢😡 Amazing video. Thank you Steve.

[@dustysmoke4996]

Especially after you realize the reason all those surrendered emigrants were murdered, was because they knew it was Mormons responsible for the attack and for many of them being killed by it. The Mormons murdered them simply to try to cover up their heinous crimes. I doubt any of those men found a comfortable place in heaven.

[@xflyingtiger]

Irving Stone covered this event in his book "Men To Match My Mountains." It is a most excellent book. Thanks for your video.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I'll have to check that out.

[@dbaktx]

Also covered in the book The Mormon Murders about the Salt Lake City bombings in the 1980's.

[@SoloPilot6]

@@SidetrackAdventures If you haven't read that book yet, you're going to end up planning another couple of years' worth of travels to get to all of the places of interest.

[@retriever19golden55]

Also Sally Denton's American Massacre and Will Bagley's Blood of the Prophets.

[@FrgvDntFrgt8060]

_Victim: The Other Side of Murder_ is a 1982 true crime book set in Ogden, UT, by Gary Kinder.

[@tomelifeisjustonebig]

You delicately danced around the question of direct involvement by Brigham Young.

[@MrWhipple42]

@@tomelifeisjustonebig Because he had none and the documentary evidence demonstrates that. A messenger on horseback was dispatched from southern Utah to get Brigham Young's advice on how to handle the wagon train. He responded to leave them alone, but his message arrived too late; the massacre had already happened.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@MrWhipple42and if you believe that these actions didn’t directly come with his blessing until it backfired on him you’re fooling yourself

[@MrWhipple42]

@@bostonrailfan2427 You're making an assertion, not an argument. Bring out the evidence, if you have it. If you don't, you're just repeating what you believe, based on your biases and prejudices.

[@bostonrailfan2427]

@@MrWhipple42 and your quick and vehement defense showed your true hand and supports what i assumed already: you’re a mormon apologist trying hard to defend a scumbag who ordered the murder of anyone who was deemed a threat. he knew full well about that train and he ordered the murders. something like that doesn’t happen out of the blue and unprompted and isn’t even the first time they did that. he was conveniently away from immediate communication? more like giving himself plausible deniability which you and your fellow mormons refuse to accept. he ordered the murders of anyone who was a threat, it wasn’t the first nor the last time his followers did that to people. multiple accounts exist if similar murders

[@frednorton1704]

Perhaps you care to explain why the church denied all involvement until they could no longer get away with it. I've put far more time into investigating this than I should have and there's no doubt in my mind that Brigham Young was fully of responsibile. I also know that people that believe in magic rocks in a hat will believe anything that suits their narrative. 😊

[@CEK0549]

'Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from a religious conviction.' - Blaise Pascal

[@billdouglas2936]

So true.

[@chezsnailez]

And yet in the 20th century alone the governments of the world murdered of 262 million of its own citizens. Communism killed 100 million. Genghis Khan is estimated to have killed 40 million people - enough to lower global temperatures from the loss of human activity. The greatest killer remains to be abortion with 1.7 _billion_ human being snuffed out since 1979. At least 3x the amount killed in all the wars fought by mankind... ever...

[@indianasunsets5738]

No, that's only partly true and only in the West. The Mongols, Timurids and atheist marxists certainly didn't need a religion to commit the worst atrocities in history.

[@anonymous-lt3yd]

Try reading some history. The most severe atrocities have always been done by atheists. Just look at the numbers. Also note that atheism is technically a religion since it makes assumptions that cannot be proven scientifically and often is in contrast to scientific laws.

[@mikekenyon8483]

It wasn't done for religious reasons. The communists murdered tens of millions, they're all atheists.

[@DarrylRuiz-s1w]

As a Mormon I am saddened by this story Religious Extremism in all forms is unacceptible

[@robertgeorge9909]

And you are still a morman?

[@rickmetzgar5363]

Steve does excellent work on these videos, I had never heard of this event what a terrible stain on our American history and the Mormon Church. Its hard not to get teary-eyed watching the video.

[@derekstocker6661]

This incident is so damned bad, I have never heard of this massacre and with an interest in American history, this is shocking. What those dear innocents went through is unimaginable, women and children killed and the wounded also killed. What a great stain this is on American history, and thank you for this great video of the area and the fabulous memorials. You guys certainly know how to commemorate, what a wonderful but heart-breaking place to visit to show respect. Great music also.

[@philbrown9764]

When we watch your videos, we’re always amazed at the narration you give in each one. It doesn’t matter if you’re reading it or whatever, it’s always informative. I try to keep up with your videos but being a late subscriber, I’m behind A LOT. But being retired, I have plenty of time to watch them.

[@roberthevern6169]

Steve is a present day Charles Kuralt! Oh, no, I'm showing my age! 69yrs woohoo!

[@bmepdoc9675]

@@roberthevern6169 Yes, Robert. Kuralt was a Sunday staple in this household. Bill Burrud yet another. And age? I've come to adopt the age is not really all that important unless you're a cheese philosophy. 🙂

[@altajohnson6513]

Dear Steve, Thank you so much for covering the rather unknown Mountain Meadows Massacre. My Dad forsook the high Sierra and became a desert rat when I was in high school. That was in the late 1960's. About that time I learned about the MMM. Years later, after researching it, I discovered the list of victims which included Allen P. DeShazo. age 22, a somewhat distant cousin of my husband's (my mother-in-law was a DeShazo). I have wanted to visit the site for years, it is doubtful I will ever be able to. Thank you for getting me there! Yours, in our love of the west! -- AMJ

[@irashiflett]

I've really been fascinated by covered wagon stories lately and this one is excellent! Please, please do the covered wagon trail through the Black Rock Desert in Nevada - I really think that would get a lot of interest.

[@bethkoch11]

This is a great video! It's been many years since I've been to this site, probably in the '80's or '90's. There weren't many markers here then, so a lot of our exploring was just guesswork. I'm glad to see that this site has been properly memorialized. A lot of history isn't pretty.

[@jeffs4483]

Ex Mormon here and was never taught about this. Just another great reason to leave that Cult.

[@randyearles1634]

alot of history is covered up because its not pretty and reflects badly on some people.

[@jacqueschouette7474]

I guess you never went to LDS seminary since I was taught this. I guess you were outback smoking when they went over this.

[@jeffs4483]

@@jacqueschouette7474 I attended Seminary and was never taught this. They are embarrassed by it.

[@jackbeckman7028]

@@jeffs4483 it’s available on the Church website called Gospel Library. While it isn’t faith promoting, it also isn’t hidden. Many books have been written about it, most with the cooperation of the Church, using records kept by the Church, so that must mean they are trying to hide it, right? It’s a dark chapter of a terrible atrocity.

[@jacqueschouette7474]

@@jeffs4483 Again, stating that this was never taught is like stating that the history of polygamy in the LDS Church was never taught. Maybe you attended seminary for a few years, but there are four years of seminary, each year focusing on a different aspect of the Gospel. Three years are focused on the books of the Gospel, Old Testament one year, New Testament the next and Book of Mormon the third year. Church history and the Restauration rounds out the fourth year. If you didn't go to the seminary the year that they taught church history, then you might have missed it, but it is taught during that year. I don't remember all the lessons that I was taught in LDS Church history but that one ,I do remember.

[@ELMS]

Steve, years ago I used to go on long solo drives in the American west. Once I found myself on a lonely desert two-lane road in the middle of nowhere in Utah. Just off the road there was a stone fort, built by Mormon pioneers, apparently to secure an artesian well. There was a park ranger and everything. I have completely lost track of what it’s called or where it’s located but I thought I’d mention it to see if it rings any bells. This was a very poignant episode, btw. Handled with great respect. Good job and love the channel.

[@jcarry5214]

I wonder where that is, that's going to bug me. I'll have to keep an ear out. there could be a bunch, who knows. One odd thing about Utah settlements is the water situation: the seeps/dug wells/springs are often in very vulnerable locations to native attack because it's underground meltwater reemerging at the base of the mountains. There's a legend about a town, I think it's Scipio, where Brigham young stopped and told them they needed to move the entire settlement down the hill into the valley because they'd built on the springs at the base of the mountain, completely indefensible to native attack. There's a very similar spot I go to called Simpson springs south of the bomb range in Dugway. It's actually a pony express station not a fort, but it's almost identical. On one side of the road is the original ruin, a little cobblestone and mud shack. On the other side is a very attractive modern replica, built by schoolkids. Down the hill is a tiny marsh and a few troughs, and a few miles distant across the desert floor is a mock battalion of ww2 era vehicles formerly used by the proving grounds. More often than not there's a few dozen wild horses in the immediate vicinity too. You really never know what you're going to see driving around here.

[@platinumtaterbug]

That might be Cove Fort

[@jennacoryell4160]

Cove fort. At the junction of I-15 and I-70, at the west end of Fremont Canyon. If you had taken the 70 and pulled over, there are hundreds of cave paintings to explore in the canyon walls. I grew up around there.

[@rconger24]

​​@@platinumtaterbug yes Cove Fort. Very close to i15 and I 70.

[@ELMS]

@@platinumtaterbug I just looked it up and it is - indeed - Cove Fort. Their website mentions it was a stop on the pony express and I remember the pony express trail was nearby. Thanks for sharing!

[@Cruise_Control_On]

Another fine presentation here, Steve. As a landscape photographer I've been to southern Utah numerous times over the years, but I was totally unaware of this sad piece of history.

[@j.tracekirkwood499]

I enjoy your videos. My wife, daughter, and I were at Mountain Meadows in June. I read a book about this years ago, so I was compelled to see it.

[@earthandtime5817]

Thanks for sharing the story. I loved in the area over 20 years ago and the story was always hush-hush. I was happy when they built the memorial. Appreciating the videos (been in Utah also filming). Hope we cross paths sometime. Keep up the good stuff. Thanks.

[@rconger24]

Hush hush? I learned about it in my Seminary that was sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during my High School years.

[@MarkCuller-tl2vt]

For years the Mormon church has done everything to hide this. As a ex Mormon I can personally tell you that I only found out about this after left the church.

[@rconger24]

Odd. I learned about this from teachers in my seminary class. They were sent by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to teach me.

[@mindeloman]

​@rconger24 they were sent to indoctrinate you. There's a difference between teaching and indoctrinating. Always vet the sources from which you are taught. "Because leader of my church said it was true," is not vetting.

[@rconger384]

Being in my 65th year I assure you that I understand propaganda. I was taught about the material facts if it by The Church contrary to the claim by the original post.

[@mindeloman]

@@rconger384 "The Church?" What church might that be?

[@Mars-77]

The ones who are trying to cover it up are the ones who's ancestors did it.

[@h0tel1]

Always appreciate you showing the interpretive markers & memorials on your videos. Thank you!

[@garysmith1178]

Very interesting Steve, ive read about this. It's amazing how many Mormons ive spoken to either don't know about it or pretend they don't know about it.

[@paulhart9102]

I was born into a Mormon family. Relatives on both sides are Mormon. I got out when I was 18. I had never heard of this. Despicable!!

[@burrellbikes4969]

They wish to maintain plausible deniability. The Church scares its members from learning anything from “non-approved church sources”. And then don’t include anything about it in “approved” church resources.

[@dustysmoke4996]

You can bet they never mention it in Mormon history lessons in school.

[@dustysmoke4996]

@@burrellbikes4969 Hey, worked in Soviet Russia...

[@rconger24]

​@@dustysmoke4996 I am lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was raised in it. I believe in it. This may surprise you but I learned all about the Mountain Meadow Massacre in my church sponsored Seminary class whike I was in High School. You have apparently, through no fault if your own encountered misinformation. Are we not in the year 2024? Isn't such prejudice unbecoming of us?

[@tracigrant5130]

When i saw the title, i thought, oh cool something I'm familiar with ..... um, no i am not! I was born and raised Mormon and I've driven by memorials and signs for this, but i didn't know any of this. I was told by more than one family member that the Mormons thought those immigrants were native Americans and it was all a misunderstanding. I never thought to actually look anything up about it. Wow. Thanks, steve, for always sticking to the facts and history! Next time I'm in Utah, i will definitely be visiting these memorials.

[@jcarry5214]

I've heard people still try to claim it was a native-led initiative which is maddening by itself, I've never heard that one though.

[@rconger24]

Hold on. Was The Boston Tea Party a native led initiative? Who did lead it? We're they rebels or patriots?

[@jcarry5214]

@@rconger24 Pretty unclear what you're trying to get at or what you're asking. Neither were led by indians. White colonists dressed up as natives is about the only commonality I can see. The tea party people didn't shoot a bunch of unarmed families. Not sure I'd consider the perps of MM rebels, natives, or patriots. Are you trying to compare the two as similar acts of defiance or rebellion? One was mass murder that was covered up, one was protest vandalism.

[@briansullivan9110]

Man, your simple filming, music, and narration are becoming a lost art to me. I love the 1st person trail walking you have in all your videos. It's just aesthetically pleasing and educational documentary style filming. I've never heard of this massacre before, and because of you, I'll be sure to share it. What an atrocious event seemingly vanished to modern day. Keep up the good work!!

[@davidhull1481]

Thanks Steve. I’ve read about this but nothing beats seeing the actual site.

[@garthbutton699]

Yes,makes it stick in your memory.

[@DarqJestor]

Excellent video: informative, well produced, great narration, great background music. Thanks!

[@johnwoodley-kb8yp]

once again, another great video steve. missed this location when I was in st. george in march. it's easy to come home from utah/arizona and always feel like I missed something.

[@StevieWonder737]

Well done, as always, Steve.

[@action55jackson]

Lee was the adopted son of Brigham Young. The native Americans actually refused to participate in the killings. They had agreed to and were paid to frightened’ the immigrants and quit when the true intentions became known.

[@mauriceschimmelman7912]

As you have done many times in the past you've shared some history that many of us have never heard about until now. Sad history at that. Thank you Steve.

[@AbnEngrDan]

My man, you have the best background music in your videos. Where do you find what you use? Sets the mood for the scenery and content. Outstanding.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Its from Epidemic Sounds.

[@robertreynolds1044]

Whenever I encounter a pair of LDS missionaries, I always ask them about this event, and it's very consistent that one of them will be aware, and the other will be ignorant. My name is Bicycle Bob and I approved this message and one of the many visits I've made to this site, I saw a five foot Mojave green rattlesnake!

[@lt7226]

Steve, we love your videos. They are factual, and they give us the wandering urge to learn more about the area around us. Thank you for sharing, and thank you to your family.

[@CENCAL491]

Enjoy your videos , really like your straight up presentations. First i have ever heard of this .

[@maxshenkwrites]

Wow. Heartbreaking. Thank you for a great video, as always.

[@Metal-Detecting-NC]

What a sad story, but an excellent video! Thank you for the informative tour.

[@nancyt2848]

Thanks for this. I had never ever heard about this before. So heartbreaking.

[@oshtoolman]

Never heard of this before tonight. Thank you Steve for the interesting but sad history lesson.

[@racketyjack7621]

Excellent video and narrative. Hard to believe something so terrible happened in such a lovely place. Very, very sad story. "...Man's inhumanity to man."

[@dannyb9140]

Wow, after six decades of studying history, I thought I'd read it all. Ashamed to say I've never heard of this incident.

[@DW-qe7qe]

Thank you for the detailed information. I had no idea this horrible event occurred.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Thanks for this piece. I’ve read about the massacre and it is very helpful to see the site.

[@birdman5223]

Good stuff MrSteve. Details are garbled for sure. Times have changed, not always for the better😵‍💫

[@darlened9631]

Two of my great-great uncles, ages around 19 and 20 I think, were in this wagon train and were killed. My sister is just finding out things about our family history through genealogy sites, and uncovered this story about a year ago.

[@glennwillems9924]

Hi Steve, thank you for your videos. Great images, a well-balanced storyline with great audio. Keep up the great work! Greetings from the old world. Glenn near Antwerp, Belgium.

[@garryferrington811]

Wow! I never heard about this. Great video, Steve. Appalling historical event, but you did a great job.

[@markbowles2382]

Thank you mr. Steve, so many souls lost to luckless circumstances completely beyond their control. RIP.

[@lgmrommel]

Very informative. I'd never heard this story, and will add this site to my list of must see areas.

[@solohoh]

Mark Twain wrote very eloquently about this event.

[@TheRealDrJoey]

Yes, in "Roughing It."

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Thanks

[@rconger24]

Twain had his own prejudices.

[@TheRealDrJoey]

@@rconger24 Great contribution to the discussion.

[@jmbman]

One of my favorite places to stop at when going thru Utah, great video. This is one of my favorite channels.

[@mikewhite2aadvocacy172]

Any legitimate comment I might offer would be considered inappropriate.

[@JamesAllmond]

let it rip, I did, needs to be told. The Mormons, to this very day, still lie through their teeth about it.

[@roberthevern6169]

You seem to have a facility with words. Inappropriateness, has never been a problem in the comment section of YT posts....

[@rdancranston]

Well you misspelled Mormon for one thing...what is a Mor...man?...also how miserable is ones life they hold hate for something they barley understand?...

[@Nova2032-]

@@rdancranston What makes you assume that I barely understand Mormon culture ?

[@bushpilot4853]

@@rdancranston And you spelled "barely" wrong. Just sayin.

[@Criticalthinker0515]

This was freaking fantastic and fascinating thank you...

[@user-cu8lw1uc5w]

Hi and history always great and also sad some movements

[@vincemartinez1436]

Another great video... I had never heard of this event...thanks

[@truthspkr1]

Thanks for the tour. I have also been very curious about this event and thanks to your video I have seen it without driving there. One thing I might add that might help people understand how Americans could massacre fellow Americans is the doctrine of "blood atonement" in the Mormon church at the time. It basically stated that you could kill somebody and their blood would atone for their sins so they could go to heaven. Another point I don't know if you brought out was that the Mormons who came with the white flag convinced the wagon train men to disarm. So, we need to learn a lesson. Never give up your arms.

[@SwiftyTravels]

Thanks for bringing this story to us!- those victims should be remembered 🙏

[@P_RO_]

Very well and respectfully presented. Our history ain't always pretty, but it happened. We're supposed to learn from our past but looking at the world around me right now I'm not sure that enough have learned. A beautiful place forever marred by the misdeeds of mankind...

[@stores17]

Thanks, Steve for doing these types of videos!!! Keep 'em coming!!

[@moisesperez4605]

Guys, I’m gonna make a comment in somewhat political, I would just say that even back them in the mid 50s, fake news existed, and I would say the way our country is going, if at any point in time it past president one, I think we are going back to those times, it’s just my feeling I just like to say this was a great video. It made me think, this is why subscribe to your channel because you take us to different stories a different times, how different people thought and think now, to me it’s important to look at her history and make sure it never ever ever repeats itself. Great video.

[@TheRealDrJoey]

Huh?

[@davidmclaughlin2796]

I haven't seen one of your videos in months, Steve. It's good to see your work again, thanks

[@sebrandt1]

I grew up Mormon and have since (thankfully) left the church. As a child, we were drilled on the heroism and grit of my Mormon Pioneer ancestors, but nothing was ever said about the less-than-heroic deeds they committed. Thank you for bringing to light a topic that always interested me, but that I hadn't found time to research yet. There are certainly two sides to every story!

[@charlo8664]

Mormons also massacred Indians. Women and children. But as far as research, I think Steve layed out what happened. Documented history.

[@michaelfisher7170]

I grew up LDS too, long since left the church. MMM was talked about quickly and vaguely..."oh this thing happened too." No context, no detail. Learning about it years later made me sick to my stomach. By that time apologists were seeking to polish it up. The truth is nothing raised its head in that territory without Brigham Young knowing about it. His role in it all has of course been whitewashed by the church...but fortunately the church doesn't own history, and the story is now known for everyone to learn.

[@sebrandt1]

​@@michaelfisher7170I agree completely. Thank you for stating it more eloquently.

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@charlo8664Every group massacred people. Christians , Muslims , Jews , Irish … every single group has blood on its hands.. what matters is how they act now…but I still find the LDS weirdly creepy.

[@alan30189]

@@guaporeturns9472 It seems that this attack was baseless. These people were just passing through and they were slaughtered for it? Did something else happen that I am missing here? The Mormons were horrible people back in those days. Kill all those people because of some silly permit?

[@jeffmyers7062]

Steve always braving the desert heat to bring us these great adventures! Thanks Steve!

[@remaguire]

I was there with a friend back in June 2022. Very solemn, windswept place. If I remember correctly, the settlers did not want to surrender to the "indians"/Mormons, but they had no choice since they had almost no ammunition left after a siege of a few days. For years, the blame for the massacre was wrongly put on the Southern Paiutes. The Mormons did not take any responsibility for the killings until the evidence was pretty overwhelming and even then, they obfuscated as much as possible. It doesn't make much sense that the Mormons would do such a thing until you look at the early history of the church. Before Utah, every place they had gone they had eventually been forced out, many times with much violence, out of the areas where they had settled. In fact, their founder, Joseph Smith, was killed in Nauvoo, IL and now that site is a the object of a Mormon pilgrimage of sorts. The church leaders decided the best course of action was to completely leave the United States. Hence Utah which was not part of the United States when they moved there in 1847. I would say that their paranoia about outsiders was pretty strong. Not an excuse for their actions.

[@DM-lc2cf]

The LDS hides all that they can, and whitewashes the rest.

[@jcarry5214]

They were actually friendly to outsiders and their trade until the federal government started (rightfully) to worry about Utah becoming a slaveholding or rogue territory. They were whipped into a paranoid frenzy by leadership, and false rumors of all manner of vile behavior were sown ahead of the wagon train. People to this day try to claim that the wagon train was something other than it was, or that federal nosiness was about tearing [polygamous] families apart and that the train had something to do with that plan. The locals certainly had been persecuted, (the argument could be made that some was in response to disruption and real crime, alongside actual bigotry) but the militant paranoia was also deliberately cultivated as leadership ordered the settlers to prepare for open warfare against "the americans." To be fair to both points of view, Kansas had been in a similar position not long before and was now saturated with violence, so the Mormons had every right to worry about invasion while the army had every right to want to prevent another Kansas situation.

[@wrm3016]

@@jcarry5214 the key word you used here was "were". maybe the lds church WAS friendly, but ended up being murderers! PERIOD! please do not sugar coat history!

[@jcarry5214]

@@wrm3016 That is not sugar coating. Did you even read that post before you started hyperventilating? All history has context. The context here was paranoia because the army HAD shown up and they HAD been manipulated ahead of the murders.

[@jcarry5214]

@@wrm3016 When did I say they weren't murderers? They shot parents in front of their kids and kinds in front of their moms. I said they had been friendly in the past and stopped being that way. It's "sugarcoating" to say they were unanimously evil or had been murderous the whole time, that's oversimplifying to make things simpler for yourself.

[@evopwrmods]

Thank you so much for this education. Had no idea, learned so much from your content, especially this one. Long time viewer subscriber, TY...

[@garypasko5314]

Years ago on my way to my cousin's cabin, I stumbled upon the dedication ceremony of the memorial and saw some of the descendants of those killed during the massacre. Extremely said. There are a few books on this sad piece of American history. I read American Massacre by Sally Denton. Great read if anyone wants to learn more.

[@rconger24]

Who paid to renovate the site and dedicate it for years going forward? I think you will encounter the name Gordon B Hinckley. He was President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1995 to 2008.

[@terrystewart2070]

Powerful video Steve................sad to learn yet more brutal historical truth. But needed. Thank you.

[@joeholden6129]

I visited there; a very somber memorial. Excellent presentation. "September Dawn" was a movie based on this incident. John Voight was in the movie. Some Mormons are still very conflicted about this incident.

[@jcarry5214]

Many are real mad whenever it comes up, but they don't hesitate a second to talk about the Missouri extermination order every chance they get. My bosses literally complain about how much church time gets wasted talking about the extermination. Over and over. I haven't met one that wants to have a completely honest conversation about it.

[@michaelplunkett5124]

@@jcarry5214 They display similar traits with the other chosen people of God-playing both victim and perpetrator.

[@jcarry5214]

@@michaelplunkett5124 I'm reticent to agree with conflating the political state known as Israel with genetically or religiously Jewish people. I don't equate Nigerians with Boko Haram or Saudis with Al Quaeda or Bavarians with Nazis either. Just think that's worth saying.

[@mingram008]

Love your work! Thanks for your time you put into these videos!

[@Stitcher_in_MD]

This massacre was horrific and so sad. Prejudice has plagued our country throughout its short history. Thank you for being so respectful in the re-telling of this story.

[@leonajameson8902]

WOW what a sad part of American history. Excellent video Steve.

[@CornpopOBD]

35 of the people killed were children and that is not a massacre? What do these folks saying it is hardly a massacre think you need as a count to be a massacre?

[@shelbynamels7948]

he was referring to a different event in the intro

[@joellenrhodes456]

@shawnmessick4432 when a group contrive and conspire out of hate one murder is a Massacre

[@lukycharms9970]

Please go back and listen again… you and the 26 people who liked your comment aren’t paying attention and clearly misunderstood the intro.

[@bedmac2]

I wanted to give you more than just a thumbs up. This channel is so excellent and I always learn something new, often about places I've visited several times before. Well done!