That being said, my understanding of Mormon Doctrine on repentance follows the traditional view that only God can forgive but adds the twist that man, the sinner, needs to make some effort beyond merely asking for forgiveness. That effort includes restitution. i.e., If you steal, you return what is stolen. If you vandalize, you repair the results of your vandalism and restore it to how it was before.
In the case of murder, since you cannot restore a life, the next best thing is to allow your own blood to be shed in restitution. The Mormons, having been pushed around so much and driven from place to place like my Native American ancestors, had no desire to impose their own theology on those not of their faith when the territory was organized, passed into law the choice of hanging, which was the prevailing method of capital punishment at the time, or firing squad, which was the preferred method for Mormons.
I was living in the Mormon belt (Idaho, actually) at the time of the Gilmore execution and can tell you that, while he was raised by a Mormon relative, he had no association with the faith at the time of his crimes or execution. Indeed, he hated Mormons and sought them out for his murder victims.
I'm not sure what went on in his mind in the months leading up to his execution. It was a very lengthy process since the Supreme Court had effectively outlawed capital punishment and Gilmore's lawyers had a lengthy legal battle to carry out his wishes. But it is possible and even likely that Gilmore was somewhat remorseful and selected the firing squad as a way to express that remorse.
Those who were not generally selected hanging when they were told that it cost the state more to carry out.
“... had no desire to impose their own theology on those not of their faith ...” Um, you’re not as familiar with Joe Smith’s religion as you claim. Your assertion is not supported by the History of Smithinaism/Mormonism, so your screed is ... hollow.
Should you ever write such a thread, ping me please?