“It might be a hamfisted movie but the historical facts are not in doubt.”
You are correct. Way back in the ‘70’s, I researched Mormon history, and came across several non-sectarian sources that described this ugly episode. It is historical fact. Many Latter Day Staints (Mormons) want to deny it, but it did happen. Has anyone ever heard of the “Danites”; also called, “The Avenging Angels” who were sort of a proletarian guard for the Mormon leadership? Has anyone ever heard of “blood atonement”?
Do some googling, if you have not.
“Has anyone ever heard of “blood atonement”?”
The Church NEVER practiced blood atonement no matter how confusing the MMM, is please do not imply things that did not happen!
“Do some googling, if you have not.”
You do know even though some things can befound there is always the opposite.
Oh give me a break. I remember going over it in the church history course I took in the 80's. There is a very good article on it at lds.org right now too, just click here to read it if you are interested in the history.
I've had quite a few discussion with Mormons on this issue. In my experience, they don't atempt to deny that it happened.
Most admit the truth of the incident, with the caveat that it cannot be understood without studying the historical context, which is a perfectly valid point. They seldom seem willing to make this same concession when discussing the attacks on Mormons in MO and IL.
Many then attempt to establish a moral equivalency between this event and the mob attacks.
A few of the more extreme Mormons try to make the attack out to be some kind of self-defense against dangerous invaders who were murdering, pillaging and poisoning their way across UT, with intent to bring back an army from CA and kill all Mormons.
Unfortunately for this argument, self defense is a little tricky to claim when you kill dozens of women and children.
“Has anyone ever heard of the “Danites”; also called, “The Avenging Angels” who were sort of a proletarian guard for the Mormon leadership? Has anyone ever heard of “blood atonement”?”
I have a whole bunch of info on the Danites. A lot of Mormons here try to deny Joseph Smith was their instigator, but he was a tinpot general wannabe in the thick of it. Joseph led 200 men on a blood revenge raid to Jackson County that was aborted just previous to Sydney Rigdons Salt Sermon and the creation of the Danites.