Utah governor signs 55 bills into law, brings back firing squad as method of execution

Gov. Gary Herbert signed into law Monday a bill to make firing squads the state's back-up method of execution — used whenever the state is unable to obtain drugs needed to perform lethal injections.

The Republican executive signed the firing-squad bill despite international attention on the state as it becomes alone in allowing that method of execution. (Oklahoma authorizes execution by firing squad only if lethal injection and electrocution are found unconstitutional, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.)

Numerous groups called for a veto, but Herbert signaled last week that he was leaning toward signing it.

"Those who voiced opposition to this bill are primarily arguing against capital punishment in general and that decision has already been made in our state," Marty Carpenter, spokesman for Herbert, said Monday. Utah is one of 32 states with the death penalty.

The firing squad in Utah as long been linked to the Mormon doctrine of blood atonement

Few people realize just exactly how much the practice was and still is linked.

In the above photo, we have Senator Mike Lee's great-great-great grandfather, John D. Lee, about to atone personally for the Mountain Meadows Massacre. [The LDS would have us believe that he murdered more than 120 Christian gentiles all by himself ... without any authorization or knowledge whatsoever from Brigham Young]. Lee is sitting on his coffin at the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre a few minutes before his execution – a US Marshall holding Lee's death warrant is standing to the far left

Estimates vary widely as per how many Saints were used up in Missouri, Illinois, Utah, and elsewhere. I have seen credible estimates ranging from a low of about 800 to a high of upwards of 8,000.

Porter Rockwell was a close personal friend to Joseph Smith and at times his personal bodyguard. He gained the distinction as the worst serial killer in American history as a Mormon enforcer. Scholars estimate that he personally used up about 150 souls, excluding his contributions to the Bear River Massacre and the Utah Mormon War of 1858.

You should note that this terrible practice, instituted by Joseph Smith in 1838, continues to this day among some Mormon sects. For example, Flora Jessop (shown above) is in hiding at the present time because of a death sentence commanded by FLDS prophets. Her crime was to draw attention to their polygamous practices and assist some of their child brides in escaping a life of bondage.

You should also note that hundreds more Saints who interfered with plural marriages (for example, sharing wives without the permission of the head male) received their atonement by being cut close and square. Thousands more were beaten mercilessly, usually by canes, until sufficient blood was spilled for infractions in the Word of Wisdom and the Witness.

Meet Thomas Chamberlain, bishop of Orderville, who is arguably the reason their United Order community lasted more than ten years. By Binger the Singer

WORK TO BE DONE

I look around in my town and see work what needs doin’ And it falls to me for to see that it divied out. Some work is pleasant and some work just ain’t Please tell me you’re willing, don’t tell me you cain’t. Bread loaves need baked, I think Elsie is right for that job. And David is due for a trip down to slop the old hog. Ella and Ellis can wash all the clothes, and Karl can cut down that tree.

Everyone knows that there’s work to be done. Everyone knows to make hay while there’s sun. To keep order in Orderville each of us pulls our own weight, Not one complaint! There’s work to be done. Work to be done.

There’s ditches need diggin’, Eustace take Lyle and Edgar. The hides from the hunt that need tanned, I’ll send Isaac and Heber. Justin and John can clear rocks for the road. Rita needs help with her baby I’m told (that’s you Sarah)

Everyone knows that there’s work to be done. Everyone knows to make hay while there’s sun. To keep order in Orderville each of us pulls our own weight. Not one complaint! There’s work to be done, work to be done.

Joseph and Thomas and Israel and Lloyd, There’s plenty to do even though they’re just boys, Mary and Bertha and Flora I know, can help Verna and Margaret and Lillian sew. Hans Guy and Edward can go shoe that old horse, And Howard, Hugh and Hannah can herd cattle of course, And if this all can’t be done ‘fore the set of the sun…… Well, we may need help from outside the family

Everyone knows that there’s work to be done. Everyone knows to make hay while there’s sun, To keep order in Orderville each of us pulls our own weight Not one complaint, There’s work to be done There’s work to be done. There’s work to be done…

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