Replies

The Mormons are the only people subjected to mass, organized attacks in America due to their religion. That preceded the events that led to the attack by Mormons on fellow Americans.

Perhaps so. Nevertheless, none of that excuses the Mormons who committed the massacre.

Speaking as a Mormon, I consider the Mountain Meadows massacre the most horrific crime of violence committed on U.S. soil — in some ways, worse than either the Oklahoma City bombing or the September 11 attacks.

Earlier generations of Mormons, undoubtedly shamed by the actions of their co-religionists at Mountain Meadows, were reluctant to discuss the massacre. However, that attitude has changed since the publication of Juanita Brook's book, The Mountain Meadows Massacre, in 1950. I am pleased to see that the leaders and members of the church are more willing to talk and write about the massacre.

In 2008, the LDS Church announced that it would seek federal landmark status for the site of the Mountain Meadows massacre. According to the Federal Register, hearings on the nomination are scheduled for 3 November 2010. The nomination itself (which includes an interesting history of the massacre) can be found on the National Park Service website.

Comments on the nomination can be submitted to J. Paul Loether, Chief, National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program, National Park Service; 1849 C Street, NW., (2280); Washington, DC 20240; E-mail Paul_Loether@nps.gov.