You want to know who started this lie and continued well into the 1960's you need to look no further than your dear protestants friends this is just one of many and there are those who would like to forget their history on this topic. Remember the first LDS converts came from the mostly protestant background sadly to say for a few the myth lingered.
I want to make it clear even though a few members spoke their opinion that the Church as a whole was slient on this topic, for it was many years before the true idenity to unfold to understand the meanings of those passage ment!
THE REVELATION OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE CHAPTER 17
5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
Secret Combinations.
b TG Babylon.
c D&C 88: 94.
94 And another angel shall sound his trump, saying: That great church, the mother of abominations, that made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, that persecuteth the saints of God, that shed their bloodshe who sitteth upon many waters, and upon the islands of the seabehold, she is the tares of the earth; she is bound in bundles; her bands are made strong, no man can loose them; therefore, she is ready to be burned. And he shall sound his trump both long and loud, and all nations shall hear it.