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Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee, Including the Life of Brigham Young
In 1857 a wagon train of Arkansas emigrants traveling through Utah on their way to California was attacked by a group of Mormons led by John D. Lee. The murder of 120 men, women, and children is notorious to this day. Although 58 Mormon men participated in the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Lee was the only man tried for the crime. The involvement of Brigham Young is still debated almost 150 years later. Lee's autobiography, written when he was in prison awaiting execution by the United States government, was first published in 1877. This facsimile edition is the first reprint of the entire book since 1891. It provides not only the story of the massacre but an insider's account of the formative years of Mormonism. Active in the establishment of the church first in Missouri and later in Nauvoo, Illinois, Lee advanced in the church hierarchy to become one of the bodyguards of the prophet Joseph Smith and an "enforcer" for the secret terrorist organizations known as the Danites, Death Angels, and Blood Atoners. <>Mormonism Unveiled provides the best description of Brigham Young's elevation to the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after the assassination of Joseph Smith. It also reveals the origin of polygyny by revelation in the church and how the "sealing" of marriages facilitated this process. Lee describes in detail the beatings, robberies, castrations, assassinations, and Mormon wars with Gentiles in the Midwest that culminated in the Mountain Meadows Massacre. This reissue includes the original publisher's preface and a preface and introduction by Lee's attorney, W. W. Bishop, as well as an account of Lee's arrest and execution, transcripts of his trial, names of the assassins and accessories, an appendix on the life of Brigham Young, and a personal account by a victim of Mormon polygyny.
421 pages, Paperback
First published January 28, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 17, 2014
An amazing, if not sometimes difficult, read.
In the words of this book you find the character of the author, which shine through more than I thought possible for a story from this era. John D. Lee's unshaken faith, devotion, and sacrifice for his religion are uncomparable to that of anyone I have personally met or will ever meet.
In his story, from his childhood to his execution, there is little doubt of the makeup of the man blamed for the entire black eye on Mormonism known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
The book meanders a bit, as is to be expected from a last-minute deathbed confessional. This confessional was written after the author learned that those for whom he devoted his entire life abandoned him, regardless of oaths and covenants to never do such a thing.
We learn a bit more of the character of Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, and other of the prominent founding fathers of the Latter-Day Saint movement in America.
Overall I saw this is an extremely important book to read for any serious scholar on Mormon history.
True to the end, the author's testimony of what he knew to be true did not waiver. His last words were those towards his family, and of his own innocence in the matter.
On April 20, 1961 the LDS Church posthumously reinstated John D. Lee's membership (and temple blessings including the Second Anointing), perhaps as some consolidation for the black mark his name has had to wrongfully bare.
In the words of this book you find the character of the author, which shine through more than I thought possible for a story from this era. John D. Lee's unshaken faith, devotion, and sacrifice for his religion are uncomparable to that of anyone I have personally met or will ever meet.
In his story, from his childhood to his execution, there is little doubt of the makeup of the man blamed for the entire black eye on Mormonism known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
The book meanders a bit, as is to be expected from a last-minute deathbed confessional. This confessional was written after the author learned that those for whom he devoted his entire life abandoned him, regardless of oaths and covenants to never do such a thing.
We learn a bit more of the character of Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, and other of the prominent founding fathers of the Latter-Day Saint movement in America.
Overall I saw this is an extremely important book to read for any serious scholar on Mormon history.
True to the end, the author's testimony of what he knew to be true did not waiver. His last words were those towards his family, and of his own innocence in the matter.
On April 20, 1961 the LDS Church posthumously reinstated John D. Lee's membership (and temple blessings including the Second Anointing), perhaps as some consolidation for the black mark his name has had to wrongfully bare.
October 18, 2016
Terrifying.
May 21, 2010
The LDS view John D Lee as a great villain but they should read this book and discover for themselves that he did his best to be a good member and follow the prophet. This reveals that the Danite organization was alive and well in Utah and used regularly for blood atonement under the direction of people like Brigham Young, Hosea Stout, Orson Hyde and others.
Lee wrote this just before his execution when he was going to meet his Maker. If there is any time in life one would tell the truth that would be it.
Lee wrote this just before his execution when he was going to meet his Maker. If there is any time in life one would tell the truth that would be it.
May 8, 2015
An amazing history of early Mormonism. Do keep in mind that Lees autobiography was written from a jail cell from memory so minor errors do occur. He also paints himself in the best possible light. I'm sorry, but I dont believe that he didnt fire a shot at Mountain Meadows. the transcript of the trial is as horrific as the massacre. If there was ever a patsy it was John D. Lee. A must read for anyone interested in Mormonism or the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
December 28, 2014
While you must consider most of this an attempt to clear his own name right before execution, it's still a valuable source. I have no doubts John D. Lee helped in the killing, but it's nice to read his full account any way.
December 2, 2019
This is the story of John D Lee, the man who got the death penalty/blood atonement for Mountain Meadow Massacre. It was interesting to hear his side as I have never heard it before. Recommended reading for anyone interested in Latter Day Saint history.
March 15, 2012
Unexpected in so many ways. Shocking, heartbreaking, and insightful.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews