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The Mormon Menace: Being the Confession
Excerpt from The Mormon Being the Confession
In the destruction of this literature, so perilous to Mormons, at least two volumes escaped. These have been placed in my hands by certain patriotic influences, and are here reprinted as the mormon menace. Much that was shocking and atrocious has been elimi mated in the editing, as unfit for modest ears and eyes. What remains, however, will give a sufficient picture Of the Mormon Church in its hateful attitude towards all that is moral or republican among our people. A black kitten makes a black cat; what the Mormon Church was under President Young it is under President Smith, and will be with their dark successors.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
In the destruction of this literature, so perilous to Mormons, at least two volumes escaped. These have been placed in my hands by certain patriotic influences, and are here reprinted as the mormon menace. Much that was shocking and atrocious has been elimi mated in the editing, as unfit for modest ears and eyes. What remains, however, will give a sufficient picture Of the Mormon Church in its hateful attitude towards all that is moral or republican among our people. A black kitten makes a black cat; what the Mormon Church was under President Young it is under President Smith, and will be with their dark successors.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
386 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1905
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 14, 2015
The title reflects how the publisher wanted the book to be used; as a warning for people to stay away from Mormons. The book itself is a first hand account of a Danite, a Mormon vigilante group that was active in the early days of Mormon history. It details the violence perpetuated by the Danites in Missouri, Illinois and Utah, ending with the Mountain Meadows Massacre. John Lee remained a loyal Mormon even when he was blamed for the massacre to protect other church leaders. Eye-opening to see a different perspective on Mormon history.
November 3, 2023
A sobering, first-person look into what might be termed the "Mormon Wild West", demonstrating how a mix of theology, perceived oppression and unquestioned authority led to the infamous and brutal massacre of innocent civilians at Mountain Meadows. A must-read for anyone interested in non-hagiographic early LDS history as told by a direct ancestor of today's Senator from Utah, Mike Lee.
April 10, 2024
Not For Everyone. A Remembrance Not a History.
This is not for everyone. First, this is a remembrance, not a true history. Initially written by John Doyle Lee, adopted son of Brigham Young, while in prison awaiting his execution. After 20 years, he was the only person held legally responsible for the Mountain Meadows Massacre. As a remembrance of his life, he shares many common place experiences: his conversion, missionary travels, his wives, special projects ect. He also shares many every day but interesting details like the Whittler’s. If you’re into Genealogy or early Mormon history, he includes hundreds of names and he was present during the Mormon War, Nauvoo, Eastern Iowa, Winter Quarters, Summer Quarters and the development of Southern Utah. As Brigham Youngs adopted son, he gets involved in several special projects for the church/Brigham. But he also gives a first hand account of Mountain Meadows.
If you read electronically, the book should act like a platform for additional research. There was a Mormon cult mentality, i.e “Adam-ondi-Ahman” or some believing in a celestial reward for killing enemies of the faith. But Mountain Meadows is more complex than just a bunch of Cult Crazed Mormons. Many contributing factors are not included in the book. There was hysteria created when President Buchanan sent Federal troops to insure Utah was run as a legitimate Territory, not a cult dictatorship. Gentiles had committed their own atrocities. Hawn’s Mill Massacre (Oct 30, 1838), Mississippi Militia murdered women and Children in cold blood. William Reynolds justified the killing of children with “Nits make Lice”. In 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith was accused of perjury. Joseph and his brother Hyrum peaceable turned themselves in to be held for trail. A mob attacked the jail and viciously murdered them. On May 12, 1857, just 6 months before Mountain Meadows (Sept 7-11 1857), Parley P. Pratt, a beloved mormon leader, a international missionary and one of the first members of the “Quorum of the 12 Apostles“ was murdered in Arkansas while he returned to Utah. It was rumored that some of Parley’s murderer’s were in the Baker-Fancher party. There are many well researched and objective histories of Mountain Meadows available, but this is still an interesting resource.
This is not for everyone. First, this is a remembrance, not a true history. Initially written by John Doyle Lee, adopted son of Brigham Young, while in prison awaiting his execution. After 20 years, he was the only person held legally responsible for the Mountain Meadows Massacre. As a remembrance of his life, he shares many common place experiences: his conversion, missionary travels, his wives, special projects ect. He also shares many every day but interesting details like the Whittler’s. If you’re into Genealogy or early Mormon history, he includes hundreds of names and he was present during the Mormon War, Nauvoo, Eastern Iowa, Winter Quarters, Summer Quarters and the development of Southern Utah. As Brigham Youngs adopted son, he gets involved in several special projects for the church/Brigham. But he also gives a first hand account of Mountain Meadows.
If you read electronically, the book should act like a platform for additional research. There was a Mormon cult mentality, i.e “Adam-ondi-Ahman” or some believing in a celestial reward for killing enemies of the faith. But Mountain Meadows is more complex than just a bunch of Cult Crazed Mormons. Many contributing factors are not included in the book. There was hysteria created when President Buchanan sent Federal troops to insure Utah was run as a legitimate Territory, not a cult dictatorship. Gentiles had committed their own atrocities. Hawn’s Mill Massacre (Oct 30, 1838), Mississippi Militia murdered women and Children in cold blood. William Reynolds justified the killing of children with “Nits make Lice”. In 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith was accused of perjury. Joseph and his brother Hyrum peaceable turned themselves in to be held for trail. A mob attacked the jail and viciously murdered them. On May 12, 1857, just 6 months before Mountain Meadows (Sept 7-11 1857), Parley P. Pratt, a beloved mormon leader, a international missionary and one of the first members of the “Quorum of the 12 Apostles“ was murdered in Arkansas while he returned to Utah. It was rumored that some of Parley’s murderer’s were in the Baker-Fancher party. There are many well researched and objective histories of Mountain Meadows available, but this is still an interesting resource.
March 23, 2023
I picked this tome up because I wanted to learn about the Mormon secret society called the "Danties." I couldn't finish this book because I felt the tone was way over the top blasphemy and hatefulness. Definitely not a fair picture of the inner operations of Brigham Young's management of the early Mormon expansion into Utah.
February 22, 2020
Very disturbing....
April 4, 2008
I'm intregued by this because the preface of my edition doesn't really seem to be supported by the "confession" of Lee. The preface discusses the Mormon church and polygamy as something that needs to be driven from the United States, beginning with keeping Smoot from taking his seat in the Senate. The narrator, Lee, however, doesn't seem to be too bad. He is honest, hard working, faithful, loving and kind to his wives, most of whom love him. He explains with some (80-90% accuracy) about the historical situations--Haun's Mill Massacre, Mountain Meadows Massacre, etc. He doesn't hide the fact that Mormons are human, but doesn't make them evil. True, he is a member of the Danites, who swear unquestioning loyalty to the leaders of the church, but again and again God seems to approve and support Lee through his trials.
It makes me curious. Maybe I see it as more positive than the rest of the world would have simply because I am a believing member of the LDS Church.
It makes me curious. Maybe I see it as more positive than the rest of the world would have simply because I am a believing member of the LDS Church.
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September 12, 2012I wish this book had more motive in it. It focuses on the actions and historical background but not enough on where the ideas came from nor why the founders took this path of action.
April 3, 2022
The Danite history is interesting, but it is important to know about the persecution of Mormons to understand what is said here.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews