Criticism of Brigham Young
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- See main article: Brigham Young
Brigham Young (June 1, 1801 – August 29, 1877), a leader in the Latter Day Saint movement and was the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1847 until his death, has a controversial legacy.
While having helped to organize a large religion, as well as the accession of Utah Territory to the United States, concerns persist about his role in the Utah War against the United States government, and his attitudes towards racial minorities.
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Conflict with U.S. government
Shortly after the arrival of Young's pioneers, the new Mormon colonies were incorporated into the United States through Mexican Cession, Young petitioned the U.S. Congress to create the State of Deseret. The Compromise of 1850 instead carved out Utah Territory, and Young was installed as governor. As governor and church president, Young directed both religious and economic matters. He encouraged independence and self-sufficiency. Many cities and towns in Utah, and some in neighboring states, were founded under Young's direction. Young's leadership style has been viewed as autocratic.[1]
When federal officials received reports of widespread and systematic obfuscation of federal officials in Utah (most notably judges), U.S. President James Buchanan decided to install a non-Mormon governor. Buchanan accepted the reports of the judges without any further investigation, and the new non-sectrarian Governor who was accompanied by troops sent to garrison forts in the new territory. The troops passed by the bloody Kansas–Missouri war without intervening in it, as it was not open warfare and only isolated sporadic incidents. When Young received word that federal troops were headed to Utah with his replacement, he called out his militia to ambush the federal column. During this rebellion, now called the Utah War, Young held the U.S. Army at bay for a winter by taking their cattle and burning supply wagons. Young made plans to burn Salt Lake City and move his followers to Mexico, but at the last minute he relented and agreed to step down as governor. He later received a pardon from Buchanan. Relations between Young and future governors and U.S. Presidents were mixed.
Role in Mountain Meadows massacre
A controversial issue is the extent of Young's involvement in the Mountain Meadows massacre,[2] which took place in Washington County in 1857. Authorities in Iron County had sent a messenger to Salt Lake City, a three-day ride, seeking direction from Young. Governor Brigham Young had promised the federal government he would protect immigrants passing through Utah. But he had also told local Native American leaders that they now had his permission to steal cattle from these wagon trains. Over 120 men, women and children were killed by local militia members and possibly their Native American allies; their bodies were stripped of clothes and valuables and left to rot in the desert.
Beliefs about blacks
Young has been criticized for his beliefs about black people. As an early leader of the church, Young's beliefs and unofficial comments influenced Mormon culture and were sometimes used to explain the church policy which excluded most blacks from priesthood callings until 1978. (see Blacks and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Specific quotes by Young include:
Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so.[3]
You see some classes of the human family that are black, uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild, and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally bestowed upon mankind....Cain slew his brother. Cain might have been killed, and that would have put a termination to that line of human beings. This was not to be, and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin.[4]
If the Government of the United States, in Congress assembled, had the right to pass an anti-polygamy bill, they had also the right to pass a law that slaves should not be abused as they have been; they had also a right to make a law that negroes should be used like human beings, and not worse than dumb brutes. For their abuse of that race, the whites will be cursed, unless they repent.[5]
References
- ^ Brigham Young - MSN Encarta
- ^ Eakin, Emily (2002-10-12). "Reopening a Mormon Murder Mystery; New Accusations That Brigham Young Himself Ordered an 1857 Massacre of Pioneers". New York Times: p. Section B, Page 9, Column 2. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10E17F6395E0C718DDDA90994DA404482&showabstract=1.
- ^ Journal of Discourses, vol. 10, p. 110.
- ^ Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 290.
- ^ Journal of Discourses, Vol.10, p. 110.
See also
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