The Window
on April 11, 2007
A Catholic Look at Society, Culture and Politics

Deal W. Hudson

In This Issue:

New Film Portrays Mormon Holocaust
 

 

Opening on May 4th, "September Dawn" is the story about the slaughter of 140 men, women, and children by Mormons on September 11, 1857. The film, starring Jon Voight, depicts Brigham Young giving the orders leading to the Mountain Meadow massacre, a fact denied by the Church of the Latter Day Saints to this day.

At a screening of "September Dawn" in Washington D.C. on April 10th, Voight insisted that the movie was not intended to malign the Mormon faith but instead provides a cautionary tale of religious fanaticism.

Given the timing of the release, Voight fielded the inevitable question about creating problems for the presidential aspirations of Gov. Mitt Romney, who is Mormon. "The preparations for this film were well underway before we knew Gov. Romney was seeking the nomination," Voight said. He added, "'September Dawn' is not meant to bring down a Mormon as president."

However, Voight admitted that "September Dawn" will inevitably serve as an introduction to Mormonism for many of its viewers. Although Mormonism is an uncontroversial fact of religious life in the United States, this film underscores aspects of Mormon history and beliefs that some will undoubtedly find disturbing.

For example, at one point Brigham Young, played brilliantly by English actor Terrence Stamp, calls himself the "second Muhammad" who will bring death to the American "gentiles" (non-Mormons). According to Voight, every line spoken by Brigham Young is taken from the historical record.

"Will you love your brothers and sisters likewise, when they have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of their blood?", is one the lines included in the screenplay to suggest Brigham Young was capable of ordering, or least allowing, the attack on the settlers.

According to the film, Brigham Young's Mormons were determined not to suffer again from the violence inflicted upon them in Missouri which ended with the death of their founder Joseph Smith. Unfortunately, some of the settlers who asked the Mormons permission to rest for two weeks on their land before continuing to California were from Missouri. Four days after the attack on the wagon train, Young declared martial law forbidding federal troops from entering the territory.

This tragic episode in Mormon history has multiple precedents in the record of most major religions. Certainly Jews, Catholics, Protestants, and Muslims have shed innocent blood in the name of God. What is surprising about this film is that the episode is so little known, and so starkly heinous.

The Mormons first disguised themselves as Paiute Indians and then, removing their war paint, lured the settlers into the open by pretending to offer safety from further Indian attacks. The ensuing slaughter is as difficult to watch as any scene from "Schindler's List." Voight thinks it is necessary for the film to depict the brutality to help "prevent future horrors."

Sixteen children survived, all of whom were raised by Mormon families until they were removed by federal authorities several years later. Only one of the Mormon killers, John D. Lee, was arrested and executed for the mass murder. Voight recommended reading the published confession of Lee written shortly before his death which confirms all basic elements and gruesome details of the story. Lee claimed he was set up to be the scapegoat for the massacre.

The film itself is beautifully made and deserves to find a wide audience. The entire story is woven around a Romeo and Juliet tale of a young settler (played by Tamara Hope) who falls in love with the eldest son (played by Trent Ford) of the Mormon bishop (played by Voight). Director Christopher Cain, who also co-wrote the screenplay, was careful not to portray the Mormons as one-dimensionally wicked. Some resist the order to murder the settlers, including John D. Lee, but in the end only the bishop's son refused the dictates of the "prophet."

Last February, in response to the film, Thomas G. Alexander, the Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr., professor emeritus of Western history at Brigham Young University, gave a speech at Utah Valley State College arguing that Mormons were "forced to participate in the massacre" and Brigham Young himself knew nothing about it "until after it had taken place" (February 17, 2007; Deseret Morning News).

Thus far there has been no comment on the film from Gov. Romney himself. A spokesman for the Church of the Latter Day Saints, Mike Otterson, said the church had no comment on the film. "We doubt it will make any contribution to better understanding the tragedy of the real events that occurred 150 years ago," Otterson said (March 27, 2007; The Politico).

After May 4th, Mr. Otterson may find himself confronted with questions about the Mountain Meadow massacre that will require him to explain the Mormon church's position a bit more thoroughly.

 


ARE YOU TIRED OF LIBERALS AND THE MEDIA ATTACKING FAITHFUL CATHOLIC VOTERS LIKE YOU?

The year 2006 saw an unprecedented assault on religious voters. Over a dozen books were released warning Americans about the "coming Christian Theocracy." And the media has been spinning the Republican's loss in November as America "saying no" to traditional values voters. The truth is, the Left and their allies in the media couldn't be more wrong.

More...http://www.the-real-religious-right.com/

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