Blood of the Prophets: Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows

Blood of the Prophets examines the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre, when a group of Arkansas emigrants was killed in southern Utah Territory. Author Will Bagley reconstructs the events through documents, diaries, letters, and testimonies from the period. The book traces the tensions between Mormon settlers and outsiders in Utah during a time of conflict with the federal government. Bagley documents the roles of key figures including Brigham Young, local Mormon leaders, and Native American tribes in the region. The investigation follows the aftermath of the massacre and its impact on both Mormon and non-Mormon communities across decades. The narrative draws from extensive archival research to present multiple perspectives on the motivations and actions of those involved. This work confronts questions of religious authority, frontier justice, and collective responsibility in 19th century America. The book adds to ongoing scholarly discussions about violence, power, and memory in the American West.

Readers describe this as a detailed but controversial examination of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The book sparked intense debate among Mormon and non-Mormon readers. Readers appreciated: - Extensive primary source research and documentation - Clear chronological narrative - Inclusion of previously unpublished materials - Direct quotes from participants and witnesses Common criticisms: - Anti-Mormon bias in tone and conclusions - Over-emphasis on Brigham Young's involvement - Selective use of sources to support the author's thesis - Writing style can be dry and academic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (374 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (108 ratings) Sample reader quote: "Thorough research but the author's bias bleeds through every page" - Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "Important historical work but draws conclusions beyond what the evidence supports" - Amazon reviewer The book remains controversial 20 years after publication, with ongoing debates about its conclusions in academic and religious circles.

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🔹 Will Bagley spent nearly a decade researching this book, examining previously unopened archives and collecting over 800 sources to piece together the complex story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. 🔹 The book reveals that contrary to previous accounts, Brigham Young received a detailed report about the massacre just days after it occurred in 1857, not weeks or months later as was commonly believed. 🔹 The Mountain Meadows Massacre resulted in the deaths of approximately 120 men, women, and children from the Baker-Fancher wagon train, making it one of the largest civilian mass killings in American history until the 20th century. 🔹 Blood of the Prophets won the 2002 Western History Association's Caughey Prize for the year's most distinguished book on the history of the American West. 🔹 The book's publication in 2002 sparked renewed interest in the massacre and contributed to the LDS Church's decision to dedicate a new memorial at Mountain Meadows in 2011, marking a significant shift in how the event is remembered and discussed.