Mormonism Unveiled : The Life and Confession of John D. Lee, Including the Life of Brigham Young

by Lee, John D.

• ISBN13: 9780826327888
• ISBN10: 0826327885
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-09-01
• Publisher: Univ of New Mexico Pr

Summary

In 1857 a wagon train of Arkansas emigrants travelling 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 organisations 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.

Table of Contents

Publisher's Preface	5	(10)
Introductory	15	(23)
A Stormy Beginning
Early Life of Lee-Death of his Mother-Hardships and Trials-Becomes a Mail Carrier in the Wilds of Missouri at an Early Age-Is a Stage Driver-Abandons the business-Reflections upon the condition of the Country	38	(8)
The Industrious Young Man
Remains on his Uncle's Farm-Volunteers in the Black Hawk War-Goes to St. Louis-Engages as Fireman on a Steamer-Cholera Experience-Finds a Friend-Goes to Galena and enters a Store as Clerk-Adventures with the Miners-Anecdote of Ulysses Grant-Lee Marries Agathe Ann Woolsey	46	(7)
Lee Becomes a Mormon
In 1836 Lee first hears the Mormon Doctrine Preached-Embraces the Doctrine of Mormonism-Sells out and Removes his Family to Far West, Mo.-Is Baptized and Joins the Church-Fight at Gallatin, at the Polls-The People Consecrate their Property to God	53	(14)
The Saints Are Beset with Troubles
The Saints Decline to give up their Property to the Church-Troubles Between the Saints and Gentiles-Companies of Armed Men are formed for Driving Out the Mormons-A Providential Warning-Conflicts between the Saints and Gentiles	67	(12)
The Mormon War in Missouri
Death of Capt. Patton-Rebuke of the Prophet-Description of the Prophet Continued Troubles with the Gentiles-Massacre at Haughn's Mill-Miraculous Cure of Isaac Laney, in Answer to Prayer-Cowardice of Col. Hinkle-Surrender of Joseph Smith, the Prophet-The Saints Surrender and are Disarmed-Terms of the Surrender	79	(11)
Lee Locates the Garden of Eden
Account of the Surrender Continued-Lee refuses to Abandon his Faith-Returns to his Home-Finds his House Burned and Property Destroyed-Temple Block-Garden of Eden-Site of the Altar Built by Adam-Suffering during the Winter-Lee is ordained to the Priesthood-Holy Patriarchal Blessing	90	(11)
The Saints Gather at Nauvoo
Lee returns to Illinois-Goes on a Mission to Preach-Lively Experiences by the way-Is Strengthened of God and Resists Temptation-False Doctrines taught by Brigham Young, and their Degrading Tendencies Preaches in Tennessee-Beholds a Vision which is realized-Mission is Successful-Organizes Branch Churches-Returns to Illinois	101	(12)
Lee Continues his Missionary Work
Spends the Winter at Home-Foundation of the Temple laid at Nauvoo-Teachings of the Prophet-Lee builds a Home in Nauvoo-Goes on a Mission in 1841-Resumes his Labors in Tennessee-Makes many Converts-Holds a Series of Discussions	113	(10)
Mormonism-Its Doctrines and How it Originated
Lee holds a Discussion with Parson Hall-Identity of the Ten Tribes of Isreal with the American Indians shown-Divine Origin of the Book of Mormon-Lee holds another and final Discussion with Rev. Cantrell-Many Converts are Baptized and added to the Church	123	(8)
Lee Casts Out Devils and Does Other Wonderful Works
He goes to Jackson County and holds a public Discussion-Wonderful Manifestation of Divine Power-Lee rebukes Evil Spirits and they are still-Casts out Devils from Mark Young-Returns to Nauvoo-Visits Friends-Condition of Zion-Denunciation of Brigham Young	131	(7)
A Tennessee Planter Makes It Hot for Parson Lee
Lee returns to Tennessee to Preach-Is kindly received-Goes to Nashville-Preaches in the Country-Is assailed by Mob-Baptizes the Wife of Col. Tucker-The Colonel Hunts him with a Loaded Rifle-Escapes from the County to avoid arrest-Returns to Nauvoo	138	(11)
Matters of Peculiar Interest at Nauvoo
Affairs at Nauvoo-The Nauvoo Legion organized-Building of the Hall of the Seventies-The Devil Enraged-The Doctrine of Plural or Celestial Marriage first taught-Domestic Troubles among the Saints-Joseph Smith becomes a Candidate for the Presidency of the U.S.-Lee goes to Kentucky on an Electioneering Tour-The Assassination of the Prophet causes his return to Nauvoo	149	(9)
Death of Joseph Smith-Some of Brigham Young's Crimes
Assasination of Joseph Smith and his Brother Hyrum-Causes of the Assasination-Successor of the Prophet-Brigham Young Chosen-He Steals the Inheritance of Young Joseph-Lee is appointed to various Offices of Trust and Honor-Assasination of Erwin by orders of Brigham Young-Secret Murders and Robberies by the Saints-Teachings of the Church-Arrogance and Oppressions of Brigham Young	158	(15)
Inside View of Polygamy and the Doctrine of Sealing
Celestial Marriage taught and practiced-Lee embraces the Doctrine and takes a number of Wives-Troubles with the Gentiles-The Saints Prepare to Emigrate-Baptisms, Washings and Anointings in the Temple	173	(7)
The Saints Move Westward
Reminiscences of the Prophet Joseph-His Fourth of July Toast-Lee removes his Family from Nauvoo-Great sacrifices of Property by the Saints to get away-Brigham Young blesses Lee-The Saints move through Iowa-Lee restores a Blind Man to Sight-Settlements established at Garden Grove and Pisgah-Arrival at Council Bluffs-The Missouri River crossed	180	(9)
Lee Goes on an Expedition to Santa FE
The Saints prepare to go into Winter Quarters-Lee is sent to the Mormon Battalion at Santa Fe to bring back the Soldiers' pay-A Long and Dangerous Journey and safe Return-Follows an Invisible Guide-Miraculous Deliverance from Indians-Safe Arrival-Finds his family suffering	189	(14)
Lee Is Treated Badly by the ``Brethren''
In Camp-Angry words with Brigham Young-Gives an account of his Trip and Pays over the Money-Contrast, 1847 and 1877-Opens a Store at Winter Quarters-Is Sealed to a number of Wives-Summer Quarters laid out-Life on the Border-Bravery of Lee's Wives-Jealousy of the Brethren-Murmurings of the Saints against Lee-Ingratitude and Heartlessness of Brigham Young	203	(17)
Last Confession and Statement of John D. Lee
Closing events of Lee's Life-Startling Revelations of Crimes and Church Secrets, implicating Brigham Young and the Mormon Leaders-The Mountain Meadows Massacre, and all the particulars thereof	220	(35)
Confession Continued and Concluded, March 16, 1877, Seven Days Prior to his Execution
More Startling Revelations-Going ``Over the Rim of the Basin''-Brigham goes to God with his crimes, and is strengthened in a Vision-A bully Warrior-A model Indian Agent-Brigham preaches a Red hot Sermon-The Old Boss on his travels-Brigham betrays Lee-Tricks of ``Dirty Fingered Jake Hamblin''-Some Blood Atonements-Some ``Holy'' men and their deeds-Exploits of the ``Destroying Angels''-Shocking Barbarities-End of Confession	255	(44)
Arrest of John D. Lee by WM. Stokes, Deputy U.S. Marshal
Brigham imagines he is going to be Assassinated-Lively Adventures of the Deputy Marshal-Hunting Lee in his Stronghold-Efforts of his sons to prevent his Arrest-Lee to found concealed in a pen, and is Arrested-A pungent Toast by one of his Daughters-The journey to Beaver City	299	(10)
Trial of Lee at Beaver City, Utah Territory, September 1876
Depositions of Brigham Young, George A. Smith, ate.-Witnesses Manufactured to order-Startling Developments-Determination of the Mormon Leaders to convict Lee	309	(14)
Trial of Lee Continued
Testimony of Witnesses-Getting at the Bottom facts by a circuitous route-Model Witnesses	323	(43)
Trial of Lee Concluded
Conclusion of the Evidence-Conviction and Sentence of Lee-Additional facts	366	(18)
Names and Present Residences
Of the Mountain Meadows Assassins, as given by Lee	384	(4)
Execution of John D. Lee	388
APPENDIX
Life of Brigham Young	397
A REMARKABLE LETTER-MORMON WIVES TAUGHT THAT ONLY THEIR HUSBANDS CAN RESURRECT THEM
Lecherous Bishops who marry whole families-Mormons living as husbands to mothers and daughters, and having children by all	415