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

John D. Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 2001

In 1857 a wagon train of Arkansas emigrants traveling 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 organizations 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.

This reissue includes the original publisher's preface and a preface and introduction by Lee's attorney, W. W. Bishop, as well as an account of Lee's arrest and execution, transcripts of his trial, names of the assassins and accessories, an appendix on the life of Brigham Young, and a personal account by a victim of Mormon polygyny.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Published by Fierra Blanca Publications Distributed by University of New Mexico Press --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 421 pages
• Publisher: Fierra Blanca Publications (December 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826327885
• ISBN-13: 978-0826327888
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So What REALLY Is the Truth?, January 31, 2002

By 

Missing in Action (Idaho Falls, Idaho USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee, Including the Life of Brigham Young (Paperback)

This book is an enigma. It is classic period writing, with a marvelous flavor for the "spirit" of Utah during its formative years, as well as the obvious disdain the "gentiles" felt for Brigham Young and his Mormon adherants. But it so clearly has an axe to grind that it's difficult to really know what's true and what's fiction. Do we believe John D. Lee? Do we believe the witnesses at the trial? Those outside the church in those days loved what Lee had to say in condemnation of the church that sacrificed him, and in publishing this in the manner they did, it is not unlikely that they were happy to leave unquestioned any of Lee's motives. On the other hand, the fact that the Church is so reluctant to have Lee's journals in the hands of the public is an indication that he really DID have some things to say that would cast a dark shadow over the church, and especially the teachings and tactics of its highest leaders. (It is interesting to note that the John D. Lee journals were recently made public as a part of the Leonard Arrington collection at Utah State University, and the church made a concerted effort to recover them, which effort they lost!)

There is an obvious tension that exists in this book... Lee paints himself as the single most noble, humble and honest man that ever walked the face of the earth, while Brigham Young was the grossest, most lascivious monster that ever shared the same planet with Lee. Of course, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, and you won't find that middle in this book. However, that's okay. The whole point of reading this book ought to be for "perspective," not for anti-Mormon propaganda. And this is GREAT perspective! Provided that you realize who published this book, namely Lee's defense attorney, and can read this for its "feel" rather than its "facts," then this is most worthwhile. If you get hung up on the "facts," you lose some of the perspective, because remember, this only tells one side of the story, and that from a man condemmed to die for one of the West's most infamous crimes. Nevertheless, this is a real eye-opener, and though I've read considerable church history, there were still things I learned in this book. It is a worthwhile addition to the library of anyone interested in the history of the west, and especially as that history pertains to the Mormons.

56 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Historical Document, September 25, 2002

By 

M. Gaede - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee, Including the Life of Brigham Young (Paperback)

Few events in Mormon history are more controversial than the 1857 massacre of the Fancher emigrant party at Mountain Meadows, Utah. First published in 1877, Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee Including the Life of Brigham Young points an accusing finger at Brigham Young and other prominent church leaders for their complicity in the deaths of 120 men, women, and children. Written while Lee was in prison awaiting execution for his part in he massacre, and prepared for publication by his attorney William W. Bishop, this blistering attack on the Mormon hierarchy includes Lee's autobiography up until 1847, his confession dictated to Bishop, accounts of assassinations carried out by the Mormon Church's "avenging angels," the transcript of the 1876 trial, an account of Lee's death by firing squad, and a biographical sketch of Mormon leader Brigham Young. It should come as no surprise that Lee, who for many years operated a ferry at the Colorado River crossing that still bears his name, portrays himself as a true believer who was set up as a scapegoat by Young and other church leaders. A sensation in its day, Lee's "confession" has been out of print for almost a century. This reprint allows modern-day readers to form their own judgment on Lee's role and Young's involvement in the Mountain Meadows tragedy.

The Journal of Arizona History, p.202, summer 2002

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important Historical Document, September 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee, Including the Life of Brigham Young (Paperback)

Few events in Mormon history are more controversial than the 1857 massacre of the Fancher emigrant party at Mountain Meadows, Utah. First published in 1877, Mormonism Unveiled: The Life and Confession of John D. Lee Including the Life of Brigham Young points an accusing finger at Brigham Young and other prominent church leaders for their complicity in the deaths of 120 men, women, and children. Written while Lee was in prison awaiting execution for his part in he massacre, and prepared for publication by his attorney William W. Bishop, this blistering attack on the Mormon hierarchy includes Lee's autobiography up until 1847, his confession dictated to Bishop, accounts of assassinations carried out by the Mormon Church's "avenging angels," the transcript of the 1876 trial, an account of Lee's death by firing squad, and a biographical sketch of Mormon leader Brigham Young. It should come as no surprise that Lee, who for many years operated a ferry at the Colorado River crossing that still bears his name, portrays himself as a true believer who was set up as a scapegoat by Young and other church leaders. A sensation in its day, Lee's "confession" has been out of print for almost a century. This reprint allows modern-day readers to form their own judgment on Lee's role and Young's involvement in the Mountain Meadows tragedy.

The Journal of Arizona History, p.202, summer 2002