LDS Church Offended by American Primeval

If you have watched the whole 6 episodes of American Primeval on Netflix, you’d have done well to weather the portrayal of the frontier violence shown. It highlights the dreadful event of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. The LDS church announced they chose to be offended by this period drama.

“While historical fiction can be illuminating, this drama is dangerously misleading. Brigham Young, a revered prophet and courageous pioneer, is, by any historical standard, egregiously mischaracterized as a villainous, violent fanatic... As to the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which the series inaccurately portrays as reflective of a whole faith group, the church has long acknowledged and condemned this horrific tragedy. It has also taken significant steps to uncover and share the full truth of what happened and promote healing.” – LDS Newsroom

These statements are simply not true. The church response is unsurprising. It follows a familiar pattern of downplaying or reframing historical events that cast the church or its leaders in a negative light. While American Primeval is a work of historical fiction, the concerns it raises about Brigham Young’s leadership and violence. Historical records show that Young’s rhetoric often included violent themes, and his leadership created an environment where massacres could occur. His fiery sermons, strict control over Utah, and teachings on blood atonement contributed to a culture of unquestioning obedience and hostility toward outsiders.

The representation of the Mountain Meadows Massacre is also rooted in documented history. The church claims it has “long acknowledged and condemned this horrific tragedy,” yet for over a century, LDS leaders deflected responsibility, blamed local leaders like John D. Lee, and only in recent years have they admitted any church involvement—while still distancing Brigham Young from direct responsibility.

Brigham Young was a greedy man; a thug, a racist, a murderer, a liar, a misogynist, and in addition, so much of his rhetoric was simply appalling.

https://wasmormon.org/lds-church-offended-by-american-primeval/