Author of book on Meadow Mountain Massacre hopes event offers healing
Barbara Jones Brown started her journey of truth and reconciliation 20 years ago. Brown was asked to be the content editor for a book aiming to shed light on a “grim and violent” chapter in Utah history: the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857.
The resulting book, “Massacre at Mountain Meadows,” was published in 2008 and described in detail how a group of early Mormon settlers ambushed and slaughtered a west-bound covered wagon just north of present-day St. George. Over 100 travelers were killed in the massacre; 17 children survived.
Brown continued to research the incident and her newly released book, “Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and its Aftermath,” co-authored with Richard E. Turley Jr., functions as a sequel to the first. It examines the aftermath of the tragedy, follows the stories of the survivors, and uncovers the prosecution of a handful of perpetrators and the church’s attempt to silence witnesses.
Brown, who previously was the executive director of the Mormon History Association, will discuss the book and her findings the evening of November 3 at the Grand County Public Library.
Over 1,000 sources were scoured from over 31 states, including the 1870s trials of John D. Lee, and were used to craft a book that is both a “narrative history and page-turner,” according to Brown. Brown said that she tried to produce a well-documented history that many will “find gripping.”
While Brown admits the massacre is difficult material, it’s “important to be able to talk about this taboo topic.”
She herself developed PTSD-like symptoms—nightmares, anxiety, and weeping—while researching the book and “putting herself in the shoes of the mothers of the families.”
Stunningly, after 10 years of work on the project, she discovered that she is a descendant of one of the perpetrators while reviewing her own genealogy.
After decades of work, Brown said that she’s “ready to talk about it, heal, and move on.”
Brown traveled to Arkansas and met with members of the victims’ families; She was able to tell them she was sorry this happened to their ancestors and start the process of reconciliation. They encouraged her to continue to tell the story and ensure the dark incident is remembered.
Utah historians, supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have also taken pains to ensure the event is remembered. The Mountain Meadows Massacre site was granted National Historic Landmark status in 2011.
At the talk, participants can expect a summary and brief overview of how southern Utah leaders attempted to cover up the crime and the eventual prosecution of just a handful of the perpetrators. Brown will conduct a Q&A and book signing.
Brown reflected that the historic tragedy is a good reminder of the “dangers of extremism” and “villainizing and dehumanizing other people,” especially in the current political landscape, and noted that she’s seen other events end with a powerful union of descendants of victims and perpetrators hugging in forgiveness—a moving reminder of “how we can address difficult parts of our history.”
The talk will be held on Friday, November 3 at 7 p.m. at the Grand County Public Library (257 E. Center St.). Copies of “Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and its Aftermath,” can be found at Back of Beyond Books.
