SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 25, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has released a statement saying a recently released streaming series presents a fictionalized interpretation of events in mid-19th century Utah in harmful and misleading way.
The statement does not name the series, but the description matches “American Primeval,” a Netflix series that debuted this month, and depicts Church leader Brigham Young and the Mountain Meadow Massacre, an 1857 incident that left 120 members of the California-bound Baker–Fancher wagon train dead after multiple attacks.
Details of the massacre have been documented in historical accounts, books, and documentaries including “Burying the Past: Legacy of the Mountain Meadows Massacre” (2004).
Seventeen children, ages 6 and younger, from the Arkansas wagon train were spared and taken in by area residents, according to the accounts. One girl went on to give interviews about what had happened.
Nine people would be indicted in connection with the massacre, and one Mormon militia leader, John D. Lee, was convicted and sentenced to death by firing squad.
The LDS Church objects to the fictional depiction of Young.
“Brigham Young, a revered prophet and courageous pioneer, is, by any historical standard, egregiously mischaracterized as a villainous, violent fanatic,” the LDS Church statement says. “Other individuals and groups are also depicted in ways that reinforce stereotypes that are both inaccurate and harmful.
“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.”
The news release adds, “the problem with such deceptive, graphic and sensationalized storytelling is that it not only obscures reality and hinders genuine understanding but can foster animosity, hate and even violence. This is particularly troubling today when peacemakers are needed more than ever.
“At a time when so many responsible leaders are condemning the division and hostility that dominate so much of our public discourse, we echo the plea of President Russell M. Nelson: “The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire — no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers. … Peacemaking is a choice. … I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”
Brigham Young statue at 15 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Photo by Gephardt Daily/Patrick Benedict
