Was Mormon Persecution Justified? Blood Atonement, Mountain Meadows, and God’s Justice
One of the darkest chapters in American history — the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857 — has troubling connections to early Mormon teachings. Some 19th-century Latter-day Saints reportedly embraced the idea of “blood atonement,” a doctrine suggesting that certain sins were so grievous that the sinner’s own blood must be shed for forgiveness. According to the LDS Church’s essay “Peace and Violence Among 19th-Century Latter-day Saints,” this belief may have influenced the brutal killing of 120 innocent men, women, and children traveling through Utah to California.
The Bible teaches a radically different view of justice, mercy, and forgiveness. God’s Word makes clear that vengeance belongs to Him alone: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). Jesus commands His followers to show mercy, even to enemies: “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7), and “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you” (Luke 6:27). No human has the authority to shed blood as a substitute for divine justice.
In this video, we explore the tragic consequences of substituting human judgment for God’s perfect law and highlight the contrast between the LDS doctrine of blood atonement and the true gospel of grace and forgiveness found in Christ. True atonement comes only through Jesus’ sacrificial blood on the cross — not through violence or revenge (Hebrews 9:22; 1 John 1:7).
Join us as we confront this disturbing episode in Mormon history and examine what the Bible teaches about justice, mercy, and the sanctity of life.
