Quote:
Originally Posted by non sequitur
Do you completely discount John Lee's claims that BY ordered the massacre?
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John D. Lee's claims shouldn't be completely discounted, but the situation in which they were made should be considered. He did have a considerable axe to grind with Brigham Young. Also, his claim was communicated to the world through his defense attorney, who edited and published the
Life and Confessions of John D. Lee after Lee's death.
That being said, even Lee doesn't claim to have personally received direction from Brigham Young regarding the MMM. He said he has always believed that Gen. George A. Smith was sent by Brigham Young. He had no direct knowledge regarding Brigham Young's communication w/ Smith.