John Doyle Lee

by Juanita Brooks

This classic biography is now in its fourth USU Press printing. It is unparalleled in providing a thorough and accurate account of John D. Lee's involvement in the tragic 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Mormonism

404 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book about a complex person. Juanita Brooks captures the tragedy of the man while guiding the reader through fascinating accounts of early Mormon culture and the settlement of the southwest. Anybody interested in early Mormon history or the taming of southern Utah must read this book.

John D. Lee was fascinating. The only man ever tried and executed for his role in the 1857 Mountain Meadows Massacre, he was so much more than what he did on that black day. Baptized in 1838, he quickly became known for his hard work and loyalty to the Church. His loyalty was rewarded when Brigham Young sealed Lee to himself as an adopted son. Lee traveled west with the Saints when they left Nauvoo, and heeded Brigham Young's call to settle southern Utah in the early 1850s.

Lee was industrious in Southern Utah, building houses in Harmony and Washington. Caught up in the war fever stoked by Brigham Young and other leaders, Lee was instrumental in the slaughter of the emigrants from Arkansas, but claims to have lived with a clear conscious after the events.

Life continued for Lee as usual after the massacre, but fifteen years later, Church officials were feeling the pressure to distance themselves from the horrible tragedy. As a result, Lee was excommunicated. After his excommunication, Brigham Young banished Lee to the desert to establish a ferry over the Colorado to help the Saints settle Arizona. Notwithstanding his excommunication, Lee remained loyal to Brigham and did his duty. He established Lee's Ferry, a site that remains today.

Lee didn't have much time to work at the ferry. He was eventually captured and tried by federal authorities for his role in the massacre. In 1877, a jury of Mormon men convicted Lee of murder in the first degree. The federal authorities took him to Mountain Meadows, made him stand before his coffin, and shot him in the chest. He fell into his coffin and was later buried in his temple robes.

In 1961, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve met in a joint session. They reinstated him to membership in the Church. A few weeks later, John D. Lee's temple work was done for him in the Salt Lake City Temple.

The book felt a little long and tedious at times, but it was otherwise a very interesting read.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juanita Brooks is simply brilliant. Tragic story of a tragic event. I do not believe we are judged solely by the worst decision of our lives. I hope the totality of our lives is taken into account, because if you look at the man and all of his actions, all of his life circumstances taken together, he is a loyal man. He did much good in his life. I wish September 11, 1857 never happened, and I am sure John D. Lee would agree.

Thank you, Juanita, for your treatment of this most difficult subject.

[Jenalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent historical writing again, by Ms. Brooks. The book was very informative, interesting and sad. What a tragedy in so many lives.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other reviewers have summarized this book. I will simply add that this is the full biography of John D Lee, and includes not only the massacre, but summarizes everything else as well. This book reminds me a little of Moby Dick: there are chapters and chapters about whale taxonomy and you wonder why it is there: at the end when the white whale shows up, you understand that only through those detailed descriptions of other whales can you understand what Moby Dick actually was and did. Likewise, the beginning and middle of this book could drag at times, but only by knowing these detailed stories of John D Lee's early life could you understand the man both at the Massacre and at Lee's ferry.

I've read several books about the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and wanted to know more about John D Lee. Picked this one up at the Page Visitor center, but decided to order on amazon to save money. Written by an LDS author who could actually interview people from that time: I believe that this is much more authentic than modern writers who claim to understand it much better because they found some "new documents." For those who might argue that she is biased towards the Mormons because she is one, try reading the book She covers issues such as polygamy and actions of higher church leaders with a surprising amount of candor and transparency. I feel that her view is particularly objective, to the point this is possible.

Still reading it at this point but these are my thoughts up to this point (about 3/4 done):
One thing I find fascinating in a sad way is the depiction of the price paid by those who did participate in the massacre. Certainly, the massacre was an abhorrent action taken upon people who didn't deserve to be killed. Still, I've read several accounts, and most depict those who took part it in walking away Scott free without a backward glance. Juanita Brooks makes it very clear that most had to live with horrible deeds or memories forever. Interesting how most people in Cedar City moved away because of the events of the massacre.

Having finished the book, I am glad I read it. I was sad as I read it: it was apparent that the author at least felt he was a scapegoat. I like how the author explains the events of the day that resulted in essentially "mob action." Those who dispassionately review it will not understand it if they simply say that the actions of those men were "wrong." What I find more compelling is the idea of "following orders." The famous psychology study by Milgram is particularly relevant. The question is: are those who are following the orders of those in authority responsible for what they do, and to what extent. There isn't a simple, easy or black and white answer to this question. For my part, I believe that John D Lee, while not completely innocent, is not responsible for committing murder, and took the blame that was largely the result of the decisions and actions of others.

[Swhite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juanita Brooks does a wonderful job mining the firsthand and contemporary accounts that surround the life and times of John D. Lee, who was executed for the Mountain Meadows Massacre 20 years after it occurred. Her account is fair and true to records she had access to as of the writing of this in 1961. Though I’ll never be able to keep all the surrounding facts to this event straight in my memory, I am left with the notion that 1857 was a complicated year for Utah territory as the US army was on its way and the southern mission was just getting its footing. Dealing with building shelter, planting food, placating and negotiating with the various Indian tribes of the area and then having braggadocious members of an immigrant party coming through and taking stabs at the Indians AND Mormon settlers was not a healthy combination. But this book is about a man’s life not just this traumatic and disturbing event that eventually ended it. I was glad to see the whole and not just that part. Any one of us would want our life to be seen and judged that way. I come away with a better appreciation for frontiering, pioneering, Lee’s loyalty to the church in good times and bad and the women and children who supported and sustained him. His last words written to his family before dying are poignant.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good biography of man blamed entirely for Mountain Meadows massacre.