Christians have long held that the blood of Christ is sufficient for the forgiveness of sins. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Joseph Smith and many Mormon leaders felt that the blood of Christ was NOT sufficient for the forgiveness of all sins. Joseph Smith said, "In debate, George A. Smith said imprisonment was better than hanging. I replied, I was opposed to hanging even if a man kill another, I will shoot him, or cut off his head, spill his blood on the ground, and let the smoke thereof ascend up to God; and if ever I ever have the privilege of making a law on that subject, I will have it so" (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:296). A similar tone came from the First Presidency, "Brethren and sisters, we want you to repent and forsake your sins. And you who have committed sins that cannot be forgiven through baptism, let your blood be shed, and let the smoke ascend, that the incense thereof may come up before God as an atonement for your sins, and that the sinners in Zion may be afraid" (Jedediah M. Grant, September 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:51). He also said, "I say, that there are men and women that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood." (Jedediah M. Grant, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:49). Bruce R. McConckie bluntly said, "But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 92). Joseph F. Smith agreed. "But man may commit certain grievous sins - according to his light and knowledge - that will place him beyond the reach of the atoneing blood of Christ. If then he would be saved, he must make sacrifice of his Own life to atone - so far as in his power lies - for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:134). He continued by saying, "Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent . Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:135). Brigham Young said, "It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through the fall and those committed by men, yet men can commit sins which it can never remit" (Brigham Young, September 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:54).
It was recommended that some people go to the leaders voluntarily and have their blood shed for their sins. Young stated, "There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them and remain upon them in the spirit world. I know, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it is strong doctrine; but it is to save them, not to destroy them" (Brigham Young, September 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:53). He continued on to say, "I do know that there are sins committed, of such a nature that if the people did understand the doctrine of salvation, they would tremble because of their situation. And furthermore, I know that there are transgressors, who, if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood, that the smoke thereof might ascend to God as an offering to appease the wrath that is kindled against them, and that the law might have its course. I will say further; I have had men come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins" (Brigham Young, September 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:53-54). Young rationalized the practice by saying, "Now take a person in this congregation who has knowledge with regard to being saved in the kingdom of our God and our Father, and being exalted, one who knows and understands the principles of eternal life, and sees the beauty and excellency of the eternities before him compared with the vain and foolish things of the world, and suppose that he is overtaken in a gross fault, that he has committed a sin that he knows will deprive him of that exaltation which he desires, and that he cannot attain to it without the shedding of his blood, and also knows that by having his blood shed he will atone for that sin, and be saved and exalted with the Gods, is there a man or woman in this house but what would say, 'shed my blood that I may be saved and exalted with the Gods?'" (Brigham Young, February 8, 1857, Journal of Discourses, 4:219).
Brigham Young stated that this was a principal of love. "Will we love our neighbor as ourselves?...suppose that he is overtaken in a gross fault, that he has committed a sin that he knows will deprive him of that exaltation which he desires, and that he cannot attain to it without the shedding of his blood, and also knows that by having his blood shed he will atone for that sin, and be saved and exalted with the Gods, is there a man or woman in this house but what would say, 'shed my blood that I man be saved and exalted with the Gods?' All mankind love themselves, and let these principles be known by an individual, and he would be glad to have his blood shed. That would be loving themselves, even unto an eternal exaltation. Will you love your brothers or sisters likewise, when they have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of their blood? Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood? That is what Jesus Christ meant" (Brigham Young, February 8, 1857, Journal of Discourses, 4:219, 220). Young also said, "I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have been righteously slain, in order to atone for their sins. I have seen scores and hundreds of people for whom there would have been a chance (in the last resurrection there will be) if their lives had been taken and their blood spilled on the ground as a smoking incense to the Almighty, but who are now angels to the devil, until our elder brother Jesus Christ raises them up - conquers death, hell, and the grave. I have known a great many men who have left this Church for whom there is no chance whatever for exaltation, but if their blood had been spilled, it would have been better for them. The wickedness and ignorance of the nations forbid this principle's being in full force, but the time will come when the law of God will be in full force. This is loving our neighbor as ourselves; if he needs help, help him; and if he wants salvation and it is necessary to spill his blood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it" (Brigham Young, February 8, 1857, Journal of Discourses, 4:220).
So what qualified as an unforgiveable sin? Here are a few things that qualified for this law of Blood Atonement.
1. Murder - Brigham Young said, "Some of our old traditions teach us that a man guilty of atrocious and murderous acts may savingly repent when on the scaffold; and upon his execution you will hear the expression - 'Bless God! he has gone to heaven, to be crowned in glory, through the all redeeming merits of Christ the Lord.' This is all nonsense. Such a character never will see heaven." (Brigham Young, 1860, Journal of Discourses 8:61).
2. Adultery - Brigham Young said, "Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins, and be received into the kingdom of God. I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands" (Brigham Young, March 16, 1856, Journal of Discourses 3:247).
Heber C. Kimball said, "You hear us talk about it a great deal, and probably many do not believe one word we say, bu this people will never, no never, prosper to a high degree until we make a public example of -what? Men, who have been warned and forewarned, but who will associate with the wicked and take a course to commit whoredom, and will strive to lead our daughters and our wives into the society of poor, wicked curses, with a view to gratify their cursed passions; we will take them and slay them before this people" (Heber C. Kimball, 1857, Journal of Discourses Volume 4:173).
3. Apostacy - Heber Kimball believed that apostacy was deserving of Blood Atonement. He said, "I have not a doubt but there will be hundreds who will leave us and go away to our enemies. I wish they would go this fall: it might relieve us from much trouble: for if men turn traitors to God and His servants, their blood will surely be shed, or else they will be damned, and that too according to their covenants" (Heber C. Kimball, August 16, 1857, Journal of Discourses 4:375). He went on to say, "Judas lost that saving principle, and they (the 11 Apostles) took him and killed him. It is said in the Bible that his bowels gushed out; but they actually kicked him until his bowels came out" (Heber C. Kimball, December 13, 1857, Journal of Discourses 6:125-126). Brigham Young said, "I say, rather that that apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath my bowie Knife. Now, you nasty apostates, clear out, or judgement will be put to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. Voices, generally, 'go it, go it.' If you say it is right, raise your hands. All hands up. Let us call upon the Lord to assist us in this, and every good work" (Brigham Young, 1853, Journal of Discourses Volume 1:83).
4. Stealing- Theft could have been a part of the blood atonement doctrine. Brigham Young said, "If you want to know what to do with a thief that you may find stealing, I say kill him on the spot, and never suffer him to commit another iniquity" Brigham Young, 1853, Journal of Discourses 1:108).
5. Covenant Breakers - Jedediah M. Grant said, "I would ask how many covenant breakers there are in this city and in this kingdom. I believe that there are a great many; and if they are covenant breakers we need a place designated, where we can shed their blood....They are a perfect nuisance, and I want them cut off, and the sooner it is done the better....We have been trying long enough with this people, and I go in for letting the sword of the Almighty be unsheathed, not only in word, but in deed" (Jedediah M. Grant, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:50).
These teachings were familiar to many before the September 11, 1857, Mountain Meadow Massacre in Southern Utah. (Many men at that time could remember when Joseph Smith was shot to death at the Carthage Jail. Some men probably wanted to avenge his death. They could remember the assassination of Parley P Pratt, a beloved Mormon leader. The Baker-Fancher wagon train from Arkansas was headed to California. Some have said that a man in the wagon train claimed to have the gun that killed Joseph Smith. After a few gun battles, the travelers surrendered their weapons in exchange for safe passage through Utah. Before the unarmed travelers left the state, about 120 of them were slaughtered. Young children under the age of accountability were spared. John D Lee, a body guard of Brigham Young, was charged in a court of law for this massacre and sentenced to death. He was executed by a Utah firing squad on March 23, 1877. He left behind 17 and 64 children.
