History of the Saints

Utah War Part 3: The Mountain Meadows Massacre

The stage was set for war. A federal force was poised on Utah's doorstep, and the Saints were unclear of that army's intentions. Governor Brigham Young declared martial law, and the people prepared for the worst. It was into this emotionally charged environment that the Baker-Fancher party, a large group of overland emigrants bound for California, entered the territory. The results would be catastrophic.