“There is a curse on these aborigines of our country who roam the plains, and are so wild that you cannot tame them. They are of the house of Israel; they once had the Gospel delivered to them, they had oracles of truth; Jesus came and administered to them after his resurrection, and they received and delighted in the Gospel until the fourth generation, then they turned away and become so wicked that God cursed them with this dark and benighted and loathsome condition; and they want to sit on the ground in the dirt, and to live by hunting, and they cannot be civilized. And right upon this, I will say to our government if they could hear me, “You need never fight the Indians, but if you want to get rid of them try to civilize them.” How many were here when we came? At the Warm Springs, at this little grove where they would pitch their tents, we found perhaps three hundred Indians; but I do not suppose that there are three of that bank left alive now. There was another band a little south, another north, another further east; but I do not suppose there is one in ten, perhaps not one in a hundred, now alive of those who were here when we came. Did we kill them? No, we fed them. They would say, “We want just as fine flour as you have.” To Walker, the chief, whom all California and New Mexico dreaded, I said, “It will just as sure kill as the world, if you live as we live.” Said he, “I want as good as Brigham, I want to eat as he does.” Said I, “Eat then, but it will kill you.” I told the same to Arapeen, Walker’s brother; but they must eat and drink as the whites did, and I do not suppose that one in a hundred of those bands are alive. We brought their children into our families, and nursed and did everything for them it was possible to do for human beings, but die they would. Do not fight them, but treat them kindly. There will then be no stain on the Government, and it will get rid of them much quicker than by fighting them. They have got to be civilized, and there will be a remnant of them saved.” Brigham Young – Discourse given in the new Tabernacle on April 9, 1871.

I stand all amazed at God’s choice in Mormon “prophets”. I wish I had more to write on this, but at the moment I am completely speechless, and honestly reading his words were a bit of a trigger for me. Dealing with some annoying emotions now. I have been for days. I thought I would be able to write more, but I think quoting him is enough. So ya, that happened… (Edit: If you read this, please follow also read the story of the Timpanogos Natives being given flour with crushed glass.)

Please always remember most current Mormons do not know this history within their church, and there are many good people within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As a member for 39 years I had very limited knowledge of where the teachings and traditions within Mormonism originated. Though I stand on the opposite side of things now, I hope everyone can have compassion for those still active in the religion.

(The Journal of Discourses was once regarded as official canon and is still used as a source for many quotes in every lesson manual.)

Sources Cited

Young, Brigham. Journal of Discourses, Volume 14, pg 86-87. April 9, 1871, Discourse delivered in the Tabernacle, Web. 18 February, 2018.

Published by Newcomb

Sarah Newcomb is Tsimshian of the First Nation from Metlakatla, Alaska. She works as a freelance editor, writer, and blogger. She has a Bachelors in English with a Focus in non-Fiction Creative Writing, an Associates in Communications, and a Minor in Philosophy. She currently lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and four children. View all posts by Newcomb