"Blood Atonement" in the LDS Church-- the Utah firing squad

[underpants]

Death row inmate executed by Utah firing squad
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2010/jun/18/killer-executed-firing-squad-utah



"Blood Atonement" in the LDS Church
and elsewhere in LDS Restorationism

In most Christian faith groups, the term "blood atonement" refers to the concept that the torture-execution of Yeshua of Nazareth's (a.k.a. Jesus Christ) made it possible for some persons to have their sins forgiven and thus attain eternal life in Heaven. This includes some of those who lived before, at the time of, and after his death. Various theories have been presented to explain the mechanism by which the atonement functions. They all involve the transmission of the responsibility for, and punishment of, sin from the guilty to the innocent. This is a theme that runs throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and is rejected by most secular and religious moral systems.

The Mormon movement uses the term "individual blood atonement," which is generally contracted to "blood atonement." However, they have a unique and very different definition. It is not Jesus' spilled blood and death that results in God forgiving the sinner. In the case of serious sins, it is the murder of the sinner and the literal mixing of his blood with the earth that results in forgiveness.

Brigham Young's blood atonement sermon of 1856:

Brigham Young's blood atonement sermon of 1867:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/ldsblood.htm

[Posteritatis]

1. The 1856 sermon's quote; yow. (nt)

[tekisui]

3. I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart

"I have no wife (of my dozen)whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands."

[Posteritatis]

4. Regardless of the number it's a pretty hideous statement. (nt)

[Ilsa]

2. I think the convicted murderer wanted a firing squad for another

reason. He said he wanted someone to have to clean up a mess. He didn't ask for the firing squad for blood atonement reasons, from what I've heard.

[FreeState]

8. Ronnie Lee Gardner was LDS - he met with his Bishop last night

However, modern LDS members do not believe or practice the blood atonement as Brigham Young taught it so it's highly unlikely he chose the method due to his religious beliefs.

Also the OP is wrong on LDS beliefs - Jehovah or Yahweh is Jesus not God (that would be Elohim)

[one_voice]

5. Ever see the movie...

September Dawn? I watched it the other night, very good movie. Creepy too.

http://www.septemberdawn.net/

In 1857, as a wagon train from Arkansas and a group of zealot Mormons near Cedar City, Utah were fated to tragically collide, two young people fell deeply and immediately in love.

Jonathan Samuelsons heart was instantly captivated the moment he saw the striking young woman on the wagon train: Emily Hudson was equally smitten by the young Mormon who possessed a kind soul and a magical way with horses.

But Jonathans father, Jacob Samuelson, was convinced the Gentile settlers were intending to do harm to the Mormons. Jacob bade Jonathan to spy on the settlers as he sought the advice of church elders; when his fears were then confirmed by a visitation from God, Jacob relayed the order to Brigham Youngs adopted son, John D. Lee, to kill all but the youngest of the train.

Desperate to stop the battle, Jonathan defied his church and tried in vain to warn the settlers and their wagon train leader, Captain Fancher. Unable to reach them in time, imprisoned by his own father, Jonathan watched in agony as his younger brother, Micha, became swept up by the bloody fanaticism.

Wrenching free of his chains Jonathan raced to the slaughter site, only to be faced with an unbearable horror. Grief-stricken, Jonathans search for Emily brings him to a heart-wrenching choice of love over death.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473700/synopsis

[underpants]

7. bade

I was not aware of that word

thanks

[Kitty Herder]

6. Ya know, Brigham Young was one creepy ass dude. nt