Blood Atonement
In 1856, Brigham Young taught that some sins could only be forgiven by having your blood 'spilt upon the ground.' In 1851, this principle was used to justify murder in a Utah courtroom.
Audio coming soon
The Quote
“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.” — Brigham Young, JoD 4:53 (September 21, 1856)
“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.” — Brigham Young, JoD 4:220 (February 8, 1857)
Lyrics
Coming Soon
Historical Context
The Setting: During Utah’s “Reformation” period of 1856-1857, church leaders preached with particular intensity about sin, repentance, and atonement. Blood atonement was taught as a merciful principle—killing someone to save their soul.
The Speakers:
- Brigham Young — Second President of the LDS Church, who taught this doctrine repeatedly
- George A. Smith — Apostle and church historian, who used this doctrine to defend Howard Egan in an 1851 murder trial
The Legal Defense: In 1851, Howard Egan killed James Monroe for seducing his wife. George A. Smith, acting as defense attorney, argued this was justified under “mountain common law”: “The man who seduces his neighbor’s wife must die, and her nearest relative must kill him!” Egan was acquitted.
The Aftermath:
- Blood atonement rhetoric intensified during the 1856-57 Reformation
- The Mountain Meadows Massacre occurred in September 1857
- Modern LDS Church has distanced itself from these teachings
- 1994: Church spokesperson stated blood atonement was never official doctrine
Additional Key Quotes
“The principle, the only one that beats and throbs through the heart of the entire inhabitants of this Territory, is simply this: The man who seduces his neighbor’s wife must die, and her nearest relative must kill him!” — George A. Smith, JoD 1:97 (October 1851)
“This is loving our neighbour 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, JoD 4:220 (February 8, 1857)
Lyric-to-Source Mapping
| Lyric | Source | Type |
|---|---|---|
| “Sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness” | JoD 4:53 | Quote |
| “Perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground” | JoD 4:53 | Quote |
| “The smoke thereof might ascend to heaven” | JoD 4:53 | Quote |
| “Smoking incense would atone for their sins” | JoD 4:53 | Quote |
| “The man who seduces his neighbor’s wife must die” | JoD 1:97 | Quote |
| “Her nearest relative must kill him” | JoD 1:97 | Quote |
| “If their blood had been spilled, it would have been better for them” | JoD 4:220 | Quote |
| “If it is necessary to spill his blood… spill it” | JoD 4:220 | Quote |
| “This is loving our neighbour as ourselves” | JoD 4:220 | Quote |
Addressing Apologetic Responses
“Blood atonement was never official doctrine”
It was taught publicly by the Prophet in General Conference, published in official church records, and used as legal defense in Utah courts. If this isn’t “official,” what is?
“It was just rhetoric, never actually practiced”
The Howard Egan case shows it was used to justify actual killing. The Mountain Meadows Massacre occurred during peak blood atonement preaching. Whether or not officially sanctioned killings occurred, the doctrine created a culture where religious violence was justified.
“They were speaking of spiritual atonement, not literal killing”
“Spill his blood on the earth” and “smoking incense” ascending to heaven is not metaphorical language. George A. Smith explicitly used it to defend a literal murder.
“Product of their time—frontier justice”
They claimed this was divine law, not frontier practicality. “This is loving our neighbour as ourselves” frames killing as a religious duty, not a cultural necessity.
“The church has since clarified”
Clarifying away what prophets taught as God’s law for salvation raises serious questions about prophetic reliability.
“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.” — JoD 4:53