1. In memory of the Haun’s Mill Massacre which took place 182 years ago, I’d like to journey into some LDS history

We Latter-day Saints are widely known for good manners and friendliness, but due to a long history of persecution, we also appreciate the value of self-defense

2. While Latter-day Saints value and promote peace, we have never been a pacifistic faith. This is clear by the example and teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith who repeatedly encouraged his followers to take up arms in the protection of faith, hearth and home.

3. Here are his own words: “There is one principle which is eternal; it is the duty of all men to protect their lives and the lives of the household, whenever necessity requires, and no power has the right to forbid it...”

4. And if there is any doubt, Joseph Smith further emphasized this point when he wrote in his journal that “any man who will not fight for his wife and children is a coward and a bastard.”

5. In Doctrine and Covenants, which Latter-day Saints consider to be revealed scripture, we affirm that “we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons...

6. “...in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.” (D&C 134:11)

While forever committed to peace, this understanding has enabled Latter-day Saints to reconcile a common conundrum for Christian faiths.

7. LDS history is replete with examples of that principle of righteous self-defense and preservation being applied. And naturally, we can point to more than a few esteemed figures in our history who fought to protect our people from assassins, mobs, and armies...

8. Porter Rockwell, also known as the “Destroying Angel,” was a mountain man, lawman, and friend and bodyguard to Joseph Smith. He was a key figure in the Utah War, and was promised by Joseph that if he never cut his hair like Sampson of old, he’d never be felled by an enemy..

9. After countless scrapes with mobocrats, Indians, soldiers, highwaymen, and outlaws, Rockwell lived to the age of 63 and died peacefully in his sleep. He is known for saying: "I never killed anyone who didn't need killing.”

10. Hosea Stout was a Southerner, veteran of the Blackhawk War (US Mounted Ranger BN), and early member of the LDS church. He was active in defending his co-religionists against mobs in Missouri and Illinois, and in Utah helped prepare defenses against the US Army in the Utah War

11. Daniel Wells was a lawman, judge, and early Latter-day Saint who led the Nauvoo Legion in the defense of the city of Nauvoo from invading mobs following Joseph Smith’s assassination. He later became the Attorney General for the State of Deseret and an LDS Apostle.

13. Lot Smith was a frontiersman, horseman, and early convert to the LDS Church and served in the Mormon Battalion during the Mexican-American War. He was at Sutter’s Mill when gold was discovered there, and later led a guerrilla campaign against the US Army during the Utah War.

14. There are countless other examples of Latter-day Saints who acted in the defense of their families, faith, and country (sometime I’ll do an LDS Medal of Honor thread)... but that’s enough for tonight.

Truth Will Prevail.