Date of Award:

5-2017

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

English

Committee Chair(s)

Jennifer Sinor

Committee

Jennifer Sinor

Committee

Charles Waugh

Committee

Benjamin Gunsberg

Abstract

The research for this thesis examined historical and recent events embodying persecution both directed towards and perpetuated by the Mormon church. In order to convey the complexity of persecution, I examined stories told by church members, accounts written during the early years of the religion, and scholarly pieces written about the church's history. These stories revolved around the assassination of Joseph Smith and the Mountain Meadows massacre.

To portray the events surrounding the Mountain Meadows massacre, I performed a site visit, documented scenery, and discussed the massacre with others visiting the site. The great majority of my Mountain Meadows descriptions come from the visit. Similarly, I interviewed Alex Smith and visited sites surrounding Jack Reese's suicide.

Because site visits were planned in conjunction with holiday travel, any costs for this research were eliminated. This research allowed me to both create a historical argument about persecution while painting a vivid picture. Without this level of detail, readers would be unable to connect emotionally to the stories, nor would they be convinced of the dangers that past persecution perpetrates today.

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