The Mormon Reformation

History of the Mormon Reformation

Blood atonement—
Critics claim that during the administration of Brigham Young apostates were secretly put to death. They claim this is in line with the teachings of LDS leaders at the time that apostasy was the unforgivable sin, and that the only thing an apostate could do to redeem himself was to give his own life, willingly or unwillingly. (Link)
Brigham Young's preaching style—
Critics have often misunderstood or misrepresented Brigham Young's (and others LDS preachers') preaching style (Link)

19th century crimes alleged to be "worthy of death"—
Critics expand to idea of blood atonement to include a long list of crimes that were alleged to be "worthy of death." (Link)
Brigham Young: "bowie knife" (JD 1:83) (Link)
Brigham Young: "cut their throats" (JD 2:311) (Link)
Brigham Young: "cutting off from the earth" (JD 4:53) (Link)
Brigham Young: "killing the evil doers" (JD 3:50} (Link)
Brigham Young: "meanest devils" (JD 6:176) (Link)
Brigham Young: murder unfaithful Mormons to save souls? (JD 4:219-20) (Link)
Brigham Young: dictator? (JD 14:205) (Link)
Brigham Young: President of the US? (Link)
Danites (Link)
Surveyor general David H. Burr threatened with death (Link)

Castration of sinners in Utah?—
I have read about a group of men (LDS) that went around castrating immoral men (who were also LDS) with the express permission of local church leaders. These events supposedly happened during the Brigham Young's administration. It is claimed that Brigham was aware of and approved of this and may have given the order. What can you tell me about this? I read that missionaries who selected plural wives from female converts before allowing church leaders to select from them first were castrated. (Link)
Mountain Meadows Massacre—
In September 1857 a group of Mormons in southern Utah killed all adult members of an Arkansas wagon train that was headed for California. Critics charge that the massacre was typical of Mormon "culture of violence," and claim that Church leaders—possibly as high as Brigham Young—approved of, or even ordered the killing. (Link)
Oath of vengeance—
In nearly every anti-Mormon discussion of the temple, critics raise the issue of the "oath of vengeance" that existed during the 19th century and very early 20th century. These critics often misstate the nature of the oath and try to use its presence in the early temple endowment as evidence that the LDS temple ceremonies are ungodly, violent, and immoral. (Link)