History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

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MORMONISM AND POLYGAMY.
The doctrine of blood atonement was early inculcated
by the church, as a sacrifice necessary for salvation, and
not, as many have asserted, in order to legalize murder.
There were the altars and the offerings of the old
testament, and the great god-man sacrifice of the
new. Christ made the atonement for the sins of the
world by the shedding of his blood. By the laws of
the land, he who commits murder must atone for it
by his own death. 6 There are sins of various de-
5 The theory of blood atonement is that for certain sins the blood of the
transgressor must be shed to save his soul. Among these sins are apostasy,
the shedding of innocent blood, and unfaithfulness to marriage obligations
on the part of the wife. Says Brigham, in a discourse delivered in Salt Lake
City: 'There are sins which 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 their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have
their blood spilled 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; whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them and remain
upon them in the spirit world. I know, when you hear my brethren
telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it is strong
doctrine; but it is to save them, not to destroy them. . .1 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. And
furthermore, I know that there are transgressors who, if they knew themselves
and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would
beg of their brethren to shed their blood, that the smoke thereof might ascend
to God as an offering to appease the wrath that is kindled against them,
and that the law might have its course. I will say further: I have had men
come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins. . .There are sins that
can be atoned for by an offering upon an altar, as in ancient days; and there
are sins that the blood of a lamb, of a calf, or of turtle-doves cannot remit,
but they must be atoned for by the blood of the man.' And at another
time: 'All mankind love themselves, and let these principles be known by
an individual, and he would be glad to have his blood shed. That would be
loving themselves, even unto an eternal exaltation. Will you love your
brothers or sisters likewise when they have committed a sin that cannot
be atoned for without the shedding of their blood? Will you love
that man or woman well enough to shed their blood? That is what Jesus
Christ meant... I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have
been righteously slain in order to atone for their sins. I have seen scores
and hundreds of people for whom there would have been a chance in the
last resurrection if their lives had been taken and their blood spilled on the
ground as a smoking incense to the almighty. . .1 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. This is loving our neighbor 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.' Deseret Xeivs, Oct. 1, 1S56, Feb.
18, 1857. Following Brigham's lead, Heber C. Kimball and Jedediah M.
Grant taught the same doctrine during the religious revival, or so-called
reformation, in Utah, in 1856-7, of which more later, Grant being the most
vehement of the three. The reader will find these discourses reported at
length in the Deseret News. The doctrine is very clearly explained in Pen-