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National Historic
Landmark Information
Mountain
Meadows
Association
Mr. Terry Fancher, President
Mountain Meadows Association
16 Spencer Street
Braintree, MA 02184
December 14, 2007
Elder Marlin Jensen
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
35 North West Temple Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400
Dear Elder Jensen:
The Board of Directors of the Mountain
Meadows Association adopted this letter unanimously, in its present form, at
their most recent meeting of December 8, 2007. You should expect similarly
worded documents from both the Mountain Meadows Massacre Descendants and
Mountain Meadows Monument Foundation.
While the focus and goals of our respective
groups are somewhat different, there are several matters upon which we
completely agree. Consequently, we felt that it was important to submit a
joint letter in the hopes that it would avoid further confusion and
controversy for all parties concerned. With that in mind, this letter is a
joint request from all three of the Mountain Meadows organizations.
We have reached a consensus on several
issues, including:
1.
Support for National Historic Landmark designation for the massacre
site.
The LDS Church has yet to indicate whether
it will cooperate in this effort. We would prefer that it pursue NHL
designation on its own initiative because that is what the descendant
organizations want. Moreover, the LDS Church has considerable experience in
securing similar protections for other sites such that it is uniquely
qualified in this area. However, we are prepared to proceed on our own if
the LDS Church is unwilling to do so. Since NHL designation requires the
landowner’s approval, we would need a formal letter from the First
Presidency supporting our effort if the LDS Church will not take the lead.
We will be happy to draft the necessary letter if that is the case.
2.
Location and marking of the upper gravesites.
Of utmost importance to all three groups is
the location and marking of the upper gravesites. We support the use of
non-invasive ground penetrating radar to definitively locate those graves
such that they can be appropriately marked and protected. All three groups
need to be involved and given an opportunity for input on any plans for
marking the upper graves.
3.
The LDS Church’s position on designation of the gravesites as a
cemetery(s).
Each of our groups is committed to securing
every protection possible for the gravesites. Consequently, we are
interested in pursuing cemetery designation if it would advance that cause
without interfering with or compromising other concerns. We would like to
know the LDS Church’s position on this issue.
4.
Possibility of graves on other than LDS Church owned property.
We understand that there is at least some
speculation that there may be one or more graves located on property that
the LDS Church does not presently own. We hope that it will make every
effort to ascertain whether that is the case, and if so, to take whatever
steps may be necessary to ensure their protection.
5.
Communication and transparency.
We believe that substantial progress was
made towards reconciliation and healing during our 150th
activities. We also believe that the key to building on that progress will
be an open and honest dialogue between each of our groups and the LDS Church
from this point forward. Consequently, we request that you provide a uniform
written status report on the progress of projects at the Meadows to each of
us at least monthly. We, in turn, will disseminate information, poll our
members, and respond accordingly to your inquiries. We believe that this
sort of transparency and inclusion will minimize the risk of criticism and
distrust that have too often attended good faith efforts to honor and
protect the victims.
In closing, please know that each of us
sincerely appreciates the efforts of the LDS Church to dignify and protect
the Meadows. We hope that this jointly submitted letter marks the beginning
of a new and productive chapter in the Mountain Meadows story. We look
forward to hearing back from you soon and wish you the very best for this
holiday season.
Respectfully,
Terry Fancher, MMA President
(A
copy of this letter was also submitted to Elder Jensen by the MMMD and the
MMMF.)
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