THE MORMON BATTALION DILEMMA, Chapter 11 of Kingdom of God volume 3

THE MORMON BATTALION DILEMMA, Chapter 11 of Kingdom of God volume 3  Pages 132-146 http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=141 Sen. Thomas H. Benton . . . obtained the requisition to call for that battalion, and, in case of non-compliance, . . . to destroy the camp of Israel. This same Mr. Benton said to the President of the United States, . . . “Sir, they are a pestilential race, and ought to become extinct.” (Brigham Young, JD 10:106-107)  The politicians in Washington wanted to destroy the Mormons because they feared the loss of their own political power. They saw Joseph Smith as their greatest danger, because like the Jews, they thought he would cause them to lose their “place and nation.” (See John 11:48.) Since the death of Joseph Smith didn’t break up the Mormons or their religion, the opposition sought for another plan. A diabolical scheme was instigated by Senator Thomas Benton of Missouri, which authorized a government order for the formation of a “Mormon Battalion.” The Mormon people had been persecuted by mobs and ministers from state to state. Then they were driven out of the United States into hostile Indian territory. In addition to a shortage of food and supplies, and frequent bad weather, they were now to be burdened with one more problem–the government asked for 500 of their men to help fight their battle with Mexico.