In 1857, over 100 men, women, and children in a wagon train from Arkansas were murdered in southern Utah by local settlers aided by Southern Paiute warriors. For 50 years, Mormon historian Juanita Brooks's The Mountain Meadows Massacre has been the standard work on the subject. Here, independent historian and Salt Lake Tribune columnist Bagley claims only to extend Brooks's work. But by using documents not available to Brooks and by following her example in pursuing the truth wherever it led him while not going beyond the available evidence, he confirms her private opinion that territorial Mormon leader and governor Brigham Young was heavily involved in both the massacre and its cover-up.

Their Innocent Blood Will Cry unto the Lord of Hosts -- The Battle-Ax of the Lord -- Political Hacks, Robbers, and Whoremongers -- The Arkansas Travelers -- I Will Fight Them and I Will Fight All Hell -- We Are American Citizens and Shall Not Move -- The Knife and Tomahawk -- The Work of Death -- The Scene of Blood and Carnage -- Plunder -- All Hell Is in Commotion -- They Have Slain My Children -- Vengeance Is Mine -- A Hideous Lethargic Dream -- Lonely Dell -- As False as the Hinges of Hell: The Trials of John D. Lee -- He Died Game: The Execution of John D. Lee -- The Mountain Meadow Dogs -- Nothing but the Truth Is Good Enough -- Epilogue: The Ghosts of Mountain Meadows -- Victims of the Massacre.