Burying the Past: Legacy of the Mountain Meadows Massacre

Brian Patrick was a panelist (with Kirk Ellis, Bill Downs and Pete Van Houten) for the Wyoming Film Festival to discuss how to represent history on film. The discussion began with a clip from Burying the Past and it set the tone for a wonderful panel, amazing contributions from the audience, and a first-rate conversation about how historical events are treated on film. Ellis talked about adapting the book John Adams for the HBO series. Downs talked about writing for television. Van Houten talked about teaching this craft to college students. Patrick talked about interpreting a controversial but true event (Mountain Meadows Massacre). He also discussed the importance of copyrighting your work....do it! It was one of the highlights of the Wyoming Film Festival. Thanks, Brian, for elevating the horizon.

First comes a compelling reenactment of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, followed by some political history and the reconciliation of ancestors. Watch closely and don't be afraid to look for meaning between the lines, especially during the second half. An excellent documentary; it seemed even better the next day when discussing its meaning. * * * * *

Incredibly powerful and moving film that contains the only footage that exists of the forensic investigation into the massacre that happened on September 11, 1857 when Utah Mormons murdered 120 men, women and children traveling by wagon train to California. The film has won 11 awards and is told through the actual testimony of a young girl who survived the massacre and witnessed the murders. What makes this film especially moving are the interviews with descendants still haunted by the massacre, and struggling to forgive each other today. The question of Brigham Young's involvement and cover-up of the massacre is investigated, as well as the LDS Church's ownership of the land where the massacre took place and where the victims are buried, and the Church's refusal to apologize to the victim's families. The LDS Church presents their side of the story, responding with their own defense. Far from propaganda, the documentary presents the truth with integrity, showing both sides of the story. The film paints a chilling portrait of how religious intolerance causes human beings to destroy one another, why the massacre happened, and what really took place September 11, 1857, as new evidence is revealed.

"Burying The Past" was shown in Washington by the descendants to the delegates, and contributed greatly to the Mountain Meadows Massacre site being named a National Historic Landmark. Patty Norris, President of the Mountain Meadows Massacre Descendants said "Without a doubt, the documentary "Burying The Past" played an important part in contributing to earning National Historic Landmark status." Terry Fancher, President of the Mountain Meadows Massacre Association, said the documentary "Burying The Past" was "One of the most important contributors to getting the story told" and "added immeasurably to our efforts to gain National Historic Landmark Status." September 11, 2011, the Mountain Meadows Massacre site was declared a National Historic Landmark, with Patrick being invited to speak and present his documentary once more to commemorate the historic occasion.