Well, first of all, what are they? Who are they? Did I know about them when I was growing up? Why are they important in this day and age?
What are they? A fraternal organization founded by the Latter-day Saints in June of 1838 in Far West, Missouri.
Who are they?
The Danites were a vigilante group of men that were extremely zealous Mormons who swore oaths to support the heads of the church in all the things that they say or do, whether right or wrong. The focus of the Danites was to prey upon those who were considered to be a threat to the church and its saints, who are called, "Dissenters." They are those who leave the Mormon church and those who go against the Mormon church.
The "Danite Manifesto" openly warns any dissenter who dares to cross their path.
"We have solemnly warned you, that in the most determined manner, that if you do not
cease that course of wanton abuse of the citizens of this country, that vengeance would
overtake you sooner or later, and that when it did come it would be as furious as the
mountain torrent, and as terrible as the beating tempest; but you have affected to
dispise our warnings, and pass them off with a sneer, or a grin, or a threat, and pursued
your former course; and vengeance sleepeth not, neither does it slumber; and unless you
heed us this time, and attend to our request, it will overtake you at an hour you do not
expect, and at a day when you do not look for it; and for you there be no escape; for there
is but one decree for you, which is depart, depart, or a more fatal calamity shall befall
you" (Document, pp. 103-106).
This letter has 83 signatures of Mormons, including Joseph Smith's brother Hyrum.
The Danites were the enforcers of the Law of Consecration. That is, all the saints are to give all they have to the church and in turn, the church would lease back to the saints all their needs.
The Danites were to watch over all elections of the time in the Mormon community. This was to prevent an unfair election.
The Danites were in a sense the law of the land for the Mormons. They were to protect the saints against all mobs that dare to invade their territory.
The Danites were the military for Joseph Smith and the Mormon church.
History shows that the Danites' reign ended in Missouri, yet many former Danites continued to maintain prominent positions in the church and in the militia out West. They held power and influence over all the saints. After the Mormons had been driven out of Missouri and had moved out West, a new band of zealous Mormons came about. These were Brigham Youngs' "Avenging Angels". The number of these Mormons that were former Danites are not known, however, their purpose was still the same. John D. Lee that lead the Mountain Meadows Massacre, was a former Danite.
The Blood Atonement was rumored to be in effect, or put into practice during the time of Brigham Young. It was said that the those "Angels" enforced the Blood Atonement. These blood oaths are practiced by every 'worthy' member of the church that attends the temple to this day. The oaths and hand signs of bloodshed are practiced and memorized by all temple worthy Mormons who attend any temple around the world. These oaths and covenants that Mormons are sworn to uphold, promise to have their own blood spilt in order to have their own sins forgiven if they go against the church and the oaths they had taken.
When I was growing up, the whole subject of the Danites, blood oaths, and the like were not a part of Mormon schooling. It isn't until a Mormon member gets older that you learn that Jesus doesn't have the ability to forgive all sins. It isn't until a person goes to the temple that you gain knowledge of the blood oaths and the accompanying penalties. Those who go against these oaths will in someway be accounted for and the penalties will be carried out.
In the back of my head I keep wondering when will it be my turn to have my blood spilled because I am no longer a Mormon. I went through the temple. I took those oaths. I know for a fact that the Mormons do not make people take blood oaths for nothing. I do not have proof that the Mormon Militia still exists, but I know in my heart and mind that the Mormon church does not leave loose ends.
Danites?
SEPTEMBER DAWN - MY REVIEW
My husband and I went to the movie theater this past Saturday and watched September Dawn. WOW! What a movie. If you haven't seen this film yet, I highly recommend it. There is a story line about young love that is added as an extra, but the substance about Mormon beliefs are very correct.
The topic of the 'Danites' and blood atonement are very strong throughout the movie. It clearly shows the difference between God fearing Christians and the Mormons. The movie also shows the blind loyalty (Brain washing that makes you crazy!) that the followers of Joseph Smith have towards the leaders of the Mormon church. The teachings of Jesus are clearly not important to the Mormons, especially the ones who committed the crimes against those people that were murdered on that September day.
The more I watched the movie the more angry I became. The cold hearted killings are brutal. The rituals in the temples are correct, yet they are at a minimum. The hand movements that go with the blood oaths were not displayed. If you don't know anything about the Danites or about the 'blood oaths', I plan on explaining them in greater detail in another post.
The movie shows that there is a direct link between Brigham Young and the killings. It also shows how the leaders will do all that they can to make sure that all followers do what is expected of them.
Get A Grip!
Now there is a title that might be a little confusing. Get a grip... Truth is, I lose my grip sometimes. I'm not talking about the grip of a hand, rather the grip of self control. I used to spend a lot of time crying and feeling bad about the things that I couldn't change. I had the feeling of being trapped and I couldn't see my way out. I would have good moments, but the bad experiences would over shadow the good experiences. The Mormon church had put such high expectations on me as a woman that I was stressed out all of the time. I thought that the feeling of being overwhelmed was just me. I used to think that I was slowly going nuts. It was a combination of values and expectations that both family and church put on me that made me feel as though I was going to burst at the seams.
Now that I'm out of the Mormon church, I still have difficulty with getting a grip (self control). I get too upset over things that I cannot change and the things that I think I need to do in my life. When it comes to my children, I get overly upset when I need to back off or refuse to help them out at times. My children are adults now and I'm a mother watching them grow on their own. (Hard reality check)
Sometimes the feeling of injustice gets the best of me. The control that my dad, Convert, the Mormon church, brain washing, my own stupidity, and circumstances beyond my control had on me, still haunt me to this day. I do lean on the Lord, but I don't lean on Him enough. I have moments when I feel as though God has abandoned me, yet that is far from the truth.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3 the apostle Paul tells us that our Lord Jesus Christ is the father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Paul goes on and says that Jesus comforts us in all our troubles. I know that Jesus Christ is always there for me and I know that He is the only one who can make my worries and troubled past just memories. He is also the only one that can help me through whatever it is I have to go through now.
It is my prayer that through God's love and wisdom, I will be able to look upon my hurtful memories and maintain my grip in the comfort of Jesus Christ. I also pray that I will someday be able to help others in similar situations lean on the true Jesus through the promises that Paul spoke of to the people of Corinth.
On The Outside Looking In
I am the oldest girl of three and I have four brothers. My mom had two miscarriages and one infant death. We, as children, grew up in a very tight nit family. All of us kids are still alive and we all have families of our own. Once in a while, I get an update of how everyone is doing, and sometimes I get a call from a sister or two. My mom will elaborate on how everyone is getting along. I think of my brothers and sister a lot, especially now that I'm older and have more time on my hands.
One time, about eleven years ago, when I just moved up north from Georgia, I had a longing to see one of my brothers who lived in New Mexico. I didn't have any money and I had no idea how to get there. Christian (my husband) and I went on a venture to see my brother with Christians money and he hardly had any. The trip was so tight financially that we hitched rides, slept under the stars, and ate only canned beans for breakfast. The love that I have for my brother is unconditional and I (we) went to great lengths to just give him an embrace and see his face.
I don't hear from my siblings much. I don't get calls of "HI", or "HOW ARE YOU?" I sometimes get lonely for them and I will call them just to hear their voice. The conversations with them are short and superficial. I am on the outside of the sibling circle looking in because I am no longer a part of the Mormon church. I have refused Mormon literature from a brother, and eating dinner with Mormon missionaries at a sisters house. I do have a huge desire to be with my brothers and sisters, but when I am around them they, when ever they get a chance, try to insert their Mormon beliefs on me.
I still get hung up about this situation. My family is so engrained in Mormon teachings and beliefs that it is extremely difficult for me to tell them of a better life. They don't want anything to do with Christianity and they are not afraid to say so. My heart is heavy about this matter, but I know that one day I will have to confront them with the truth about Mormonism. I spend a lot of time, meditating and praying to prepare myself for the day when I will be completely cut off from my family because I do not conform to the Mormon standards. There might not be enough time for preparation...
My brothers, sisters, and parents are dear to my heart and I wish only the best for them. I know that the best thing they need is to know the true Jesus Christ, and I know that I am the one to tell them of the only one true Savior.
After I've done all I can DO!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a belief based on the theology that a sure way to heaven, and to achieve Godhead is to "do all you can do!" My dad loves to re-site a verse of Mormon scripture that says, 'When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are in the service of your God!' The church changed a children's Primary song entitled, "I am a Child of God." In one particular refrain, they changed a word from 'teach me all that I must KNOW', to 'teach me all that I must DO!'
From the beginning of my life experiences, whether it be in church, at home, or at play, I was taught that 'doing' (whatever that consisted of) was how I was going to be fulfilled, on earth and in heaven. Plus, by doing, is where my self worth was supposed to come from. Therefore, the more I did for people the more I felt as though I was getting closer to God and stepping my way up to Godhood.
There is nothing wrong in helping others. We, as Christians, should have a desire to help those around us. As for me, coming out of Mormonism, to do for others all of the time has been extremely hurtful and down right exhausting. I still, to this day, have great difficulty with changing my thinking on this whole subject. Sometimes it is better not to help those around you in order for them to help themselves. My tendency is to help others around me, even if it will not benefit myself and/or others. My need to 'do' for others has become a huge source of stress for me. I still have a tendency to fall back into the thinking that the only way I'm going to be accepted by my family, children and those around me, is to always do for them. I sometimes get a little lost if I'm not doing for at least for my kids. Me helping them isn't always what is best for them. I get to feeling left out when I'm not doing things for at least them.
The way to heaven is not in the physical activity of "doing", rather the way to eternal life is through faith, long suffering, love, patience, joy. In other words, the Fruit of the Spirit. I shed many tears over this in order to correct my thinking. I put my husband through long suffering because he is the only one I have to talk with. God gets an earful of prayer and sometimes He makes me practice faith, patience, and long suffering. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has instilled in me incorrect values that have done more harm than good. The concept of 'doing all you can do' sounds real good and noble on the surface. The truth is...It is incorrect and wrong to DO all of the time. God expects his children to learn and grow in grace which is freely given to all those who believe through faith, not by doing, or by good works.
