Chapter 20 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 20, Krakauer returns to his story of Lee and the results of the Mountain Meadow massacre. According to the text, Lee had prophesied that if he was not guilty of the crimes at Mountain Meadow, Brigham Young would die within six months of Lee's execution. As predicted, Brigham Young dies five months after Lee is executed.

John Taylor, the prophet who replaces Brigham Young, is also a staunch supporter of polygamy. Taylor held to his beliefs even after the passage of the Edmunds Act in 1882 that allowed polygamous families to be prosecuted even for unlawful cohabitation. About the time of Taylor's death the government passes legislature that bankrupts the Mormon Church. It is at this point that Wilford Woodruff takes over power of the church. Woodruff at first tells his followers they must give up polygamy. Then, several years later...