The Mormon Murders
This is a true story and I remember it vigorously. Mark Hoffman had a knack for finding important documents about the Mormon Church and many of them were on subjects that they had been trying to hide since its creation.
One of Utah’s most infamous criminals kissed his children while they slept in their bedrooms the night before he donned a letterman’s jacket and carried a package into the Judge Building in downtown Salt Lake City and took the elevator to the sixth floor.
Mark Hoffman told himself what he was about to do was for their good.
The first bomb exploded a few minutes after 8 a.m. on Oct. 15, 1985, killing Steve Christensen when he reached down to pick up a package in front of his office in the Judge Building. The second bomb exploded about 90 minutes later, killing Holladay housewife Kathy Sheets when she picked up a package in front of her home.
At first it seemed that someone was targeting employees of the beleaguered CFS Financial Corp., because Sheets’ husband, Gary, was CFS’s president, and Christensen was formerly one of the company’s vice presidents. But when a third bomb exploded the next day, suddenly the motive seemed less clear.
The third victim, injured but still alive, was Mark Hofmann, a man unknown to most Salt Lakers but a minor celebrity among Latter-day Saint historians and collectors.
“I remember on the night before the first two bombings going into my children’s bed rooms (sic) and kissing them while they slept telling myself that my plot was for their best good. That night I also ‘chickened out’ of the suicide attempt and made the final selection who my victims would be.”
Interesting follow up articles.
The Salamander Letter Mark Hoffman forged contests Mormon beliefs
Mormons believe an angel named Moroni led Joseph Smith to a book of golden plates that were later translated to The Book of Mormon. The Salamander Letter directly contests this story, and instead states Smith was led to the golden plates by a “spirit who transfigured himself from a white salamander.” Hoffman claimed the letter was written by Martin Harris, a scribe for Smith, in 1830. The Salamander Letter was controversial because it changed Mormon beliefs from a traditional Christian narrative into folklore and magic.
Sadly Google has turned to shit. I remember searching for the Mormon Murders and the White Salamander paper and got ton of hits. Now it’s useless junk. But if you are really interested in reading about the Hoffman reign of terror I suggest reading, The Mormon Murders by Gregory White Smith.
Another true saga that turned deadly:
Allan McDonald, engineer who refused to approve Challenger launch, dies in Ogden
Allan McDonald, the whistleblower and engineer sent by contractor Morton Thiokol to approve the 1986 Challenger space shuttle launch but who refused to sign off, has died in Ogden at age 83, according to NPR.
McDonald was overruled by NASA and company management prior to the Challenger explosion 73 seconds after its launch on Jan. 28, 1986; all seven astronauts aboard were killed, including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe, who was to be the first civilian in space.
"NASA finally said, 'Al, we'll pass this on in an advisory capacity,'" McDonald told the Los Angeles Times about the launch decision in 2016 when he donated his papers to Chapman University. "And I said, 'Let me tell you something. I sure hope nothing happens tomorrow, but if it does, I am not going to be the person to stand in front of a board of inquiry and explain why I gave you permission to fly my rocket boosters in an environment I knew they would never qualify to fly in.'"
The people at NASA tried to throw them under the bus, but after all the facts came out, including memos from engineers at M-T about a potential disaster in the making, McDonald and his engineers were vindicated.
I was friends with the engineers who worked on the Space Shuttle Booster Rockets and was engaged to the one who was put in charge of the redesign for NASA. The pressure was too much for him unfortunately and for us, but oh what fun memories we made before things turned. I watched as men as young as 25 went from happy go luck and the world is their playground to broken shells for accepting a guilt that was never theirs to accept. Their boss said NO. It is Not Safe, but NASA flew anyway and you know the story. I was at work in my darkroom when the news came on the radio. OH MY GAWD, Tim. I went to watch in stunned horror as the news was shown.
Eventually the group broke up. Some left for other companies in Utah. Others left for parts unseen.
Where were you on Jan. 28, 1986?
Yes you do want to watch this video.
this is better than anything I've ever seen at any of the major parks in Florida. pic.twitter.com/nXsb6719GC
— Polyamorous Tantric Sex Guru (@BethLynch2020) March 7, 2021
Comments
This is meant to be an open thread
Thanks for posting Snoop!
question everything
Good morning...
Here in the buckle of the Bible belt religion is a big deal too. And there are plenty of extremists...
https://www.al.com/news/2020/11/alabama-snake-handling-murder-focus-of-h...
What a twisted doctrine...
killing in God's name.
Well thanks for the story and OT. Y'all have a good one!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
It's crazy
How do people get so mixed up in religions?
question everything
Glad I wasn't drawn in...
Never have liked dogma...chased my karma.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Yeah
'Your dogma chased my karma'
was a favorite bumper sticker
before it was improper to do
such things
question everything
lol;
i'd thunk it was:
'your dogma ate my karma.'
Thankkfully they never created a world religion
I have never understood how people born outside of Mormonism could possibly buy into the beliefs. Especially that they could grow up to be gawd themselves if they attain enough riches to buy their way into the highest kingdom. Only rich people can become gawds through the different celestial kingdoms. I remember the 1st time a friend told me about that.
Perfect religion for the 1%
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
99 years for attempted murder
Meanwhile, here in Illinois this week, a man (so called) who raped and murdered a two year old was released after 24 years, half his original sentence. Not because he was innocent but because. because what? To me this waste of resources should have been executed 20 years ago, preferably very painfully. Buggering with a red hot poker seems appropriate to the crime.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
Good morning, Snoopy ~~
That documentary looks great - too bad I don't have Netflix! I love true stories. I sure enjoyed watching the twitter video. Made the start of my day energetic and happy!
Enjoy the day!
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
I'd be happy to send you my book if interested
I watched some of the 1st episode, but realized that there is so much info that is being left out and probably on the Church's orders. The white salamander paper and the white horseman prophecy used to give tons of hits on search, but sadly it too appears to be censored.
Glad you watched that fun video. Just so much joy and fun, Very envious of people's bodies being able to move that gracefully. I can't dance.
January 28, 1986
I was in 6th grade. My first school year in Tennessee. The whole school was watching the shuttle launch (in their classrooms) because there was a teacher on board. So, yeah, kindergarten through 8th grade got to see it explode on live tv. My whole class just sat and stared in shock. I remember they offered counseling afterwards for whoever needed it. I don't remember ever watching anything live on tv at school again.
That brings back memories of that whole school year. The worst year of school I had. Moving from Alexandria, Virginia to Nowheresville, Tennessee was a major change. I knew it was going to be a bad year on my first day of 6th grade when everyone stood to recite the pledge of allegiance. At first I thought everyone was speaking in a different language. About halfway through I realized they were speaking English, but with a huge southern drawl.
The second blow came on the same day when I was informed that Tennessee schools didn't let out early on Mondays just because it was Monday like they did at the school I had attended in Virginia.
That was the day I decided Tennessee sucks. I still haven't changed my mind.
Thanks for hosting, Snoop. Hope everyone has a good day.
How traumatic
just thinking of all those school kids who were traumatized on that day watching it live and then finding out that everyone knew that it was very risky sending them up because of all the warnings. Teachers must have had to do some quick thinking that day. DO you remember what your teacher said?
My friend would tell me about McDonald trying to get people to understand why it was such a bad idea and how it haunted him. NASA knew, but looked the other way. I keep wondering why it was so important that they lift off that day with all the risks. The article explains some of it if interests. And then they did it again when the other shuttle's tiles were coming loose. Instead of taking the time to study what could be done they told the 'noughts that they should cross their fingers and hope for the best. I was ticked to the max when it blew. Can't remember the name but wasn't during Zero's tenure?
30 years. My goodness we all got a little older didn't we?
I don't remember
I just remember that my teacher didn't turn the TV off right after it happened. The tv stayed on for probably 5 more minutes. I think she was in shock also. I also know that I haven't watched a shuttle launch since then.
The second one with the damaged tiles was Columbia.
“Death by PowerPoint.”
https://blog.usejournal.com/death-by-powerpoint-the-slide-that-killed-se...
https://www.qwant.com/?q=death%20by%20powerpoint%20columbia%20space%20sh...
I sort of remember
that Ronnie Raygun was going to give the state of the union speech and wanted to use the launch as a feather in his cap. USA! USA! Same as it ever was.
Good morning Snoops (in absentia, I believe) et al
It is getting extremely difficult to find black bean garlic paste in Castro Valley, at least at all of the normal major grocery stores. So, obviously, just my problem, but it occurred to me to wonder: "is this a first world problem or not?
Per my tentative and experimental time blocking schedule, today is a Bonus Day, but this isn't a normal week. In fact, we haven't had a normal week stince I invented this damn schedule, so I never seem to get my full on freebie day. Ah well, such is life.
With any luck, this is the Cal falcons webcam (one of them), last I looked one egg. One can always search on Cal falcons, UC Berkeley falcons, or somesuch.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
There is also a cheese shortage
some headline said that Costco has problems getting it. Can't you swing thru Gilroy on your way south? Man, talk about memories from the past. I had just moved to CA and met another gal from Utah and we became fast friends. She took me to Gilroy for the garlic festival and I had a blast. I felt like I was on vacation for close to a year after moving there because everything was so new. Can you even imagine the culture shock I had coming from Utah? Not as bad as when I went to New Orleans for a week, but close.
I am off for a run to Nevada. Will check in later. Everyone have a great day.
It is an open thread, so I ask this:
which vaccine would you get, if all of the offered ones, would be available to you??
I will wait til I come to a conclusion about it. How about you?
https://www.euronews.com/live
J&J or Sputnik
I don't want the mRNA vaccines. Bill Gates' involvement solidifies it.
But you have to evaluate all your risks.
I've already lived three years longer than my father and going blind. Maybe it would be a mercy killing.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
may be it is a grace of God to not see things, it is no joy to
see them as bad as they are. Try to stay with hope. I believe that J&J is the one I would trust most. But then I could live also without any vaccination. All confusing so far, wait and see is what I do best.
Be well.
https://www.euronews.com/live
The EU has just accredited the J&J vaccine...
two hours ago.There you go.
https://www.euronews.com/live
I remember reading about the Byzantine Empire
Their non-lethal political punishment was blinding. It was an accepted fact that a blind man could not be Emperor. One claimant or plotter on being publically blinded shouted out to the crowd (theirs always a crowd like at a hanging), "I THANK GOD THAT I NO LONGER HAVE TO LOOK AT YOUR FACES!"
Or maybe it was "ugly faces". That's the sense I got from the story.
I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.
thanks, and I sent you a pm /nt
https://www.euronews.com/live
Take whatever is offered.
I've had both of my shots of the Moderna vaccine. One of the few positives about being so old. I still have just two eyes and one head and haven't noticed any new urges. Listen to John Campbell on youtube and get the science of it all. Be sensible.
-Greed is not a virtue.
-Socialism: the radical idea of sharing.
-Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
John F. Kennedy, In a speech at the White House, 1962
zounds!
the trailer looks like a great exposé; thanks for bringing it and all the rest. i once had a short shelf of Mormon exposés, including the Mormon Murders. at one poit i gave them all to the library, and i suppose, unsurprisingly, they'd evaporated. the canyon (Webber) we live in wa mormon-settled early on.
the other mormon murder tale was the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and it all depends on the author, time, and maybe mormon or not...what the story is. this is the closest that didn't lock up my laptop. the big Q is 'with the aid of piautes', mormon militia 'dressed up as paiute', thus the massacre was: Blamed on Paiutes.
a few outtakes from american experience:
you all may recall FLDS (polygamist) warren jeffs, his trial and conviction and life + 20 years in prison.
his group had bought land north of us maybe a decade ago, and last i'd known they were kinda/sorta homesteading it. i'd agonized over it, given i/we have plenty of mormon friends, but i ended up putting a notice at the local grocery store to the effect that if any of them needed help...and gave my name and phone number.
interestingly enough, a place at which mr. wd works part-time now, has a gaggle of cleaners who come once a week to clean the cabins, and from what mr. wd describes...just have to be from that...er...sect in the ponderosa pine woods. youngish, long air, long dresses, won't look at one's eyes, etc.
as is likely true where you are, some of the 2-story houses in town still have several entrances, i guess so The Mister can choose which wife to visit when he came home.
Snoopy, I am not relgious, for me
religions is the same as politics, all about power and money and lying and cheating the people for the mighty to keep their believers under their control.
I am sorry, I guess I should have said something to the subject of your Open Thread and didn't. I am all ears about what God whispers ib ny ears, but if humans try to whsiper something I keep my ears closely shut.
Just saying as an apology to may have confused your open thread.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Good evening, one and all!
Something I just read on Counterpunch about pop music, especially rock and roll: https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/03/11/some-thoughts-about-my-cuba/
I had a whirlwind trip to Illinois and arrived home in Texas at midnight last night. The trip went so smoothly, every task accomplished, and we played some driving music that had us singin' and wailin' while we went through road construction projects, crazy truck drivers, and speed traps.
Thanks for the OT, and I had not heard of the Morman Murders.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
My BIL spent his whole career as a scientist at NASA.
He was a scientist and an engineer. He designed and managed the build of many instruments he needed. He was part of the the Ozone project and its success.
Later he was the scientist in Earth Sciences out of Goddard which worked on studying Earth particles using LIDAR. The first stage was from earth-based stations in three positions on the planet, one being Antartica. Once the technology proved sound (he showed us some of his actual readings/mapping of particles using LIDAR) he was given a go to build instruments for a rocket to deploy a satellite in low Earth orbit to map the world.
In the midst of all this he along with others learned that the Amazon forest receives its mineral needs by air currents brought from what we call the Far East. The planet is a complex and interconnected set of systems which are just now understanding.
As his project moved along, he had trusted builders of the instruments he would need on the satellite: with a built-in number of failures due to the rigours of take off and flight.
He knew that the instruments that were built by NASA project managers were not robust and were failing. Even on the launch pad the number of working instruments was dwindling to a very unacceptable number. He had expected the satellite to map for a couple or several years, iirc.
But the number still working was shortening the duration of the mapping significantly.
He tried to get his own instruments into the program but the project managers would not hear of it nor would they hear of the potential failure of the project.
The rocket was launched from Vandenberg with just a few working instruments. He got data, but very few working and for maybe eighteen months in the end??
Life's work on a very important project. I don't believe it has been replicated.
The no bad news works like this on many large-scale projects including some of the large-scale Intel plants I have personally been part of.
He ground his teeth down badly during all this, his health suffered and he retired without realising the opportunity to publish good data from his life's work.
Here is a PDF explaining the concepts:
Atmospheric Particles
Subsequent work - nice graphics (PDF):
LITE
YouTube on LIDAR and various applications:
[video:https://youtu.be/EYbhNSUnIdU]
A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.
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January 28, 1986 I was sitting on the couch
nursing my newborn daughter and watching the shuttle launch. I was horrified. My best hope was that the astronauts were killed instantly which is pretty terrible.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"