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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is calling a recently released Netflix series “dangerously misleading,” claiming it mischaracterizes LDS prophet Brigham Young.
“American Primeval”, which started streaming on Netflix earlier this month, follows a group of LDS pioneers trying to survive the American frontier during the Utah War of 1857.
The show depicts an event known as the “Mountain Meadows Massacre“ where local Latter-day Saint militiamen, aided by American Indian allies, massacred about 120 emigrants traveling by wagon to California.
“While historical fiction can be illuminating, this drama is dangerously misleading. Brigham Young, a revered prophet and courageous pioneer, is, by any historical standard, egregiously mischaracterized as a villainous, violent fanatic. Other individuals and groups are also depicted in ways that reinforce stereotypes that are both inaccurate and harmful,” a statement from the Church read, in part.
The Church continued to say they have long acknowledged and condemned the tragedy while promoting healing and unveiling the truth of the event. They added that “deceptive, graphic and sensationalized” storytelling hides reality and hinders genuine understanding, but can “foster animosity, hate, and even violence.”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Peter Berg responded to criticism of the show’s representations. He said it’s not a literal depiction of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, as those massacres took place over three days and the one in the show happens quickly.
“I’ve heard some of the pushback, but I haven’t heard anyone from the Mormon side deny that the Meadows Massacre happened and that Mormons did it. I have had them express concerns that we do take other liberties,” he said.
ABC4 has reached out to the team of “American Primeval”, but has yet to hear back at this time.
This isn’t the only time the church has responded to its depictions in media. The church also released a response shortly before the film “Heretic” came out, an A24 film where two missionaries of the church were trapped by the character of Mr. Reed, who put them through trials of their faith and beliefs.
Without naming a specific film or show, the Church has said some of its Hollywood portrayals are “fair and accurate”, but also said some portrayals are stereotypes or gross misrepresentations that have real-life consequences.
“We understand the fascination some in the media have with the Church, but regret that portrayals often rely on sensationalism and inaccuracies that do not fairly and fully reflect the lives of our Church members or the sacred beliefs that they hold dear,” the Church said in a statement.