The violent Netflix limited series “American Primeval” is dangerously misleading historical fiction, said The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a statement released Friday.
“A recently released streaming series presents a fictionalized interpretation of events in mid-19th century Utah. While historical fiction can be illuminating, this drama is dangerously misleading,” the statement said.
The church’s second president and prophet is a leading character in the six-episode series, but he is misrepresented.
“Brigham Young, a revered prophet and courageous pioneer, is, by any historical standard, egregiously mischaracterized as a villainous, violent fanatic,” the church statement said. “Other individuals and groups are also depicted in ways that reinforce stereotypes that are both inaccurate and harmful.”
The series also misrepresents the Mountain Meadows Massacre, according to the statement and historians.
“As to the Mountain Meadows Massacre, which the series inaccurately portrays as reflective of a whole faith group, the church has long acknowledged and condemned this horrific tragedy,” the statement said. “It has also taken significant steps to uncover and share the full truth of what happened and promote healing.”
Church leaders said the inaccurate portrayals lead to misunderstandings that can cause division, even violence:
“The problem with such deceptive, graphic and sensationalized storytelling is that it not only obscures reality and hinders genuine understanding but can foster animosity, hate and even violence,” the statement said. “This is particularly troubling today when peacemakers are needed more than ever. At a time when so many responsible leaders are condemning the division and hostility that dominate so much of our public discourse, we echo the plea of President Russell M. Nelson:
“The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers. … Peacemaking is a choice. … I urge you to choose to be a peacemaker, now and always.”
“This sentiment,” the statement continued, “shared across many traditions, is resonating around the world today. It is the prophetic message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — a message of peace that all the modern prophets have shared, including Brigham Young.”
Several historians have weighed in about problems they encountered watching the show’s depiction of the historical events in the show.
- The managing director of the Church History Department, Matt Grow, wrote that “any suggestion that ‘American Primeval’ accurately describes him is deeply misguided.”
- The co-author of the most recent book on the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Barbara Jones Brown, shared points of fact and fiction in the series and wrote about why ‘American Primeval’ left her feeling confused and frustrated.
- The former Chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation wrote about how he reconciles difficult history with the storytelling of Hollywood. He said “American Primeval” has the power “to shape perceptions of Mormon history, native history and the history of the American West in ways that are harmful.”