Holy Murder: The Story of Porter Rockwell

By: Charles Kelly and Birney Hoffman

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Synopsis: Holy Murder, first published in 1934, is a fascinating, controversial look at the “Avenging Angel” of the Mormon Church, Porter Rockwell. The authors trace the violent history of the Mormon Church beginning with its origins in New York and Illinois, to the flight of its members and their settlement near the Great Salt Lake. Citing numerous sources and interviewing witnesses and descendants, the exploits of Rockwell are detailed to form a picture of a man on the one hand kind to children and his friends, while on the other capable of the most grisly murders of perceived enemies of the church. Although open to criticism for its anti-Mormon bias, attempting to accurately portray Rockwell is difficult as he did not keep a personal diary and many of his activities were shrouded in secrecy. Included are 12 pages of illustrations.