In 1858 the federal troops occupied Utah Territory and
they had a fairly good idea who had been involved in the
1857 Mountain Meadows massacre. But for years, the federal
government was unable to procure evidence that would insure
a successful prosecution. The Iron County Militia members
and their support system presented a "hard nut to crack."

How vigorously should the government have pursued the task
of "cracking the nut" and breaking up what were obviously
LDS terrorist groups -- the Utah Nauvoo Legion and Danites?

I wonder about that same question today, in the case of
contemporary terrorist groups, both foreign and domestic.

Such groups are generally very close-knit. They do not
simply hand out evidence against themselves on street
corners. Their associates do not often "rat out" the
leaders and their secrets. In places like Somalia or
Yemen, a terrorist cell will probably be composed of
members who have known one another for many years. It
is not easy to insert an informer, or recruit one from
their midst.

Suppose that a prospective informer had an opportunity
of joining an anti-American terrorist cell in Pakistan.
The final test of his loyalty would be his murdering
some innocent American tourists on the streets of Karachi.
Would such an extreme act be justified, if it inserted
a valuable espionage agent into the group?

Could an outsider have joined the Mormons at Cedar City
in 1858, participated in "Danite" activities, to gain
their confidence, and then exposed the MMM murderers?

I sometimes wonder if this sort of thing does not actually
happen, in secret, and we just never hear the details.

UD

I don't see where this is O/T at all. The MMM created one of the first cracks of my proverbial shelf. (Polygamy came next). IMHO the MMM is pivotal and it blatantly demonstrates the idea that by their fruits ye shall know them.

Could it happen again today, with all the hiding/changes of/in the basic doctrine? Look at all the spin offs of the Morg. The Kingstons. The Allreds, The FLDS and the numerous other solid followers and belivers in JS, BY.

I thank whatever gawds may be for the information age. Whether it really ever could evolve to an all out massacre I would say no but... the fanatical will always be part of life's experience.