, a charge was preferred against
him or her for a violation of covenants, and either full
confession and repentance immediately followed, or the sinful
member was slain for the remission of sins - it being taught by
the leaders, and believed by the people, that the right thing to
do when a sinner did not repent and obey the Council, was to take
the life of the offending party and thus save his or her
everlasting soul. This was called Blood Atonement. The members
who fully confessed their sins were again admitted into the
Church and rebaptized, taking new covenants to obey any and all
orders of the Priesthood and refuse all manner of assistance,
friendship, or communication with those who failed of strict
obedience to the authorities of the Church. The most deadly sin
among the people was adultery, and many men were killed by the
Danites for that crime.

Brother Rosmos Anderson was a Danish man who had come to Utah
with his family to receive the benefits arising from an
association with the Latter-day Saints. He had married a widow
lady somewhat older than himself; and she had a daughter who was
fully grown. The girl was anxious to be sealed to her stepfather.
Anderson was equally anxious to take her for a second wife, but
Bishop Klingensmith had set his eye on her, and desired her for
himself.

At one of the meetings Anderson and his stepdaughter confessed
they had committed adultery, believing that if they did so that
Brigham would allow them to marry when he learned the facts.
Their confession being full, they were rebaptized and received
into full membership. They were then placed under covenant that
if they again committed adultery Anderson should suffer death.

Soon after this a charge was laid against Anderson before the
Council, accusing him of adultery with his stepdaughter. This
Council was composed of Bishop Klingensmith and his two counselors;
it was the Bishop's Council. The Council voted that Anderson must
die for violating his covenants. Bishop Klingensmith went to
Anderson and told him the judgment was that he must die by having
his throat cut, so that the running of his blood would atone for
his sins.

Anderson, being a firm believer in the doctrine of Blood
Atonement and the teachings of the Mormon Church, made no
protest, but asked half a day to prepare for death. His request
was granted. His wife was ordered to prepare a suit of clean
clothing, in which to have her husband buried, and informed