“The most effective way to destroy a people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”
In order to effectively restore our culture, it is essential to understand the changes it has undergone, the reasons behind these alterations, and the individuals responsible for them. At the Tree of Liberty Society, our primary objective is to assist in the restoration of liberty while simultaneously exposing and countering those who conspire to undermine it. A significant asset in this mission is the reclamation of lost history that has been deliberately obscured or erased.
Every Monday, activist members of the Tree of Liberty Society are afforded the opportunity to engage in our weekly training sessions. The accompanying image is from one such session. This timeline provides a comprehensive overview of the events that have shaped the culture we experience today.
The early pioneers of what is now Utah held a deep reverence for the Constitution and its foundational principles. They believed themselves to be unparalleled defenders of these ideals; however, the nation and its leaders had turned their backs on the Constitution, failing to safeguard the religious liberties of the people. This neglect compelled them to leave their homeland in search of a territory where they hoped to be left undisturbed in their worship of God, guided by their own conscience.
The notion of allowing individuals to live freely is not something that adherents of state (Satan) worship can tolerate. Consequently, they swiftly sought to reassert control over these “refugees,” who had once been oppressed. The conspirators not only aimed to reestablish dominance over the settlers but also plotted to dismantle the culture that had fostered their commitment to liberty and the Constitution. One of the founding figures of Deseret, John Taylor, articulated this sentiment.
John Taylor
“The scenes which we are now witnessing in the Territory are the results of a deep-laid and carefully planned conspiracy, which has been in process of formation for years. Its originators knew the elements they had to deal with, and by cunning contrivance they have effected a wonderful combination. Religious and irreligious, ministers in sacerdotal robes and atheistic scoffers, business men of integrity and blacklegs, temperance men and drunkards, men of strict morality and pimps and harlots, are crowded together on the platform they have constructed, and they find no inconvenience from each other’s companionship. Each is made to believe that it is to his direct interest to combine to destroy “Mormonism.” A more motley collection of human beings was never witnessed. Differ as they may upon everything else, there has been one common thought and purpose running through the whole and holding them together, and that is hatred of the religion of the Latter-day Saints and a determination to destroy it and them. The conspirators have appealed to “the prejudices of each one to induce him to work in concert for this common end. In the ministers they have found ready and willing allies; in fact, these have been the chief authors and promoters of the conspiracy. The Pharisees in the days of the Savior were no more ready to egg the multitude on to cry out “Crucify him, crucify him,” than many of the ministers of our time are to urge Congress to enact measures for our destruction. It is now some years since the sectarian ministers here (with the exception of the Catholic clergymen) combined in a document to congress, urging that body to legislate against us.” (First Presidency, Deseret Weekly News, 13 April 1886, pg. 194)
Organizations were established in accordance with the objectives articulated by John Taylor, aimed not merely at legislating against the settlers but at their complete eradication. Numerous historical documents reveal the formation of “secret societies” with the declared purpose to “destroy Mormonism.”
“This year (1872) a secret society, called the “Gentile League of Utah” was organized in Salt Lake City, its object being to break up “Mormon Theocracy.” The Historical Record, Andrew Jenson,1890, vol 9 page 87
“Sometime after this, a secret society was organized in the city and mining camps, known as the “Gentile League of Utah”. Its mission was to break up “Mormon Theocracy”, made so famous by McKean’s extraordinary official statement, that it was on trial in his court, in the person of Brigham Young. “ History of Salt Lake City, Edward Tullidge, 1886, page 590
Government officials were not prosecuting individuals for specific alleged crimes; rather, an entire religion was subjected to scrutiny, with the preordained objective of dismantling that religion. The four-volume history of Utah elucidates the motives and actions of the Gentile League, stating that.
“Under cover of ‘arming and organizing for protection’, the secret society known as the ‘Gentile League of Utah’ was formed. Within its program- if statements from its own side may be relied upon– was the deliberate massacre of municipal officers and citizens. Such a purpose, it is said, was really conceived, and only awaited an opportunity for its execution. That opportunity, it was hoped by the leaders of the league, would be afforded at the election. Associated with the work and purpose of this lawless organization were leading federal officials, and prominent at public meetings where its power and purposes were boasted of, were such men as Judge Strickland, General Maxwell, R.N. Baskin (state legislator, mayor of Salt Lake, &associate justice of the Utah Supreme Court), J.M. Orr, Rev. Norman McLeod, and other anti-Mormon radicals. At a meeting on East temple Street, in from of the Salt Lake House, Judge William Haydon declared that if the populace interrupted the liberal program, the streets of Salt Lake would be ‘seen running down with blood.’” History of Utah, Orson F. Whitney, 1893, volume 2 page 723
Elected officials took part and lead the charge of threatening blood in the streets if their agenda of destroying the faith and religion of the founders of the territory were not destroyed! The Gentile League wasn’t the only secret society organized for these intentions.
Historical publications mark 1886 as the year the “Utah Loyal League” was formed.
“According to the preamble to its constitution the League was to be an association ‘open as to its general object and purpose, but secret as to its membership and proceedings.’ Its purpose was set forth in the form of its enrolling list as follows:
‘The objects of the Utah Loyal League are to combine the loyal people of Utah, male and female, irrespective of politics, in opposition to the political rule and the law-defying practices of the so called Mormon Church; to oppose the admission of Utah into the Union until she has the substance as well as the form of republican government; to raise money to maintain agents in Washington or elsewhere to labor for these ends.’” Americana, American Historical Magazine, 10:457
The official publication of the state’s history provided an explanation.
“At this time the Utah Loyal League was formed, and a branch was organized in Park City. The purpose of the Loyal League was to eradicate by peaceable means, but lawful force, the doctrine of the Mormons.” Utah Historical Quarterly, 28:148
In 1884, a contemporary organization (the Alta Club) endeavored to emulate the efforts of the Gentile League and the Loyal League by establishing a Democratic club, which was viewed as an initial measure to replace church-affiliated political parties with national parties (Alta Club, Malmquist, pg 13).
Heather Gardner, a past candidate for the state senate, shares an experience from her door-to-door campaigning,
“I spoke to a constituent yesterday who said that her good friend Lane Beattie the president of the Salt Lake chamber. He is struggling because they admit their main purpose is to spread out the Mormon influence in politics and to make sure Mormons do not hold office like they’re doing in Salt Lake County.”
A group known as the “Buckshot Caucus,” comprising lawyers, government employees, and legislators and other elected officials, who refer to themselves as the “Utah Illuminati” (featuring an all-seeing eye as their emblem), shares similar objectives with the aforementioned organizations. Notably, many of its members openly identify as “Mormons.” One of the leaders, a staff member for Herbert’s gubernatorial campaign and an employee of the state Department of Workforce Services, boasted about their activities,
“[Utah is] barely over 50% [Mormon] and shrinking. SLC is very Democrat and one of the gayest cities in the U.S. and proud of it [Salt Lake] just elected Jackie Biskupski as mayor and she is openly gay. It’s a pretty great state and getting better.”
Former Salt Lake City mayor, Jackie Biskupski gloated that,
“This is our (sodomites) city. This (city hall) is our building, and we are running this city!”
Certain groups, including self-identified “conservatives” and Mormons, are involved in various organizations that aim to transform cultural norms and eliminate enduring elements of the foundational principles of our society. It is evident that these groups often change their names and operate multiple organizations with the same individuals pursuing identical objectives. Therefore, examining a single organization serves merely as an initial step in comprehending the broader movement. Recognizing that this is a coordinated effort allows us to better grasp the true intentions behind public, social, or political initiatives, empowering us to resist their agenda resolutely and remain steadfast in our commitment to sound principles.
Ben McClintock has strong roots in the liberty movement. He is the founder as well as membership coordinator and investigative reporter for Tree of Liberty Society. Prior to that, he was a coordinator for the John Birch Society and co-founder of Defending Utah.
Ben has been featured in USA Today, Fox News, and many other regional newspapers throughout the west. He is a popular guest and regularly appears on radio programs like the nationally syndicated Kate Dalley Show.
Ben also recently co-produced the popular documentary, “The 12th Article of Faith: Must Christians Obey the Government,” among many others which can be viewed on the Tree of Liberty YouTube channel. With over 15 years of experience in original research, writing, speaking, and organizational leadership—Ben strives to bring a strong foundation and understanding of freedom to Tree of Liberty Society and all its members.
Tree of Liberty Society is working from the national to the local level to educate citizens on the principles of liberty and expose those conspiring to take away your freedom. It’s time for you to become a part of a community taking action.
“[Utah is] barely over 50% [Mormon] and shrinking. SLC is very Democrat and one of the gayest cities in the U.S. and proud of it [Salt Lake] just elected Jackie Biskupski as mayor and she is openly gay. It’s a pretty great state and getting better.”
