The Mormon Murders

Two themes are very evident in this book. The first is a story of a very clever forger who knew the weaknesses of his customers. When he could no longer cover his forgeries, he murdered two people before accidentally setting off one of his bombs and being injured. That, by its self in an interesting story. The second part of the story is the Theocracy of Utah and the political power of the dominant religion there. A few people sincerely tried to get the evidence and prosecute the crime. Others on the case drug their feet and presented every possible obstacle. The Mormon Church made it very clear they did not want media attention and did not want to testify. Gordon B. Hinckley went so far as to say that they just wanted the matter dropped. The FBI agent leading that part of the investigation was Mormon, some of the police investigators were Mormon, the Prosecuting Attorney was Mormon, the Sheriff was Mormon and the Federal Attorney was Mormon. They all took orders from the Mormon Church. Here is a quote from the book: If the Church didn't want the truth out, then neither, it appeared did Brent Ward. If the Church didn't want this case in the headlines, didn't want to get itself involved in the legal process, who was Brent Ward to put it there? As for his sworn duty to uphold the law, well there were laws and there were laws. As one investigator on the case saw it: "Brent Ward's motives are above the law. Do you think a good Mormon in the U.S. Attorney's office is going to hesitate for one minute deciding to do what's correct for the law or what's best for the Church? This guy was on his way to being a GOD(emphasis in original). Next to that, US attorney looks pretty insignificant." The reason the Mormon Church did not want the press, is because Hoffman dealt with the top leadership of the Mormon Church. He was on a first name basis and could get in to see them any time. To admit that they had dealt with him and purchased documents from him would be admitting that their much vaunted "power of discernment" did not exist. If it had existed, they would not have purchased the documents and would have known he was a forger. While Gordon B. Hinckley was not the official head of the Mormon Church, however one of the people over him had advanced senility and the other had suffered a massive stroke. He was essentially in charge and he had been dealing directly with Mark Hoffman. Because of the influence of the Mormon Church, and the desire of the Mormon Church to end any media involvement, the prosecutor took a solid murder one case and bargained it to one Murder two guilty plea with a sentencing of Manslaughter. Mark Hoffman got 5 to life for premeditated murder. This was the same sentence that another Utah man recieved for robbing a fast food restaurant. The two men entered prison at the same time. The prosecution's evidence was overwhelming that he was guilty. Anyone who wants to understand the inner workings and power that i

It is certainly true that fact is sometimes stranger than fiction. This was my first foray into the true crime genre, and now I'm hooked! Contrary to the opinions of a couple of other reviewers, I felt this book was an unbiased and well-written account of frightening events of which most of us Mormons are unaware. If you're only interested in Mormon-faith-promoting material, I wouldn't recommend this book. If you're interested in truth, this book is excellent reading.

Any reader who appreciates the genre of true crime books will want to add this book to their collection. This well-researched book is skillful in telling a murder tale without revealing all of the minute details too soon and lessening your reading enjoyment. Although the murder and trial were recent national events that were chronicled in the media, the story was a new one for me and this enhanced my appreciation of the well laid out drama.

I was fortunate enought to have received this book when it was in print. I certainly hope that it gets re-printed soon. Can't imagine why it's not in print, unless.... Anyway, the authors have documented a very detailed investigation of a sordid piece of the Mormon church history. Bravo. The crime was bad enough, but the subsequent cover-up by the "high holy ones" at the Church was worse.