Danite

As Danites, or " sons of Dan " or "the destroyer angel " refers to a secret society that was linked in the 19th century with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is said to have been mainly responsible for the implementation of the developed doctrine of Brigham Young, the so-called blood atonement. A further object was to combat enemies of the Church and of apostates. However, the ordinary member of the church had no knowledge of the existence of such a secret organization within the church.

It is certain that the Danites were founded and led in 1837 by David Patten and Sampson Avard. According to a statement from Sampson Avard, who was expelled from the little church later said to have been in the background for retaliation against the Danites enemies of the Church, Joseph Smith, the operative mastermind.

Also, under the leadership of Brigham Young, the secret society of Danites was maintained and supported by the church leadership. Critics of the church shall use quotes Brigham Young, so they want to show that he approved of the criminal deeds of the Danites, and even wanted to intimidate "enemies " of the Church.

The most famous Danite was Bill Hickman, of the strongest evidence for this was provided with its deposited with a lawyer autobiography that these murderers on behalf of the church leadership actually existed.

Also in the planning and execution of the Mountain Meadows massacre the children of Dan said to have been involved with.

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints
• Secret Society