LDS Church Condemns Netflix’s American Primeval for Misleading Portrayal of Brigham Young

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has strongly criticized Netflix’s series American Primeval, labelling it as “dangerously misleading” regarding its portrayal of Brigham Young, a key figure in LDS history.

The series, which premiered on January 9, 2025, on the OTT platform dramatizes events surrounding the 1857 Utah War and the Mountain Meadows Massacre, where Latter-day Saint militiamen killed a group of emigrants.

In a statement released by the church, leaders expressed concern that Young is depicted as a “villainous, violent fanatic,” which they argue misrepresents his legacy as a revered prophet and pioneer.

They also criticized the series for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about both Latter-day Saints and Native Americans, suggesting that such portrayals could lead to misunderstandings and even violence in society.

The church emphasized its commitment to acknowledging and condemning the Mountain Meadows Massacre while promoting healing and understanding surrounding this tragic event. They reiterated that the series’ sensationalized storytelling obscures historical realities and hinders genuine understanding of the past.

Director Peter Berg responded to the backlash by clarifying that the series is not intended to be a documentary and acknowledges that artistic liberties were taken in its storytelling. He noted that while the real massacre unfolded over three days, the show condenses these events for dramatic effect.

On the other hand, historians associated with the LDS Church have echoed these sentiments, describing the portrayal of historical events in American Primeval as deeply misguided. They argue that such representations can shape public perceptions of Mormon history in harmful ways.