Recently several articles from various sources have been claiming that Mormons lowered the flag to half mast on July 4, 1885 to protest persecution from the US government concerning their "Civil disobedience."
The Deseret News kept its flag at half-staff until dark and defended the action as an exhibition of sorrow by Utah's people "over the decadence of their liberties." When rumors claimed the Mormons planned a similar protest on Pioneer Day, President Cleveland ordered Army units in the West to prepare to put down a rebellion in Utah.
Are these stories accurate?