In fact, Arapeen was unique in that he demonstrated a remarkable ability to navigate comfortably between his own people and culture and the customs and beliefs of the white Mormon world that engulfed his lands.

So much so, that Arapeen was revered in either camp, whether it was among his beloved tribesmen or with his adopted co-religionists, a people who fully accepted him as a fellow Saint.

The first few years proved to be a period where Arapeen’s relations with the white world ranged dramatically. During the summer of 1850, he made public his desire to live a Christian life when he submitted himself to baptism by Mormon elders at Manti.

By contrast, he became a major force to protect Indian interests during the Walker War that erupted only a few years later. Arapeen was incensed over Governor Young’s and the Territorial legislature’s decision stop the Indian slave trade.

He went on the warpath and manifested tremendous bravery as a leader of Ute warriors. At the same time, Arapeen did not hesitate to show the white world that he was capable of cruelty and thirsted for blood. He made this apparent by his treatment of women and children captured for the slave trade out of Santa Fe, and in his gunning down settlers whose path crossed his.

Once peace was made between Ute leaders and the Mormons in 1853, Arapeen appears to have experienced something of a deep religious conversion to the faith of these peculiar white people. Evidence that this transformation in his spiritual life occurred before Walkara’s death in 1855. 

For example, Arapeen and his wife were among the company of Mormon faithful Brigham Young requested travel with him to the new settlement at Fort Limhi on the Salmon River during early June of 1857. 

In fact, the religious leader asked that Arapeen dress as his fellow church members and not as a Ute chieftain as the party would be passing through the tribal lands of other Indian nations including the Nez Perce.

Then during the Mormon Reformation, Arapeen was among those who voluntarily consecrated their property to the LDS Church as an act of faith. In Arapeen’s case, that was all of the land comprising historic Sanpete, horses, some steers, guns, a total value recorded in the amount of $155,765.

And Arapeen was a favored speaker at church meetings as he visited the various settlements. Sometimes he would emphasize important points and increase the attention of his listeners by striking the pulpit with his tomahawk. Arapeen was supportive of efforts to establish “Indian Farms” and took a particular interest in the one developed in the valley that still bears his name at present-day Mayfield. While the Ute leader relinquished much of his claim to land that was turned over for farming, his favorite hunting grounds whites recognized his continued connection to those and other places considered sacred by Arapeen.

When word reached the Sanpete Valley of the coming of Johnston’s Army local white leaders decided to scout the surrounding mountains for safe havens in the event the settlers would need to abandon their homes.

A group of about a dozen individuals went to see Arapeen to request his permission to explore Twelve Mile canyon on top near Musina and over the top northward to Manti Canyon. While Arapeen may have verbally sympathized with the Mormons during the US military’s incursion, the Ute Chief, like most native leaders, maintained a degree of indifference and neutrality.

In Arapeen’s case, that lasted until his beloved son, Pinteet was shot from his horse by U.S. soldiers at the Spanish Fork Indian farm on Oct. 2, 1858. Arapeen went on the warpath for a time against the U.S. Army stationed in Utah, burning buildings, killing livestock and threatening soldiers.

Eventually a peace of sorts was made with heartbroken chief and in time acknowledged at Camp Floyd that his little band of warriors could not prevail against the soldiers with their impressive numbers and weapons.

On Dec. 4, 1860, George Peacock recorded the following in his journal: Arapeen died today at Fish Lake 60 miles south of Manti. His death is greatly Lamented by the Utahs and by the whites San Pitch succeeds him as a Chieftain.”

Perhaps if Arapeen had lived another decade or two, it’s possible the excessive bloodshed and conflict resulting from the Black Hawk War could have been averted through some peaceful accommodations negotiated with his aid.