<P> Opponents of capital punishment gathered at the Utah State Capitol to hold a rally during the final appeals . The protest was attended by Gardner's family, and was organized by Utahans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty . The protest also included the support of Brian King of the Utah House of Representatives, who pledged to urge the legislature to reconsider the use of the capital punishment . The family of murder victim Michael Burdell had also appealed on Gardner's behalf, stating that Burdell was a pacifist who would have opposed the death penalty . </P> <P> News media arrived from around the world and raised the issue of blood atonement because of Gardner's citation of his Mormon roots in selecting the firing squad . Some followers of Mormonism were taught that murder is so heinous that the blood of the offender must be spilled to pay for their sins . On the day before Gardner's execution, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints released the following statement: </P> <P> In the mid-19th century, when rhetorical, emotional oratory was common, some church members and leaders used strong language that included notions of people making restitution for their sins by giving up their own lives . </P> <P> However, so - called "blood atonement," by which individuals would be required to shed their own blood to pay for their sins, is not a doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints . We believe in and teach the infinite and all - encompassing atonement of Jesus Christ, which makes forgiveness of sin and salvation possible for all people . </P>

When was the last death by firing squad