Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Bowie knife" in English language version.
The Bowie knife motif is tied to an obscure, and often glossed over, part of Mormon doctrine called blood atonement. It's based on the idea that there are some crimes so foul, that Jesus did not atone for them with his death. These crimes, so the doctrine goes, can only be solved by bloodshed.
With that, I took my large bowie knife, that I used to wear as a bosom pin in Nauvoo, and cut one of their throats from ear to ear, saying, "Go to hell across lots." ... I say, rather than that apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath my bowie knife, and conquer or die.(Wikisource)
