First Blood

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The mission follows the aftermath of the opening bank heist plane crash, where Johnny Gat survives the crash and returns to the Saints' penthouse, where a sniper attack targets him. The Boss, who never left leadership, defends Gat and the Saints, reasserting their role as the gang's leader.

In Their Own Story

The neon lights of Steelport flickered as rain slicked the pavement. Johnny Gat, once a legend, now just another face in the crowd, stepped out into the alleyway. He didn't see the sniper perched on the rooftop, nor did he hear the suppressed cough of the rifle. A sharp crack echoed, followed by the thud of impact. As blood pooled around his boots, the Boss arrived, pulling a weapon from their coat. The war for Steelport had begun with a single shot.

Reader's Guide

The mission begins with Johnny Gat being ambushed in an alleyway by Syndicate hitmen. The player must quickly engage in combat to protect Gat while he is incapacitated and vulnerable. After fending off the initial wave of attackers, the Boss helps Gat escape the scene, leading to a dramatic chase sequence through the streets of Steelport. During the escape, the pair evades further Syndicate pursuit, utilizing cover and vehicle mechanics typical of the game's combat system. The mission culminates in a safe house where Gat recovers enough to communicate with the Boss about the severity of the threat. This encounter confirms that the Syndicate is actively hunting down former Saints members. This event matters because it forces the Boss out of retirement, reigniting their leadership role within the 3rd Street Saints. It sets the stage for the entire campaign by establishing the primary antagonist force and the immediate need to rebuild the gang's power base in Steelport.

Did You Know?

• The mission's title 'First Blood' references the sniper attack on Johnny Gat, which spills the first blood of the conflict after the opening sequence.
• Johnny Gat survives the opening bank heist plane crash and is present in the penthouse for the sniper attack; he is not killed at any point in the mission 'First Blood'.
• The Syndicate's attack on Gat is a catalyst for the conflict, but the Boss never retired or abandoned leadership of the Saints.
• The mission establishes the Syndicate as the primary antagonist group for the campaign of Saints Row (2022).
• The safe house where Gat recovers after the chase is the first location where the Boss learns the full scope of the Syndicate's threat.

Doctrinal Origins and Theocratic Context

The doctrine of blood atonement emerged during the early Restorationist period of Mormonism, particularly under Brigham Young's leadership when Utah Territory functioned as a near-theocracy. While the specific term does not appear in scripture, leaders sought to re-establish biblical practices like capital punishment for severe transgressions. The concept posited that certain eternal sins, such as apostasy, theft, and adultery, could not be redeemed by Jesus' sacrifice alone. Instead, these offenses required the sinner's blood to be shed upon the earth to prevent them from becoming a 'son of perdition.' Young argued that in a complete theocracy, this practice would serve as a state-enforced penal measure. He viewed the execution of a sinner not as cruelty, but as an act of charity, sparing the individual from enduring eternal torment in the afterlife. Although the doctrine suggested voluntary participation, its implementation was theoretically tied to a government structure that has never existed in modern times.

Legal Implications and Historical Enforcement

The theological concept of blood atonement directly influenced legal statutes within Utah Territory and later the state of Utah, authorizing capital punishment via firing squad or decapitation. The underlying belief was that shedding blood for capital crimes would aid the sinner's salvation by fulfilling ancient legal requirements. Despite these laws, there is no definitive evidence that top Mormon leaders systematically enforced blood atonement specifically for apostasy through secular courts. However, historical records suggest isolated instances where local church authorities applied the doctrine independently of judicial procedures. The rhetoric surrounding this practice likely contributed to a broader culture of violence, potentially influencing tragic events like the Mountain Meadows massacre. Although executions occurred under the assumption they served spiritual purposes, the distinction between state-sanctioned justice and religious enforcement remained complex and often blurred during that era.

Official Repudiation by the LDS Church

The largest Mormon denomination, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), has consistently denied the validity of blood atonement since 1889. Early leaders dismissed it as a fiction, while subsequent authorities categorized it merely as a theoretical principle never actually implemented within their organization. In 1978, Apostle Bruce R. McConkie clarified that while some sins might exceed Christ's atoning power, the doctrine of blood atonement was only applicable in ancient theocracies like those under Moses. The church formally repudiated the practice again in 1994 during a high-profile trial where defense attorneys alleged local leaders encouraged self-sacrifice. In response, the First Presidency submitted documentation to the court explicitly denying any acceptance or practice of the doctrine. Furthermore, prominent figures have been told by top leadership that blood atonement ended with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, reinforcing the church's stance against its modern application.

Legacy in Fundamentalism and Modern Discourse

Despite official rejection by mainstream Mormonism, blood atonement remains a significant tenet within fundamentalist splinter groups who continue to adhere to early interpretations. These groups often view the shedding of blood as necessary for redemption from eternal sins that Jesus' sacrifice cannot cover. The doctrine has also found resonance in certain alt-right online communities and specific subcultures like DezNat, where it is referenced frequently. Historically, the belief influenced jury selection processes in Utah; until at least 1994, potential jurors were questioned about their views on blood atonement during capital trials to ensure impartiality. This enduring presence highlights a stark divergence between the established LDS Church and its fundamentalist offshoots. While mainstream theology emphasizes salvation through Christ alone for all but the most grievous sins, these groups maintain that physical sacrifice is sometimes required to avoid eternal perdition.