This group of writing was known as the Black Legend. Those sympathetic to the Franciscans claim that the friars were acting out of their own world view. Strong discipline was well within the scope of the Franciscan mindset. I am arguing that history plays a critical role in the formation and verification of identity. History helps us define our present state of being and predict where we are going.
History provides a base from which to operate.
It becomes a point of reference, helping give a definition to current experiences. Our view of the missions and their history helps us further understand California as a whole. Without those memories, the living present which is the only holy ground we can know with certainty is barren soil. Although Turner is writing about how we interpret Leonardo and not how we interpret the missions, it still underscores the importance of memory. Defining California as a whole is somewhat complicated.