Under the Banner of Heaven

Jon Krakauer's
Under the Banner of Heaven
investigates the 1984 double murder committed by Mormon Fundamentalist brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who claimed divine command for their acts. This compelling nonfiction work explores the intersection of extreme religious belief, violence, and the historical underpinnings of Mormon fundamentalism.
The book meticulously reconstructs the "divinely inspired" crime, constructing a narrative that unpacks messianic delusion, savage violence, polygamy, and unyielding faith. Krakauer uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America’s fastest-growing religion, raising questions about the nature of religious belief itself. He takes readers into isolated communities across the American West, Canada, and Mexico, where an estimated forty-thousand Mormon Fundamentalists believe the mainstream Mormon Church erred by renouncing polygamy. These outlaw sects, led by zealots who answer only to God, defy civil authorities and the Mormon establishment. Their leaders often practice prodigious marriage, including with underage girls, and exert absolute control, preaching an impending apocalyptic cleansing. The narrative weaves the Lafferty brothers' story with a clear-eyed look at Mormonism’s violent past, revealing a distinctly American brand of religious extremism.
Why You Should Read?
Examine the dark side of religious extremism and the violent consequences of absolute faith.
Gain insight into isolated fundamentalist communities and their practices, including historical and modern polygamy.
Explore the historical roots of Mormonism and its radical offshoots that continue to thrive.
Ponder the complex relationship between religious belief, authority, and human behavior.