Status
Available
Collection
Description
Religion & Spirituality. Sociology. True Crime. Nonfiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER â?˘ From the author of Into the Wild and Into Thin Air, this extraordinary work of investigative journalism takes readers inside Americaâ??s isolated Mormon Fundamentalist communities. Now an the acclaimed FX limited series streaming on HULU. â??Fantastic.... Right up there with In Cold Blood and The Executionerâ??s Song.â?ť â??San Francisco Chronicle Defying both civil authorities and the Mormon establishment in Salt Lake City, the renegade leaders of these Taliban-like theocracies are zealots who answer only to God; some 40,000 people still practice polygamy in these communities. At the core of Krakauerâ??s book are brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a commandment from God to kill a blameless woman and her baby girl. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this appalling double murder, Krakauer constructs a multi-layered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, polygamy, savage violence, and unyielding faith. Along the way he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of Americaâ??s fastest growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nat… (more)
Publication
Anchor (2004), 432 pages
Awards
LA Times Book Prize (Finalist — 2003)
Colorado Book Award (Winner — General Nonfiction — 2004)
Notable Books List (2004)
Media reviews
His project is ambitious: With Mormon fundamentalism as his chief illustration, he seeks to understand why religious extremism flourishes in a skeptical, postmodern society. . . . The result is a book that is both insightful and flawed.
Krakauer's knowledge of polygamist communities in Canada and on the Arizona-Utah border and how they tie to Utahns and various organized groups is enlightening.
...
Krakauer's thesis is less convincing when he tries to explain the historical roots of polygamist fundamentalism by a brief and, at
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This is a haunting book because it is a reminder of Utah at its worst.
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Krakauer's thesis is less convincing when he tries to explain the historical roots of polygamist fundamentalism by a brief and, at
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times, confused survey of Mormon history. ... Krakauer's thesis has greater authenticity when applied to radical fundamentalism of any form or in any religion. In searching for evidences to document his thesis, the author overlooked sources that explain the LDS church's evolution away from polygamy....
This is a haunting book because it is a reminder of Utah at its worst.
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SINCE Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have talked a lot about the dark side of religion, but for the most part it isn't religion in America they've had in mind. Jon Krakauer wants to broaden their perspective. In ''Under the Banner of Heaven,'' he enters the obscure world of Mormon fundamentalism to tell
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a story of, as he puts it, ''faith-based violence.'' Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member _Zoe_
First, let me acknowledge that this is a controversial book. Krakauer is an agnostic writing about religion-inspired violence, and it should be clear how that can create problems. His book is obviously biased by his own views, but I don't consider that as severe a failing as some people do. I've
So, Krakauer's book is biased; I'm sure that a similar book written from an LDS or FLDS perspective would be equally biased in a different direction. I see the bias more as a missed opportunity than anything else; I would have liked to see some more presentation of other perspectives, particularly those of female Fundamentalist practitioners of polygamy who approve of the practice. We occasionally encountered one of these women in passing, but I would have liked a chance to get further into their heads--I guess I'll have to find another book for that.
Krakauer has also been accused of making numerous factual errors, and he does acknowledge some of these in a response to a critical review included at the back of the book. For example, he misinterpreted a respectful use of the term "president" to suggest that the person referred to was actually the LDS president, when in fact he was only one of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and he conflated the Laban of the Old Testament with the Laban of the Book of Mormon. These sorts of errors aren't particularly interesting to me, since they didn't have any impact on the overall narrative; the greater concern is the charge of serious misrepresentations of various historical events. Krakauer denies error in these cases, maintaining that this is simply a case of differing historical interpretations. As someone with no personal stake in the matter, I'm less concerned about the "correct" understanding of these apparently debatable events than about having a general awareness of what the different positions are, so I'm glad that Krakauer included a discussion of these things in the appendix.
I want to get one point across: I didn't come away from Krakauer's main narrative with any negative feelings toward Mormons in general. Krakauer made it clear that the crimes that played a central role in the book were committed by fundamentalists who had been excommunicated from the mainstream church. However, I was extremely unimpressed with the high-up church official who reviewed the book (a review that Krakauer includes in the appendix before addressing the various points it raised) and made the following statement: "Although the book may appeal to gullible persons who rise to such bait like trout to a fly hook, serious readers who want to understand Latter-day Saints and their history need not waste their time on it." That one sentence attacking readers of the book has done more harm to my impressions of Mormonism than an entire book about the connections between Mormonism and murder.
I look at history as a process of inquiry. The goal isn't to present one undisputed truth, which is generally impossible, but to investigate the different perspectives with their inherent biases and at least gain some understanding of how different observers view the same events. I'd be happy to read another book about Mormon history from an approved Mormon viewpoint as a counterpoint to this one. I am not happy to be told that I'm an idiot for finding anything of value in Krakauer's book. While Krakauer may not provide all the answers, he at least offers interesting questions, which alone is enough to make this a worthwhile read. I was struck, for example, by the question of whether a religious fanatic could be guilty of murder or should be considered insane, which has all sorts of implications for how the courts view religion in general.
In brief, Krakauer's book gives the reader plenty to think about. It generates good discussions. It's readable and interesting. This is exactly what I want in a book. I don't see this as the definitive portrayal of Mormonism, but since it left me with a curiosity about the religion that I didn't have before, I'd say it's a decent starting point.
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been exposed to some fairly extreme historiographical viewpoints over the past semester, including the idea that all narrative is fiction, so maybe that has led me to think that bias is inevitable and doesn't automatically negate the value of a historical narrative; the main concern is to identify the bias and keep it in mind while reading.So, Krakauer's book is biased; I'm sure that a similar book written from an LDS or FLDS perspective would be equally biased in a different direction. I see the bias more as a missed opportunity than anything else; I would have liked to see some more presentation of other perspectives, particularly those of female Fundamentalist practitioners of polygamy who approve of the practice. We occasionally encountered one of these women in passing, but I would have liked a chance to get further into their heads--I guess I'll have to find another book for that.
Krakauer has also been accused of making numerous factual errors, and he does acknowledge some of these in a response to a critical review included at the back of the book. For example, he misinterpreted a respectful use of the term "president" to suggest that the person referred to was actually the LDS president, when in fact he was only one of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and he conflated the Laban of the Old Testament with the Laban of the Book of Mormon. These sorts of errors aren't particularly interesting to me, since they didn't have any impact on the overall narrative; the greater concern is the charge of serious misrepresentations of various historical events. Krakauer denies error in these cases, maintaining that this is simply a case of differing historical interpretations. As someone with no personal stake in the matter, I'm less concerned about the "correct" understanding of these apparently debatable events than about having a general awareness of what the different positions are, so I'm glad that Krakauer included a discussion of these things in the appendix.
I want to get one point across: I didn't come away from Krakauer's main narrative with any negative feelings toward Mormons in general. Krakauer made it clear that the crimes that played a central role in the book were committed by fundamentalists who had been excommunicated from the mainstream church. However, I was extremely unimpressed with the high-up church official who reviewed the book (a review that Krakauer includes in the appendix before addressing the various points it raised) and made the following statement: "Although the book may appeal to gullible persons who rise to such bait like trout to a fly hook, serious readers who want to understand Latter-day Saints and their history need not waste their time on it." That one sentence attacking readers of the book has done more harm to my impressions of Mormonism than an entire book about the connections between Mormonism and murder.
I look at history as a process of inquiry. The goal isn't to present one undisputed truth, which is generally impossible, but to investigate the different perspectives with their inherent biases and at least gain some understanding of how different observers view the same events. I'd be happy to read another book about Mormon history from an approved Mormon viewpoint as a counterpoint to this one. I am not happy to be told that I'm an idiot for finding anything of value in Krakauer's book. While Krakauer may not provide all the answers, he at least offers interesting questions, which alone is enough to make this a worthwhile read. I was struck, for example, by the question of whether a religious fanatic could be guilty of murder or should be considered insane, which has all sorts of implications for how the courts view religion in general.
In brief, Krakauer's book gives the reader plenty to think about. It generates good discussions. It's readable and interesting. This is exactly what I want in a book. I don't see this as the definitive portrayal of Mormonism, but since it left me with a curiosity about the religion that I didn't have before, I'd say it's a decent starting point.
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LibraryThing member EBT1002
Jon Krakauer's storytelling is at its usual high level in this well-researched and thoughtful history of the Mormon faith. Using the 1984 murders of 24-year-old Brenda Lafferty and her 15-month-old daughter Erica as a springboard to explore the territory of fundamentalism, which he carefully sets
I particularly appreciated Krakauer's treatment of the tension, in religion, between faith and verifiable fact. After describing the origins of the Mormon faith in Joseph Smith's experiences -- his communications from God, his discovery of golden tablets and interpretation of their ancient script through miraculous insight, and his ability to persuade others that he was a prophet -- all of which sound absolutely unbelievable to me (I mean, the story is unbelievable enough, but the fact that other people believed the story is incredible!), Krakauer nudges the reader's likely incredulity. He notes that, indeed, The Book of Mormon, the religion's sacred text, is "riddled with egregious anachronisms and irreconcilable inconsistencies." He tells us how Mark Twain ridiculed the text. Then he says:
"But such criticism and mockery are largely beside the point. All religious belief is a function of nonrational faith. And faith, by its very definition, tends to be impervious to intellectual argument or academic criticism. Polls routinely indicate, moreover, that nine out of ten Americans believe in God - most of us subscribe to one brand of religion or another. Those who would assail The Book of Mormon should bear in mind that its veracity is no more dubious than the veracity of the Bible, say, or the Qur'an, or the sacred texts of other religions. The latter texts simply enjoy the considerable advantage of having made their public debut in the shadowy recesses of the ancient past, and are thus much harder to refute."
That is certainly true and I, as a relative nonbeliever, appreciated Krakauer's clear attempt to provide an objective history of Mormonism while exploring the emergence of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints. Virtually all religions have fundamentalist fringes, and we can hardly judge all of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints based on the FLDS, but Krakauer is committed to understanding how this fringe of radical fundamentalists have developed, and how they produced the Lafferty brothers, Dan and Ron. Yes, it was Brenda's brothers-in-law who murdered her and her child, and they did it in the apparent belief that they were following the commandments of God. Many other radicals have killed in the belief that their actions were holy, but the intimate nature of these murders and the specificity of Ron and Dan's apparent communications from God make these murders particularly good territory for Krakauer's brand of storytelling.
This intimate and specific nature also make these murders ripe territory for exploring the intersection between radical faith and insanity. The chapter in which Krakauer tells of Ron Lafferty's retrial (his initial conviction was overturned because the Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the prosecutors had not adequately proven that Ron was competent to stand trial) was particularly interesting. How do we determine where lies the line between radical faith and madness? If Ron Lafferty is determined not guilty by reason of insanity, are we never able to find someone guilty if their actions are based in religious conviction? Is anyone who talks to God crazy? If Ron Lafferty is insane, are not millions of Americans who hold as firmly to improbable religious convictions (such as, for example, the notion of immaculate conception) also insane? The testimony of the psychiatrists and psychologists, for both the defense and the prosecution, is fascinating.
I'm leaving out all kinds of important issues in this review. The role of polygamy in the history of the Mormon church, and the associated ethical and legal issues, are infuriating and interesting. Krakauer fails to full separate the issue of plural marriage from the issue of age-of-consent, but this may be because our society has not adequately separated these issues, one from the other. I suspect that most of us would have a less extreme negative reaction to the concept of plural marriage if so many of the "wives" were not so young! Still, this is a difficult facet of Joseph Smith's original doctrine to present objectively and Krakauer acknowledges this. His concern about the possible future in which Smith's orthodox (fundamental) theology dominates is evident. And I admit that it's a concern I share.
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within the context of the mainstream Mormon church and its dramatic growth in just two centuries, Krakauer effectively walks the line between stating the facts and commenting on their meaning. Like Timothy Egan, Krakauer brings history alive, developing his characters and describing settings and events with just a bit of novelistic flair. I particularly appreciated Krakauer's treatment of the tension, in religion, between faith and verifiable fact. After describing the origins of the Mormon faith in Joseph Smith's experiences -- his communications from God, his discovery of golden tablets and interpretation of their ancient script through miraculous insight, and his ability to persuade others that he was a prophet -- all of which sound absolutely unbelievable to me (I mean, the story is unbelievable enough, but the fact that other people believed the story is incredible!), Krakauer nudges the reader's likely incredulity. He notes that, indeed, The Book of Mormon, the religion's sacred text, is "riddled with egregious anachronisms and irreconcilable inconsistencies." He tells us how Mark Twain ridiculed the text. Then he says:
"But such criticism and mockery are largely beside the point. All religious belief is a function of nonrational faith. And faith, by its very definition, tends to be impervious to intellectual argument or academic criticism. Polls routinely indicate, moreover, that nine out of ten Americans believe in God - most of us subscribe to one brand of religion or another. Those who would assail The Book of Mormon should bear in mind that its veracity is no more dubious than the veracity of the Bible, say, or the Qur'an, or the sacred texts of other religions. The latter texts simply enjoy the considerable advantage of having made their public debut in the shadowy recesses of the ancient past, and are thus much harder to refute."
That is certainly true and I, as a relative nonbeliever, appreciated Krakauer's clear attempt to provide an objective history of Mormonism while exploring the emergence of the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints. Virtually all religions have fundamentalist fringes, and we can hardly judge all of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints based on the FLDS, but Krakauer is committed to understanding how this fringe of radical fundamentalists have developed, and how they produced the Lafferty brothers, Dan and Ron. Yes, it was Brenda's brothers-in-law who murdered her and her child, and they did it in the apparent belief that they were following the commandments of God. Many other radicals have killed in the belief that their actions were holy, but the intimate nature of these murders and the specificity of Ron and Dan's apparent communications from God make these murders particularly good territory for Krakauer's brand of storytelling.
This intimate and specific nature also make these murders ripe territory for exploring the intersection between radical faith and insanity. The chapter in which Krakauer tells of Ron Lafferty's retrial (his initial conviction was overturned because the Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the prosecutors had not adequately proven that Ron was competent to stand trial) was particularly interesting. How do we determine where lies the line between radical faith and madness? If Ron Lafferty is determined not guilty by reason of insanity, are we never able to find someone guilty if their actions are based in religious conviction? Is anyone who talks to God crazy? If Ron Lafferty is insane, are not millions of Americans who hold as firmly to improbable religious convictions (such as, for example, the notion of immaculate conception) also insane? The testimony of the psychiatrists and psychologists, for both the defense and the prosecution, is fascinating.
I'm leaving out all kinds of important issues in this review. The role of polygamy in the history of the Mormon church, and the associated ethical and legal issues, are infuriating and interesting. Krakauer fails to full separate the issue of plural marriage from the issue of age-of-consent, but this may be because our society has not adequately separated these issues, one from the other. I suspect that most of us would have a less extreme negative reaction to the concept of plural marriage if so many of the "wives" were not so young! Still, this is a difficult facet of Joseph Smith's original doctrine to present objectively and Krakauer acknowledges this. His concern about the possible future in which Smith's orthodox (fundamental) theology dominates is evident. And I admit that it's a concern I share.
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LibraryThing member Unkletom
I really wanted to find fault with this book so that I might suggest the alternate title `Into the Trash' but, fortunately, that was not the case. Contrary to what many reviewers would have you believe, `Under the Banner of Heaven' is not poorly researched nor is it intended to be an attack on
What I found most fascinating, though, is the theological issues that this book brings up. Krakauer does not denigrate religion per se but poses the question of what is the dividing line between faith and fanaticism. If we can believe that God told Isaiah to kill his own son, why can't we believe that he didn't also tell Dan Lafferty to kill his brother's wife? It's an unpleasant question but it makes you think and that is something Jon Krakauer is very good at.
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religion in general or the Mormon Church in specific. Krakauer's portrayal of early LDS history is well-supported, often by church records. In cases where he ventures into speculation he says so and limits his speculation to cases, such as the Powell expedition murders, where supporting evidence exists. Krakauer showed restraint in these chapters by choosing not to include the murder of the U.S. Survey party of John W. Gunnison and other suspicious deaths in the area.What I found most fascinating, though, is the theological issues that this book brings up. Krakauer does not denigrate religion per se but poses the question of what is the dividing line between faith and fanaticism. If we can believe that God told Isaiah to kill his own son, why can't we believe that he didn't also tell Dan Lafferty to kill his brother's wife? It's an unpleasant question but it makes you think and that is something Jon Krakauer is very good at.
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LibraryThing member FireandIce
Any time an author sets out to write about religion, the book is going to be controversial. To me, it seems that religion itself is controversial. Many others have said that Krakauer's writing in this book is biased, but I really didn't get that impression. After reading it, I feel that I have a
This wasn't my favorite Krakauer book by a long shot, but it was worth the time it took to read it.
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slightly better grasp of what Mormons and their fundamentalist counterparts believe in. This wasn't my favorite Krakauer book by a long shot, but it was worth the time it took to read it.
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LibraryThing member santhony
Any time a book is written on the subject of religion, controversy is bound to ensue. Extend the subject to religious extremism and/or fundamentalism and you can ratchet it up a notch. When the book is written by a "non-believer", you can bet that it will come under vicious attack by proponents of
I read Krakauer's Into Thin Air and was riveted by his writing on the subject of Mt. Everest. I would not place this work in that category, but found it be a very instructive primer on the origins and background of the Mormon religion and its various fundamentalist offshoots.
The book essentially tells two stories, the threads of which alternate throughout the book. In one thread, Krakauer tells the story of Joseph Smith, the founding of the Mormon religion and its evolution to the present day. In the other thread, he explores the various fundamentalist offshoots of Mormonism through the prism of a vicious double murder committed by a pair of its proponents.
It is difficult to argue with most of the facts presented in relation to the founding and evolution of Mormonism. As Krakauer points out, it is a religion of such recent vintage that the historical record is quite clear. He does make a few assumptions and extensions which have earned him the ire of the official church. In those cases, however, he states his grounds for doing so quite well. It is doubtful that anyone except a true believer in Mormonism would ever write a history to the liking of the church.
The beliefs and practices of some of the fundamentalists profiled in the book are scary in their level of extremism, however, they take their beliefs directly from the pages of Joseph Smith, the founder of the religion. Polygamy, or plural marriage, was one of the chief tenets of his church, and one that was stubbornly clung to for many years by the leaders of the church. It can hardly be argued that many heinous instances of statutory rape and sexual child abuse have resulted and continue to occur.
While Mormonism has come under attack throughout its history, both for some of its practices and the highly dubious circumstances surrounding its founding (Joseph Smith was likely no more than a charlatan and a fraud who concocted a religion that guaranteed him access to a never ending cache of nubile virgins), very few of the world's religions have better legs to stand on. Old Testament Christianity is filled with barbarous practices and outlandish fables (Noah's Ark, parting the Red Sea, burning bushes). Islam, ditto. I'm not even going to mention Scientology.
So, before anyone tears off on a rant concerning Mormonism, just make sure your own house is in order. If you want a quick and dirty outline on Mormon beliefs and foundations, this is a good place to start. If you want a good example of the effects of extremism (not limited to Mormonism) this is also a good example.
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the religion in question. Such is the case with Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer's expose on Mormonism and Mormon fundamentalism. I read Krakauer's Into Thin Air and was riveted by his writing on the subject of Mt. Everest. I would not place this work in that category, but found it be a very instructive primer on the origins and background of the Mormon religion and its various fundamentalist offshoots.
The book essentially tells two stories, the threads of which alternate throughout the book. In one thread, Krakauer tells the story of Joseph Smith, the founding of the Mormon religion and its evolution to the present day. In the other thread, he explores the various fundamentalist offshoots of Mormonism through the prism of a vicious double murder committed by a pair of its proponents.
It is difficult to argue with most of the facts presented in relation to the founding and evolution of Mormonism. As Krakauer points out, it is a religion of such recent vintage that the historical record is quite clear. He does make a few assumptions and extensions which have earned him the ire of the official church. In those cases, however, he states his grounds for doing so quite well. It is doubtful that anyone except a true believer in Mormonism would ever write a history to the liking of the church.
The beliefs and practices of some of the fundamentalists profiled in the book are scary in their level of extremism, however, they take their beliefs directly from the pages of Joseph Smith, the founder of the religion. Polygamy, or plural marriage, was one of the chief tenets of his church, and one that was stubbornly clung to for many years by the leaders of the church. It can hardly be argued that many heinous instances of statutory rape and sexual child abuse have resulted and continue to occur.
While Mormonism has come under attack throughout its history, both for some of its practices and the highly dubious circumstances surrounding its founding (Joseph Smith was likely no more than a charlatan and a fraud who concocted a religion that guaranteed him access to a never ending cache of nubile virgins), very few of the world's religions have better legs to stand on. Old Testament Christianity is filled with barbarous practices and outlandish fables (Noah's Ark, parting the Red Sea, burning bushes). Islam, ditto. I'm not even going to mention Scientology.
So, before anyone tears off on a rant concerning Mormonism, just make sure your own house is in order. If you want a quick and dirty outline on Mormon beliefs and foundations, this is a good place to start. If you want a good example of the effects of extremism (not limited to Mormonism) this is also a good example.
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LibraryThing member SCRH
An excellent book on a very dark subject. Persons interested in learning more about Mormon fundamentalism and the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints would be well-served by reading this book.
The book is well documented, includes a bibliography, and a helpful index.
The book is well documented, includes a bibliography, and a helpful index.
LibraryThing member echaika
Althugh Krakauer's research into the history of the Mormons is apparently thorough, he has written a thoroughly scurrilous account of the, attributing any wrong-doing or even depraved behaaviors by peoplewho call themselves Mormon the religion itself. He comes down hardest on the Fundamentalists,
Krakauer is very clever in the way he presents Mormons as deluded, incestuous, immoral nutcases. Part of the book is aan apparently objective presentation of the church's founding and subsequent history. Interspersed, often chaotically, these historical sections, are chapters on depraved polygamists, one of whom plans to imregnate each of his many daughters when they turn 12 years of age in order to produce a pure Saint. The implication is strong that only in Mormonism could such a disolute and crackpot circumstance occur. As I recall, the ancient Egyptians allowed only brothers and sisters of the highest royalty to produced children on just those grounds. To my knowledge Mormons don't advocate incest. If they do, then Krakauer should have cited chapter and verse to prove it. Alernatively, he should have cited statistics showing that Mormons do actually commit incest more than any members of other religions today. I know that incest occurs among Christians of all stripes and it probably occurs among people with no religion at all. If that supposition is wrong, it was up to Krakauer to preset the data that dispoves it. Instead, he implies that it is a result of being Mormon interspersing anecdotes about incest in between chapters of apparenty objective, researched history of the LSD.
Similarly, he cites the story of one family of fanatical Mormons, showing how they went from being mainstream Mormons to believers in polygamy. Five brothers became fanatical, one of them hearing the voice of God, which his younger, adoring brother believed. Again, this story is interspersed between non-sensational chapters.
Eventually, the two oldest brothers murder their youngest brother's wife and baby, while in the grip of delusions of grandeut. Again, Krakauer implies strongly that had they not been Mormons, they wouldn't have done this. Funny, I didn't know that delusions of grandeur are peculiar to Mormons.
To show how disjointed this book is, Krakauer again intersperses the arrest and second trial of one of the elder brother in between other topics. He forgot to mention the first trial at all, and although we figure out that Dan, who actually committed the murders got life imprisonment, we don't know why. All that Krakauer recounts is how Robert acted in the second trial when the judge upheld his death sentence. Pretty strange omission.
Krakauer shows his bias in throwaway remarks like, "Robert was no more crazy than anybody else who believes in God." I am not a Mormon. I did hear the story of the twelve tablets and Joseph Smith from two young missionaries and wondered that people could swallow such a thing, but then again, I have friends who believe things in their religions that I find equally improbable. However, they are intelligent, civilized, cultured, delightful people. They certainly aren't crazy.
This book is like anti-Jewish tracts, describing the worst behavvior of people who call themselves Jewish in order to inflame hatred against all Jews. Hitler would have loved this book. Another group to be fodder for his killing camps. Hitler had delusions of grandeur, too. He was a Catholic. The Germans and Ukrainians that acted as Hitler's willing executioners were Christian, too. Would anybody dare write a book lining their behavior to Christianity? I sure wouldn't.
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those, harking back to Joseph Smith's belief in "celestial marriage", practice polygamy.Krakauer is very clever in the way he presents Mormons as deluded, incestuous, immoral nutcases. Part of the book is aan apparently objective presentation of the church's founding and subsequent history. Interspersed, often chaotically, these historical sections, are chapters on depraved polygamists, one of whom plans to imregnate each of his many daughters when they turn 12 years of age in order to produce a pure Saint. The implication is strong that only in Mormonism could such a disolute and crackpot circumstance occur. As I recall, the ancient Egyptians allowed only brothers and sisters of the highest royalty to produced children on just those grounds. To my knowledge Mormons don't advocate incest. If they do, then Krakauer should have cited chapter and verse to prove it. Alernatively, he should have cited statistics showing that Mormons do actually commit incest more than any members of other religions today. I know that incest occurs among Christians of all stripes and it probably occurs among people with no religion at all. If that supposition is wrong, it was up to Krakauer to preset the data that dispoves it. Instead, he implies that it is a result of being Mormon interspersing anecdotes about incest in between chapters of apparenty objective, researched history of the LSD.
Similarly, he cites the story of one family of fanatical Mormons, showing how they went from being mainstream Mormons to believers in polygamy. Five brothers became fanatical, one of them hearing the voice of God, which his younger, adoring brother believed. Again, this story is interspersed between non-sensational chapters.
Eventually, the two oldest brothers murder their youngest brother's wife and baby, while in the grip of delusions of grandeut. Again, Krakauer implies strongly that had they not been Mormons, they wouldn't have done this. Funny, I didn't know that delusions of grandeur are peculiar to Mormons.
To show how disjointed this book is, Krakauer again intersperses the arrest and second trial of one of the elder brother in between other topics. He forgot to mention the first trial at all, and although we figure out that Dan, who actually committed the murders got life imprisonment, we don't know why. All that Krakauer recounts is how Robert acted in the second trial when the judge upheld his death sentence. Pretty strange omission.
Krakauer shows his bias in throwaway remarks like, "Robert was no more crazy than anybody else who believes in God." I am not a Mormon. I did hear the story of the twelve tablets and Joseph Smith from two young missionaries and wondered that people could swallow such a thing, but then again, I have friends who believe things in their religions that I find equally improbable. However, they are intelligent, civilized, cultured, delightful people. They certainly aren't crazy.
This book is like anti-Jewish tracts, describing the worst behavvior of people who call themselves Jewish in order to inflame hatred against all Jews. Hitler would have loved this book. Another group to be fodder for his killing camps. Hitler had delusions of grandeur, too. He was a Catholic. The Germans and Ukrainians that acted as Hitler's willing executioners were Christian, too. Would anybody dare write a book lining their behavior to Christianity? I sure wouldn't.
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LibraryThing member Kristelh
The author states his purpose in writing Under the Banner of Heaven was "a desire to grasp the nature of religious belief". He states that he has spent much of his life in the company of Latter Day Saints. He also tells us that LDS are great historians. Everyone keeps a diary and journals so there
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is much information available in this very young religion. The art of scrapbooking has its origin in Utah and their love of keeping records would match up with that craft. Mr. Krakauer himself does not know what he believes or even if there is a God. The LDS have decided to react to the book and state it is a one sided and negative view. I don't know what is in history books now but the history matched up to what I knew about the Mormon early history. I did not know however that there are schisms and splinter groups and that these groups still practice polygamy. The author in general is making a statement that faith is violent. He compares the flying of planes into Twin Towers as equivalent to the violence in other religions. I do not agree that faith is violent but I do think religious fanaticism can lead to violence in some people and through intimidation they control the followers. The author also states that mainline LDS have become mainstream American and have lost some of their identity as a peculiar people. I do think there is much effort to hide their differences when they are evangelizing us Gentiles and that anyone would benefit reading this book for the history of the religion before making any decision. Show Less
LibraryThing member kambrogi
In this book, Krakauer attempts to show how the history and evolution of Mormon faith and culture laid the groundwork for the shocking murders of a woman and her child in 1984 by two men who firmly believed they had been guided by God in their actions. Krakauer maintains an objective attitude
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toward subject matter that appears meticulously researched, told in a narrative style that makes for compelling reading. The squeaky-clean public image of mainstream Mormonism today is shown in astonishing contrast to both its violent history and the everyday lives of its modern-day renegade sects, who operate outside US law. The reader cannot help considering questions of faith and belief, and the power of a religious doctrine carried forward by powerful leaders. I was glad to see an official Mormon response to the book included in the Appendixes, and Krakauer’s response to it. I found the story chilling, as are many tales of true believers. Show Less
LibraryThing member kukulaj
This is certainly as frightening a tale as I care to read! We just moved to Utah so that adds to the fright. I'm slowing learning about the whole Mormon scene since we moved here. This was a valuable step in the process. I didn't find any of Krakauer's perspectives to be extreme at all. Surely he
I am a Buddhist of mainly the Tibetan Vajrayana variety. We've certainly got beliefs and practices that are about as nutty as anybody else's. There are lots of warnings and tales about the dangers of an overly literal interpretation. I'd like to think that'll inoculate us against the kinds of abuses portrayed here, but probably not. Too many of those tales are non-fiction, and too many too recent.
Where Krakauer's book falls short - he really doesn't analyze the tale in any depth. These days there is a lot of anti-religious sentiment around. Krakauer asked Dan Lafferty if he could see the parallel between his violence and that of Islamic terrorists. But what, after all, is religion? For example, is Buddhism even a religion? Or, might we ask, can science, hmm,. become an object of religious faith? Krakauer includes some nice epigraphs from William James, but he doesn't really engage with the matter. It's OK, it is an excellent book as it is. The book poses a crucial question for our time, but doesn't really attempt to answer it. That'd take a whole other sort of book. We may not be ready for that yet. It's like, Montaigne wrote decades after Luther. We're just entering the Savonarola era. Fasten your seat belts! Yeah, how about a book like this about the Bundy family?
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picks and chooses evidence and interpretation, but it is all well within the bounds of reasonableness.I am a Buddhist of mainly the Tibetan Vajrayana variety. We've certainly got beliefs and practices that are about as nutty as anybody else's. There are lots of warnings and tales about the dangers of an overly literal interpretation. I'd like to think that'll inoculate us against the kinds of abuses portrayed here, but probably not. Too many of those tales are non-fiction, and too many too recent.
Where Krakauer's book falls short - he really doesn't analyze the tale in any depth. These days there is a lot of anti-religious sentiment around. Krakauer asked Dan Lafferty if he could see the parallel between his violence and that of Islamic terrorists. But what, after all, is religion? For example, is Buddhism even a religion? Or, might we ask, can science, hmm,. become an object of religious faith? Krakauer includes some nice epigraphs from William James, but he doesn't really engage with the matter. It's OK, it is an excellent book as it is. The book poses a crucial question for our time, but doesn't really attempt to answer it. That'd take a whole other sort of book. We may not be ready for that yet. It's like, Montaigne wrote decades after Luther. We're just entering the Savonarola era. Fasten your seat belts! Yeah, how about a book like this about the Bundy family?
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LibraryThing member hmskip
This book made me angry in many places, but by the end I loved it. The author's atheist point of view had him many times scoffing at all faith and sometimes with a sneering, self-righteous tone that made me want to throw it away half-read. However, reading it to the end is worth the trip, because
The book centers around a story of the fanatical faith of Ron and Dan Lafferty who, in the summer of 1984, felt compelled by God to murder some of their own family. In the process of telling that story, Krakauer tells the history of the Mormon religion and of Mormon fundamentalism from the early 1800s until today. In the process, he provokes many thoughts about the role of religion in America: What does freedom of religion mean? When someone claims to murder in that name of religion, how does American law deal with that, seeing that the right to faith - no matter what faith - is enshrined as a fundamental right in our Constitution? If someone wants to resurrect a religion that requires animal or even human sacrifice, how do we balance those rights with the other values of our society?
The answers to these questions will be different in each generation. In this generation of eroding faith, the fear of people of faith is that faith is coming to be seen as opposed to and even dangerous to a "rational" society. This book stops short of making that statement, but clearly puts us on that road. It is very thought-provoking from that standpoint as well as interesting for the history that it tells.
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at the end Krakauer has managed to give a complete picture of the role and dilemma of religion in America.The book centers around a story of the fanatical faith of Ron and Dan Lafferty who, in the summer of 1984, felt compelled by God to murder some of their own family. In the process of telling that story, Krakauer tells the history of the Mormon religion and of Mormon fundamentalism from the early 1800s until today. In the process, he provokes many thoughts about the role of religion in America: What does freedom of religion mean? When someone claims to murder in that name of religion, how does American law deal with that, seeing that the right to faith - no matter what faith - is enshrined as a fundamental right in our Constitution? If someone wants to resurrect a religion that requires animal or even human sacrifice, how do we balance those rights with the other values of our society?
The answers to these questions will be different in each generation. In this generation of eroding faith, the fear of people of faith is that faith is coming to be seen as opposed to and even dangerous to a "rational" society. This book stops short of making that statement, but clearly puts us on that road. It is very thought-provoking from that standpoint as well as interesting for the history that it tells.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
I'm not sure what I expected with this book, but what I got was a cracking good read! Krakauer writes in an arresting manner, and his description of this religion, it's history, and the colourful people that are believers of the Mormon faith is quite wonderful. I liked the true-crime writing
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interwoven with Mormon history that occurs throughout the book. It is difficult to understand what drove Ron and Dan Lafferty to murder their sister-in-law and her small daughter, but I think Krakauer portrays fanataticm in a truly fascinating way. This is a violent book, but one that does not try to cover up the uncomfortable parts. I feel that I now have some insight into this religion and its people. I especially liked the clear look into the fundamanetalist side of this religion. The book shows how strong religious belief can easily cross into the realm of fanaticism. Thanks for the insight. Show Less
LibraryThing member silenceiseverything
When it comes to non-fiction, I tend to go towards memoirs, forensic science, and true-crime books. Maybe sometimes I'll stray and pick up something totally on a whim, but most of the time I stay in those genres because it'll be easier for me to finish. I was under the impression that Under the
While Under the Banner of Heaven was a true crime book in the sense that it does mention rather frequently the Lafferty brothers who murder their sister-in-law and her 18 month old daughter, but it also mentions the beginning of Mormonism. This book also mentions how it's now diverged with the Latter Day Saints Church in one end and the Fundamentalists Latter Day Saints church in another end. I'm not a particularly religious person, but I've always been interested in learning about the different types of religions in the world and try to keep an open mind. That being said, reading about the FDLS church just seemed to make me a more than a little angry.
I found myself on the verge of tears as Krakauer described how the fundamentalist Mormon groups treat women. They practice polygamy and more often than not, the men take underage girls as their wives, all in the name of God. It was disheartening to read that the fundamentalists Mormon sects are growing and I would like to see the government take a more active role in putting away the pedophiles who say that they aren't actually perverts just following the written rule that God himself put out for them.
There are some people who say that Under the Banner of Heaven paints a bad picture of the Latter Day Saints church, but it doesn't, unless of course you're trying to deny the history within the Church itself. Krakauer makes sure to mention that the problem lies not within the current LDS church, but with the fundamentalists sects, and how the LDS make sure to excommunicate anyone who practices polygamy. So, I really don't see how this is bashing the LDS church.
Anyway, one thing that I can say about this book was that it was enthralling. It read faster than any non-fiction I've ever read (though I haven't read much) and really did read like a novel. There were some parts that dragged in recounting the history of Mormonism, the whole book was an amazing page-turner. I definitely plan to pick up Jon Krakauer's other books because this one was so great. I also recommend it to anyone who wants a good read.
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Banner of Heaven was just a true-crime book. I was sorely mistaken and it was not what I expected...in a completely good way. While Under the Banner of Heaven was a true crime book in the sense that it does mention rather frequently the Lafferty brothers who murder their sister-in-law and her 18 month old daughter, but it also mentions the beginning of Mormonism. This book also mentions how it's now diverged with the Latter Day Saints Church in one end and the Fundamentalists Latter Day Saints church in another end. I'm not a particularly religious person, but I've always been interested in learning about the different types of religions in the world and try to keep an open mind. That being said, reading about the FDLS church just seemed to make me a more than a little angry.
I found myself on the verge of tears as Krakauer described how the fundamentalist Mormon groups treat women. They practice polygamy and more often than not, the men take underage girls as their wives, all in the name of God. It was disheartening to read that the fundamentalists Mormon sects are growing and I would like to see the government take a more active role in putting away the pedophiles who say that they aren't actually perverts just following the written rule that God himself put out for them.
There are some people who say that Under the Banner of Heaven paints a bad picture of the Latter Day Saints church, but it doesn't, unless of course you're trying to deny the history within the Church itself. Krakauer makes sure to mention that the problem lies not within the current LDS church, but with the fundamentalists sects, and how the LDS make sure to excommunicate anyone who practices polygamy. So, I really don't see how this is bashing the LDS church.
Anyway, one thing that I can say about this book was that it was enthralling. It read faster than any non-fiction I've ever read (though I haven't read much) and really did read like a novel. There were some parts that dragged in recounting the history of Mormonism, the whole book was an amazing page-turner. I definitely plan to pick up Jon Krakauer's other books because this one was so great. I also recommend it to anyone who wants a good read.
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LibraryThing member LilyEvans
I have to tell you the truth – nonfiction has always put me off. It seemed like the really boring genre, reminiscent of science textbooks and schoolwork. I gave this book a chance, as it seemed interesting. I am so glad I did. Mormonism in general has always fascinated me, and Krakauer wrote an
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excellent account of Mormon history. I could not put it down and kept thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. It is just that amazing. A must-read. Show Less
LibraryThing member gretchenkk
It was interesting thinking about the legal ramifications of the freedom of religion and the line between zealots (extreme fundamentalists) and actual insanity. Also, it is fascinating to see a religion blossom as most where created long before good historical record keeping. This was a book that
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really had my brain working. Show Less
LibraryThing member maryreinert
This was the first Krakauer book I've read; I know he has an excellent reputation. I was really drawn into the book and read almost the first half in one setting; then it seemed to bog down.
I'm not a Mormon and I'm not familiar with their beliefs; however, I do know some Mormons and they are
With that aside, the book is interesting and readable and does shed light on a unique American-born religion. The lifestyle of the fundamentalists is sad but intriguing. The book was worth the time to read and does provoke interest in radical religion.
I'm not a Mormon and I'm not familiar with their beliefs; however, I do know some Mormons and they are
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certainly nothing like the individuals portrayed in the book. Yes, this book is about the extremists -- the fundamentalists, but by pulling out what seemed to be nothing but negative elements of their history, it certainly paints a grim picture of the entire denomination. I'm sure if one looked, one could find radical individuals in almost any belief system; there's probably a militant Methodist out there someplace. This "guilt by association" went over the top in one short paragraph on page 294 when Krakauer compared George W. Bush to the Lafferty murderers. Oh, come on, Jimmy Carter also claimed to be born-again as do many other respectable individuals. Krakauer was attempting to get philosophical about the role of religion and mental health, but I found it very disconcerting that in the middle of a book in which the author claims is factual that he would inject such a blatant political barb.With that aside, the book is interesting and readable and does shed light on a unique American-born religion. The lifestyle of the fundamentalists is sad but intriguing. The book was worth the time to read and does provoke interest in radical religion.
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LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
“I was doing God’s will, which is not a crime.”
This book is part history of the Mormon church and part murder investigation. The first part was interesting, and really revealing about the origins of the LDS church. The second part, the horrible murders committed by Dan Lafferty, a Mormon
“Saying that anyone who talks to God is crazy has enormous implications for the whole world of religion. It imposes a secular view of sanity and means that all religions are insane.” My thoughts exactly!
“…If Ron Lafferty were deemed mentally ill because he obeyed the voice of God, isn’t everyone who believes in God and seeks guidance through prayer mentally ill as well?”
And I wonder what the difference between him and the biblical Abraham is? Abraham is a revered 'father' of the Bible for following God's command to kill. Lafferty is in prison for life. One a hero, one a criminal - both believing they were following God's divine will. Was Abraham actually mentally ill, or should Dan and Ron be revered too? Me, I think anyone who kills women and children, or attempts too, are insane. From Abraham on down.
This book is part history of the Mormon church and part murder investigation. The first part was interesting, and really revealing about the origins of the LDS church. The second part, the horrible murders committed by Dan Lafferty, a Mormon
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Fundamentalist, are a terrifying look into the power of religious belief. A woman and her child are murdered because God told a man to do it. And he did. “Saying that anyone who talks to God is crazy has enormous implications for the whole world of religion. It imposes a secular view of sanity and means that all religions are insane.” My thoughts exactly!
“…If Ron Lafferty were deemed mentally ill because he obeyed the voice of God, isn’t everyone who believes in God and seeks guidance through prayer mentally ill as well?”
And I wonder what the difference between him and the biblical Abraham is? Abraham is a revered 'father' of the Bible for following God's command to kill. Lafferty is in prison for life. One a hero, one a criminal - both believing they were following God's divine will. Was Abraham actually mentally ill, or should Dan and Ron be revered too? Me, I think anyone who kills women and children, or attempts too, are insane. From Abraham on down.
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LibraryThing member jmcclain19
Frightening tale of polygamy in modern America. A few things gleamed from the book that still stick with me. The amount of polygamist camps spread throughout the US is much higher than expected and in locations you would never think of, and it still continues unabated today. There are haunting
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stories of what some of the young teenage girls have to endure at the hands of their significantly older "husbands". Tight writing that keeps the stories coming along - this is one that will stick with you for some time after you've finished the last page. Show Less
LibraryThing member bcquinnsmom
A woman and her baby were brutally murdered by two brothers who did it because they believed in all earnestness that it was their God-given mission to do so. These two were not the only ones marked for death, but the only ones who were actually killed. Under the Banner of Heaven traces the roots of
Krakauer does a sterling job of presenting his story here. He traces the roots of Mormon fundamentalism and the reasons behind the ongoing practice of polygamy within many different sects of fundamentalists.
However, while this book is focused on the Latter Day Saints, there is a bigger focus...and that is the nature of religious fundamentalism in general. It also tackles the question of if people claim that God speaks to them, are they insane? How do we as a society separate the kooks from the true believers?
This is an outstanding book, one that should be read & discussed by everyone.
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this killing, which lie in fundamentalist Mormonism and polygamy.Krakauer does a sterling job of presenting his story here. He traces the roots of Mormon fundamentalism and the reasons behind the ongoing practice of polygamy within many different sects of fundamentalists.
However, while this book is focused on the Latter Day Saints, there is a bigger focus...and that is the nature of religious fundamentalism in general. It also tackles the question of if people claim that God speaks to them, are they insane? How do we as a society separate the kooks from the true believers?
This is an outstanding book, one that should be read & discussed by everyone.
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LibraryThing member bibliophile26
A history of the Mormon religion that focuses on racism, polygamy and violence in particular. I never knew the religion was based on such bullshit; yeah, Jesus Christ might seem like a fantasy, but at least we have millenniums on our side. Mormonism was founded in the mid-1800’s; it is like a
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cult that has gone out of control. Show Less
LibraryThing member 391
Under the Banner of Heaven was well-written, like all of Krakauer's works, but my god did I get bogged down at points. He includes so many digressions with so many people and names and dates - and none of them are chronological, just inserted into the story through casual relation! - that it was
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definitely difficult to get through. I've never really studied Mormon history in-depth, and this book was well-tailored to the casual learner in that respect, as it covered the histories of both the LDS and the FLDS churches. But it definitely did it in a drawn-out, relentless barrage of knowledge way. Show Less
LibraryThing member SethAndrew
Like all of Krakauer's books, Under the Banner of Heaven, was very well written and extremely interesting. The history of the Mormom faith, from Joseph Smith through the time the book was published, was very informative. A great glimpse into the minds of some of the Mormon forefathers. The
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digressions into the crime in question (the double murder by the Lafferty brothers) was also enthralling yet disturbing. Krakauer's recounting of the violence peppered throughout the history of Mormonism paints a great picture as to what led to such a brutal crime by the Lafferty's. A great work of history and true crime reporting. Show Less
LibraryThing member JessicaReadsThings
A really fascinating story. Although the narrative is focused on fundamental Mormonism, much of this book strikes shockingly close to what it is to be American. The bravado and charm of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young's unflinching and tenacious belief that his doctrine was right. The sort of grim
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optimism of a people who look forward to the day that what they know to be true is confirmed, woe to those who didn't believe. It can all be reinterpreted shades of Manifest Destiny and the making of America. Of course there are major diversions: plural marriage, child abuse, rape, religious extremism, and a terrible and shocking murder. But the strength of Krakauer's writing lies in his ability to relay sensational information, without sensationalizing the narrative. Show Less
LibraryThing member Atomicmutant
An incredible book that I couldn't put down. Not only does it examine the individual motivations beyond a henious and shocking crime, it also traces the turbulent and shocking history of the Mormon faith from its inception to the present day. I was alternately shaken, troubled, shocked, and
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relentlessly fascinated by this tale. Krakauer's prose is starkly simple, effective and direct. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member Dreesie
Krakauer can really write. I forgot, somehow (I guess it has been years)--but this book just pulled em right in.
Here, Krakauer looks at the 1984 murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. Two of her brothers-in-law were arrested, tried, and found guilty. One timeline within this book gives the history
I studied Western History in grad school, and read several of the books he uses as sources, as well as various books on Arizona history and immigrant routes. This book really pulled a lot of that together for me.
This book was a solid 5 stars until the very end, when he talks with the still-imprisoned Dan Lafferty
about his reasoning and beliefs. I found it less than interesting and rather creepy, as this found-guilty and admittedly guilty man tries to rationalize his past horrific behavior. Yuck.
Here, Krakauer looks at the 1984 murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. Two of her brothers-in-law were arrested, tried, and found guilty. One timeline within this book gives the history
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of Mormonism--from NY, to Missouri, to Illinois, to Utah--and examines the violent history of the church (both violence toward church members to violence from church members in defending their church/lifestyle/land). Another timeline gives a modern history of Mormon Fundamentalism in the 20th century. A third looks at the Lafferty family--their upbringing, their introduction to and interest in fundamentalism, and more. The second and third timelines converge. It sounds very confusing writing it down, but it works well in the book.I studied Western History in grad school, and read several of the books he uses as sources, as well as various books on Arizona history and immigrant routes. This book really pulled a lot of that together for me.
This book was a solid 5 stars until the very end, when he talks with the still-imprisoned Dan Lafferty
about his reasoning and beliefs. I found it less than interesting and rather creepy, as this found-guilty and admittedly guilty man tries to rationalize his past horrific behavior. Yuck.
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