Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer

One Sentence Summary:

‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ follows the true story of two brothers who committed a brutal murder in the name of their religious beliefs, exploring the complex and often violent world of fundamentalist Mormonism in America.

Book Genre:

• Non-fiction
• True crime
• Religion/Spirituality

Main Topic of the Book:

The dark and violent side of fundamentalist Mormonism in America through the lens of a double murder committed in the name of religious beliefs.<

Key Ideas:

• The dangers of religious fanaticism and the destructive power of beliefs.
• The complex history and theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and the various schisms and sects within it.
• The impact of polygamy on families and individuals within the fundamentalist Mormon community.
• The blurred lines between religious and cultural beliefs and how they can lead to extreme behavior.

Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:

Part 1: The Lafferty brothers and their crime

• Introduces the reader to Dan and Ron Lafferty, the fundamentalist Mormon brothers who brutally murdered their sister-in-law and her 15-month-old daughter in 1984.
• Details the events leading up to the crime and the brothers’ warped religious justifications for their actions.
• Explores the history of the Lafferty family and their involvement in fundamentalist Mormonism.

Part 2: The roots of fundamentalist Mormonism

• Examines the origins of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the history of polygamy within the faith.
• Discusses the schism within the LDS Church and the formation of fundamentalist sects, such as the Flds (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints).
• Reveals the dark and oppressive nature of fundamentalist Mormon communities, particularly for women and children.

Part 3: The Lafferty family and their beliefs

• Explores the Lafferty family’s personal beliefs and their descent into extreme fundamentalism.
• Discusses the complex relationship between religious and cultural beliefs within the fundamentalist Mormon community.
• Details the family’s involvement with self-proclaimed prophet, Ervil LeBaron, and his violent teachings.

Part 4: The aftermath and trial

• Follows the investigation and trial of the Lafferty brothers, including their attempts to use religious insanity as a defense.
• Examines the reactions and attitudes of both the mainstream LDS Church and the fundamentalist Mormon community towards the crime.
• Unpacks the complex legal and cultural implications of the case, including the debate over religious freedom and the practice of polygamy.

Key Takeaways:

• Religion can be a powerful and dangerous force when taken to extreme levels.
• The roots of fundamentalist Mormonism lie in the history of the LDS Church and the practice of polygamy.
• The impact of religious and cultural beliefs can have far-reaching consequences.
• The case of the Lafferty brothers highlights the complexities and dangers of religious fanaticism.

Author’s Background and Qualifications:

• Jon Krakauer is an American journalist and author, known for his investigative and immersive style of non-fiction writing.
• His previous works include ‘Into the Wild’ and ‘Into Thin Air’.
• He has been awarded numerous prestigious literary awards and is renowned as an expert in the field of true crime writing.

Target Audience:

• Readers interested in true crime, particularly religiously motivated crimes.
• Those interested in the history and theology of Mormonism and the various sects within the faith.
• Individuals seeking to understand the complexities of fundamentalist Mormon communities and the impact of extreme beliefs.

Publisher and First Publication Date:

‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ was published in 2003 by Doubleday.

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