Introduction
Jon Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven" is a gripping exploration of religious extremism, focusing on a brutal double murder committed by two brothers who belonged to a fundamentalist Mormon group. The book interweaves the story of this shocking crime with a broader examination of the history and evolution of Mormonism, particularly its more radical offshoots.
At its core, this book delves into the dangerous consequences of unwavering faith and the blurred lines between divine revelation and human delusion. Krakauer takes readers on a journey through time, from the founding of Mormonism to its modern-day manifestations, all while unraveling the events that led to a horrific act of violence in 1984.
The Divine Revelation
The book opens with a chilling scene: a gathering of self-proclaimed Saints in 1984, coming together to validate what they believed were divine revelations from God. Among them was Ron Lafferty, who shocked even his fellow zealots with a revelation that would come to be known as the "removal revelation."
Ron claimed that God had instructed him to kill his brother's wife, their baby, and two close friends. These individuals, according to the revelation, were obstacles to God's work. The reaction to this revelation was mixed, with most members of the group recoiling in horror. However, Ron's brother Dan Lafferty not only supported the revelation but soon began to have his own visions about his role in carrying out this divine mandate.
The brothers saw themselves as fulfilling a prophecy about "The One Mighty and Strong" who would set God's house in order before the Second Coming. This belief, rooted in Mormon scripture, fueled their conviction that they were acting as instruments of God's will.
The Founding of Mormonism
To understand the context of the Lafferty brothers' actions, Krakauer takes readers back to the origins of Mormonism. He recounts the story of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his claimed discovery of the golden plates that would become the Book of Mormon.
In 1823, a young Joseph Smith said he was visited by an angel named Moroni, who guided him to a hill in Palmyra, New York. There, Smith claimed to have found golden plates inscribed with ancient scripture. After marrying Emma Hale against her father's wishes, Smith said he was finally allowed to take possession of the plates.
The translation process of these plates was unconventional, to say the least. Smith initially used special "spectacles" provided by the angel, but after losing the first translation, he resorted to using a "peeping stone" in a hat to dictate the text to scribes. This method, reminiscent of folk magic practices, would later become a point of controversy.
Despite facing ridicule and skepticism, Smith managed to attract a significant following. The Book of Mormon was published in 1830, financed by Martin Harris, a devoted follower who sold his farm to pay for the printing. Shortly after, Smith formally established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Early Mormon Church
The early years of the Mormon Church were marked by rapid growth and intense persecution. Smith's followers, known as Saints, were drawn to his charismatic leadership and the promise of a new, divinely inspired faith. However, their beliefs and practices often put them at odds with their neighbors.
Krakauer describes how Smith led his growing flock from New York to Ohio, and then to Missouri, always in search of a place to establish their Zion. In Missouri, tensions with local residents escalated into violent conflicts. The Mormons' communal lifestyle, their anti-slavery stance, and their tendency to vote as a bloc made them unpopular with their neighbors.
These conflicts led to bloody clashes, forcing the Mormons to flee once again. They found temporary refuge in Illinois, where they established the city of Nauvoo. Here, Smith's power and influence grew, but so did the controversies surrounding him.
The Road to Fundamentalism
One of the most contentious aspects of early Mormonism was the practice of polygamy. Krakauer details how Joseph Smith secretly introduced the concept of "celestial marriage," which included the practice of taking multiple wives. Smith claimed this was a divine commandment, essential for salvation and populating God's kingdom.
However, Smith kept this doctrine secret from most of his followers, including his first wife, Emma. The tension between Smith's public denials and private practice of polygamy would have far-reaching consequences for the church.
After Smith's death at the hands of an angry mob in 1844, his successor, Brigham Young, publicly announced the doctrine of polygamy in 1852. This revelation shocked many, but soon became an accepted practice within the mainstream Mormon church.
Krakauer draws a direct line from these early doctrines to the beliefs that would later inspire the Lafferty brothers. When Ron and Dan Lafferty discovered the church's polygamous past, they felt betrayed by the modern church's rejection of the practice. This disillusionment led them down a path of fundamentalism, seeking to restore what they saw as the true principles of their faith.
The Lafferty Brothers' Descent
The book provides a detailed account of how Ron and Dan Lafferty's embrace of fundamentalist Mormon beliefs led to their violent actions. After adopting these radical views, the brothers began to reject secular authority, believing that God's law superseded man's law.
Their wives, uncomfortable with their husbands' newfound beliefs and behaviors, sought help from Brenda Lafferty, their sister-in-law. Brenda, described as intelligent and outspoken, had given up a promising career in journalism to marry into the Lafferty family. Her attempts to intervene and reason with Ron and Dan only served to anger them further.
As the brothers delved deeper into fundamentalism, they began to receive what they believed were divine revelations. These revelations ultimately led to Ron's "removal revelation," which called for the deaths of Brenda, her infant daughter Erica, and two others who had supported the Lafferty wives.
The Murders
Krakauer's account of the murders is both detailed and disturbing. On July 24, 1984 - Pioneer Day, a significant Mormon holiday - Ron and Dan Lafferty, along with two companions, drove to their brother Allen's home in American Fork, Utah.
After an initial failed attempt, they returned to the house. Dan, feeling a divine urge, took the lead. He forced his way into the house when Brenda answered the door. What followed was a brutal attack that ended with Dan slashing the throats of both Brenda and her 15-month-old daughter, Erica.
The brothers then attempted to carry out the rest of their "divine mission," targeting two other individuals mentioned in Ron's revelation. However, circumstances prevented them from completing these additional murders.
The Aftermath
Following the murders, Ron and Dan fled, eventually ending up in Reno, Nevada. There, they lived off the generosity of strangers and free casino food until they were finally apprehended. Remarkably, the brothers showed no remorse for their actions, firmly believing they had carried out God's will.
Krakauer describes the brothers' time in prison, including Ron's attempts to kill Dan based on yet another "revelation." The two were eventually separated and tried separately. Dan was sentenced to life in prison, while Ron received a death sentence.
The Broader Context of Mormon Fundamentalism
Throughout the book, Krakauer connects the Lafferty brothers' actions to broader themes in Mormon history and fundamentalist beliefs. He explores the concept of "blood atonement," a controversial doctrine taught by early Mormon leaders like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. This belief held that some sins were so grievous that the sinner's own blood must be shed for forgiveness.
Krakauer also delves into the history of violence within Mormonism, including stories of figures like Porter Rockwell, known as the "Destroying Angel," who was said to have carried out killings on behalf of the church.
The author draws parallels between these historical beliefs and practices and the mindset that led the Lafferty brothers to commit their horrific crimes. He argues that the seeds of such extremism were planted in the early days of the Mormon faith and continue to influence certain fundamentalist offshoots to this day.
The Impact of Fundamentalism
One of the key themes Krakauer explores is the impact of fundamentalist beliefs on individuals and families. He describes how the Lafferty brothers' embrace of radical ideas tore their family apart. Their wives, unable to accept their husbands' newfound beliefs, sought divorce and fled with their children.
The author also examines the broader fundamentalist Mormon community, including polygamist groups in places like Colorado City, Utah, and Bountiful, Canada. He details the often difficult and oppressive lives of women and children in these communities, where underage marriage and sexual abuse are not uncommon.
Krakauer argues that the rigid patriarchal structure and unquestioning faith demanded by these groups can create an environment where abuse flourishes and critical thinking is discouraged. The story of the Lafferty brothers serves as a stark example of how such beliefs can be taken to violent extremes.
The Role of Divine Revelation
A central question in the book is the nature of divine revelation and its potential for misuse. Krakauer explores how the Mormon tradition of personal revelation - the belief that individuals can receive direct guidance from God - can sometimes lead to dangerous outcomes when taken to extremes.
The author traces this belief back to Joseph Smith, who frequently claimed to receive revelations from God. This practice became a cornerstone of the Mormon faith, with followers encouraged to seek their own divine guidance.
However, as the Lafferty case demonstrates, this belief in personal revelation can sometimes be used to justify heinous acts. Ron and Dan Lafferty genuinely believed they were acting on God's instructions, a conviction that allowed them to commit murder without remorse.
Krakauer raises challenging questions about the nature of faith and the potential dangers of unquestioning belief in divine guidance. He suggests that the line between genuine spiritual experience and dangerous delusion can sometimes be perilously thin.
The Evolution of Mormonism
Throughout the book, Krakauer traces the evolution of Mormonism from its controversial beginnings to its current status as a mainstream religion. He details how the church, under pressure from the U.S. government, officially renounced polygamy in 1890 and later allowed Black members to join the priesthood in 1978.
These changes, while bringing the church more in line with mainstream American values, also created rifts within the Mormon community. Some members, like the Lafferty brothers, saw these adaptations as betrayals of core principles and turned to fundamentalist offshoots in search of a "purer" form of their faith.
Krakauer's account highlights the ongoing tension within Mormonism between adaptation and tradition, between modernization and fundamentalism. The story of the Lafferty brothers serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when this tension leads to extremism.
The Intersection of Faith and Violence
One of the most troubling aspects of the story Krakauer tells is the way in which religious belief was used to justify violence. The Lafferty brothers saw their actions not as murder, but as a divinely mandated cleansing of obstacles to God's work.
Krakauer connects this mindset to broader patterns of religiously motivated violence throughout history. He argues that when individuals believe they are acting on God's direct orders, it can override normal moral constraints and lead to horrific acts.
The author also explores how the early Mormon church's own history of persecution and violence may have contributed to a culture where violence in the name of faith could be seen as justifiable under certain circumstances. He points to incidents like the Mountain Meadows Massacre, where Mormon militia members killed a group of non-Mormon pioneers, as examples of this troubling legacy.
The Legacy of the Lafferty Case
The murders committed by Ron and Dan Lafferty sent shockwaves through both the Mormon community and American society at large. Krakauer examines the aftermath of the case, including its impact on the victims' families and the broader Mormon church.
The author also discusses how the case brought increased scrutiny to fundamentalist Mormon groups, leading to greater awareness of issues like child marriage and abuse within these communities. However, he notes that many of these problems persist, with law enforcement often hesitant to intervene in what are seen as religious matters.
The Lafferty case also raised challenging questions about the insanity defense in cases involving religious beliefs. Both brothers were found competent to stand trial, despite their clearly delusional beliefs, highlighting the difficulties in legally defining sanity when it comes to matters of faith.
Reflections on Faith and Reason
Throughout "Under the Banner of Heaven," Krakauer grapples with fundamental questions about the nature of faith and its relationship to reason and morality. He presents a nuanced view of religion, acknowledging its potential for both profound good and terrible evil.
The author argues that while faith can provide comfort, meaning, and moral guidance for many, it can also be used to justify harmful actions when taken to extremes. He suggests that a balance between faith and critical thinking is crucial, and that blind obedience to any ideology - religious or otherwise - can be dangerous.
Krakauer's book serves as a cautionary tale about the potential dangers of fundamentalism and the importance of questioning one's beliefs, even (or perhaps especially) when those beliefs are deeply held religious convictions.
Conclusion
"Under the Banner of Heaven" is a deeply researched and thought-provoking exploration of the dark side of religious faith. Through the lens of a shocking crime, Jon Krakauer examines the complex history of Mormonism and the broader implications of religious fundamentalism.
The book raises challenging questions about the nature of belief, the potential for violence within religious traditions, and the sometimes blurry line between faith and fanaticism. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when religious conviction is taken to extremes and divorced from ethical considerations.
Krakauer's work is not an indictment of all religious belief, but rather a call for critical thinking and ethical reflection within faith traditions. It challenges readers to consider the basis of their own beliefs and the potential consequences of unquestioning faith.
Ultimately, "Under the Banner of Heaven" is a powerful exploration of the human capacity for both profound spiritual experiences and terrible acts of violence. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of balancing faith with reason, and the need for constant ethical reflection in matters of belief and action.
The story of the Lafferty brothers and their victims is a tragedy born of misguided faith and unchecked fanaticism. Through this narrative, Krakauer invites readers to reflect on the nature of belief, the potential for both good and evil within religious traditions, and the ongoing challenge of reconciling faith with the demands of a pluralistic society.
In an age where religious extremism continues to be a global concern, "Under the Banner of Heaven" offers valuable insights into the mindset of fundamentalism and the factors that can lead seemingly ordinary individuals to commit extraordinary acts of violence in the name of faith.