Under the Banner of Heaven Summary

What drives a person to believe in a divine command so fervently that it leads them to commit murder?

1. The Roots of Fundamentalism

Fundamentalism often emerges as a return to the perceived original and pure teachings of a religion. In Under the Banner of Heaven, Jon Krakauer explores how Mormon fundamentalism gave rise to violence in the Lafferty brothers’ story. They believed they were restoring their faith to its authentic form, which included polygamy and blood atonement.

Mormonism's founder, Joseph Smith, laid the groundwork for a faith that was deeply connected to divine revelations. As time passed, some factions of the church grew dissatisfied with mainstream Mormonism's compromises, such as renouncing polygamy. These dissenting groups claimed they were preserving the core tenets of their religion. The Lafferty brothers used this belief to justify their actions, insisting they were following God’s will.

Faith-based fundamentalism isolates believers from societal norms. Over time, it leads to a worldview where only their understanding of God’s will matters. This is seen in the Lafferty brothers’ rejection of modern Mormon doctrines and their radical adherence to divine revelations.

Examples

• The Lafferty brothers saw mainstream Mormonism's rejection of polygamy as a betrayal of God’s teachings.
• Joseph Smith’s secret polygamous marriages set a precedent for later religious conflicts.
• The School of Prophets, where the brothers shared extreme revelations, became a breeding ground for their escalating fanaticism.

2. The Story of Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith’s life and visions provided the foundation from which Mormonism emerged. Krakauer shares details of his encounters with divine messages, starting with the angel Moroni guiding him to golden plates buried in New York.

Smith’s translations of these sacred plates became The Book of Mormon. His charismatic leadership attracted a devoted following, but his controversial teachings and practices, such as polygamy and hierarchical control via direct revelations, also generated hostility. His eventual violent death cemented his legacy as both a prophet and a divisive figure.

This history shaped Mormon theological challenges and provided a framework for individuals like the Lafferty brothers to interpret violent actions as divinely mandated. Smith's revelations paved the way for the kind of literal interpretations the brothers relied on for their justification.

Examples

• Smith’s use of a peeping stone to translate the Book of Mormon mirrored fortune-telling practices he was accused of earlier.
• The angelic directive to find the golden plates legitimized Smith’s marriage and bolstered his credibility.
• His assassination by an angry mob highlighted tensions between Mormons and broader American society.

3. The Doctrine of Polygamy

Polygamy was central in early Mormonism, though it later became one of its most contentious issues. Joseph Smith introduced "celestial marriages," urging his followers to marry multiple women to fulfill God’s plan to populate the Earth. However, Smith's reluctance to reveal this practice publicly created internal conflicts.

The Lafferty brothers believed that abandoning polygamy, among other doctrinal changes, reflected the Mormon Church's deviation from God's commandments. Ron and Dan used polygamy as a cornerstone of their ideological battle, even as their wives resisted and their community rejected it.

By framing their actions as rooted in God-approved polygamous practices, the brothers highlighted how a religious tenet can be corrupted when taken to extremes. This misapplication illustrates both the flexibility and danger of scriptural interpretation.

Examples

• Smith secretly canonized polygamy in Section 132 of The Doctrine and Covenants.
• Emma Smith, Joseph’s wife, strongly opposed the practice, creating personal and doctrinal strife.
• Brigham Young's public endorsement of polygamy after Smith’s death institutionalized the practice for decades.

4. Violence and Divine Revelations

The Lafferty brothers' actions revealed how literal interpretations of “divine revelation” can rationalize violence. Ron Lafferty claimed to have received a message from God commanding him to kill his sister-in-law Brenda and her infant daughter.

Dan Lafferty’s gradual acceptance of Ron’s revelation exemplifies how group dynamics and shared belief systems can escalate fanaticism. Over time, Ron and Dan began to see their personal desires and grievances as divinely inspired commands.

Their willingness to act violently underscores how faith, unchecked by external accountability, can lead to extreme outcomes. Religions with a history of divine violence, like early Mormonism's concept of blood atonement, only add fuel to such troubling interpretations.

Examples

• Ron’s revelation about Brenda came during a meeting with the School of Prophets.
• Dan’s belief that he was "God’s arm" led him to personally carry out the murders.
• Joseph Smith’s teaching on blood atonement allowed the Laffertys to see murder as retribution for sin.

5. Brenda Lafferty: A Voice of Resistance

Brenda Lafferty stood up against her brothers-in-law's dangerous ideologies. She urged her husband, Allen, to resist their plans, and encouraged the other Lafferty wives to reject their husbands' involvement in polygamy.

Her courage and intelligence made her a target. Brenda's insistence on protecting the Lafferty children from abuse compounded their resentment. Her advocacy for fairness and justice contrasted sharply with the oppressive values upheld by Ron and Dan.

In many ways, Brenda became a symbol of defiance against patriarchal control and radical extremism. Her brutal murder exemplifies the tragedy of silencing dissenting voices in such environments.

Examples

• Brenda reportedly intervened when she learned of the brothers’ abuse of children.
• She used her background in journalism to articulate arguments against polygamy.
• Her independence and outspokenness challenged the Lafferty brothers' authority.

6. Religious Persecution and Displacement

Krakauer outlines how historical persecution shaped Mormon identity. The forced migrations from New York to Missouri and Illinois, and eventually to Utah, instilled a sense of shared suffering within the community.

This history of persecution often fostered isolation and distrust of outsiders. Leaders like Joseph Smith used this sentiment to consolidate power and enforce group cohesion. In the Lafferty brothers’ view, their violent rebellion was a continuation of this historical fight for religious purity.

Rather than addressing issues inclusively, persecution narratives can deepen the divide between religious communities and the larger society, leading to destructive cycles of rejection and radicalization.

Examples

• The bloody clashes in Missouri over land and slavery views fueled mistrust of non-Mormons.
• The failure of local governments to protect Mormon settlements reinforced their persecution complex.
• Brigham Young’s eventual establishment of Utah as a Mormon refuge formalized their separation from broader society.

7. The Role of Women in Fundamentalism

Women in fundamentalist religions are often relegated to submissive roles, as dictated by selective interpretations of scripture. The Lafferty brothers’ treatment of women mirrored this mindset—they pressured their wives into accepting polygamy and limited their autonomy.

Brenda's resistance broke this pattern, showing that women could challenge oppressive structures even within tight-knit religious communities. Still, her murder reflects the cost of standing up to entrenched patriarchal systems.

Women in fundamentalist sects frequently bear the brunt of radical doctrines, from coercive marriages to being silenced when they question authority. Their stories highlight the human cost of extreme beliefs.

Examples

• Dan and Ron viewed their wives primarily as tools for spiritual reproduction.
• Brenda's intervention with the other wives threatened the brothers’ control.
• Claudine Lafferty, their mother, passively endured the family's abusive dynamics, showing the generational impact of submission.

8. The Evolution of Mormon Doctrine

Mormon doctrine underwent several major changes to adapt to societal pressures, including the discontinuation of polygamy and the inclusion of Black men in priesthood roles. These shifts created internal divisions within the church.

For fundamentalists like the Laffertys, such changes were betrayals. Their insistence on returning to earlier interpretations bred discontent and radicalization. This splintering illustrates how evolving doctrines can alienate conservative factions.

The Mormon Church’s concessions reveal the challenge religions face in balancing tradition with modern values. For extremist believers, these compromises only confirm their belief that they hold the "true" faith.

Examples

• The U.S. government forced the church to abandon polygamy in the late 19th century.
• The church’s landmark decision to allow Black men in the priesthood in 1978 faced backlash from conservative members.
• Fundamentalist Mormon groups continue to reject mainstream reforms and practice polygamy.

9. Faith, Delusion, and Accountability

Under the guise of divine authority, individuals may avoid accountability for their actions. Ron and Dan Lafferty’s murders were justified in their minds as fulfilling God’s will—a narrative they maintained during and after their capture.

Krakauer examines how religious fervor blurs the line between faith and delusion. When individuals prioritize personal interpretations of scripture over ethical considerations, faith becomes a dangerous weapon.

This dynamic raises broader questions about the responsibility of religious institutions to address extremism and ensure faith doesn’t serve as an excuse for harm.

Examples

• Ron claimed his revelation was meant to restore God’s order on Earth.
• Dan justified the murder of his niece by invoking "divine will."
• The brothers maintained that their actions were righteous, even in court.

Takeaways

1. Question interpretations of faith that justify violence or harm to others.
2. Foster open conversations about the evolving role of religion in the modern world.
3. Protect and amplify the voices of those, like Brenda, who challenge harmful norms.