Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

Jon Krakauer is a writer and journalist best known for his books Into Thin Air, Into the Wild, and Under the Banner of Heaven. Krakauer has a degree in environmental studies from Hampshire College in Massachusetts. He made a career as a fisherman and carpenter before quitting to pursue writing full-time. In 1996, Krakauer attempted to climb Mount Everest and survived a deadly climbing disaster. Krakauer’s book on the expedition, Into Thin Air, details his experiences and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 1998. Krakauer has published eight works of nonfiction and has received numerous awards.

His nonfiction work Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith received negative attention and scrutiny from the LDS church, claiming that the book is unorganized and lacks historical accuracy. However, Newsday called the book “stunningly researched” and USA Today referred to it as “well-researched and even-handed.”

Joseph Smith (1805-1844) was the founder of Mormonism. At the age of 18, Smith claimed to be visited by an angel named Moroni who revealed to Smith that there were golden tablets containing the word of God. Smith claimed to find these tablets and published their content in The Book of Mormon. Smith’s newfound American religion was hugely popular, emphasizing a personal relationship with God and a return to traditional values.

Smith took his followers on multiple trips across the country to escape religious persecution. Smith privately practiced polygamy for years before revealing what he called “the sacred principle” with his followers. After rising tension between Mormons and non-Mormons, Smith was arrested for attempting to quell Mormon sects opposed to the practice of polygamy by burning down a printing press. While in jail, Smith was fatally shot by an anti-Mormon mob.

Dan Lafferty was one of two Lafferty brothers involved in the ritualistic murder of Brenda and Erika Lafferty. Dan was a devout LDS Saint before deciding to learn more about the historical roots of his Mormon faith. After discovering a book entitled The Peace Maker, which Dan wrongly believed to be written by Joseph Smith, Dan became determined to return to a fundamentalist Mormon faith, including a literal interpretation of Smith’s teachings. Dan imposed fundamentalist practices upon his wife and children and engaged in plural marriage, even requesting that his stepdaughter became his second wife.

Dan believed that his brother Ron’s murder revelation was a directive from God, and he soon also believed that he alone was responsible for ensuring the enactment of the revelation. Dan cut the throats of both 24-year-old Brenda Lafferty and her 15-month-old daughter. While in jail for the murders, Dan came to believe that his brother Ron was under the influence of Satan and was trying to kill him because Dan was the prophet Elijah reincarnated. Dan maintained that the murders of Brenda and Erika were the will of God.

Ron Lafferty was a prominent member of the LDS church and community member. At the urging of his wife Dianna, Ron attempted to lead his brothers away from religious extremism. While meeting with them, Ron’s brother Dan convinced Ron of the legitimacy of a fundamentalist and literal approach to the Mormon faith. Dan introduced his brother Ron to Robert Crossfield, also known as the Prophet Onias. Crossfield convinced Ron that he was sent by God to establish order in the Mormon Church.

Ron believed that he received several revelations directly from God, including a removal revelation that indicated the need for the ritualistic murders, known as blood atonement, of his sister-in-law and niece. After assisting his brother Dan in the murders, Ron was arrested. He attempted to convince the jury of his mental illness. Ron was given the death penalty as a sentence for his crimes.

Brenda Lafferty was the wife of the youngest Lafferty brother, Allen, a member of the School of the Prophets with Prophet Onias and the other Lafferty brothers including Ron and Dan. Brenda Lafferty graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications. She was a strong-willed and confident young woman, a member of the Mormon faith, and deeply empathetic toward everyone around her. When Brenda saw her husband and his family succumb to religious extremism, she did everything she could to help. Brenda endured verbal and physical aggression from her husband but continued to stay, believing she could heal what was ailing her family. Brenda gave birth to a daughter, Erika Lafferty, further motivating her to stay.

When Brenda learned that her brother-in-law Ron and been physically abusing his wife Dianna, Brenda urged Dianna to leave and divorce Ron who later discovered Brenda’s advice. Ron believed he received a revelation from God calling for the murder of Brenda Lafferty. In 1984, on the Mormon holiday known as Pioneer Day, Brenda and her daughter were brutally murdered by her brothers-in-law, Ron and Dan Lafferty.