2026 Reading Challenge
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

Questions About Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

by Jon Krakauer (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (3)

I know that this is non fiction but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints does NOT under any circumstance permit murder, doesn't matter if it's the reformed religion or not. Those boys must has been very delusional? I would like to know why the author chose to write such a controversial novel.
Claire Yes, it is nonfiction, and yes, LDS leadership roundly condemns the Lafferty brothers, who were FLDS and excommunicated and considered apostates. That…moreYes, it is nonfiction, and yes, LDS leadership roundly condemns the Lafferty brothers, who were FLDS and excommunicated and considered apostates. That does not change the plains facts that 1. the history of Mormonism contains many other examples of violence by its practitioners, or practitioners of its spin-off sects, and that 2. the Lafferty brothers, and their actions, were informed by their connections to this religion.
This is NOT a condemnation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. All religions have issues with violence in their past, and usually also their presents. The author actually expresses admiration for the Saints he has known in his own life, all the way back to childhood friends.
He probably chose to write a controversial book to examine these important issues, to prompt people to think, and to hope that if enough people read it and learn history, history will not be repeated, because people can choose to think about this problem and choose to figure out why it happens, so that change can be affected so that issues of religion-related violence will become less common.(less)
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I saw on the internet that Ron Lafferty had died in prison. Is his brother, Dan, still alive?
Todd Rogers Yes scumbag Dan sits in prison on our dime serving a life sentence. In 2015 he apparently compelled a couple to murder three of their children and the…moreYes scumbag Dan sits in prison on our dime serving a life sentence. In 2015 he apparently compelled a couple to murder three of their children and themselves since he is a "prophet." Utah is a mess.(less)
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Have you read "Educated"? Before or after Under the Banner of Heaven?
Madeline I read Educated first as well, and while I enjoyed both books I do worry that they have given me a one sided view of Mormonism since I haven't read an…moreI read Educated first as well, and while I enjoyed both books I do worry that they have given me a one sided view of Mormonism since I haven't read anything about non-fundamentalist LDS beliefs. I think they would be well complemented by a book about the challenges faced by mainstream mormons to get the full picture- if anyone could suggest one that would be much appreciated.(less)
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Unanswered Questions (3)

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