Under the Banner of Heaven — Jon Krakauer (2003)

While reading this book, I found myself taken with the narrative structure employed by Krakauer. The book is almost two books in one — a true crime in the vein of In Cold Blood (a comparison noted in a San Francisco Chronicle review quoted on the book’s cover) and a succinct history of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). The background on the religion is necessary for the reader (at least those raised outside of the Mormon Church), as it demonstrates how Ron and Dan Lafferty find themselves influenced by an extreme sect of Mormon Fundamentalism and committing a brutal double murder in the name of their God.

In an unorganized fashion, it might seem as if Krakauer is mid-thought about a choice or conflict from the Lafferty brothers when he realizes “oh, I should explain why they believe this or that.” But ‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ is anything but unorganized. The narrative structure follows the Lafferty brothers as they take the path towards Mormon Fundamentalism alongside the journey of the Mormon Church westward. In jumping back and forth between these two narratives, you see Lafferty embrace polygamy just shortly after the LDS rejects the practice. Krakauer’s deft balancing act creates a compelling through line, making the book difficult to put down.

The book also shines a light (for this reader, at least) on the spread of polygamy across the American West and parts of Canada and Mexico. It’s a truly brutal practice, with men “marrying” (aka raping) children in their early teens, trading off their own daughters for power and influence, and abducting and holding women against their will.

Finally, the paperback edition of the book closes with a rebuttal from the LDS church. The author prints their analysis in full, in which a church historian picks through Krakauer’s characterization of church founder Joseph Smith and critical moments in Mormon history. Following this section, the author dutifully admits a small number of errors in the book and notes the corrections he has made. He also pushes back strongly on a number of other points, standing his ground and showing that he has done his research on the subject. Much respect for acknowledging errors and standing firm on what you know is spin.