Under the Banner of Heaven

A Story of Violent Faith

By: Jon Krakauer

Narrated by: Scott Brick

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the author of Into the Wild and Into Thin Air, this extraordinary work of investigative journalism takes readers inside America’s isolated Mormon Fundamentalist communities. • Now an acclaimed FX limited series streaming on HULU.

“Fantastic.... Right up there with In Cold Blood and The Executioner’s Song.” —San Francisco Chronicle

Defying both civil authorities and the Mormon establishment in Salt Lake City, the renegade leaders of these Taliban-like theocracies are zealots who answer only to God; some 40,000 people still practice polygamy in these communities.

At the core of Krakauer’s book are brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, who insist they received a commandment from God to kill a blameless woman and her baby girl. Beginning with a meticulously researched account of this appalling double murder, Krakauer constructs a multi-layered, bone-chilling narrative of messianic delusion, polygamy, savage violence, and unyielding faith. Along the way he uncovers a shadowy offshoot of America’s fastest growing religion, and raises provocative questions about the nature of religious belief.©2003 Jon Krakauer; (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc., Published by arrangement with Random House Audio Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.

REVELATION

All Religions
I first read this in 2003 after it first came out. I talked about it so much, that my wife asked to listen to it. Writing about religion has got to be one of the hardest things to do without upsetting someone. Krakauer does occasionally call the Mormon religion, strange or something similar. You would think a good editor would have omitted that. I also had to keep in mind that most religions can be easily made to look strange. I remember teaching a middle school class at my Methodist Church and talking about the Resurrection, when one of the kids, said "Yuck,Jesus was a Zombie". Than of course the sacrament, where we supposedly eat of Jesus's body and drink his blood.

That Being Said
I have always been one to let people do as they want as long as they don't hurt others. That is were the break apart Fundamentalist's of this religion become a problem. Here in America, girls as young as twelve are being raped and made pregnant. Women are beaten and abused. Freedom of religion is one thing, freedom to rape and abuse children must be stopped. Sam Brower has written a follow up book called Prophet's Prey, which is even more revealing and discusses the abandoning of little boys, so as to have more girls to rape.

Terrific and Timely

This Audiobook sold me on the idea of "reading" by listening. I can remember where I was when I heard each section of the book. In fact, I have to admit that I missed part of the sites on a European vacation becuase I was lost in this story. It is well read, and well written. With the heat being turned up on the British Columbian community of Bountiful mentioned in this book, it is a great way to gather insights into the fundamentalist spin off of the Mormon Church that neither resemble the present day Saints, nor the average families you would expect to encounter today!! It is very interesting indeed.

Under the Banner of Heaven

This is the most disturbing book I have read in a very long time.
When Elizabeth Smart was found and the circumstances of her capture revealed, I was not surprised at all. Any child brought up under her conditions would probably have capitulated just as she did.
The Mormon faith is not a religion...it is a cult...fundamentalist and main stream Mormonism both. So, the next time those "nice" Mormon boys come to my door, I am prepared.
To think this is the fastest growing cult in the world is indeed frightening.

Awesome book..... though pure lunacy

This book drives a couple of key points home for me. First, anyone who professes to have a direct communication line to God should be locked up. Second, steer clear of anyone in the 21st century who thinks the earth is 6,000 years old. Other than that, the book is extremely well written and researched. I had know idea how violent, racist and outright perverted the founders of the LDS church were. All in the name of Jesus? Yeah right.

tv series is superior

I watched two episodes of the series. 9 out 10 times a book is better. in this instance the book fails to deliver.