Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

Jon Krakauer examines the 1984 murders of Brenda Lafferty and her infant daughter, committed by her brothers-in-law, Ron and Dan Lafferty. The narrative traces how the brothers adopted a radicalized interpretation of Mormonism, eventually believing they received a divine revelation to eliminate those opposing their views. Krakauer places this specific crime within a broader historical context, tracing the evolution of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Joseph Smith’s initial visions to the development of modern fundamentalist sects that continue to practice polygamy and claim direct communication with God.

Readers interested in the intersection of religious extremism and criminal psychology find this account useful for understanding how rigid dogma can escalate into violence. The text provides a detailed look at the internal logic of fringe groups and the porous boundary between extreme faith and sociopathy. Readers finish the book with a factual grasp of early LDS history and an understanding of the legal challenges the state faces when religious liberty is used to justify the violation of secular laws.