Under the Banner of Heaven: a Story of Violent Faith - Book Review

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), March, 2004 by Gerald F. Kreyche

UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN: A Story of Violent Faith BY JON KRAKAUER DOUBLEDAY 2003, 373 PAGES, $26

The author of the fascinating Mount Everest bestseller, Into Thin Air, probes the nature of religious Pellet in this volume centering on the fundamentalism of Mormons, who broke away from the main church of the Latter Day Saints. Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints (FLDS) seek a purity of doctrine by returning to the original teachings of the charismatic Joseph Smith, the sect's founder. They want to reestablish polygamy, which was banned by the church hierarchy in 1890 due to pressure by the Federal government.

The FLDS do not recognize the edicts of the head of the Mormon church, who is "President, Prophet, Seer, and Revelator." In turn, the polygamists are regarded as simple apostates. They number about 40,000 and are found nationwide, although Colorado City, Ariz., is their most notorious place of residence. Their peccadillos in practicing polygamy largely are overlooked by authorities. Mainline believers, meanwhile, are about 10,000,000 strong and are spread throughout the world, as this is a proselytizing religion.

The Latter Day Saints proudly designate themselves as "a peculiar people," and indeed, that is an understatement when one reviews their history and doctrines. Krakauer traces their beginnings from Palmyra, N.Y, and the discovery of the golden tablets at Mt. Cumarah, which outlined the doctrines to be taught and followed. There, Joseph found a "seer" stone, which, if stared at when put in a dark hat, revealed where the tablets were to be found.

Picking up a small following of renewed religious fervor, this new American church moved on to Kirkland, Ohio, in the mid 19th century, and then established a town in Illinois called Far West. They subsequently built a full-blown city called Nauvoo (again in Illinois) and constructed a temple so marriages could be "sealed" for eternity Smith next organized a police force (more like an army) and a set of laws to govern by. As the Mormons became more politically powerful--Smith even ran for president--the local populace felt threatened.

Although the glint of permitted polygamy came to light in Kirkland, it shone fully in Nauvco. Called "spiritual" or "celestial" marriage, it was the straw that broke the camel's back. When word reached the general populace, the people kidnapped the Mormon leader, intent on emasculating him. Eventually, both Joseph and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob. The group's new leader, Brigham Young, while not a "religious genius" like Smith, had a real knack for organization.

The Mormons ultimately split on the doctrine of polygamy, with many leaving Nauvoo, including Smith's widow. Young subsequently led them to the Great Salt Lake region, declaring, "This is the place!" Playwright George Bernard Shaw characterized him as "The Great American Moses."

The Mormons tend to be a clannish and secretive group. Among their doctrines deserving of the appellation "peculiar" are: the Garden of Eden is located in the U.S.; Jesus came to this country after his death; and Native Americans are descended from a "lost" tribe in Israel. Everyone may converse with God as a family member. Long-dead individuals can be baptized, hence the emphasis on genealogy. In a limited sense, each of us can be a God.

There also is a chapter concerning the kidnapping, rape, and brainwashing of Elizabeth Smart. Krakauer theorizes that the insistence of passive obedience to authority in Mormon culture partly was responsible for her acquiescence. Finally, there is the recurrent theme of several members of the FLDS having a "remove" revelation to butcher several persons, which they heeded. The author marvels at what people can believe and so will the reader. Yet, it must be conceded that the outside world admires Mormon strength in family values and their clean-cut youth.