Under the Banner of Heaven Essay Questions

What is polygamy, and why is its practice so contentious in the LDS Church?

Polygamy is a frequent subject of discussion in Under the Banner of Heaven. It is the practice of a fundamentalist Mormon man who marries more than one wife. The early Mormon church was persecuted for its polygamous practices. In 1890, the church officially denounced polygamy, and integrated into mainstream American society. Mormon fundamentalists claim polygamy is a divine principle and criticize the mainline church for bowing to government pressure and abandoning the practice. Polygamist communities, such as Colorado City and Bountiful, are infamous for forcing women and underage girls into polygamous marriages.

How did personal communication with God shape the modern Mormon Church and inform the Lafferty murders?

A core belief of both fundamentalist Mormonism and mainline Mormonism is that believers can enjoy a close relationship with God and receive direct communications from Him. Joseph Smith's Divine Covenants, which he claimed were revealed to him by God, shaped the theology and culture of the Mormon church. The Lafferty brothers were strong adherents of this principle. Ron claimed to receive a revelation from God that instructed him to "remove" his enemies, including Brenda and Erica Lafferty. The School of the Prophets, believers in personal revelations, took Ron's claims seriously, but none more so than Dan, who felt compelled to fulfill the revelation himself.

How did Brigham Young come to lead the Mormon Church, and how did his influence shape LDS culture?

Brigham Young succeeded Joseph Smith as president of the Mormon Church. Smith left no plans for succession, leading many men, including James Strang and Sidney Rigdon, to vie for the position. Ultimately, Young was elected to lead the church after delivering a speech in which he assumed Joseph Smith's persona.

Young was more of a politician than a preacher, and he shrewdly fought for the church's autonomy from the United States government. Young also discussed polygamy with the broader congregation and encouraged the practice. This announcement split the church along pro- and anti-polygamy lines. Young also prohibited Mormons of African descent from serving in the priesthood, which the church did not overturn until 1978.

How did the Lafferty brothers' beliefs about American society mirror the teachings of Joseph Smith and his followers at Nauvoo?

The Lafferty brothers believed that American society was corrupt and directed by Satanic forces. Adhering to a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution, the brothers rejected almost all forms of government influence in their lives, from returning their social security cards to ignoring posted speed limits. Similarly, Joseph Smith's followers in Nauvoo implemented their own legal system, ignored secular laws, and took matters of justice into their own hands. Smith and some of his confidantes illegally practiced polygamy, and their followers circulated counterfeit money.

How is Mormonism a quintessentially "American" religion?

The central text of Mormonism, The Book of Mormon, creates an alternate biblical history that centers on the American continent. The scripture claims that the Garden of Eden was in the United States, that the ancient tribe of Lehi are the ancestors of Native Americans, and that the second coming of Christ will take place on American soil. Additionally, many of Mormonism's core values mimic ideals associated with the United States. For example, Joseph Smith glorified "getting rich," a principle that recalls the capitalistic American dream. The Mormon church values individual relationships with God and personal revelations while operating within a strict hierarchy. This organization is similar to how the United States ostensibly values both individualism and order.