Under the Banner of Heaven
Jon Krakauer's Book on Mormon Fundamentalism
Talbott Simonds (OJ)
Issue date: 10/14/03 Section: A&E
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Mormonism is the fastest growing religion in the United States with 11 million Mormons throughout the world today. This is an astounding number when you think about the fact that the religion is only 170 years old and has more members than Judaism. Mormonism has been dubbed "The American Religion" and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has an incredible, whirlwind history, making this a religion well worth exploring.
Jon Krakauer's recent book, Under the Banner of Heaven, has made waves in the Mormon community, but I find it difficult to describe this book as solely about Mormonism or the Mormon church. In his notes at the end of the book, the author states that he sought to write a book about "History and Belief", the story of the conflict between modern Latter Day Saints and their complicated past. In many ways, I felt a little short-changed on that admittedly huge goal, but the final product is still an appealing book. In fact, Mr. Krakauer has produced a book with two distinct and interesting stories: 1) the early history of the religion focused on Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, the founding fathers of the Mormon church; and 2) some more recent fanatical activities of small fundamentalist sects that draw out broader thoughts on religious fervor.
In Krakauer's presentation, the history of the religion is fascinating - inspiring, bold, and often bloody. The most surprising aspect to the lay person is the relatively recent date of the religion's founding and the very human beginnings of the Mormon church. Mormonism is only 170 years old, having been founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. By all accounts, Smith was an extremely charismatic person and a religious and political genius.
As the church's founding father, Smith was the first President, Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Joseph Smith quickly surrounded himself with followers during a time of religious revivalism in the United States. As the church grew and espoused some relatively radical religious tenets, Smith and his followers were forced to move, settle and resettle, often in violent exoduses that eventually took them to Utah (though Smith himself was killed in Illinois during this period). Once finally settled in Utah, the church grew rapidly and became a very powerful force in the region and an influential element in U.S. politics. As it grew in size and visibility, the church was often pressured to "modernize" and eventually to denounce or downplay some of the early "radical" tenets of the church, like plural marriage.
Jon Krakauer's recent book, Under the Banner of Heaven, has made waves in the Mormon community, but I find it difficult to describe this book as solely about Mormonism or the Mormon church. In his notes at the end of the book, the author states that he sought to write a book about "History and Belief", the story of the conflict between modern Latter Day Saints and their complicated past. In many ways, I felt a little short-changed on that admittedly huge goal, but the final product is still an appealing book. In fact, Mr. Krakauer has produced a book with two distinct and interesting stories: 1) the early history of the religion focused on Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, the founding fathers of the Mormon church; and 2) some more recent fanatical activities of small fundamentalist sects that draw out broader thoughts on religious fervor.
In Krakauer's presentation, the history of the religion is fascinating - inspiring, bold, and often bloody. The most surprising aspect to the lay person is the relatively recent date of the religion's founding and the very human beginnings of the Mormon church. Mormonism is only 170 years old, having been founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. By all accounts, Smith was an extremely charismatic person and a religious and political genius.
As the church's founding father, Smith was the first President, Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Joseph Smith quickly surrounded himself with followers during a time of religious revivalism in the United States. As the church grew and espoused some relatively radical religious tenets, Smith and his followers were forced to move, settle and resettle, often in violent exoduses that eventually took them to Utah (though Smith himself was killed in Illinois during this period). Once finally settled in Utah, the church grew rapidly and became a very powerful force in the region and an influential element in U.S. politics. As it grew in size and visibility, the church was often pressured to "modernize" and eventually to denounce or downplay some of the early "radical" tenets of the church, like plural marriage.