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Description edit
Brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty insist they were commanded to kill by God. Krakauer's investigation is a meticulously researched, bone-chilling narrative of polygamy, savage violence and unyielding faith: an incisive, gripping work of non-fiction that illuminates an otherwise confounding realm... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
People edit
- Dan Lafferty: Fundamentalist LDS member, convicted with Ron for the murder of their brother's wife and infant daughter.
- Ron Lafferty: Fundamentalist LDS member, convicted with Dan for the murder of their brother's wife and infant daughter.
- Brenda Wright Lafferty: The sister in law of Ron and Dan Lafferty whom they murdered.
- Erica Lafferty: Infant niece of Ron and Dan Lafferty whom they murdered.
- Allen Lafferty: Youngest brother of Ron and Dan Lafferty; it was Allen's wife and infant daughter killed by his brothers.
- Joseph Smith: Founder of Mormonism.
- Debbie Palmer: A former child bride interviewed by Krakauer; raised to be an obedient wife in FLDS, married at 14 and became a stepmother to 31 kids, including her own stepmother, which made her "a stepmother to her stepmother, and thus a step grandmother to herself."
- DeLoy Bateman: ex-FLDS member interviewed by Krakauer; after leaving the fundamentalist sect, Bateman has been a critic of the church's ways.
- Ricky Knapp: One of two drifters who were with Ron and Dan the day of the murders.
- Chip Carnes: One of two drifters who were with Ron and Dan the day of the murders.
- John Doyle Lee: A prominent early Latter-day Saint who was executed for his role in the Mountain Meadows massacre.
- Brian David Mitchell: Polygamous, fundamental Mormon convicted of the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart.
- Dianna Lafferty: Ron Lafferty's wife.
- Fancher: Add a description of this character.
- Onias
- John Taylor: Third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) from 1880 to 1887.
- Watson Lafferty: Father of Ron, Dan and Allen Lafferty.
- Rulon Jeffs, "Uncle Rulon": Leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints until his death in 2002.
- Winston Blackmore: Leader of teh Bountiful community of Mormons in British Columbia.
- Matilda Loomis Lafferty: Dan Lafferty's wife.
- Tom Green: After a high profile trial, prosecuted by Davod Leavitt, Green was convicted by the state of Utah on May 18, 2001 of four counts of bigamy and one count of failure to pay child support.
- David O. Leavitt: Utah attorney who brought charges against Tom Green, a fundamentalist Mormon, for his multiple marriages to under-aged girls.
- Ervil LeBaron: Leader of a polygamous Mormon fundamentalist group who ordered the killings of many of his opponents, using the religious doctrine of blood atonement to justify the murders. He was sentenced to prison for orchestrating the murder of an opponent, and died in prison.
Setting & Locations edit
- Utah: Provo, Salt Lake City
- Colorado City, Arizona: Community of fundamentalist, polygamous Mormons examined by Krakauer. Formerly known as Short Creek.
- Bountiful: A polygamous community of Mormons in British Columbia, Canada.
- Nauvoo, Illinois: Early settlement of Joseph Smith and his followers.
- Palmyra, NY: Place where Joseph Smith founded Mormonism.
- Carthage, Illinois: SIte of Joseph Smith's murder at the hands of a mob while he was incarcerated.
- Colonia Lebaron, Mexico
Organizations edit
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: also known as Mormons; also known as LDS Church
- The School of Prophets: Splinter group of the LDS Church
- The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: Splinter group of the LDS Church
- Paiute Indians: Native American tribe
First Sentence edit
Balanced atop the highest spire of the Salt Lake Temple, gleaming in the Utah sun, a statue of the angel Moroni stands watch over downtown Salt Lake City with his golden trumpet raised.
Table of Contents edit
Prologue
Part I
1. The city of the saints
2. Short Creek
3. Bountiful
4. Elizabeth and Ruby
5. The second great awakening
6. Cumorah
7. The still small voice
8. The peace maker
Part II
9. Haun's mill
10. Nauvoo
11. The principle
12. Carthage
13. The Lafferty boys
14. Brenda
15. The one mighty and strong
16. Removal
Part III
17. Exodus
18. For water will not do
19. Scapegoats
20. Under the banner of heaven
Part IV
21. Evangeline
22. Reno
23. Judgment in Provo
24. The great and dreadful day
25. The American religion
26. Canaan mountain
Author's remarks
Themes & Symbolism edit
Series & Lists edit
This book is in KCPL Discussion Kit (Aug2010). (community list)
This book is in Brookline Based Authors & Books. (community list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Jon Krakauer (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Doubleday
Country: United States
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN: 0385509510
Page Count: 372
Publisher: Doubleday
Country: United States
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN: 0385509510
Page Count: 372
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: BX8680.M54 K73 2003
- Dewey: 289.3
Subjects edit
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