Mormonism and the Latter-day Saints Church are fundamental aspects of Under the Banner of Heaven’s true crime story, particularly how the culture, history, and teachings are connected to the brutal murders. Under the Banner of Heaven follows the fictional Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) as he investigates the real-life 1984 murders of Brenda Lafferty and her 15-month-old daughter Erica. Based on the nonfiction novel of the same name, Under the Banner of Heaven’s themes seek to explain how religious extremism can lead to such heinous crimes, focusing on the Lafferty family as devout Mormons.
As Andrew Garfield’s Mormon detective Jeb Pyre uncovers the truth of Brenda Lafferty’s murder, the character must take a look at sects and leaders of his own religion dangerously interpreting scripture and LDS teachings for their violence and their own personal gains. Under the Banner of Heaven’s character Allen Lafferty, in particular, cites several instances in Mormon history connected to violence that set a precedent for the killers declaring such crimes as the will of God. When revealing the connections between Mormonism’s history and Brenda Lafferty’s brutal murder, the FX on Hulu series also features many flashbacks to these true events.
While the Andrew Garfield-led Under the Banner of Heaven isn’t necessarily a condemnation of Mormonism in general, the series explores how religion’s scriptures and culture can influence horrifying acts like Brenda Lafferty’s murder. The series investigates the dangers of religious delusions, misinterpretations, and unyielding faith, with the gruesome events in the true story leading Detective Jeb Pyre to question his own faith. Here’s a breakdown of the history and beliefs of Mormonism and The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, and how the religion is embedded in Under the Banner of Heaven’s true crime story.
Who Were Joseph Smith & Emma Hale
Under the Banner of Heaven’s episodes feature several flashbacks to the foundation of Mormonism and the religion’s early days, with Allen Lafferty (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's Rey's father actor Billy Howle) recalling many instances involving Joseph Smith and Emma Hale. Joseph Smith is known as the founder of Mormonism, who claimed to have experienced several visions that influenced his organization of a new church. Such visions included seeing “two personages” (God the Father and Jesus Christ) and an angel leading him to a buried book of golden plates with the Judeo-Christian history of an ancient American civilization written on it, the latter of which was featured in one of Under the Banner of Heaven’s flashbacks.
By 1830, Smith had translated the plates into the Book of Mormon, after which he organized the Church of Christ (soon called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), with his followers later called “Mormons” or “Latter-day Saints.” Smith then led his followers to build a communal Zion, with the Mormon leader meanwhile sending missionaries and publishing revelations. After a series of violent encounters with non-Mormons and the Mormon extermination order – as seen in the true-crime show Under the Banner of Heaven’s flashbacks – Smith moved his followers to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he would grow his influence as a political and spiritual leader. By 1844, certain members of the church became increasingly critical of Smith’s policies and actions, with the dissidents quickly forming a competing church and arranging indictments against Smith for polygamy and perjury. The dissidents then formed a newspaper with accusations against Smith that the Nauvoo council sought to “destroy,” leading Smith to stand trial for inciting a riot. Once Smith was in custody, a mob stormed the jail and killed the Mormonism founder, with Smith thereon being remembered in the church as a prophet and martyr.
The FX on Hulu series Under the Banner of Heaven also makes many references to Emma Hale, Joseph Smith’s wife, who he met at the age of 19 (not 15 as suggested in the series). Just as Under the Banner of Heaven states in terms of Brenda’s father disliking Allen, Emma’s father, Isaac Hale, refused to allow her to marry Joseph because he disapproved of his treasure digging occupation. Emma and Joseph had secretly married by the time he found the golden plates, with Hale serving as the physical witness of their existence and the scribe for Joseph’s Book of Mormon. Joseph would later receive a revelation naming Emma an “elect lady,” where she would explain and encourage the church’s scriptures.
What Do Mormons Believe?
As stemmed from the teachings of Joseph Smith, the Mormons, like Andrew Garfield’s Jeb Pyre in Under the Banner of Heaven, believe in the basic tenets of Christianity in terms of the testimony of prophets and apostles about Jesus Christ and that he died, rose on the third day, and ascended to heaven. As such, Mormons also believe in the principles related to Jesus Christ of salvation, atonement, and baptisms. However, the Mormons believe in modern prophets, and continuing revelations in that God continues to reveal divine principles, which means they have an open scriptural canon. Mormons also believe that the Book of Mormon is equally important to the Bible regarding scriptural sources.
One tenet that makes Mormons unique is their belief in the second coming of Jesus, as they believe Jesus will return to Earth in order to establish Zion, specifically on the American continent. The Mormon characters in Under the Banner of Heaven also believe that after one dies, their spirit moves to the spirit world to wait for resurrection, where they will be sent to one of three kingdoms of Heaven (celestial, terrestrial, and telestial) and reunited with their immortal bodies. Family life, missionaries, modest clothing, and abstaining from harmful substances like alcohol, coffee, and illegal drugs are also important to the religion.
Latter-Day Saints Explained
Connecting Joseph Smith's revelation that his church would be named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the formal name for one who believes in The Book of Mormon became a Latter-day Saint. However, as Andrew Garfield's Under the Banner of Heaven will explore, not all Latter-day Saints are members of the official Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with the name being used to describe sects of the religion that trace their origins back to Joseph Smith and belief in The Book of Mormon as divine revelation. As such, several denominations who subscribe to Mormonism refer to themselves as Latter-day Saints, which is important for Under the Banner of Heaven's religious characters.
Brigham Young University’s Connection To Mormonism Explained
Under the Banner of Heaven episodes 1 and 2 frequently mention Brigham Young University, the real-life private university named after Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in Provo, Utah, the university is notable for being sponsored by the official LDS Church, with almost all students subscribing to the religion. BYU also has a notably strict honor code that mandates the behavior of students to align with the teachings of the LDS Church. This is why Brenda (Fresh's Daisy Edgar-Jones) is subject to jokes by Under the Banner of Heaven’s characters about her not getting into any trouble at Brigham Young University, where the real-life woman was a student at the time of her death. In order to graduate, BYU also requires that all undergraduate students complete a curriculum in LDS religious education regardless of their major.
Under the Banner of Heaven releases new episodes Thursdays on Hulu.