"Under the Banner of Heaven"

-by Jon Krakauer
2003
There is a unfortunate timeliness in reading this book at this moment in american history. As the republican nominee for President is, for the first time ever, a mormon, a look inside the only authentically american faith would seem to be in order. Krakauer is a crackerjack writer who previously brought us explorations of grandeur and tragedy in the wild world and inner spirit (INTO THIN AIR, INTO THE WILD). The spark that sets this journey in motion is the 1984 slaying of brenda lafferty and her baby erica, at the hand of ron and dan, her fundamentalist mormon brothers-in-law who believed they had been ordered by god to commit these and other murders. The author dives into the whole sordid mormon saga, from joseph smith's first wife (who was NOT about to abide a second, never mind a twenty-second), to assassinations to massacres to renouncing polygamy (but for how long?) to a prophet in every pot.
The bibles of all three main western religions were written in the Bronze Age. You might think a religion created some 2000 years later would be more evolved and rational.
You'd be dead wrong.
Mormon scripture is dripping with holy racism and sexism. It seems that new religions must be even less rational than those already around, in order to compete. As bill maher said, once you've got a talking snake and god knocking up a virgin, where can you really go? You can start by believing that dinosaur bones came from outer space. The 11th article of mormon faith professes tolerance for all other religions (yay!)...but then Mr. smith himself proclaimed that god called all other faiths "abominations" (aww). After reading this book, you might apply for press credentials, so you can ask the nominee how he would feel about one of his sons marrying a negress. Check out one of his extended family photos - affirmative action never came close to getting inside any romney magic underwear.
In case you think i'm making up the "magic underwear" bit, trust me...you'll have no shortage of material for your follow-up question to the nominee.