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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Joseph Smith was the son of a ______.

2. Although Law's actions against Smith had little effect on Smith's power, what did it affect?

3. Smith was given instructions by Moroni, God, and ______.

4. Krakauer explains that early Mormons believed government law was inferior to __________.

5. After DeLoy was excommunicated, why did the Mormon Church try to sue him?

Short Essay Questions

1. Was Smith obedient with the angel Moroni? What was the outcome?

2. What caused the end of Smith and Law's friendship?

3. Why did Debbie Palmer and Flora Jessop act as they did?

4. Why was Crossfield excommunicated? How much of the LDS rejected him?

5. Was Smith a polygamist? According to whom?

6. According to Palmer, why was Elizabeth Smart an easy target?

7. What were the potential problems with the LDS recognizing personal revelations? Was it possible to correct these problems?

8. According to Krakauer, how different are modern and fundamentalist Mormons?

9. What caused Dan Lafferty's trouble with the law? Was this compensated for in any way through religion?

10. What is Krakauer's intention with "Under the Banner of Heaven"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Krakauer builds much of his book by using interviews and quotes, reflecting a very journalistic approach. Despite his attempted objectivity the sensitive topic of the book makes bias inevitable. Discuss how Krakauer approaches or avoids bias. Is he biased? How does Krakauer's voice aid or hinder his story?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the relevance of the title "Under the Banner of Heaven."

Essay Topic 3

Krakauer discusses the long history of tensions between Mormons and the states they settled in. Discuss the causes and resolutions for these conflicts. How did the displacement of Mormons through several states affect the current make-up of their organization and attitude?

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