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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. What similarities does Krakauer cite between fundamentalist and modern Mormons?

2. What did Crossfield teach his students at the School of the Prophets?

3. What was the final straw in Law and Smith's friendship?

4. Why did Mormons settle in Missouri?

5. How was Allen Lafferty related to Brenda?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Section 132? Why was it important to Smith?

2. How is the Lafferty family described?

3. How does Krakauer build his story?

4. Does Krakauer believe taking funds from the government is hypocritical of fundamentalist Mormons? What is their justification?

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

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

7. Why did Leavitt bring Green to trial?

8. According to Krakauer, why is Joseph Smith still appealing to people today?

9. Why was the LDS most appealing to Americans?

10. How was it possible for Debbie Palmer to be her own step-grandmother?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Robert Crossfield, otherwise known as the Prophet Onias, had a significant impact on the LDS and the Lafferty family because of his belief in personal revelations. What flaws in humans and the LDS did Crossfield's actions bring out? What influence did his ideals have on Mormonism?

Essay Topic 3

Krakauer gives Mormon women a strong voice in his book. Providing the reader with angles ranging from Flora Jessop, who fled her polygamist home, to Emmylou, who dreams of being a plural wife. Discuss the point of view of Mormon women offered in the book and what dimensions of the church and humanity they display.

(see the answer keys)

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