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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. When did Brenda realize that the Laffertys were religious fanatics?

2. How did Lee die?

3. Why did the attacking Mormons have to send a letter to Young while fighting the Francher group?

4. After changing his beliefs, Woodruff told his followers polygamy was a ______ principle.

5. What did the crimes of the LeBarons and Laffertys have in common?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the events of July 24th unfold as they did?

2. What caused the split in the LDS?

3. Were the Native Americans to blame for the Mountain Meadow Massacre?

4. What was the pivotal plight of the Lafferty brothers that caused the murders?

5. Was there any effort made by Mormons to cover up any Mormon involvement in the Mountain Meadow Massacre?

6. Why is Salt Lake City the center for Mormons today?

7. Did Woodruff fall in line with his predecessors' beliefs for the LDS, or did he contradict them? How?

8. Why did the Saints join the Confederacy?

9. Why was Dan the more active participant in the murders rather than Ron?

10. How did Taylor's leadership of the LDS contradict his predecessors?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The FLDS follows the foundations of the Mormon faith while the LDS has evolved to fit the times. The development of the original church and the eventual split between two factions within the church are prominent veins in the narrative. Discuss how these two prominent divisions of the church represent different desires and natures of humans in their relationship with religion and their surroundings. Why do these two exist? What effect has this separation had on the people discussed in "Under the Banner of Heaven"?

Essay Topic 2

Personal revelations were what founded the Mormon faith, but they also ran the risk of destroying it. Discuss why personal revelations hold so much power and why they are so relevant to the religion.

Essay Topic 3

Krakauer discusses several examples of poor treatment and the kidnapping of young girls within the Mormon communities. Krakauer and his contributors offer some explanation for compliance, resistance, and the general approach of the public and police. Discuss the pattern of abduction addressed in the book. Why are some searched for while others are not? What is the cause of the double standard for abduction?

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This section contains 926 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample