Under the Banner of Heaven Season 1 Episode 6 Revelation

Under the Banner of Heaven is a thrilling true-crime docuseries that grapples with the complexities of faith, violence, and family ties. The series is an adaptation of Jon Krakauer's non-fiction book of the same name, which tells the story of a double homicide committed by two brothers in the name of their extremist religious beliefs. In episode six, titled "Revelation," the series' investigation reaches a new level of intensity as the web of connections between the two killers and their religious community begins to unravel.

The episode begins with a deep dive into the history and beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church. The series explores the origins of the faith, which was founded by Joseph Smith in upstate New York in the early 19th century. The show traces the church's journey from its humble beginnings to its present-day influence as a global religion with millions of members around the world.

As the narrative unfolds, the series introduces the concept of fundamentalist offshoots of the Mormon faith, which reject the mainstream church's authority and embrace polygamy as a central tenet of their beliefs. The series examines the role of these splinter groups in the lives of the two brothers, Ron and Dan Lafferty, who committed the murders at the heart of the story. The show delves into the Lafferty brothers' upbringing and their early days as missionaries for the Mormon Church, tracing their path towards fanaticism and violence.

Throughout the episode, the series weaves in interviews with experts and scholars on Mormonism and religious extremism. These experts provide context and insight into the complex cultural and historical factors that can lead to violence in the name of faith. The show also features interviews with survivors of the Lafferty brothers' attacks, who offer harrowing accounts of the violence they endured and the aftermath of the tragedy.

As the episode progresses, the series begins to unravel the web of connections between the Lafferty brothers and their religious community. The show shines a light on the role of charismatic religious leaders in the brothers' radicalization, and explores the ways in which the church's hierarchy and internal power struggles played a role in the murders.

As the season draws to a close, the show ponders the larger implications of the Lafferty case for the broader conversation about religious violence and extremism. The series raises important questions about the nature of faith and the limits of religious freedom, and challenges audiences to grapple with the complexities of these issues. "Revelation" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode of Under the Banner of Heaven that cements the series' status as a gripping and insightful exploration of one of the most compelling true-crime stories of our time.