Jeb Pyre is a police officer in the small and peaceful town of Rockwell, Utah. A town where everybody is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints- also known as LDS or Mormons. Jeb is a devout Mormon and when Brenda and her 14 months old baby Erica are brutally murdered, this hideous crime not only terrifies Jeb but the entire community. Quite soon there is evidence that the killings have been committed by a Mormon.

24-year-old Brenda was a well-educated and intelligent woman. She had a master’s in journalism and had aspirations of becoming an anchor at a local TV station. Brenda was strangled and stabbed to death and was found in a pool of blood in the kitchen and her baby 14 months old Erica was also stabbed to death and was found in her crib. Brenda’s husband Allen was at work when the killings took place.

Jeb Pyre is set to lead the investigation of the two killings with the assistance of police detective Bill Taba. Bill is a native American and atheist and Jeb and Bill are complete opposites in many ways. Their differences result in several confrontations during the initial investigation. However, as the investigation develops, they manage to use their differences and work as a team complementing each other.

The two detectives quite soon suspect Brenda’s own family. This suspicion makes the investigation even more complicated. The Lafferty family is very influential in the LDS Church and the leadership of the church does not look at this scandal with kind eyes. The church tries with every trick in the book to obstruct the police in their efforts to solve the crime.

During the investigation Jeb has a serious existential crisis as he gradually realizes how rotten things are in the church. And also, how far the church is willing to go to avoid bad publicity. His personal crisis puts his otherwise happy marriage under a lot of strain as his wife and children do not understand his sudden moral and religious doubts.

I shall not tell you more, but only say that I think that Under The Banner of Heaven is not only an exciting but also extremely interesting true crime series. You are not only well entertained, but you also learn about LDS. Highly recommendable. You can watch Under The Banner of Heaven on Hulu or Disney+

The series are based on the book Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith, which was published in 2003. The book was written by John Krakuaer and describes the murders of Brenda Lafferty and Erica her 14 months old baby in 1984.

The title of the book is drawn from an 1880 address by John Taylor, the third president of the LDS Church, defending the practice of plural marriage: God is greater than the United States, and when the Government conflicts with heaven, we will be ranged under the banner of heaven against the Government.

Below you can watch the trailer to series. Enjoy!

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