Krakauer's book creates LDS flap

Something unusual happened after I had finished writing my review of Jon Krakauer's book "Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith." I received a lengthy e-mail from the LDS Church Media Relations Department containing a long "review" of Krakauer's book by Richard Turley, managing director of the LDS Family and Church History Department.

An official written reaction from the LDS Church to a publication criticizing the church may be a first.

Turley has written a laundry list of what he considers historical errors on Krakauer's part, involving Joseph Smith, the Nauvoo period, the persecution of early Mormons, the Mountain Meadows Massacre and the Mark Hofmann forgeries. Turley believes that Krakauer's book "may appeal to gullible persons," but he suggests "serious readers who want to understand Latter-day Saints and their history need not waste their time on it."

Turley says Krakauer provides "no scientific methodology for measuring extremism," asserting that "It seems to be especially prevalent among those inclined by temperament or upbringing toward religious pursuits." And he concludes that "Krakauer does violence to Mormon history in order to tell his story of violent faith."

Evidently, Turley sent his opinions to a number of different news organizations around the country, because shortly after receiving this e-mail, an indignant reply from Krakauer himself arrived via e-mail. Krakauer writes that he is "saddened" that Turley, "a high-ranking church official" who speaks "for the LDS leadership . . . elected to regard my book in such a reductionist light."