Faith Gone Astray
Unveiling The Kirtland Cult Murders
About the Book
Joseph Smith’s Mormon Church has spawned countless splinter groups. In the late 1980s one such schism formed near Kirtland, Ohio under Jeffery Lundgren, their self-proclaimed prophet. They arose out of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS—now called Community of Christ).
On a quest to fulfill Book of Mormon prophecies, Lundgren steered his followers into increasingly dark theology and practice. He taught that some must die to “purify” the remaining believers. In 1989 an unsuspecting family—mother, father and three daughters (ages 15, 13 & 7)—were taken into a barn one-by-one, shot in the head, and buried there.
For their part in these crimes, thirteen members of the cult received sentences varying from 18 months probation to five 20-years-to-life consecutive terms. Lundgren was sentenced to death and, after 15 years of appeals, was executed by the State of Ohio on October 24, 2006.
Faith Gone Astray is the first book written by a participant based on personal insight, relationships, and experience. Originally written for his children, Ron Luff’s account provides valuable insight into the dynamics of cult mind control—and how far astray one’s faith can be led when not grounded on the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ and His Word alone.