The Removal Revelation

Killer Brothers Dan and Ron Lafferty

The 10 commandments are a set of Biblical guidelines that have seeded themselves in handfuls of religions. Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Jainism all have their own variations. Maybe the wording changes slightly, or maybe the order… but one thing stays the same: Thou shalt not kill. Do not destroy life. Do not commit murder. But interestingly, it’s the self proclaimed prophets, the holy ones, that keep ending up on this show for doing just that. This week we’re talking about the killer brothers who not only prophesized a removal revelation, but brought it to fruition themselves.

Dan and Ron Lafferty grew up in a small Utah County farm community named Spring Lake. Children of the ‘60’s, the two brothers always stood out from the other 6 siblings, and shared a uniquely special closeness. A phenomenon relatively common in children growing up together under a strong disciplinarian figure. Their father, Watson, was a practicing chiropractor, who called himself “old school” as a product of the Great Depression and influenza pandemic of 1918. He didn’t trust in modern medicine, fostered a rage ready to erupt at any moment, and his religious beliefs were unwavering.

To outsiders, the family appeared to be a model family of Latter Day Saints. But as we know, nothing is as it appears and the model family was a product of patriarchal harsh discipline and punishment behind closed doors. The rage that erupted from Watson tore down everything and everyone in its path, even their poor dog, who he killed with a baseball bat after a simple marital dispute. This aggression, paranoia, and brutality seeped into the family, and his impressionable children, namely Ron and Dan, turned into the trouble makers of the neighborhood. Their dad instilled in them that they were above the laws of men, to distrust government and challenge authority.

Ron was the eldest son of the family and he, too, grew up strong and sturdy in his faith. On an LDS mission in Florida, over the two year mission encouraged by his faith, he converted dozens, standing out among his peers. Upon his return to Utah, leadership positions in the Church fell into his lap, including 3 LDS bishoprics and the Highland City council. He met his wife Diana and went on to have 6 children with her.