The Winds and the Waves

Come to Zion #1

by Dean Hughes

Past meets present in this wonderful new historical novel from bestselling author Dean Hughes. Wilford Woodruff's preaching to congregations of the United Brethren in England has a profound effect on Will Lewis, but does this "new religion" really hold the key to the better life he longs for? Does he dare risk his precarious, hard-won success in order to embrace it? Can it give him the love of his life, or will it snatch her away? Will's struggles to believe, to win his true love, and to face the rigors of immigrating to an unknown land are paralleled by the modern-day story of Jeff and Abby, a young married couple facing challenges of their own. The skillful interweaving of these two stories brings Church history to life while demonstrating how much we can learn from those who went before us. Anyone who has ever battled the winds and the waves, in some form, will love this novel. Dean Hughes has published more than ninety books for readers of all ages, including the popular Children o

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Religion, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Adult

444 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm sure that not everyone would give it the full 5 stars, but I have a real soft spot for historical fiction which is inspirational. And I have always enjoyed Dean Hughes' writing style. I feel like this book was well researched, well written, and gave me insight into the lives and mindset of the early Saints who joined the LDS church in England and then endured great hardship to establish a life in Nauvoo. My only complaint is that (once again) I have to wait a year or so for the next book in the series to be published so I can continue the storylines. Maybe I should learn and wait to start a series until all the books have been published? No - that's probably never going to happen!

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this was a series when I started but it really stopped at a really random time. I guess I can see why, but I hadn't been paying attention to how much I had left and so it threw me when it just stopped. I will continue the series after a small break. I love these types of books where they really bring history alive. I really enjoyed the author's notes at the end. He did a great job staying historical but keeping it interesting. Some of the far fetched stories I have heard similar ones from my own family history so, they aren't so far fetched... I admit I have not connected with the modern day "pioneers" in the story. The husband drives me nuts! I wouldn't last half a day married to someone like him. (Vice Versa I'm sure). The wife is sweet, I mostly just fee bad for what she has to put up with.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked:
Hughes gets his Democrat on. I thought social equality would be taboo for a Mormon author, so yay for Dean! It was laid on a little thick, though.
The dialogue where two sisters wittily fend off an unwanted suitor is Dean at his finest.
The Saints are portrayed without their halos. (Hughes defends this himself within the characters' dialogue.) It's like we're afraid we'll lose our testimonies if we find out the pioneers were real people.

Not so much:
The parallel, modern story. The characters just seemed whiny when set up against the older story. And they needed a good marital spat or something; unemployment + disagreement over how to handle it and the tension never got thick? Maybe the next book will add more layers to their characters.
One character went from Doubting Thomas to Peter Priesthood way too fast and without adequate explanation.
I'll be honest, the book lost a lot of its appeal after the romantic conflict is resolved. What can I say? I'm a girl.

Not as good as "Children of the Promise," but I will definitely read the next one. Brother Hughes remains the best of the LDS authors.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book and historical fiction depicting England in 1840. We learn of life, class distinctions, challenges of poverty and the working class, as well as the spiritual preparation of a large group of individuals in Herefordshire ready to receive Wilford Woodruff and the restored gospel. This is the story of their conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then their journey to join the saints in Zion - Nauvoo, Illinois.

Although the main characters are fictional, it's helpful for me to consider what these changes and blessings and challenges meant to them in their time and situation. It's neat to see the hope that the idea and promise of Zion brought to the working class. It's wonderful to see how the Lord loves and blesses and directs and sustains His children. I can't imagine how difficult the journey across the Atlantic Ocean would have been and then to have to start over in building and establishing themselves in a new city and culture would have been overwhelming, I'm sure. But it is encouraging to think of their faith and devotion to the Lord and His cause.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the connection to the present day and posterity who were facing similar challenges in the same place. Life still required the same great faith and trust in the Lord. It gave me a renewed appreciation for ancestors and heritage and how that faith blesses and strengthens future generations in ways that are known and unknown. I thought the relationships in this book were sweet and I'm looking forward to the next book and what happens for Will and Liz and Jeff and Abby.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

"'At church we say that we're all brothers and sisters--all God's children. Then we come home and say, 'That's all well and good, but some of us are better than the rest.''
'It's not that. We're not better. But God, in his wisdom, offers different roles to different actors. We must serve as best we can, and love our neighbors--but accept the situation in life God has granted us (p. 51).'"

"'We think too much about ourselves when we're young. The real job in life is to raise good kids and to bring them up in the gospel--create a righteous posterity (p. 75).'"

"'I'll tell you this much. If Will Lewis ever called on me, I wouldn't turn him away--whether he works hard or not. I think I could be a very happy farmer's wife if I could look at his blue eyes every morning and have those big strong arms around me at night....I may joke about [money], but I want to marry a man I love. I may be a working-class girl, but that's all right. I can work hard all my life if I have a good man who'll work beside me--and one who loves me more than anything in the world (p. 91).'"

"'God is not silent. He speaks to man. He has called a prophet, just as he did in olden times. And he has brought back to earth all the true teachings that have been lost from the earth (p. 126).'"

"'There's a prophet, and what he teaches can bring you more happiness than anything you've ever known....I'm telling you the truth, young man. I testify before the God of heaven that the truth has been restored to the earth, and the only road to happiness is through Christ Jesus, the Holy Messiah, and through the door of baptism by one having authority, a priesthood holder in His church (p. 129).'"

"'You're not a jerk, Jeff. I love you--but that's because I know your heart. You have to let people know you before you come on too strong and scare them away (p. 168).'"

"'This one is different. He's not paid by anyone. And in his religion all members are equal in the eyes of God, and equal in their church (p. 197).'"

"What surprised Will was Woodruff's matter-of-fact way of speaking. It was quite a claim to make, but he made it without sounding arrogant. The man was a true believer. 'Jesus Christ built His church upon the shoulders of those first apostles. He gave them the authority to carry on after He was gone--to preach repentance and to baptize in His name (p. 212).'"

"'Nauvoo. It comes from Hebrew. It means a beautiful, peaceful place. It's built on a big bend of the Mississippi River. It was a sickly place when we took it over, but we're draining the wet areas, and it's going to be one of the most beautiful cities in America. We have plans to build a temple of God on the bluffs above the town--and we shall all work on it together.'
'And there are no rich and poor?'
'I can't claim that yet. I can promise that no one is rich. So far, though, we're more or less equal in our poverty. Our hope is always to work together and to bring everyone to a better state. No one is placed above another, and neighbors help each other (p. 216).'"

"'I tried to put you out of my mind too, Will, but I couldn't. Maybe it always was what God wanted for both of us.' Will thought so....He would give the rest of his life to be certain she was always happy (p. 222)."

"'You still have all kinds of things to figure out. It's not easy to blend two ways of thinking into one, and it takes a while to learn how to take care of each other (p. 235).'"

"'God'll show you what you're supposed to do. But be good to each other. That's more important than anything else (p. 236).'"

"'Help me do this, Lord. Help me to take care of Jeff. I'm sorry, but I didn't know everything would be quite so scary...I don't know what tests we'll have in life, but please help us to deal with them (p. 237).'"

"'Will, I do grant you my blessing. I hope the best for you. Every father worries about his daughters when this choice comes along. I know that Elizabeth loves you. And I know that my own wife started with far less than I was able to give her in time. I only ask you to treat her as the prize she is and to give her the best life you possibly can (p. 261).'"

"More than two hundred and fifty souls who raised their voices together. Coming from Saints who were packed together tight and singing with power, the hymn took on greater meaning than usual. Will felt his spirits rise, felt strength come into him. The words 'And Jesus will say to all Israel, 'Come home'' struck him with force. He told himself he wasn't leaving home; he was going home. And in the final verse, he listened to himself sing, 'And Christ and his people will ever be one.' He had never felt the meaning of that line as he did today (p. 294)."

"'Missionaries throw out the net, Will, and they gather in the catch. But it's one thing for those we teach to join the kingdom, and it's another thing for them to break from their old ways and take on the ways of God. We all fall short (p. 303).'"

"'God's called us to Zion, Liz. He'll know how to use us (p. 304).'"

"'I just trust in God. That's all I know how to do (p. 318).'"

"'I confess to you that I have sometimes been quick to judge my brothers. Sometimes I may have used harsher words than I needed to, even harsher than I intended. When we're sick, or just very tired, we sometimes say things we later regret. I fear that I have insulted some of you. I mean to do better. Let's all ask ourselves to do the same. Let's be patient with the children, kind in sharing what we have, and ready to raise up arms that hang down (p. 325).'"

"The experience on board, leading and helping others, and commanding the winds to stop--all this really had changed him. He hadn't wavered in the testimony he had borne (p. 365)."

"Well, Zion has to be built. And God only has mortals to work with. We're a sorry lot, we are, but we cannot ever let go of the ideal we strive for (p. 403).'"

"'I want to know what Zion is. Joseph Smith called Nauvoo the 'cornerstone of Zion' after we had to give up Zion in Missouri and come here. So Zion was here for a time, and then we called Utah Zion. So we talk about it like it's a place. But what is it really? What's the point of it (p. 415)?'"

"'Try to see this place the way I do. I picture Nauvoo when the temple is finished, the streets are paved, businesses have built up, and we've all built ourselves better homes. You have to remember what Zion is all about: we're going to raise each other up by working together--not by climbing over one another, the way it's done most of the time in this world....Those who have means must concern themselves for those who don't. We must support one another, offer our talents to the Lord and to each other, and live together in harmony (p. 429).'"

"'I talked to a man who sailed with you. He told me that you stood forth in the steerage of that ship, raised your arm to the square, and commanded the winds to cease. And the winds obeyed.' 'It was my arm and my words, but it was Liz's faith.' 'That's how it is with most of us (p. 434).'"

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a novel about a young man in 1840s England that successfully struggles to make his way in the world after a mistake forces him from his farm into hard labor, then discovers the restored Church of Jesus Christ and emigrates with his young bride to America. There is also a concurrent story about one of his descendants in present times who ends up with some parallel struggles.

It’s kind of a formulaic novel in the vein of some of Hughes’ earlier works, but it’s a good story and is historically true to events and circumstances of the times. I enjoyed it, for sure.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not like this as well as Dean Hughes' series set during World War II (Children of the Promise) but it was interesting to read about the people of England who had been worshipping with the United Brethren and almost all converted to the Church. This book follows a nineteenth-century English couple and a present day couple in the United States. I am concerned that the rest of the series will follow better-known Church history without adding much, but I hope I am wrong.

[Dail Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction. Wonderful book detailing the lives of people going from England to Nauvoo after having been converted. Second timeline of people in present day with very similar challenges to those of people in earlier times.

[Eve Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so excited to see that Dean Hughes is writing a series once again. I read this book in 2 days and I have to say this book did not disappoint. Children of the Promise is one of my all time favorite series, and this ranks right up there with it. The book does leave you hanging, it makes me really anxious to see how all the events are going to intertwine with each other. I love the era this book takes place, during the time when Joseph Smith was the prophet. I am anxiously awaiting the next one...

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm such a sucker for Dean Hughes' books. Loved his "Children of the Promise" series, didn't really love his "Hearts of the Children" books. This first book in the series is encouraging. Don't care for the character of Jeff so much--he reminds me of a history major in the family that loves to hear himself talk. I liked that it dealt with some of the doubts that some of us have about religion in general, and also with the reasons that we stick with it anyway.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-this is a pretty good book, but so far the characters are hard to feel close to, except for Will. The rest are not overly likable. I was also surprised by the sudden change of time from present to past. It would have been nice to have the years listed at the beginning of the chapters like most books that switch like this do. We will see what the second one brings. I loved his children of the promise series, so ...

[Janeene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story of the converts from England and crossing the sea, but I didn't care too much for the modern characters (Jeff and Abby). I probably would have given Will and Liz's story 4 stars and Jeff and Abby 2. Their story just didn't appeal to me for some reason.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hughes has quickly become my favorite LDS author. He puts a lot of research into his novels. I loved children of the promise and based off of book one I'm going to love reading come to Zion.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled my down time the last 2 days of the my cruise...a worthwhile read, but nothing earth shattering. Anyone is welcome to borrow it.

[Sam Erickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a while to get into this book, I won't lie. Like, a long time. I was perhaps 50 or so pages in and actually read the last little bit to see if it was interesting and it was, so I struggled to get through it. It took about 100 pages for the missionaries to show up, and once that happened things got more interesting. The bouncing between the past and the present was interesting, although the book definitely concentrated on the past with Will and Liz much more than the present with Jeff and Abby. I would have preferred for there to be better balance between the two, just because the parallel wasn't as obvious because it took so long between the two that I had to go oh right, Jeff and Abby are a part of this story as well.

As a warning, this book almost feels like it's a prequel for the rest of the series. It didn't quite feel like a story on its own just because the end of the book was "now the story begins." Well, not literally, but that's how it felt.

It wasn't a bad book. Just, I would have preferred there to be more from the beginning. It's almost hard to describe. I totally understand the humbling of Will was important and it really helped set up his character, but man it was hard to deal with.

Jeff was not my favorite character. And it felt like he never really learned his lesson in the book, so maybe it was setting up for a later book, but every time, after they moved to Nauvoo, he opened his mouth and was talking about the gospel (and even some of his job/plans), I wanted to strangle him because he was so obnoxious and arrogant. If a guy actually tried to dig into the gospel like Jeff was, I wouldn't stick around for the conversation. Poor Abby.

I could also totally tell that it was written by a guy from Utah. Just, some of the tone and wording, I could tell that it was a guy from Utah.

Warnings:
Sexuality: Just vague mentions of how Will and Liz spent their honeymoon and how Will was excited to head home after work and such.

Violence: Will gets in some fights, and may have permanently maimed a guy, but that's brushed off and is never remarked upon again. Gets in another fight, wins, Tony (?) refuses to engage in the fight and finish Will off in a fight. Will is injured and has a ruined/maimed hand. Mentions of death throughout, guys in the navvy, children on the boat as well as adults that deal with cholera and/or various sicknesses on the boats. A miscarriage scare and discussion of a heart defect.

Language: None

Alcohol/Drugs: Just mentions of people going out after work and getting drunk.

Miscellaneous: Not that I can think of? Oh, Jeff hits the dirt and walks into a place and get a job and I had to go ughhhhhhh because that is not how getting a job works anymore, so unsure when the book takes place.

[Loni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this novel. I really enjoyed Will and Liz as characters. I liked how much depth they had and how their struggles were shown just as much as their successes. I also felt that the historical details were so well done and the historical figures felt genuine. There was so much detail in the English setting, details about the caste system, different locations and even types of people within those systems. It was really well written and clearly well researched.

I think the biggest problem that I had with the book was that it would jump from the 1840s to the present day. Usually that time jump is not a big hindrance to me enjoying a book, but I struggled with the present day characters and even the plot. I found both of the modern day characters kind of annoying and there was also this strange obsession with body shape in the modern day telling. Every time a character is introduced, there is a comment about how wide their waist is. It was a little weird. It's mentioned often enough that it became a thing.

I also didn't love that there didn't seem to feel like there was a resolution of this novel. I understand that it is a trilogy, but I expected there to be some kind of wrapping up like in some of his other novels. It just sort of ends with a "to be continued" in a really unsatisfying way.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 stars for Will and Liz, 2 for Jeff and Abby.

A refreshing take on historical fiction. I especially liked the egalitarian overtones that pervade the book. Working hard to make a good life for yourself and helping your neighbor are not mutually exclusive concepts. We need more of that in our world today.

Will and Liz Lewis endure real hardships that leave them stronger. There's no sugar coated endings where everything wraps up nicely for them as in some other historical fiction. Sometimes things take a drastic turn for the better, and sometimes they don't.

Jeff and Abby Lewis were okay, but not as well-developed as the historical characters. In comparison to their ancestors, they appear whiney and spoiled. Perhaps that was the intent. Perhaps Hughes is trying to remind us that with lives that are relatively easy, we can do more to make a difference for those whose lives aren't as easy.

[Valri Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many people, I have loved the author's other books. I wanted to jump right into his next series with this first book! However, I only really cared about Will and Liz, the historical characters from England. The modern couple, Jeff and Abby, not so much. They just didn't click with me. Jeff was annoying and self-righteous in my opinion and Abby was a pleaser while trying to keep her true feelings hidden mostly. They were mildly interesting though and I will read the other books in the series to see what happens with them. Will and Liz, on the other hand were great and I really liked their story. I loved the drama and their characters. I can't wait to find out what happens to them in the next books! I loved seeing how they changed over time and because so strong in their faith and how they helped others. The journey across the ocean was an example of hardships and overcoming them. I have ancestors that did this and I really enjoyed learning more about this.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I’m living in Nauvoo right now this was fun to read. Like most of these serials the author lingers a little too long in one place, so the story moves slowly, but it does give you a sense of real life. I couldn’t wait to get off that ship.
The characters were realistic and I gained some insight into human nature. True to life all the characters had their flaws. I became a little impatient with the two main women in the parallel stories. They were too emotional, gave up hope pretty easily.
The historical information was pretty good, not quite as rich as I’d hoped. The author was more interested in character development than history, but the history seemed accurate and did give me a sense of “being there”. Maybe I’m so familiar with the time period that there wasn’t a lot new to me.
I only gave it three stars because it moved so slowly.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew the saints immigrated from England and the British Isles but it was amazing to read. The trials that were written about with the crossing in the ship left me in awe and I'm very grateful to my ancestors who made that sacrifice to come to America and join the saints here. I don't know if I could have done it - being seasick, living in the steerage with little or no litght, the smells, sharing beds, the storms that tossed the boats around, and to be on there for 8 or more weeks - they were tough men and women. Then to arrive in Nauvoo and have so little and the living conditions were so basic would be another hard challenge. But when you have a testimony, you can accomplish alot with faith.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Lewis is the son of a tenant farmer in England who is dissatisfied with his life and prospects for the future. Liz is the spoiled daughter of a wealthy man, a higher class than the farmer Will.
The story is split between 2 couples related but similar. Jeff and Abby are struggling in their first years of marriage, where to work, where to live and how to make their life matter. They move to nauvoo to renovate an old house and Jeff discovers they live across the street from his great great fathers homestead.
Although the story is a bit predictable. It is well written and interesting, I learned a lot and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read a few other Dean Hughes and liked them as quick-read historical fiction. This one not so. much. The 2 story lines didn't fit together to me - the modern day portion just seemed pointless and boring. The historical piece was more interesting, but there wasn't much conflict that seemed interesting, except a few incidents that seemed construed to give some tension. His other books that I'd read were set against the backdrop of real war, so there was plenty of conflict without having to imagine any. That worked much better. The history here wasn't as gripping.

Still, I read the whole thing and I don't ever finish books if I really do not like them.

[Emma Vaillincourt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not that long and I have been reading it for almost 2 weeks. I’m just not going to finish it, life is too short. I made it to just under 100 pages left before I stopped so here’s what I’ll say.
I read Hearts of the Children a long time ago and loved it but this one was not it. Some of the story lines were kind of interesting but the writing was so boring. Jeff and Abby were so whiny, all their arguments were so stupid, I couldn’t take it anymore.
The author also has a very antiquated way of writing descriptions of women. There was one point where he notes that a woman who had a baby 4 months ago had not yet “lost the baby weight” give me a break 🙄

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story tells of Mormons, who join the church in England and sail to America to join with others of their faith. I is a duel story where a modern family discovers their roots and learn about their ancestors who lived in the place where they are now living.
It’s a Dean Hughes book- predictable, fluff, fun reading for those of our faith. I enjoyed it. This is the first of a three in a series.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for historical fiction and this was no exception. It is true that one learns best by doing and I think that this type of book is the literary comparison for me.
Much of my family immigrated under similar circumstances to story line #1 and I understand the feeling toward Nauvoo that story line #2 portrays. The foreshadowing of what is to come makes me excited to continue the series!

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, both the 1800's storyline and the modern storyline. Sure it's a bit cheesy at times, but mostly it's a courageous adventure, sweet romance, historical fiction, LDS history, and faith-promoting, thought-provoking stuff. I'm going to read the rest of the series and recommend it to my husband and teens as well. The audiobook has great accents, especially as the main character is from a place in England that is almost Welsh.

[Elana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this from a recommendation from a family member. We are planning a trip to the same area where this story takes place and from where our ancestors first learned about the restored Church of Jesus Christ in England. From that perspective I appreciated the content. The literary style was ok but not anything about which to rave. I might read the next one since I have become a little vested in the characters.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Nauvoo & the stories of the early Saints, so this was a great read for me! But it also jumps between the perspective of a couple converted in Great Britain who come to Nauvoo & their descendants in the current day. The testimonies & faith required in both cases endears you to these characters.

[Rex Cluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great historic novel from Dean Hughes. This time he takes two couples, generations apart and blends their stories as they both move to Nauvoo, IL. The first couple is coming from England in 1842 and the other is coming from Las Vegas, NV in current time. The latter is the descendant of the former. I am enjoying the developing story as I continue into volume 2.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was interesting to me how he had two story lines, from two different time periods, going on. It made me think that the trials we go through in life really aren’t unique, we all have trials and w all struggle, we just need to keep going and have faith that it will all work out.