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Faith Greater Than Pain
Some may say Doc was just an old man on a long walk, but it was a walk that forever changed his life. He lived experiences you may not believe, and had conversations you may not be ready for. Only you can open that door, when you’re ready. If you find something in this book that changes your life, you are not alone.
Doc Cleland is a man who lost his childhood to an abusive, alcoholic stepfather; his wife to Lou Gehrig’s disease; his job, home, and savings to the economic downturn; and 4 of his 5 children to paths that stray far from his Mormon roots and lifestyle. Seemingly a man who has also lost his path in life, Doc decides to honor his great-grandmother’s memory by re-creating her pioneering handcart journey of 1856. He begins walking in Iowa City, pulling a wooden handcart, heading west on his 1400-mile journey, uncertain of exactly what he’ll encounter along the way.
Sarah Goode Marshall was the first Mormon handcart pioneer to reach the Salt Lake Valley, a 34-year-old widow with 6 young children and a powerful commitment to her newly found faith. A woman who left in England her family, her home, and everything she knew, Sarah’s story has lived only in family journals and lore for the past 5 generations until Doc brings her to life by connecting with her indomitable spirit during his trek.
Join Sarah as she discovers the faith that is true for her, withstands the abuse her husband piles upon her, and finally leaves her home in England to answer the call to Zion. Her husband, who dies after mishandling an attempt to poison Sarah, lies buried in English soil while her siblings chastise her for daring to consider leaving their homeland; neither is enough to stop Sarah from following her heart. She and her children travel by ship, train, and finally by foot and handcart in their journey to reach the Great Salt Lake Basin. Though their company is plagued by exhaustion, inadequate nutrition, terrifying storms, savages and death, an indomitable spirit travels with them and seems to leave traces behind, just waiting to be discovered by the next travelers.
While Doc experiences physical ailments that land him in a hospital and near-constant mental struggles due to his exhaustion, he engages the reader with his gritty determination to understand his ancestor’s journey, his jaunty commitment to his task, and his humble acceptance of what eventually transpires: a spiritual gratification unlike any he’s ever known. Although Doc walks alone, his encounters along the way expand his experience to an understanding of humanity in its many and varied forms, from the Schwan’s delivery man who drives ice cream out to him, to the Civil War Re-enactment buff who gives up a day to drive behind and protect him, to the women who spend their days rescuing birds from sludge ponds and share their stories with him.
In Faith Greater Than Pain, Sarah Goode Marshall’s story anchors Doc’s modern-day journey, as each—separated by a century and a half—walks toward Zion, all the while discovering a second Zion within.
Doc Cleland is a man who lost his childhood to an abusive, alcoholic stepfather; his wife to Lou Gehrig’s disease; his job, home, and savings to the economic downturn; and 4 of his 5 children to paths that stray far from his Mormon roots and lifestyle. Seemingly a man who has also lost his path in life, Doc decides to honor his great-grandmother’s memory by re-creating her pioneering handcart journey of 1856. He begins walking in Iowa City, pulling a wooden handcart, heading west on his 1400-mile journey, uncertain of exactly what he’ll encounter along the way.
Sarah Goode Marshall was the first Mormon handcart pioneer to reach the Salt Lake Valley, a 34-year-old widow with 6 young children and a powerful commitment to her newly found faith. A woman who left in England her family, her home, and everything she knew, Sarah’s story has lived only in family journals and lore for the past 5 generations until Doc brings her to life by connecting with her indomitable spirit during his trek.
Join Sarah as she discovers the faith that is true for her, withstands the abuse her husband piles upon her, and finally leaves her home in England to answer the call to Zion. Her husband, who dies after mishandling an attempt to poison Sarah, lies buried in English soil while her siblings chastise her for daring to consider leaving their homeland; neither is enough to stop Sarah from following her heart. She and her children travel by ship, train, and finally by foot and handcart in their journey to reach the Great Salt Lake Basin. Though their company is plagued by exhaustion, inadequate nutrition, terrifying storms, savages and death, an indomitable spirit travels with them and seems to leave traces behind, just waiting to be discovered by the next travelers.
While Doc experiences physical ailments that land him in a hospital and near-constant mental struggles due to his exhaustion, he engages the reader with his gritty determination to understand his ancestor’s journey, his jaunty commitment to his task, and his humble acceptance of what eventually transpires: a spiritual gratification unlike any he’s ever known. Although Doc walks alone, his encounters along the way expand his experience to an understanding of humanity in its many and varied forms, from the Schwan’s delivery man who drives ice cream out to him, to the Civil War Re-enactment buff who gives up a day to drive behind and protect him, to the women who spend their days rescuing birds from sludge ponds and share their stories with him.
In Faith Greater Than Pain, Sarah Goode Marshall’s story anchors Doc’s modern-day journey, as each—separated by a century and a half—walks toward Zion, all the while discovering a second Zion within.
- GenresBook Club
388 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 19, 2018
As a descendant of Sarah Goode Marshall, I've always found her story fascinating. How did a single mother of 6 manage to leave an abusive husband, emigrate to the US, and pull a handcart 1,300 miles, eventually ending up in Cache Valley (where I grew up)?
My favorite part of the story was when the leader of the handcart company, Edmund Ellsworth, expressed concern about allowing Sarah & her family to join his group. Sarah defiantly told him she would not only make it without being a burden, but she would actually beat him to the Salt Lake Valley (which she did).
My main critique is I wish there were more footnotes or something explaining the sources for the various details along the way. What do the journals and first-hand accounts say, and where does the author's narrative freedom take over?
All in all, cool story, cool heritage...glad I know more about it.
My favorite part of the story was when the leader of the handcart company, Edmund Ellsworth, expressed concern about allowing Sarah & her family to join his group. Sarah defiantly told him she would not only make it without being a burden, but she would actually beat him to the Salt Lake Valley (which she did).
My main critique is I wish there were more footnotes or something explaining the sources for the various details along the way. What do the journals and first-hand accounts say, and where does the author's narrative freedom take over?
All in all, cool story, cool heritage...glad I know more about it.
July 31, 2013
I read the faith greater than pain. If you want to get closer to family history you need to read this fabulous book. To get a feeling an idea of what Lynn Cleland and Sarah Goode Marshall went through. You will be amazed. You get a feeling of being with them and wish you were. I am very proud to be part of this family and history. You will want to tell everyone about it and read it again. You will also get an autograph if you want. Thank you Lynn for doing the trek and going through all you went through to write the book. Looking forward for more.
October 27, 2014
This book moves parallel simultaneously with the experiences of Sarah Goode, a widow with numerous children who was part of the first pioneer handcart company to arrive in Salt Lake, and her great great grandson Doc as he recreates her trek in 2009. I really enjoyed Sarah's story. I had a lovely dinner with the author Susan and look forward to reading more of her work.
11/13
11/13
December 22, 2023
A must read for anyone who wants to know more about the handcart experience
The story of Sarah Good Marshall, who was the first handcart pioneer to enter the Salt Lake Valley is an intriguing story told by her grandson, Lynn “Doc” Cleland who pulled a handcart over the same trail (as much as was possible) in 1999. It is a story of great faith in priesthood promises and super human endurance fed by faith in the truth of Christ’s gospel.
The story of Sarah Good Marshall, who was the first handcart pioneer to enter the Salt Lake Valley is an intriguing story told by her grandson, Lynn “Doc” Cleland who pulled a handcart over the same trail (as much as was possible) in 1999. It is a story of great faith in priesthood promises and super human endurance fed by faith in the truth of Christ’s gospel.
September 13, 2019
This is a fantastic book to own cause it’s of my legacy to my family’s line. I haven’t really read all of it but some parts I know, and it is a deeply emotional trail for Doc to go on he travels the trails my great great great grandma did years ago when she came to this land with six of her children from England.
July 19, 2018
I really loved the story line of Sarah, however I got really sick of reading about Doc's journey. I wish the book had just been about Sarah and then I would have liked it a lot more.
May 21, 2020
You will want to read this book if you want to read a interesting story of faith and pain.
February 2, 2013
Faith Greater than Pain juxtaposes the experiences of an original Mormon handcart pioneer, Sarah Goode, and a reenactment of her journey by a great grandson. He attempts to walk the journey under ths same conditions as Sarah to the extent it is possible. "Doc" Cleland has carefully compared the similarities and differences of their journeys while adding his own homespun philosophy and humor. There is much to think about in this treatise. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a reenactment must be worth a million. The book is a wonderful example of a "journey" read. "Doc" is not the same person when he has completed his trek as he was at the beginning--physically or spiritually. The trip nearly cost him his life, but he discovered his soul. A worthwhile read!
June 17, 2013
Engrossing book alternating the stories of Sarah Goode and her great great grandson Lynne "Doc" Cleland. Sarah walked 1400 miles with her six children as part of the first hand cart company to the Great Salt Lake Basin, with 300 other Mormon converts in 1856. In 2009 Doc reenacted, as best he could after 150 years of changes to the trail, Sarah's 1400 mile walk.
I like how the chapters alternated with first Sarah's experience, then Doc's experience on the same part of the trail. It's amazing the strength Sarah and the others on the trail had to walk across endless miles of open prairie and scrub lands. I'm sure they had no idea how big the continent was was when they started out. Doc's experiences were no less harrowing.
I like how the chapters alternated with first Sarah's experience, then Doc's experience on the same part of the trail. It's amazing the strength Sarah and the others on the trail had to walk across endless miles of open prairie and scrub lands. I'm sure they had no idea how big the continent was was when they started out. Doc's experiences were no less harrowing.
February 20, 2015
I have heard stories of this amazing woman my whole life because I am one of her thousands of descendants but I am glad I was pointed to this book by cousins who had read it before me. I am reminded that I have so much to learn from these worthy Mormon pioneers who went before me. Could I have done what they did? Seeing what "Doc" Cleland did makes me think that maybe, just maybe, there is a bit of that pioneer spirit still alive in us today.
September 14, 2015
What a powerful story or, pair of stories I should say, Doc's telling of his experience today intertwined with Sara's experience 160 years ago; both struggling with the loss of loved ones, taking the same steps, walking the same trail and leaning on the same faith, as if they walked together.
And a wonderful way to tell the story with alternating chapters between eras but on the same timeline and places along the trail.
I've really enjoyed it.
And a wonderful way to tell the story with alternating chapters between eras but on the same timeline and places along the trail.
I've really enjoyed it.
January 2, 2016
Not my favorite book by Susan. She is a master of putting words to her own voice, her own experiences. I believe she channeled the characters in this story as good as anyone could, but if you want to hear and feel the experiences that she has actually had, I would highly recommend to you "Howl of Woman and Wolf". She is not just an author or writer, she is an artist!
March 9, 2016
Members of my family have met the author, and heard him talk about his experience .... fascinating to listen in person. Having grown up with pioneer and handcart stories, this book was not new info. But it held my attention very well as it focused on one pioneer experience and one modern day experience.
July 7, 2017
I'm a relative of these extraordinary pioneers. Selina Sarah goodies daughter was my grandpas mothers dads mom.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews