The Storm Testament

Storm Testament #1

by Lee Nelson

Wanted by Missouri law for his revenge on mob leader Dick Boggs in 1839, 15-year-old Dan Storm flees to the Rocky Mountains with his friend, Ike, and escaped slave. Dan settles with the Ute Indians where he courts the beautiful Red Leaf and Ike becomes chief of a band of Gosiutes in Utah's west desert. In an effort to win a dowry for the hand of Red Leaf, Dan teams up with Ike in a daring horse raid on the Northern Commanches. There is plenty of adventure and exitement in every chapter of this sizzling epic novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns, Lds Fiction, Fiction, Lds, Young Adult, Religion

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1982

About the author

Lee Nelson's historical novels have sold hundreds of thousands of copies since his first novel was released in 1981. Nelson has also published a score of non-fiction works including the top-selling Beyond the Veil series.
Nelson is widely respected for his historical research which includes killing a buffalo from the vack of a galloping horse with a bow and arrow.
Nelson was born in Logan, Utah, but spent most of his childhood in California. After serving an LDS mission in Germany, he earned a bachelor's degree in English and a Masters Degree in Business, both from Brigham Young University. He was a speech writer in Philadelphia and a car dealer in Montana before beginning his career as an author.
Lee lives on a small farm in central Utah. His hobbies include team roping, big game hunting, and finding and exploring ancient Indian ruins.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was on my father-in-law's bookshelf, and since I'm "in the West" I thought this would be a good book to read. It wasn't fabulous literature, but it was entertaining. Very clean - no swearing or sex. It's old, so it's probably going to be hard to find, but if you're interested in an easy, quick, no-brainer read, this is a good one.

[Josiah Randolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Plot) The plot of this book is that young Dan Storm just recently moved to Missouri to join the other migrating Mormons. One day he is heading into town and sees a large group of rough men in front of the store he is supposed to go into and he remembers it is voting day he hears the men being stirred up to anger against the Mormons new doctrine and the Mormons freeing all of their slave. The ones stirring the men up are a "Fiery Preacher" and Dick Boggs Dan Storm's soon to be lifelong enemy. While Dan is watching he realizes that he is in great danger and tries to run for it but is captured by the mob them suddenly the other Mormons show up to vote and the mob tries to stop the Mormons but are defeated and run to get their guns to loot and burn Mormon homes. Meanwhile Dan is trying to defend himself from Boggs, he sees Boggs knife flashing towards him and suddenly it stops and Dan sees it is Boggs own slave Ike that stops Boggs from killing him. Young Storm and the escaped slave Ike run into the vast Missouri wilderness to escape the Missourian mob and Dick Boggs. (Analysis Questions) The two characters I am going to compare are Dan Storm and the escaped slave Ike. Compare: They are both running away from Dick Boggs, both have the same way of thinking, both are good runners and cunning when it comes to escaping from Boggs and his Hounds. Both are able to adapt to the wilderness, neither of their parents are alive, they both are wanted "criminals" and both agree that they need to get out of Missouri as fast as possible. Contrast: Dan is white Ike is black, Ike is a slave and Dan is not, Ike is much taller than Dan and 5 years older. Dan has blond hair and blue eyes, Ike has black hair and brown eyes, Ike has never been out of Missouri and Dan has, Dan has more understanding of geography, and the ways of transportation out of the state. (Theme) The theme of this book is that Dan Storm and Ike have escaped Boggs and the Missourian Law and went to make a new life for themselves in the Rocky mountains. While they are escaping Dan gets hired to be the cabin boy on a boat and Ike is rented out on another boat both are heading towards a town near the rocky mountains their are some bad rapids and then indains attack the boats. Dan and Ike become seperated while fighting and hiding from the indains, Dan eventually makes his way to the town near the Rocky mountains and to his releif finds out that Ike is still alive. Ike had left (thinking that Dan was dead) he had left the town and went with a group of propsecters who were heading to the Rocky mountains, Dan finds a mountain man named Beaver Smith who agrees to take Dan with him into the Rocky mountains and help him find Ike. (My Opinion) I liked this book because it is partually a true story and it shows what hardships people had to go through during the 1800s. I wish that the author had the characters express their views on certain things that happened in the book as well as not explaining more about the mormon migration. I liked how the dates and names seemed accurate and well as how the main "bad guy" was cousins with the gouverner who gave the extermination order. In conclusion this was a fairly good book, as long as you do not mind hearing some raciest things about the slaves and Mormons.

[Amanda Callister · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Light spoiler*

I've avoided reading this book since childhood because of the cover so thank you to Chris, who recommended it to me for my 2025 challenge.

I was hooked immediately, and the book served two purposes for me. For one, I enjoyed the story of Dan Storm and would love to finish the series some day. Two, it was interesting, enlightening, and heartbreaking to read more details about the brutal treatment of the early Mormons. Although it was honestly hard for me to get through at times, it has added tremendous depth to my appreciation for the sacrifice that went into establishing the church in the early days.

I flew through this book because it is so well-written, and the story is so engaging. I love survival stories, so I really enjoyed reading about young Dan surviving in the wilderness. The story is full of little (and some big) twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. It evoked a lot of emotion from me - obviously surrounding Mormon history - but also regarding slavery. I love the character Ike and his journey to find freedom.

I read that Lee Nelson did extensive personal research to bolster the book's authenticity, including hunting for buffalo on horseback with a bow and arrow, learning to start a fire without matches, and chewing on rawhide in order to discover for himself what it would be like to live as Dan did. You can feel the effort and authenticity in the story, which I feel is hard to come by in books these days.

Besides the entertainment value, I can't say that Dan's survival story has really impacted me or will stick with me long-term - I will have to wait to make that final judgement after I finish the series - but I was really impacted by the details of the early Mormon church, and I'm appreciative of that.

[Kaleb Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Storm Testament by Lee Nelson is a great book that I will most likely read again. I loved the way it seems like it actually happened like it is based on true events when it isn't. The book itself is about Dan storm, a fictional character who after getting involved in a fight with an anti-Mormon leader named Dick Boggs escapes to the rocky mountains with one of Bogg's slaves when an incident happens and separates Dan and the slave named Ike, and as to not spoil anything I will leave that there. The author did a great job with this work. It is just a great way to see what the mid-1800s could have been like. If this book isn't the best historical fiction book I have read, then it would have to be one of the sister books to this one called Cassidy. Lee Nelson is such an amazing writer that entrances with his action scenes you and forces you to keep reading in a good way. I will probably look back a year from now and remember how much persecution the saints in Missouri faced. The only thing I would change is to add some more real people who lived around that time to make it seem just a little more realistic. But an awesome book overall and will definitely continue the series.

[Hector Alas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storm testaments is by Nelson lee is about a ute kid trying to survive during slavery. Then he same some people from slavery. And he killed an warrior ute then hanged his body. But he got abused by the warrior ute crew.

I like the book because it has action and adventure stuff and some of the time killing like the war and the thing that i hate about the book is that he was kind of worry of ike on the begging and in the last part he was not worry about ike he was worry about the girl this book made me feel to make me read more book so this is great book to read.

The theme is help other people when they need help because help ike to escape and he was a useful part of ike cause that was ike need even thought he was a strong slave and general washington didn't want him but he said that he is every useful to the army because he has the best aim in the world.

[Katie Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the history this book included, it made the time period come to life, and taught me a lot about survival and how hard it must have been. It helped me see a very beautiful and also a very different side of the Native American people too. Some of the times when I read the terrible things people did to each other, it makes me feel kinda yucky, and this book had to touch on that in order to be historically accurate, so it’s probably not appropriate for younger children. That being said, it’s a very good read for teens or adults and I really feel like I learned and grew with the main character.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly this is a fun adventure story, and I liked it. The details about life as a frontiersman and with the native americans were interesting to learn. No, it's not great literature, and a good editor could have fixed a few weaknesses, but sometimes a fun and fast-paced story is just what you need to pass a few hours. I was hooked just from the prologue; the author is good and suspense, action, and quick story development.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can see why this book might appeal to young boys. It is full of adventure and survival across the Plains and through the Rockies. There is blood and gore but it is more about dressing animals killed on a hunt. Any good story still has to have some romance and the hero does find love. Dan Storm, our hero, joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which has an influence on his decisions; however, this is not a story about the Church. No bad language and no sex.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely didn’t love this one. My brother-in-law picked it for our family book club so I was motivated to finish, but was very unimpressed by the writing and many of the plot elements. The author was clearly going for an exciting adventure story, but it falls pretty flat. Suspension of disbelief only goes so far.

[Sharon Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely one of my favorites. The series is so cool and I'm always referring to the things I've found in it. I would recommend reading it, especially for teenagers (though it's not specifically made for teenagers).

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story! This is reminiscent of Zane Grey or Louis L'Amour. So happy that there are 6 more books in the series because this is one of those stories one wants to see go on and on and on.

[Spencer Willardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read these books as a kid. A great mixture of history and adventure fiction. I had a good grasp of church history and controversies by reading these early. Yulia and I read them together when we first got married. Had a wild hair to read them again this summer and am enjoying the nostalgia.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a reread of one of my favorite series I read as a kid. I live the adventure of Dan Storm as he escapes the Missouri mobs and lives with the Ute Indians. Always will be a favorite.

[JeremyZon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. I got sucked in to the story.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting. People settling (pioneering) in different parts of the US, seriously, scary & powerful. So many trials, whether it was people or the elements: harsh winters, etc... I’m in awe!

[Mike Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read these books when I was in middle school and remember loving them. Good, fun reads.

[Bridger]

this book is soooooooo gooood and it has so much action and it and cool story's it is so good.
The story I like the most is the one that is about a bare that is attacking him and it is so cool.

[Melanie Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have read several times!

[Gena Lott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read.
An interesting twist on the usual LDS fiction.

[Keith Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this western book. Dan goes through a lot of adversity and hate but continues to fight and overcome his challenges. I recommend this book to who ever likes books with suspense and bravery.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very exciting, very gory re-telling of the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Poorly written, but hard to put down.

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this series in high school.

Re-read 7/2023

[Karlee Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my teen boys. We really enjoyed it! Western adventures!

[Emily White · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 12-year-old told me to read this one, and it started out a little slow, but boy, it sped up quickly! A fun adventure story.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this for the 2nd time. I love this book. Parts of it are brutal but that's also why I like it.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

LDS historical fiction. I read this series growing up. I enjoyed it then and I’m enjoying it now. Not incredibly complex, but still enjoyable.

[Ridge H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good book. It has a lot of action and some love sences. The story line is great and how Ike and him had to get on the steamboat and was attacked by Indians. This was a great book. I would recommend this book to everyone.

[Sam Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Huff
Mrs. Wyckhuyse
English Language Arts 9
15 December, 2016
Book Review #4
Of all the Old West books that I have ever read, the Storm Testament Series by Lee Nelson was by far my favorite. I loved this book, a descriptive 320 page story of how a young man became a mountain man, a hunter, and an indian in his lifetime. This young man braved savage natives, colossal bears, and the most extreme of conditions. This story has the richest of details and description, and completely takes the reader into the past to enjoy the world as it used to be. “In the morning sun, the snow-covered peaks shone brilliantly against the deep blue Utah sky. There was no snow where we were. It was May and and the rolling plains were covered with a new blanket of sweet, green grass.”
Dan Storm is a mormon orphan who was forced out of his home by the people of Missouri and betrayed by the people he trusted most. With nowhere else to go, Dan pursues a new future in the distant and bounteous land, later named Utah Valley by the mormons who would eventually settle there. As he travels his way towards the Rocky Mountains, he learns many things from many teachers, from mountain men to indian chiefs. When Dan Storm arrives in the valley, it’s everything that he could have ever hoped for, full of buffalo and plenty of anything a man could ever need. But still a conflict remains, and he will have to make a choice that could completely and permanently change his life.
“I traveled through the canyon that would later be called Spanish Fork by the white men.” One reason that i like this story so much is because the whole story is happening on the ground that we live on now. The whole story is based on a true story and I really liked it. An interesting book, was really fun to read and I highly recommend this to anyone who likes anything Western.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

My husband loved these books when he was growing up. We go to church with the author's son, so I got him a couple of Lee Nelson autographed books for Christmas, and decided I should see what was so great about them.

Well, the editing is certainly NOT great. The book is riddled with typos. It seriously makes me wonder if anyone bothered to proof it at all. Or, why after all these years when additional copies have been printed that corrections haven't been made.

The story was alright. This kid named Dan Storm was converted to the Mormon church in Canada with his family. His parents die, and he moves to Missouri to live with some relatives. Persecution is crazy, and after causing trouble with some high ups, he flees to the Rocky Mountains.

This part of the book had me thinking my husband was so funny, because he pretty much loathes LDS fiction. When I called him on it, he told me that after that point it doesn't talk about religion much at all. This was true. Dan's adventures with trappers, prospectors, and indians were interesting.

Most of the writing was ok (other than the typos), but there is a part near the end that was driving me nuts because it was so unclear. It was only over the space of four or five paragraphs, but after the first one or two I kept rereading to see what I must have missed. The answer came out a few paragraphs later. Something that could have been helped with some good editing.

[Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every chapter of this book was exciting and captivating. My wife and I read this book together, the whole thing out loud to each other. Of all the books we have read together, this one was the fastest to read because it was so fun and interesting. In this book you'll read stories about the early Mormon persecution in Missouri, Dan Storm and Ike escaping from several life threatening experiences including being hunted down with hounds chasing after them, Indian and bear attacks, etc.

Usually I read the prologue in books before I start reading them. This time I didn't. After reading about half the book, one night I decided to read the prologue. I was completely thrilled with it. I learned that I was not reading a completely invented story as I thought I was. The prologue contains the most interesting and fun genealogy account I've ever read. Amazing!

My wife and I started reading the second book in this 9 book series right away. We're already half finished with it and it is just as exciting of a story as the first book. Our minds are dreaming at night wondering what is about to come in the next chapters.