Be Still My Soul

A Banner is Unfurled #2

by Marcie Gallacher, Kerri Robinson

Even when they are in the same house, Ezekiel Johnson feels as far away from his wife, Julia, as he does his children, who are scattered across the young nation. Perhaps his plan to sell their land and move what's left of his family to Fort Dearborn will purge them of the strong influence of Joseph Smith's new church. However, either the religious persecution of her neighbors nor the harsh words of her husband can keep Julia Johnson from following what she knows to be true. But will her grown children follow their fellow Saints to Kirtland or remain loyal to their father's wishes?
One man, Almon Babbitt, hopes the Johnson's, or at least their daughter Julianne, do come to Kirtland. However, he isn't the only suitor vying for her affections.
Weaving two decades of tragedy and triumph from the lives of a real family unto an odyssey that is both a historical document and a compelling piece of fiction, Be Still My Soul is a heroic and unforgettable story of love and loss drawn from the detailed diaries and letters that could be much like your own.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Religion

358 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Thomas C.Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been fairly pleased with this series. Sometimes I feel that the characters could show more growth of character, but then I realize ... change is hard for most of us. :)

[Grandma Krazy]

Loved this series. Could not set them down.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice continuation of this story!

[Edy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second volume in the series A Banner Is Unfurled. It deals with church history, which I find very interesting, and is told in an interesting manner.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. I will likely read the next one too.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to spend more time learning about my ancestors and what they experienced as the Restoration began.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you know I don't get many things 5 stars, but this one is very special and close to my heart. It is about my people and not just my religious group MY ANCESTORS. I am the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Ezekiel and Julia Johnson. The story is of course fictionalized but based on facts. I am in awe. My mom and I are in a race to read them. I do not give it 5 stars because of the family connection, but the story is actually riveting and inspiring! There are many times I heard myself say, "Go Johnson's" or "I am proud to be a Johnson" in fact in my small town I have discovered a descent of this line through Joel Hills Johnson, I come from his Brother George Washington Johnson (who is mentioned often in the book but out of 16 kids he is one of the younger ones), George Washington Johnson, had Milas Edgar, who had Josiah Buriah,who had my grandmother who had my dad, who had me! I love these people and I am grateful for my distant distant cousins Marcie Gallacher and Kerri Robinson who took the time to write these books!. At the end of their books they have notes of where they got their facts(journals,letters etc). SO COOL!!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Johnson family has a great miraculous event that happens to them and also a great tragedy that they are able to get through through their faith. Father Ezekiel Johnson is the only one that lacks the faith and knowledge of God's will and leaves his sorrows and confusion with the drinking at the tavern.
Seth, Lyman and Almon travel with the Prophet to help the Saints regain their land that is rightfully theirs in Missouri, the brethren are dumbfounded as to the revelation Joseph receives to turn around and go home. They murmur and are most are stricken with Cholera. The ending of this book will leave all with a hope and sense that prayers are answered.

[Holli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried reading this book. I didn't realize I had become so attached to certain characters. And so when really sad things happen to them, I cry. What a challenging time with so many who would get sick and there is nothing you could do but pray. With so much death, and hatred to the Mormons, and such a new gospel. I really admire those who were so strong in their testimonies and in their faith when there were so many questions. I really love the Johnson family and am enjoying learning so much about them, my ancestors! Love it.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm still enjoying this series, and have the third one checked out already, so they must be good enough to stick with it. The lofty style is either improving, or I'm getting more used to it, and Julia is just plain annoying sometimes, but not so much so that I don't want to keep in the story.

Is that a good review or a bad one? I don't know. But, if actions speak louder than words, I guess I like this, because I'm really interested in finishing the series.

[Tiffunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wait until a series is done before I start it so I can cruise through them and not forget what I read. So I'm loving that I could start book 2 the same day I finished book 1. I echo my sentiments of my review of book 1. I'm loving that I'm being entertained and yet learning my family history at the same time. I just keep thinking about how grateful I wasn't born back then though. Way too much to worry about and deal with!

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great new series of books set during the time of the prophet Joseph Smith. Comparable to Work and The Glory but I think it is better in some ways because this is about a real family and the book is based upon exerpts from their journals, etc. A good read and gave me some more insight into that time period

[Andrew Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story continues

Vol 2 continues the story of the Johnson Family. Starting where Vol 1 left off. Ezekiel goes to purchase a new home in the Chicago area, he sends a letter that is never received so his family moved to Kirkland instead. The story continues up to the return of the saints from Zion's camp.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in this LDS history series, based on research into the lives of the Ezekiel and Julia Johnson and their children. This book includes quite a few trials as the family continues to struggle with "anti-Mormonite" feeling and the decision to join the body of the Saints in Kirtland, Ohio. Well-written, well-researched, and interesting.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very much enjoying this series. I am listening to it in the car and love the church history. This series is about the Ezekiel and Julia Johnson family. They are a family of strong faith even though the father Ezekiel can't seem to quite embrace the Gospel. The rest of the family are so faithful.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuation of the first book, talks about Zions Camp and the storm that saved the Men of the camp. I love this series, it is wonderful to read a true story about a family that interacted with the Prophet. Highly recommend it.

[Erica]

Loved it! I can't say enought about this series of books. It is so amazing because it's all about church history and it is so interesting. It's in the time when the Saints move into Kirtland. Read it!

[Kaisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this series because it is a historical fiction where all of the people and events are fact. It gives great insight into the history of the church and it's growth. I really like how the authors detail at the end of each book the sources of information for the people and events.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think the book is great writing, but love that it is so authentic. This Johnson family is contemporary with Joseph and Emma, and it is so interesting to read about a real family and their struggles as the church is in it's infancy. What's more the family is related to my husband.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these types of books, I've read volumn 1 & 2 hope there is a volumn 3 coming.

[Carma Bird]

True history of my own great grandparents in a very interesting novel form.....great read !

[Tenille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series!! I couldn't wait to read the third installment!

[Tiffini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical fiction.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and well-researched account of the Johnson family, early members of the LDS Church.

[Rachelle Pew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great historical fiction about the Johnson Family who were personal friends of Joseph Smith. It's probably 90% accurate--a great read so far. This is the 2nd book and the first book was super!

[Raeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best! I absolutly love the Banner is Unfurled series! I highly suggest it

[Julianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying these books because I can really see this family. I'm still not loving the writing itself, but I'm excited to continue reading the Johnson's story.

[Emmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Volume two in this series. The William Johnson in the book is my fourth great-grandpa. My mom gave me these books for Christmas. Interesting for me from a genealogical standpoint.

[Ann]

I listened to this book on tape. It is an interesting fiction story set in the backdrop of LDS church history.

[Grandma]

Book 2 - great!!