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Standing on the Promises, Book One: One More River to Cross
This well-researched historical novel reconstructs the lives of two 19th-century African-American converts to Mormonism. Elijah Abel, the first African-American man ordained to the LDS priesthood, carried the message of Joseph Smith to whites and free blacks on three separate missions in the 1830s and '40s. Young and Gray have used the license of fiction to elucidate large areas of Abel's life, including his childhood, about which little is known. In recounting the life of convert Jane Manning James, however, they have rendered events quite closely to what she recorded herself in her autobiography.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2000
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October 18, 2025
BOOK REVIEW - One More River to Cross, by Margaret Blair Young and Darius Aidan Gray (2001)
This is a profoundly moving and beautifully written historical novel that illuminates an often-neglected chapter of early Latter-day Saint and American history—the story of Black pioneers whose courage, devotion, and endurance shaped the faith even as they were denied full fellowship within it. Margaret Blair Young and Darius Aidan Gray, long recognized for their work with the Genesis Group and their historical outreach on behalf of Black Latter-day Saints, have created a narrative that is both intimate and sweeping. It reads as sacred remembrance as much as historical fiction.
At its heart, the book follows three principal figures—Elijah Able, Jane Manning James, and Green Flake—whose lives intersect in the turbulent decades of the nineteenth century. These men and women are not merely symbols of endurance but fully realized individuals, each confronting faith, freedom, and belonging in a world that often refused to see them as equals.
Elijah Able, one of the first Black men ordained to the priesthood, stands as a quiet yet unyielding figure of conviction. The authors portray him not as a martyr but as a man of deep principle, balancing humility with inner fire. When later Church leaders rescind priesthood privileges for Black members, Able continues to serve faithfully, testifying through his life that truth and integrity cannot be revoked by prejudice.
Jane Manning James—arguably the emotional center of the novel—undertakes a journey that defines both her character and her faith. Walking barefoot with her family from Connecticut to Nauvoo, she endures hunger, cold, and exhaustion, yet arrives at Joseph Smith’s door with faith undiminished. Her story becomes one of spiritual persistence; even after reaching Utah, she continues to petition Church leaders for temple blessings she is denied in life. Young and Gray treat her not with pity but with reverence, allowing her voice to radiate dignity, intelligence, and grace.
Green Flake, enslaved by a southern convert family, embodies another dimension of the Black Latter-day Saint experience. His service in the first pioneer company—driving the team that reached the Salt Lake Valley in 1847—reflects both bondage and faith. The novel never romanticizes his position; instead, it explores the paradox of a man who built Zion while waiting for his own freedom. His courage becomes emblematic of those whose loyalty to God and community transcended the cruelty of their circumstances.
Through these intertwined lives, Young and Gray construct a narrative that is both historical and spiritual. They weave in period details—frontier hardships, perilous river crossings, family separations, and the cultural tensions of an expanding church—and show how faith served both as refuge and as testing ground. The authors make clear that these Saints crossed not only the plains but also the invisible boundaries of race and acceptance that have haunted American religion from its beginnings.
Beyond its historical portrayal, the novel offers enduring moral insight. It challenges modern readers to confront uncomfortable truths without cynicism and to see redemption not as erasure of wrongs but as remembrance and reconciliation. The “river” of the title becomes a potent metaphor for both personal and collective struggle—the passage from bondage to freedom, exclusion to belonging, ignorance to understanding.
The book also benefits from the collaboration between its authors. Darius Aidan Gray, himself a pioneering Black Latter-day Saint leader, brings lived experience and moral authority; Margaret Blair Young contributes the literary craftsmanship and narrative grace that make these histories breathe again. Together, they achieve something rare, a work that restores silenced voices with reverence and historical integrity.
Ultimately, One More River to Cross is not only about the early Saints of African descent but about the universal pilgrimage of faith. It asks whether belief can survive betrayal, whether love can outlast injustice, and whether a community can truly heal from the wounds of its own history. In doing so, it becomes a testament of both the painful and redemptive.
Quotes:
“They had crossed rivers of snow, rivers of fire, rivers of sorrow. But this river was different—it ran through the heart. It could not be forded by wagons or horses or even by the strength of men. It could be crossed only by forgiveness, and even then, the far bank shimmered with tears.”
“Faith had not made their burdens light; it had given them the will to lift them. They believed in a God who counted every step of a barefoot woman and every lash of a whip upon a man’s back. And they knew, somehow, that He would remember.”
This is a profoundly moving and beautifully written historical novel that illuminates an often-neglected chapter of early Latter-day Saint and American history—the story of Black pioneers whose courage, devotion, and endurance shaped the faith even as they were denied full fellowship within it. Margaret Blair Young and Darius Aidan Gray, long recognized for their work with the Genesis Group and their historical outreach on behalf of Black Latter-day Saints, have created a narrative that is both intimate and sweeping. It reads as sacred remembrance as much as historical fiction.
At its heart, the book follows three principal figures—Elijah Able, Jane Manning James, and Green Flake—whose lives intersect in the turbulent decades of the nineteenth century. These men and women are not merely symbols of endurance but fully realized individuals, each confronting faith, freedom, and belonging in a world that often refused to see them as equals.
Elijah Able, one of the first Black men ordained to the priesthood, stands as a quiet yet unyielding figure of conviction. The authors portray him not as a martyr but as a man of deep principle, balancing humility with inner fire. When later Church leaders rescind priesthood privileges for Black members, Able continues to serve faithfully, testifying through his life that truth and integrity cannot be revoked by prejudice.
Jane Manning James—arguably the emotional center of the novel—undertakes a journey that defines both her character and her faith. Walking barefoot with her family from Connecticut to Nauvoo, she endures hunger, cold, and exhaustion, yet arrives at Joseph Smith’s door with faith undiminished. Her story becomes one of spiritual persistence; even after reaching Utah, she continues to petition Church leaders for temple blessings she is denied in life. Young and Gray treat her not with pity but with reverence, allowing her voice to radiate dignity, intelligence, and grace.
Green Flake, enslaved by a southern convert family, embodies another dimension of the Black Latter-day Saint experience. His service in the first pioneer company—driving the team that reached the Salt Lake Valley in 1847—reflects both bondage and faith. The novel never romanticizes his position; instead, it explores the paradox of a man who built Zion while waiting for his own freedom. His courage becomes emblematic of those whose loyalty to God and community transcended the cruelty of their circumstances.
Through these intertwined lives, Young and Gray construct a narrative that is both historical and spiritual. They weave in period details—frontier hardships, perilous river crossings, family separations, and the cultural tensions of an expanding church—and show how faith served both as refuge and as testing ground. The authors make clear that these Saints crossed not only the plains but also the invisible boundaries of race and acceptance that have haunted American religion from its beginnings.
Beyond its historical portrayal, the novel offers enduring moral insight. It challenges modern readers to confront uncomfortable truths without cynicism and to see redemption not as erasure of wrongs but as remembrance and reconciliation. The “river” of the title becomes a potent metaphor for both personal and collective struggle—the passage from bondage to freedom, exclusion to belonging, ignorance to understanding.
The book also benefits from the collaboration between its authors. Darius Aidan Gray, himself a pioneering Black Latter-day Saint leader, brings lived experience and moral authority; Margaret Blair Young contributes the literary craftsmanship and narrative grace that make these histories breathe again. Together, they achieve something rare, a work that restores silenced voices with reverence and historical integrity.
Ultimately, One More River to Cross is not only about the early Saints of African descent but about the universal pilgrimage of faith. It asks whether belief can survive betrayal, whether love can outlast injustice, and whether a community can truly heal from the wounds of its own history. In doing so, it becomes a testament of both the painful and redemptive.
Quotes:
“They had crossed rivers of snow, rivers of fire, rivers of sorrow. But this river was different—it ran through the heart. It could not be forded by wagons or horses or even by the strength of men. It could be crossed only by forgiveness, and even then, the far bank shimmered with tears.”
“Faith had not made their burdens light; it had given them the will to lift them. They believed in a God who counted every step of a barefoot woman and every lash of a whip upon a man’s back. And they knew, somehow, that He would remember.”
February 19, 2021
Many outside the LDS church, and more than a few within, know very little about the stories of the Black LDS pioneers who joined the church in the early days and crossed the plains to start lives in the land of Zion. Unfortunately, their lives were made more difficult by the racial stereotypes they faced even among their new brothers and sisters in the gospel. This is a retelling of some real historical figures, most notably Elijah Abel, freed slave and first black member of the church, and Jane Manning, a free woman who traveled 400 miles on foot to join the Saints in Missouri and became a personal servant in the Smith household. Both were intimately acquainted with the Joseph Smith and his family.
Their stories are interesting and reasonably well told. Each chapter concludes with a few notes on the real historical facts. However, these accounts are not really woven together and it remains several different stories instead of one. I would like to read the next book in the series, but it wasn't quite as good as I had hoped. 3.5 stars
Their stories are interesting and reasonably well told. Each chapter concludes with a few notes on the real historical facts. However, these accounts are not really woven together and it remains several different stories instead of one. I would like to read the next book in the series, but it wasn't quite as good as I had hoped. 3.5 stars
March 19, 2008
A wonderful account of the first black Mormon converts. It's historical fiction (kind of like the Work and the Glory series), but 90% of the characters are real people, and their histories are extensively researched and reconstructed (and documented in the notes in the back).
It's a fantastic book, because it portrays well the spectrum: of personalities, the struggles, the faith, the prejudices, the emotions, all of. It gives you a good sense of what those times must have been like, without necessarily giving a simple picture. What faith! What trust in God! Amazing men and women! A must-read for all those who've wondered more about that sticky question of what it was like to be black and Mormon before 1978.
It's a fantastic book, because it portrays well the spectrum: of personalities, the struggles, the faith, the prejudices, the emotions, all of. It gives you a good sense of what those times must have been like, without necessarily giving a simple picture. What faith! What trust in God! Amazing men and women! A must-read for all those who've wondered more about that sticky question of what it was like to be black and Mormon before 1978.
October 18, 2010
A very thought-provoking book for an LDS reader. I intend to give myself time to "digest" as I read this series. I've come away from this first book with some sad memories, some "theological" questions that will be put on my proverbial shelf to be answered in the next life, and thankfully some wonderful examples of faith.
Definitely read all of the endnotes. The authors have a good understanding of human nature and a fresh new "voice" in which they write. But it was nice to discern between imagination and facts.
My lasting impression in finishing: Oh how much need have I of developing similar faith, hope and love! And oh how grateful am I that eternal judgment rests in Another's Hands!
Definitely read all of the endnotes. The authors have a good understanding of human nature and a fresh new "voice" in which they write. But it was nice to discern between imagination and facts.
My lasting impression in finishing: Oh how much need have I of developing similar faith, hope and love! And oh how grateful am I that eternal judgment rests in Another's Hands!
September 23, 2009
This book is similar to the Work and Glory books but is written in an African American perspective. It is one of three books in the series. I enjoyed learning about pioneers who were of a minority early in the church. They aren't usually talked about. So many don't realize that there were members of color in the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints when Joseph Smith first organized it. Joseph Smith was a wonderful man who accepted all of different background and ethnic background. One of the co-authors belongs to the Genesis ward/branch (African American members)in SLC.
November 3, 2013
A well-researched and well-written story about the black Mormons who were part of the early days of the LDS Church. This was part of LDS history that I knew little about before reading these books. It walks the fine line between history and historical fiction. It _is_ fiction, since the authors put words and thoughts into character's mouths that can be inferred from other things that they said or did, but that didn't necessarily happen as portrayed in the book. But the research is so good that the authors' assumptions are believable, and I learned a lot from this series.
January 7, 2008
Very few books have impacted me like this one. This historical fiction book is based around the life of an actual young black Mormon pioneer woman who lived in the household of Joseph Smith. I developed so much love and admiration for this woman, Jane Manning, that I gave my daughter her name... Eva Jane.
November 12, 2019
This book had been on my to read list the second longest (since 2008), and it was a completely different reading experience because I waited so long to pick it up. Both would have been good, but I know an awful lot more LDS history now than I did then. A 2008 reading experience would have opened my eyes to completely new information; a 2019 reading made me appreciate how well-crafted and researched this book was.
I have heard this described as “The Work and the Glory for black pioneers,” but I never actually read The Work and the Glory, so I don’t know how it compares. What this did remind me of was the style of the church’s current Saints series. Both aim to provide well-documented historical information through the medium of narrative fiction, leaning more heavily on the history side than the fiction side. I noticed some reviewers complained about this, but I think this form was absolutely essential considering when this came out. In 2000, I had no idea there were black Mormons ordained to the priesthood in Joseph Smith’s time, and I doubt I was in the minority on that count. The priesthood ban is such an emotionally charged topic, and we did not have anywhere near the level of transparency about our history that we currently enjoy (or the same ability as a people to handle the nuances of things like beloved figures making terrible decisions or contradicting each other), so I think sticking to documented facts as often as possible and including copious endnotes at the end of every chapter was essential, and led people to a lot of great sources to learn more.
The greatest value for me reading this, as someone that went in with a fairly solid arc of the two main characters’ lives, was contextualizing their lives within black history, rather than Mormon history. There are so many things I am ashamed to say I never considered - what the doctrine of eternal families would mean to slaves who couldn’t even hope to keep their children from being sold away, what it would mean to be ordained a 70 and a missionary when you grew up in a system that told you God had cursed you or didn’t even give you a proper soul, and how polygamy would look to you when the concept of white men raping black women and having children by them was so commonplace. I went into this book with a good grasp of the facts of their lives; I left with a far better understanding of how it felt to live those lives.
The research was excellent and well-utilized, it asked difficult questions while staying absolutely faithful, and it showed just how amazing these individuals were while keeping them very human. I am excited to pick up the next volume (which will include a lot of new information for me, because I am less familiar with the black Mormons that came to Utah as slaves).
I have heard this described as “The Work and the Glory for black pioneers,” but I never actually read The Work and the Glory, so I don’t know how it compares. What this did remind me of was the style of the church’s current Saints series. Both aim to provide well-documented historical information through the medium of narrative fiction, leaning more heavily on the history side than the fiction side. I noticed some reviewers complained about this, but I think this form was absolutely essential considering when this came out. In 2000, I had no idea there were black Mormons ordained to the priesthood in Joseph Smith’s time, and I doubt I was in the minority on that count. The priesthood ban is such an emotionally charged topic, and we did not have anywhere near the level of transparency about our history that we currently enjoy (or the same ability as a people to handle the nuances of things like beloved figures making terrible decisions or contradicting each other), so I think sticking to documented facts as often as possible and including copious endnotes at the end of every chapter was essential, and led people to a lot of great sources to learn more.
The greatest value for me reading this, as someone that went in with a fairly solid arc of the two main characters’ lives, was contextualizing their lives within black history, rather than Mormon history. There are so many things I am ashamed to say I never considered - what the doctrine of eternal families would mean to slaves who couldn’t even hope to keep their children from being sold away, what it would mean to be ordained a 70 and a missionary when you grew up in a system that told you God had cursed you or didn’t even give you a proper soul, and how polygamy would look to you when the concept of white men raping black women and having children by them was so commonplace. I went into this book with a good grasp of the facts of their lives; I left with a far better understanding of how it felt to live those lives.
The research was excellent and well-utilized, it asked difficult questions while staying absolutely faithful, and it showed just how amazing these individuals were while keeping them very human. I am excited to pick up the next volume (which will include a lot of new information for me, because I am less familiar with the black Mormons that came to Utah as slaves).
May 11, 2017
I won this book a couple of years ago, and I'm glad I finally read it. It tells the stories of a handful of black converts in the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had heard of one before, Jane Manning, whose photo appears on the cover of this edition. Her story is told in some detail, as well as that of Elijah Abel, a missionary in New England. Others are mentioned in such detail as is available. I'm impressed with the carefulness of the research for this book. Notes are provided at the end of each chapter, detailing which parts of the story are true. Most quotations from prominent characters come from statements they actually made. And the hard things, the abuse of slavery and prejudice of even the nicest people, are accurate. This dedication to fact makes the flow of the novel as episodic as real life. It's not a book I couldn't put down. But I was intrigued enough to pick it up again.
September 30, 2021
Not the usual type of book I would read, but it was a book club pick and although the first half was hard to get into, I was glad to have read it by the end. It is a narrative about some of the early African Americans who joined the Mormon church. I find books set in the days of slavery to be so hard to read, so depressing and disheartening, and yet I do feel it is important to learn about what so many have suffered through. Although there was some jumping around between characters that I found a little disjointed, I was interested to think about their motivations and how other church members reacted to having black 'brothers and sisters' during the 1830s. The answer was that some did OK, and some could not put aside their ingrained prejudice. Knowing the attitudes and mistakes that come in the next 100 years in the church was a gloom that hung over the book for me. I appreciated that the author included quotes and descriptions of the sources that she used to create the story.
April 5, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
An interesting and insightful book. Published over 20 years ago (2000), this story of the handful of faithful Black LDS pioneers is still pertinent to us, now (2023). Even more, I respect Joseph Smith’s worldview and acceptance of slaves as equal before God and before him. He was likely one of the least-racist white men in the country at that time. But I digress…This historical fiction is based on much research and the facts are well documented at the end of each chapter. I really appreciate this effort. In the last 20 years the LDS church has opened up regarding church history. Even though this book predates the official church history in the multi-volume “Saints,” it has a similar readable and inviting feel. The writing is well crafted and the story well told. I’m looking forward to reading book 2.
An interesting and insightful book. Published over 20 years ago (2000), this story of the handful of faithful Black LDS pioneers is still pertinent to us, now (2023). Even more, I respect Joseph Smith’s worldview and acceptance of slaves as equal before God and before him. He was likely one of the least-racist white men in the country at that time. But I digress…This historical fiction is based on much research and the facts are well documented at the end of each chapter. I really appreciate this effort. In the last 20 years the LDS church has opened up regarding church history. Even though this book predates the official church history in the multi-volume “Saints,” it has a similar readable and inviting feel. The writing is well crafted and the story well told. I’m looking forward to reading book 2.
September 30, 2020
For my September book review, I read the book One More River To Cross by Margaret Blair Young and Darius Aiden Gray. This book is about mormon free(d) blacks eventually going west and their experiences with white folk. Along their journey they meet several interesting characters and eventually each other. This book is based on true stories. I would rate this book ⅘ stars. There were notes at the end of every chapter, which I would rather they be placed at the end of the book. They seemed sort of distracting from the story at the end of every chapter. I would recommend this book to readers 14 and older because there are some somewhat violent events described.
June 23, 2018
I liked this one better than the first book in this series.
It described, in novel format, the lives of pioneering black LDS people very well. I came to love and respect Jane Manning James and Elijah Abel, these two Saintly people, as well as the others described, more than I did before. As a special bonus, there was a piece on the settlement of San Bernardino, California, my mother's birthplace.
A perfect read to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the priesthood revelation.
It described, in novel format, the lives of pioneering black LDS people very well. I came to love and respect Jane Manning James and Elijah Abel, these two Saintly people, as well as the others described, more than I did before. As a special bonus, there was a piece on the settlement of San Bernardino, California, my mother's birthplace.
A perfect read to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the priesthood revelation.
October 22, 2017
finished this awhile ago but forgot to post. I really enjoyed reading about the early days of the LDS faith through the eyes of a few black saints with great faith. What courage it must have taken to join in with a bunch of sometimes rude and judgmental prople who instead of looking at the heart looked at the color. Not sure I will read the other two books but I did enjoy this one.
September 21, 2020
I love hearing the stories of early Latter-day Saints, and the stories of the black saints really appeal to me because of the era of slavery in our nation. Those valiant priesthood holders in early history and the strength of people like Jane Manning James is really a wonderful tribute to overcoming the negative influences of society.
May 27, 2021
I enjoyed the historical notes best. I read it in preparation for our book club in which the author was special guest. That made me be more appreciative of it as well. I personally wasn't a huge fan of the literary style, but the biographical information was quite fascinating.
May 26, 2022
This was a topic I knew little about. I’m extremely grateful to the research these authors did to bring attention to these oft forgotten pioneers. After all they suffered, and all they endured-they deserve to be remembered for their faithfulness. May I be so enduring in my own life.
February 1, 2023
Excellent book, really well done history of early Black Mormons. Engaging read with thorough footnotes at the end. Reminds me of the Saints book, but slightly more editorialized and focusing on the Black Saints.
January 28, 2019
Interesting to read about some of the Black pioneers early in the history of the church. Some of it was hard to follow.
February 5, 2019
A prerequisite for any book purporting to be historical is a Table of Contents and Index
September 14, 2019
I really liked learning about the early African-American members of the church
November 23, 2020
I often wonder if I lived in a different time, would I be a different person. Would I treat people differently? Would I survive the times? Looking forward to reading volumes 2 & 3.
February 24, 2021
I wanted to finish this book because I wanted to know some of the history it is based in. I wouldn’t have finished otherwise—it was a slog. Not engaging.
October 13, 2022
Good book
June 9, 2023
Wonderful series that taught me so much
September 29, 2023
Fascinating book!
May 10, 2015
Fascinating history of notable black Mormon pioneers. Each chapter ends with notes on what details in the chapter were actual facts, which I really like. Because they are trying to be true to the historical characters, it is not as compelling as some historical fiction that may have more fiction than fact, but it is definitely more interesting than a biography format (I have a hard time reading biographies!)
I love the Prophet Joseph even more after learning what he said to Orson Hyde when asked what advice the Prophet would give a man coming into the Church with one hundred slaves (at a time when a number of saints from the South owned slaves): "Educate them and give them equal Rights." He also once said, referring to slavery, "It makes my blood boil within me."
It seems that some of the persecutions of the Mormons in Missouri may have been related to slavery issues since a lot of the Missourians were slave holders from the south (it makes more sense why they were so mob-like and abusive to the Mormons; such a racially prejudiced atmosphere would be quick to fight against anyone that was not just like them). Missouri wanted to be a slave state and it made them nervous that such a large group of north-easterners immigrated to their state, that likely would not have the same political interests. One notable example recorded states that a Mormon went to the polls to vote and a member of the mob standing by said that a Mormon had no more right to vote than a negro. Oh, and not to mention, Willard Richards reported that the mob that killed Joseph had painted their faces "to look like a gang of Negroes."
It made me cringe several times, hearing some of the racial intolerance and ignorance among the saints. It just proves that people are not perfect, but God and the restored church are.
I plan to read the next 2 books in the series.
I love the Prophet Joseph even more after learning what he said to Orson Hyde when asked what advice the Prophet would give a man coming into the Church with one hundred slaves (at a time when a number of saints from the South owned slaves): "Educate them and give them equal Rights." He also once said, referring to slavery, "It makes my blood boil within me."
It seems that some of the persecutions of the Mormons in Missouri may have been related to slavery issues since a lot of the Missourians were slave holders from the south (it makes more sense why they were so mob-like and abusive to the Mormons; such a racially prejudiced atmosphere would be quick to fight against anyone that was not just like them). Missouri wanted to be a slave state and it made them nervous that such a large group of north-easterners immigrated to their state, that likely would not have the same political interests. One notable example recorded states that a Mormon went to the polls to vote and a member of the mob standing by said that a Mormon had no more right to vote than a negro. Oh, and not to mention, Willard Richards reported that the mob that killed Joseph had painted their faces "to look like a gang of Negroes."
It made me cringe several times, hearing some of the racial intolerance and ignorance among the saints. It just proves that people are not perfect, but God and the restored church are.
I plan to read the next 2 books in the series.
August 1, 2014
AMAZING untold story of black Mormon pioneers in the early day of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It made me cry, laugh, excited, and awestruck to learn of the stories of the these tremendously faithful saints and their journey to follow God despite slavery, bigotry, poverty, and religious persecution. It tells the account of Jane Manning James who felt inspired to trek over 800 miles on foot to join an obscure religion and people she hardly knew in Nauvoo, Illinois, as well as Elijah Abel a runaway slave that became one of the first black members ordained to the priesthood, served a mission on the east coast, and was good friends with Joseph Smith's family. It shows the the socio-cultural strugglings of the Church with regards to racial equality and slavery after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, despite his many sermons on equality and repugnance of slavery. I feel blessed to have found this book, and my faith has been strengthened by the powerful examples of these little known pioneer saints. Every Latter-Day Saint should read this book and add their stories to the Church history narrative we share as a global faith.
January 12, 2008
This book took me about a week to read and I was quite enthralled in reading it. While it is a historical fiction, it is also quite well documented. I appreciate the end-notes at the end of each chapter explaining various historical citations and explanations. I only rated it 3.5 because the book revolves around multiple characters in an attempt to explain their various life histories. This book is the first in a trilogy and maybe that's the reason that the chapters seem a bit disparate. They typically focused on a single character in a given period of time and rarely smoothly flowed together. However, the authors' intents are more for a historical feel rather than functional novel. So that offsets the bumpiness.
I did like this book for everything I learned about the Black Mormon Pioneers. I just so feel for their situation and more than once quite upset at the way they were treated (fictionally or not). I would recommend this book to others considering the characters' little-known impact on the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I did like this book for everything I learned about the Black Mormon Pioneers. I just so feel for their situation and more than once quite upset at the way they were treated (fictionally or not). I would recommend this book to others considering the characters' little-known impact on the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
February 11, 2011
I'm not typically an LDS (mormon) fiction reader as I find most of the books to sweet, too unreal, and the characters have such perfect faith, such perfect outlooks on life that it becomes hard for me to not roll my eyes let alone relate to the characters. This book was different. This wasn't so much ficition but real people in real situations with real feelings and it was well researched. I enjoyed learning aspects of the pioneer story that I haven't learned before, specifically that of the black pioneers and how they came to become members of the church as well as the additional sacrifices they make in doing so. It was a refreshing real look at church history. I will read the next one in the series. If you choose to read this book do not miss the footnotes at the end of each chapter.
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