Orson Hyde: The Olive Branch of Israel

by Myrtle Stevens Hyde

Orson Hyde was chosen as an original member of the Council of the Twelve in 1835, when the Mormon Church first organized this governing body. Orson's most well-known accomplishment was as a Mormon missionary to Jerusalem (1840-1842) to dedicate the land for the return of the Jews. In 1979 civil authorities in Jerusalem invited the development of a five-acre hillside garden, in honor of Orson Hyde. Participating in the Mormon drama of crossing the plains in the U.S. several times and settling the West, Orson was a colonizing leader in western Iowa, also in what became western Nevada, and in central Utah. He was a major figure in Utah's Black Hawk Indian War (1865-1872). Using facts, details and personal experiences never before in print, Myrtle Hyde, the Hyde family genealogist, has used diaries, letters, notes, documents, reports, articles, speeches and letters to present a real-life depiction of Orson Hyde, apostle, teacher, missionary, orator, scriptorian, journalist, editor, lawyer, judge, statesman, colonizer, and administrator; also the husband of eight wives, the father of thirty-three children. 16 Photos 12 Maps; 25p Index; Notes Section; Bibliography.

Genres: Religion, Biography

610 pages, Hardcover

First published November 6, 2000

Reviews

[Hayley Shaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book about one of my most famous relatives. It told how he helped start the church, turned on the church, then turned back to the church. It tells how he built every community he lived in, led through the Black Hawk War, and went on many missions. His most famous was the mission to Jerusalem. If you love books about pioneers, the LDS, or just plain history, this book is for you.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. There was history that I learned about the early church.

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a detailed and well-documented history of the LDS church as seen through the life and experiences of one of the original Twelve Apostles of this dispensation. So often the telling of church history ends with the arrival of the early pioneers in 1847 to the Salt Lake Valley, but I learned much more about the colonizing of Utah Territory and the Black Hawk Indian War from Orson's experiences than I'd know before. Orson Hyde was a brilliant man, a powerful orator, writer and leader; reading more about his conversion, missionary travels (including his famed trip to Jerusalem), family life, colonizing efforts, and personal sacrifices was fascinating. It is an honest telling of history, not shrinking from the telling of Orson's regrettable act in the fall of 1838 when in his own words he "let [the Prophet] Joseph down" and spent a some months away from the fellowship of the church." I also found the details of Orson Hyde's personal life and relationships with early church leaders intriguing and in some cases, surprising. His challenge with the Word of Wisdom, the divorce from his first wife, Marinda, in their later lives, the chastisements he received from Brigham Young are some examples. Nevertheless, throughout his life, Orson was called upon to make great sacrifices for the fledgling Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and did so with humility and devotion. Although he faltered early on, the experience seemed to strengthen his faith and determination to serve the Lord at all costs. The reader is left with the impression of a man dedicated to family, faith and the God he loved.

[Petrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for research on my current writing project--but got so involved that I did a lot more reading than necessary. I really enjoyed this very human glimpse of an important leader in Church history--he is best remembered for his dedication of the Holy Land, and also for the time when he joined Thomas B. Marsh in a document that resulted in Joseph Smith going to Liberty Jail--and his subsequent repentance and very valiant life thereafter. In fact I was impressed by his absolute obedience and humility--even when Brigham Young seemed to be a bit extra hard on him. The author had access to family writings as well as his own and those of others so it made for a very intimate biography. I really want to go see his home in Spring City, Utah now--he was the General Authority in charge of the settlements in Sanpete for 17 years.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written and comprehensive biography containing very well researched facts and stories. The chapters are a little long, but overall anyone interested in early Church history or any descendant of Orson Hyde (which I am not) should really like this very well done book.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. I thought the author was fair considering some of the complexities of the life of Orson Hyde. I loved the points in his life that she fleshed out that are generally unknown. If you love LDS history, this book is worth owning!

[Amy]

really good, more details to come