A Banner Is Unfurled

A Banner is Unfurled #1

by Marcie Gallacher, Kerri Robinson

Ezekiel Johnson feels like he is losing his family one by one. It is the 1820s, and years earlier, Ezekiel had fled his abusive stepfather and his loving, yet browbeaten mother promising he would never return. He vowed that when he had a family they would be bound together in freedom, happiness, and love. But now this strange, new Mormon religion seems to have captured the hearts of his wife and children in spite of the rumors that surround it and its supposed prophet, Joseph Smith.

As wicked individuals and strong temptations seek to block his familys path to happiness, Ezekiel realizes that he must either allow them to join the Church and risk losing them, or tear them away from their newfound faith even if they end up hating him for it.

From authors Marcie Gallacher and Kerri Robinson comes the emotional first volume in the epic series A Banner Is Unfurled, telling the remarkable story of a real family in Church history and the choices they must face. Full of drama and passion, this book is one you will want to share with your family, friends, and loved ones.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Religion, Historical

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[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!!!

[Sherrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sort of the Steed family of The Work and the Glory revisited except that it is a documented account of the family of famous Mormon pioneer B.F. Johnson's. This man seems to be the progenitor of at least half of the population of modern day Mesa. It is full of family poetry and quotes from diaries. Apparently this family kept great records. It recounts their conversion stories and their meetings with the prophet. I am always a pushover for historical novels and have already begun volume 2 of what I think is in 4 volumes. My family undoubtedly experienced much of the same as this one but, except for Phineas Wolcott Cook, they didn't keep such extensive diaries. So it is sort of a step into my own history

[Barb Wittwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will inspire you to write your history in a way that will make your posterity excited to get to know you.

[Kimberly Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Banner is Unfurled is a fictional depiction of the real-life Johnson family as they came into contact with and began to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Like some of the other reviewers, I too am descended from the Johnson family, so I found this book quite intriguing. I got my degree in family history and love learning about my ancestors, so it was especially interesting to read a dramatized account of their experience. This story really gave me some insight into what the Johnsons may have felt and thought as they had the life-changing experience of being introduced to the early LDS church.

The authors did an excellent job helping the story of the Johnsons to come alive. I was impressed that they provided unique personality and characterization for each of the family members (no mean task when there were over ten children!) They also showed a real depth of understanding of the complex feelings of the family when confronted with a whole new perspective on life, and of the historical settings of their experiences. As a historian, I deeply appreciated the attention to historical detail and accuracy, including the endnotes which allow the reader to clarify what parts of the book are historical fact and which are additions of the authors for the purpose of good story-telling.

I highly recommend this book to any other descendants of the family, as well as those interested in the early history of the LDS church. It's a worthwhile read. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, as well.

[Susan Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, written about my great great grandfather and his family, converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the early days of the Church. I don't usually like historical novels, and would prefer straight up biographies, but these books are well-researched, and chapter notes clarify departures from known facts, which are based on known facts.

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was an interesting story-historical fiction- about some of my ancestors. I didn't know that some of the characters were my ancestors until after I finished the book. There is a lot of births, two of which describes it, and includes a father who cares about his family, but gets drunk almost every night. This book is about how most of the family gets baptized into the Mormon church

[Edy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about early converts to the church. Although enjoyable, it was very predictable: One member of the family is very opposed to what the other members of the family do; there is heartache, joy, and challenge. It is a fun, quick read, and reinforces church history and provides opportunities for testimony building.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These people are some of my ancestors, as they are ancestors of the authors, and it was very cool to read a fictionalization of their lives. I intend to keep reading the whole series because I want to know more.
The authors have notes at the end of this volume that explain what is documented about the story they are telling (always helpful when history is fictionalized).

[Gwen Ruebush · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this whole series, but I'm going to rate it all as just this book. These are my ancestors, and I loved getting to know them better through these books. I appreciate the research and work to put these lives into story form. I loved reading the series.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series, great to read about church history from the view point of those around Joseph Smith.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK...was expecting worse actually- but I enjoyed it. And really only started reading because it is about ancestors of mine. :)

[Thomas C.Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very much enjoying this series thus far. I find the characters understandable and well written. I also find that the plot moves along at a reasonable pace.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really intriguing story. Well written!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reasonably good. Church members are the target audience. Likely no interest otherwise. Plan to read the next one.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ezekiel sure has his work cut out for him!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! I love this book. It is such a realistic account of a family being converted to the gospel and also includes real people outside of the family interactions and events with them.
Julia is such a wonderful mother, she has fifteen children and has taught them so well, that when the mormon children comes along they are prepared to open their hearts and listen and pray intent on what is right, Seth had the hardest time out of the children, he couldn't figure if Joseph was a false prophet. Elder Blackenbury a wonderful missionary read him a scripture that helped him know within that it was true. Seth got let go from being a school teacher because of his new found religion and other children have turned down suitors because of their new found faith.
On page 179 it mentions a missionary Edmund Durfee , which to me was the most wonderful part of the book seeing the author using real people Edmund Durfee is my great great great great grandfather. It mentioned that he was quiet and mentioned his physical characteristics and things about his mission. He went as a missionary to the Johnson's!

I can only hope that in the continuing books that Ezekiel softens and lets his family in on why he is slow to go to God, that his step father beat him and did it in God's name. Told Ezekiel that he was an abomination, because he was an illegitimate child. Ezekiel his holding his family back and they all fear especially Seth about not being together in Zion and in the Eternities.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh no! I have found another LDS historical novels series to get wrapped up into! Luckily, (or unfortunately--depending on point of view)there are only 3 books in this series.

The A Banner is Unfurled series deals with some of the issues of the early LDS Church from a different perspective than others that I have read and use an actual, historically correct family to frame the story. Volume 1 was wonderfully engaging for me. I found myself with tears on my cheeks so many times reading of the struggles common to people in this historical period of time--not only from a church perspective, but other health, social, physical issues, as well.

There is a lot of focus on the reaction of the people around the fledgling members of the Church and the persecutions they receive. The authors handle this so very well as they deal with the myths and fears generated against the Church. I think that so often my tears were because of how much I have personally suffered from persecution as I investigated the Church. I suffer along with the Johnson family in the book as I shared the feelings of children who want to belong to the Church and be baptized, but are not allowed to for many years because of the prejudices of a parent.

The characters are engaging and believable. The reader will learn more of names they have long seen in Church history, but know nothing about. I heartily recommend this series to LDS readers who enjoy historical fiction.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have avoided reading fictionalized accounts of early LDS history, as I didn't want to confuse fiction with history, but I read a review that said this is an excellent series and thought I'd try it. I'm glad I did--this series is based on the history of the Johnson family, from whom the authors are descended, and is meticulously researched while being a great story. If only all our family histories were as well-documented as this one! I was interested enough to read the footnotes at the back of the book to see if the authors noted their sources well and where they deviated from or added to what is known, and they did. I look forward to reading the rest of the volumes and learning more and enjoying the very interesting history of the Johnson family. One thing the authors did well was to memorably create each character (the original family had more than a dozen children) so that I didn't have any trouble keeping track of who was who--not an easy task when dealing with such a large cast of characters. Recommended for those who would like to add some context and narrative to their study of the Doctrine and Covenants in Sunday School in 2013, or are just interested early LDS history.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am SO grateful my great aunt recommended this series to me, since they are about my ancestors whom I knew nothing about. This book is well written and well researched, and I love the fact that almost every single character was a real person. I feel like pieces of my ancestry, that make up who I am, have fallen into place. I knew so much about my paternal side, but now I feel a little more evened out...

Second read: Now that I have another book in the series I felt compelled to start them over again, especially in preparation for the special General Conference we will have in April, commemorating Joseph Smith's First Vision. And I have been so touched as I have absorbed these ancestor's testimonies again and more fully realized that my fourth and fifth great grandparents knew Joseph Smith! I am so grateful for the opportunity these books give me to get to know my ancestors and appreciate all that they went through so I can have what I have.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm actually on book 3 in this series now - but, I'll switch it to my "read" column after I'm finished with all that is written in this series. They have been VERY good. They are quite similar to "Work and Glory" books. I really like that they are based on real people - and the story line is formulated from these peoples' journals, poetry, and writings ... along with the church history.

All three took me awhile to read, actually - but, the more serious books usually do. I HIGHLY recommend this series. The history of the Latter-day Saint church has SO many sad times - and, because of that - these books can sometimes be difficult to swallow. But - despite the heart ache and sorrow - the story is inspiring and hopeful. I'm very anxious for the series to continue.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has 3 volumes which I read. The information is taken from real journal accounts during the first few year of the Church's existance and the move to Kirtland. It is written as a novel and shows the feelings of many people at that time, when the temple was dedicated through the fighting in the temple and it being taken over by the people against Joseph Smith. I found the history and stories of all three volumes interesting and marveled at the strength of the true followers and what they had to endure.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping this book would book would be the beginning of a series that I could love as much as I love the Work and the Glory...and I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the book was good, and I plan on reading the rest of the series, but I just can't rate it up there with Work and the Glory. One thing I do love though, is that this book is about a real family is church history, and that's interesting to me. For my friends who like LDS historical fiction, I'd say, give it a try and see how you feel about the book for yourself.

[Casie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I love about this series is that it is about my mother-in-law's ancestors. The mother and father of this book, Julia and Ezekiel Johnson had a son they named George Washington. George is my mother-in-law's great, great grandfather. Isn't that amazing!? The story was a little slow for me, but the history of it being family kept me reading. I will say I have also read the rest of the series and this was the slowest book for me. I couldn't put down the rest of the series because it is jam pack filled with amazing events of a family in the early days of the gospel restoration.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I listened to this book on audio last summer(07). It is a true story about my husband's heritage. Our daughter's middle name comes from Julia Hills Johnson in the book. These books(there is a second volume and a third I still need to finish!)are entertaining but also very spiritually uplifting. It makes church leaders such as Joseph Smith and Brigham Young seem so much more real. They are comparable to the Work and the Glory series except they are not a fictional family.

[Emmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently I am related to the family that this book is based on (Ezekial and Julia Johnson are my 5th Great-Grandparents). For Christmas, my mom gave all of us kids all three books in the series and copies of family history, journals, diaries and recollections of the Johnson family that she had, or had access to. These aren't books I would typically read but the familial connection makes it interesting to me.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit about my grandmother's family and how they became members of the LDS Church. I learned about the day to day life of people in the early United States and the politics and peoples' motivations in small town frontier life from New York to Ohio to Missouri and so on, going westward. And most of all, how dedication to God and Jesus Christ really shaped my family and the Mormon Church in this country and the world.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to do with some of my family history, which makes it all the more interesting and insightful. I love that the book contains notes on each chapter to clarify historical details and those details thrown in for the sake of the novel. I'm looking forward to reading Volume 2. Just to warn you, there may be some tears involved, but there are definitely a lot of laughs as well! I loved this book...but like I said, I may be partial to it.

[Tiffunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't my usual genre of choice, but these are about my relatives so my family got my all hyped on them and i loved reading it. Knowing this is a real family and that it's all based on real events and real journal accounts makes its so much better. I had no idea my ancestors were so intricately involved in the beginnings of the church and it's fascinating and heart breaking to read of their trials and conversions.

[Elesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story about a fictional family in the mid 1800's as they learn about and are converted to the gospel. The story was mostly interesting, but the writing seemed trite and forced and a little cheesy, and I had a hard time getting through it. Couldn't bring myself to go on to the next book in the series.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the Benjamin F. Johnson family, which is on my husband's mother's side. We have his autobiography, so reading these fictional accounts of the events surrounding Benjamin's and his family's lives are so interesting. Very well written books, emotionally believable and spiritual without being overly sappy.