LDS BOOK REVIEW: Follow Me to Zion by Andrew D. Olsen and Jolene S. Allphin

FOLLOW ME TO ZION

Stories from the Willie Handcart Pioneers

by Andrew D. Olsen and Jolene S. Allphin

Art by Julie Rogers

Deseret Book, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-60907-594-1

Review copy provided by publisher in return for honest review.

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK

James G. Willie knew the trek would be arduous when he left Iowa City in July 1856, leading 500 handcart pioneers on a 1,300-mile journey across the plains.

But he could not have known that his people would run out of food while still hundreds of miles from Salt Lake City nor that the winter of 1856 would begin in the middle of October with prolonged, severe storms. Sixty-nine members of his company would die along the way. Yet from this tragedy emerged triumphant stories of personal endurance, courage, heroism, and unwavering faith.

Follow Me to Zion recounts 20 compelling stories of members of the Willie handcart company and their rescuers. Dozens of full-color images by artist Julie Rogers enrich this keepsake volume, which pays tribute to the men, women, and children who have become enduring witnesses of the power of faith and sacrifice.

Here you will find excerpts from their own accounts of the journey, learn what those faithful pioneers did after reaching the Salt Lake Valley, and read reflections on their lives by descendants.

The simple words “Follow Me to Zion,” cross-stitched onto small pieces of fabric kept in the journal of a handcart pioneer, are an invitation that still calls to us today.

The stories and paintings in this beautiful volume can inspire us to live true to our faith and reach out to help others do likewise.

This book also contains the most comprehensive, up-to-date listing of members of the Willie handcart company.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Andrew D. Olsen is an editor for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the author ofThe Price We Paid: The Extraordinary Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Pioneers. Andrew and his wife, Linda, are the parents of 3 children.

Jolene Spendlove Allphin has a love for the 1856 pioneers and rescuers that continues to grow. She has published nearly 300 biographical sketches of them in Tell My Story, Too. Jolene and her husband, Michael, are the parents of 11 children.

Julie Boswell Rogers is an acclaimed artist who has won many awards. Her art has been featured in Church publications, visitors’ centers, and the Church History Museum. The book Emma, the Elect Lady contains many of her paintings of Joseph and Emma Smith. Julie and her husband, Russell, are the parents of 5 children.

REVIEW

This is a remarkable book. Not only is it beautifully designed with elegant pages and gorgeous paintings, but the stories are touching and truly inspiring.  The suffering endured by the Willie handcart pioneers is heart-wrenching, my heart ached for the hunger, cold, and exhaustion that they faced, especially during the last part of the journey.  But the sacrifices they made didn't end when they arrived in Salt Lake City.  Many of them went on to make more difficult sacrifices later on in their lives.  I appreciated hearing more about their lives after arriving in Utah.  It was nice to put their experiences in context.  Direct quotes from the pioneers themselves add just the right touch to a powerful story. Highly recommended.

ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE BOOK

Book Review: Across the Sea, Across the Plains by Shelli Simmons

I intended to have this post up on July 24th, the day that Utahns celebrate the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley.  But I had other things going on, so I didn't make it. But it is a fabulous book.

ACROSS THE SEA, ACROSS THE PLAINS: The Epic Account of the Willie & Martin Handcart Companies from Europe to Zion
by Shelli Simmons
Cedar Fort Inc., 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4621-1017-9
LDS Nonfiction
Reviewed from purchased copy.

From the wilds of Rural Denmark to the soot-blackened streets of London, one by one, they heard the message. They felt the Spirit's power. And even as their friends and family turned against them, they held strong to their fledgling faith. These remarkable Saints were only beginning their journey--one that would take them from their beloved homes, to a new continent, and on toward Zion.

Join the handcart pioneers in their epic journey to Zion. Beginning with the conversions and persecutions they experienced in Europe, this remarkable book shares the true story of the Martin and Willie handcart companies as you’ve never heard it before. Follow along through the miracles and heartbreaks with eye-witness accounts, first-hand documents, and personal testimonies. Thorough and well-researched, this is a must-read!

I loved this book. Despite having heard the story of the Martin and Willie Handcart companies many times before, I found myself learning a great deal about some of the individual's who were there.  I found it very humbling to read of the dedication and sacrifice that so many made to follow God's command to gather to Zion.  To read of individuals who had the means to come by wagon who donated their money to others and came by handcart instead. The story of a family whose twelve-year-old son disappeared the night before they were to set out across the plains made my heart ache.  How the parents must have wondered about their son, but when they were promised they would see their son again, the continued on their journey. They did indeed see their son again, but not for 20 years.

I especially enjoyed reading the stories in the actual words of those who experienced them. The author uses many actual journal entries and ties them together beautifully. I really admire the author for conducting such extensive research and organizing it all into a coherent whole. I highly recommend this book for any who enjoy reading books of LDS history, or just a faith-filled journey of suffering and sacrifice with miracles sprinkled in.