A Season of Joy

In the preface, Gerald Lund reveals several interesting facts. The two most common questions asked of Bookcraft during the publication of this series was, "When will the next volume be ready?" and "What color will the cover be?" Due to a bad copy/paste this cover is actually maroon.

End sheet maps continue to be an enriching addition to each volume and Robert Barrett continues to produce all of the black and white illustrations. The watercolor cover illustrations were done by Lester Lee as well as the maps.

Christmas Day, 1994, I unwrapped this anticipated volume and carried it around with me the entire day like a newborn baby, showing it off to everyone. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. Would Will be reunited with his family? What had the rest of the Steed clan and the Prophet Joseph Smith been up to since we last saw them? The series had truly hit its stride.

Chapter 1: Will contemplates his situation, indentured servitude, trapped aboard a merchant packet ship, en route to Savannah, Georgia. He thinks about how dumb he was to run away but cheers himself with the possibility he can slip away at this next stop and find his mother and sisters. In Quincy, Illinois, the saints stagger in from the west looking for shelter. The entire Steed clan is crammed into one tiny log cabin. Mary Ann and Benjamin tell the grand kids stories about what life was like when THEY were children. As the ship docks at Savannah the captain, anticipating Will's escape, puts him back in solitary confinement. No shore leave for him. Will is devastated. He just turned fifteen but that birthday wish to be reunited with his family won't be coming true. Will has also discovered he likes the sea and is a natural sailor.

Chapter 2: Caroline is now aware of eleven-year-old Olivia's crush on Matthew who only has eyes for Jennifer Jo McIntire (she is seventeen according to Characters of Note). Caroline and Joshua cry together and worry over their son. Heber C. Kimball and others of the twelve talk about their recent visit to Joseph in Liberty Jail where conditions aren't fit for animals but Joseph prophesied that they will soon be delivered. Back on the packet ship, the tough but fair captain tells Will he'll be put in the locker again when they reach New York City but promises to mail the letter he confiscated that Will tried to send to his family once they get to Liverpool. He paid $200 dollars for two years of servitude and intends to hold Will to that contract. He also compliments Will, telling him he has the makings of a fine seaman.

Chapter 3: Just like in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah 22, when the enslaved Nephites slipped wine to their Lamanite captors and successfully escaped; Joseph, Hyrum and others watch the guards drink themselves to sleep as they are being transferred to another jail in Davis county for the impending trial. They slip away from the camp that night and return to their families. Back at the Steed cabin, the newly widowed Jessica listens while the other Steed women talk about how much they miss their husbands who are away helping the last of the poor saints to Quincy. Unable to stand the irony any longer, she bolts from the scene, sobbing. Jessica sits by the river and mourns for her lost husband who will never be returning to her. Mary Ann is waiting with open arms to welcome her back that evening.

Chapter 4: In Kirtland, Ohio, Melissa really wants to be with her family out west in Illinois. Carl is open to the idea of moving. Mother Smith prophesies that her sons will return tomorrow and they do. There's a joyful, tearful reunion. The next day, many saints, including the Steeds, line up outside the Smith home to welcome Brother Joseph back after four months of incarceration. Today is April 22, 1839. On the ship, Will is a good sailor. Both the captain and his crew mates are impressed with him.

Chapter 5: Nathan will go to St. Louis to visit Joshua and Caroline, see if they've heard anything from Will but first, Nathan gets to join Brigham Young and the rest of the twelve in Far West where, despite the danger, they will be meeting to leave on a great and important mission to England as commanded by the Lord in a revelation given one year ago to Joseph to begin gathering in Zion which will someday be in Missouri.

Chapter 6: A great General Conference is held, the first in the church since all this mob violence started. Everyone rejoices to have their prophet returned to them and Joseph preaches a wonderful sermon about how all they suffered was not in vain but has made them a stronger people. The work will go forward. Yes! Amen!

Chapter 7: Though he still uses a cane to aid in walking, Joshua is doing well as he makes his way down a St. Louis street, gradually becoming aware that someone is following him. It's only Nathan. He wants them to come join the family in Quincy. Caroline loves the idea of being closer to the celestial Steed family. Will is summoned to the captain's cabin who drops the bomb: not only is Will trapped on this ship for the next two years, they will be sailing from Liverpool to China! The voyage will take no less than eighteen months. They won't be returning to America for awhile, which means Will's family reunion is indefinitely postponed. The good news is, the captain would like to promote Will to boatswain or "bosun" one day, if he'll apprentice himself to him. He could have a real career at sea and maybe become captain of his own ship one day. Think about it.

Chapter 8: It is day 3 of General Conference. Joseph takes Derek and Matthew aside. They are to accompany the twelve on their mission to England. Matthew hopes Jennifer Jo won't "Dear John" him while he's away. They kiss and promise to wait for each other. Nathan returns with Joshua and Caroline. Joshua isn't too thrilled with the idea but has agreed to move his family to Illinois so they can be closer to rest of the family. Caroline couldn't be happier.

Chapter 9: It's July 1, 1839. Swampland is being drained and lots planned for the future city of Nauvoo, located just north of Quincy on a secluded bend of the Mississippi. Caroline receives a letter from the Montagues in Savannah. Will's letter has been forwarded to her. He is alive! They won't be seeing him until next year when he returns from China but he's all right. Rebecca gives birth to her and Derek's first child, Christopher.

Chapter 10: Joshua and family will live in Quincy until Nauvoo is more developed. The Steeds move into their crude log cabins but everyone is coming down with malaria. Nathan's family is hit particularity hard. Little Nathan is almost four and very sick. Nathan and Benjamin give the boy a blessing but he succombs and dies. Baby Elizabeth continues to suffer. Lydia takes it hard.

Chapter 11: Jenny and Kathryn lose their mother to the fever. Benjamin is so sick he calls the family together to bestow his deathbed blessings. Mary Ann recounts The Dream for the first time, here. This significant dream will be mentioned in later volumes, so take note. During some of the darkest hours in Far West, Mary Ann dreamt she was walking along a vast, open plain; the landscape of which is glorious and beautiful. In the distance ahead lies a shining celestial city. One by one, Mary Ann's children, sans Joshua, join her on this road leading to the city. Spouses who are members of the church such as Lydia, Jessica and Derek are included in this "Pilgrim's Progress" but nonmembers, such as Carl and Caroline are also missing. The point of this dream is that Mary Ann didn't see Benjamin but knew that he was already in the city, awaiting his family. Everyone is heartsick that Benjamin is so nigh unto death. Even Joshua regrets he failed to be the son he knew Benjamin wanted him to be. Benjamin bears his testimony of the gospel to him. Ben's last request to Nathan is to take Lydia and the children back to Palmyra to see her parents because nothing is more important than family.

Chapter 12: Malaria has now reached epidemic levels and many saints are on their deathbeds. The good news is, Parley P. Pratt has been released from prison and Nathan is especially glad to see him. Suddenly, a commotion in the streets reaches them. It's a miracle! Joseph, just as sick as everyone else, has made a complete recovery and is going from home to home; literally raising people from their sickbeds. Nathan leads him to Benjamin. In a daze, Joshua witnesses this New Testament miracle. Joseph invites Joshua to come along as he heals Nathan's baby and speaks words of comfort to Sister Lydia still mourning the death of her youngest son. Joseph crosses the river to raise a man from death's door who leaps up from his sickbed while Joshua can only watch in awe. He returns to the Steed cabin that night, not sure what to believe after observing this "Day of God's Power."

Chapter 13: Joshua tells Caroline of all he saw and agrees maybe they should move to Nauvoo. It's time for Derek and Matthew to leave with the some of the twelve apostles on their mission. Despite the miraculous day of healing, many are still too weak to travel and can hardly move from their beds. Lydia and Nathan pack for their trip East. Maybe they'll stop in Kirtland and surprise Melissa. Joshua buys a piano for Oliva to play since she's been taking lessons and is quite proficient. In Palmyra, Lydia and Nathan are stunned at the warm welcome from Lydia's parents from whom they parted with some tension after the last visit.

Chapter 14: Matthew is also the only one well enough to travel while his other companions are just too sick but they are not discouraged as they drag themselves into the wagon. As his family stands weeping at the gate of the house, Heber C. Kimball suggests they rise up and give a cheer which fans of the movie The Other Side of Heaven might recognize: "Hurrah for Isreal!" It works and his wife and family manage feeble smiles and wish them "God speed" in return as the wagon starts. As fall settles over Nauvoo, the building boom is picking up speed. Jessica is teaching school and is overwhelmed by all the students while Joshua is doing very well with his freight business. Joseph wants Ben to be a city planner and help oversee construction of the new temple. Joseph also comes to the Steed family store where Caroline and Jennifer Jo love to work. Caroline asks him about a recent sermon he preached last Sunday on forgiveness. Joseph helps her see the importance of forgiving as Christ did; Caroline feels the spirit.

Chapter 15: Derek and Mattew meet up, travel together with other members of the twelve to Kirtland and give Melissa the shock of her life when they appear, unannounced, on her doorstep. Carl welcomes them in and later overhears Brigham and Heber discussing their financial situation and the miraculous appearance of money in their depleted purse. It's a miracle and Carl can't sleep after what he just heard. He's a religious man and takes his family to a non-denominational Christian church every Sunday and reads his Bible but such things just don't happen anymore.

Chapter 16: Nathan's son, Joshua, is eight years old and recently baptized. He isn't dissuaded by Lydia's father who tries to tell the boy that Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon aren't true and boldly bears his testimony to his astonished Grandfather before walking away. Lydia is furious when Nathan repeats what he overheard, but Nathan is proud of their son. Meanwhile, Carl is impressed with these Mormon missionaries and Melissa nearly cries at the softening of his heart, they may relocate with the Nauvoo Saints yet! Derek and his party travel ahead of Matthew's, now on a ship heading to England. Today is New Year's Day; happy 1840.

Chapter 17: Mary Ann writes words of encouragement to Melissa about men who struggle with accepting Mormonism, (she used to be married to one, after all) and tells her not to give up on Carl. It is also New Years Day on the other side of the world, in China, where Will buys gifts for the family and experiences some culture shock. In New York City, Matthew and his company meet up with Parley Pratt and his wife, Mary Ann (Who? He lost his first wife in Volume 3. Lund failed to mention that Parley remarried two months later) who rejoice about the doctrine of celestial marriage recently revealed to Joseph. Over in Palmyra, Nathan finds his wife singing happily as she brushes out her hair preparing for bed and they have a mushy love exchange. So glad they decided to make this trip. Derek and his party arrive in Liverpool, England on January 11, 1840.

Chapter 18: Arrival in Preston, England where Jenny Pottsworth and her mother still reside. Recognizing Derek, they scream and run to meet him. Jenny has grown into a beautiful young woman, she is almost fifteen. Back in Palmyra, Lydia's father dies. They attend the funeral and begin making plans to go home, to the dismay of Grandma McBride. Caroline gives birth to a baby boy, Charles.

Chapter 19: Missionary work goes well in England with lots of baptisms. The Americans joke with Derek about local colloquialisms and those funny dialects that they find so hard to understand while Derek could say the same thing about them. At a large meeting, Derek bears his testimony for the first time and many English investigators, including a constable sent to arrest these men after their meeting, are now requesting baptism.

Chapter 20: Nathan and Lydia stop and visit Melissa in Kirtland on the way home. They invite her to move to Nauvoo and while Carl is willing, his father is against it. A family intervention by the two Steeds softens his heart. Melissa is thrilled they will be joining Nathan and Lydia on the return trip. Matthew, Brigham Young, and their party arrive in England.

Chapter 21: In central England, south of Preston, Derek and the saints are persecuted with rocks thrown at them while they perform baptisms. News arrives that the second group of the twelve apostles are here and Derek and Matthew have a nice reunion. Jenny and her Mom want to immigrate to Nauvoo with the other saints. The Steeds have their own family reunion as Nathan, Lydia, Carl and Melissa see the rest of the Steeds waiting at the river boat dock to welcome them home. Joseph Smith is even here and Carl is friendly to him.

Chapter 22: Entire Steed clan, including Carl and Joshua, attend the funeral of a prominent member where Joseph preaches the doctrine on baptisms for the dead for the first time. Caroline really wants to be baptized but Joshua is against it. There is growing tension in their marriage.

Chapter 23: Matthew writes to Jennifer. Will arrives in Liverpool, back from China, unaware he is about to cross paths with extended family members as the captain informs him they will be taking another kind of cargo back to America: Mormon passengers! Oblivious to the presence of Matthew and Derek, still bitter about the Mormons whom he still believes responsible for the death of his stepfather, he avoids the Mormons as much as possible until the ship sets sail but is unable to avoid Jenny Pottsworth, the most beautiful English girl he's ever seen! When Jenny learns his name, she bursts into tears, "I know the whole story and your father is alive!"

Chapter 24: Still sore over Will's earlier rudeness towards all Mormons, Jenny is coolly polite to him. Her mom and the ship's captain already see the chemistry between the two youngsters. A dying Father Smith leaves a powerful priesthood blessing on his family. Ben takes Caroline aside to cheer her up about Joshua's stubbornness over allowing her to join the church. Ben used to be the same way but Joshua will come around and she'll have his permission to be baptized, wait and see.

Chapter 25: It's October 1840 and a new convert has the Nauvoo saints all "a-twitter." His name is John C. Bennett (dun-dun-DUN!). Carl wants to open a brick kiln. Joshua and Nathan will go North to the pine forests of Wisconsin to cut logs to float down the Mississippi to sell in the spring and provide needed lumber for the church. On the ship, Will and Jenny call a truce and agree to be friends, for now.

Chapter 26: Nathan and Joseph talk about the Liberty Jail experience. Nathan has observed how much Joseph has changed; becoming a great orator, leader and prophet. With the arrival of the English saints, half of Nauvoo has turned out to welcome them, including the Steeds. Peter is ecstatic to see Jenny who is enthusiastically welcomed, along with her mother, into the Steed clan. Jenny and her mom start to cry, knowing what's about to happen for Joshua and Caroline. Everyone turns, as one, to see a young man running down the gangplank. It's Will!

Chapter 27: November, 1840. Will, Joshua and Carl are scouting/camping in Wisconsin preparing the lumber mill operation. They watch, amused, as Nathan bathes in the freezing river. Will gasps seeing his bare back exposed and inquires about the scars. He never knew the story from Volume 2 when Joshua had his own brother whipped. Back in Nauvoo, the Steeds decide to celebrate the new fad or holiday everyone is calling Thanksgiving. The men are back from their scouting trip and everyone cries as the entire clan goes around the huge table, expressing what they're most thankful for. That night, Jennifer Jo comforts her heartbroken sister because Kathryn has been making eyes at Peter to no avail and now has to compete with that blond English bombshell, Jenny Pottsworth.

Chapter 28: The two newest arrivals propose they celebrate a real Ye Olde Dickens Christmas. The Steeds have no idea what they're talking about but love the idea of organizing caroling groups, making wassail (sans brandy) and decking the halls. Will walks Jenny back to her small cabin (provided by Joshua) where she lives with her mother but they can't be an official couple because Jenny only dates Mormon boys.

Chapter 29: Nathan talks with Carl about the church and Joshua and Will's hesitancy to join. It's the Steed Family Christmas Eve Special. Joseph brings his family to the party. Everyone makes stockings and the children act out the traditional Luke 2 Christmas Story complete with homemade costumes.

Chapter 30: To Peter's utter embarrassment, Jenny shares the poem he wrote for her aloud during Jessica's class. Will and Kathryn are so upset, both flee the classroom. That night, Jessica takes her two "adopted" daughters aside to talk about the worth of a girl in the eyes of others. Take Jessica for example. She was an ugly, introverted, illiterate nobody with absolutely no self esteem, until she met John Griffth, got married, had children, and became a beautiful, cherished woman and it will happen for them too, if they just keep waiting patiently and try not to let the blonde, popular, queen bee cheerleaders of the world who get their pick of all the eligible men, intimidate them because a woman can only feel beautiful and cherished unless she has a man in her life (That's supposed to make Kathryn feel better?). Jenny invites Will to dinner who anticipates an intimate candlelit table for two. He arrives not realizing Peter was also included. Angry and offended, believing he was deliberately mislead, Will storms out the door.

Chapter 31: As the only woman confident in her own secure relationship, Jennifer Jo takes Jenny aside for a heart-to-heart. The misunderstanding is cleared up. Jenny is not interested in Peter romantically, they're just friends and Kathryn is free to date him while Jenny figures out her growing attraction to Will. Jennifer Jo and Jenny are now friends. Will wants to go back to sea, maybe find a boat to England where he can meet Matthew and Derek and travel back with them. Jenny gives Will a copy of the Book of Mormon and Will promises to read and pray about it during his trip.

Chapter 32: In England, Will is welcomed by all and encouraged to find out for himself if Mormonism is true. On April 6, 1841 the Steeds attend general conference and the laying of the cornerstone for the new temple.

Chapter 33: Traveling back to America with the English saints, a big storm blows in. Rough sea. Will observes the prayer offered to calm the sea and as morning breaks, it comes to pass. Will talks to Brigham Young and hears his conversion story. On July 1st, Steeds gather at Ma and Pa's to spend time together in various activities, a tradition they just started. Lydia had a baby boy, Josiah. Men appear on the street. It's all the Steed men, safely returned from England! Everyone hugs and cries. Matthew proposes to Jennifer Jo in front of the entire family and she accepts. Later, Will goes to see Jenny.

Chapter 34: Will and Jenny talk and kiss. Will asks for her patience while he makes up his mind about the church. Matthew and Brigham Young resume their plans to go into a furniture-making business together.

Chapter 35: For the third time, Joseph Smith officiates at a Steed wedding. Matthew Steed and Jennifer Jo McIntire are married on July 24, 1841. Joshua and Caroline provided the new clothes for them to wear. Jennifer Jo's dress is ivory white with lace. All the younger girls wear new dresses and stand in the wedding line as bridesmaids and flower girls. The entire city of Nauvoo attends the ceremony which is held in the large outdoor grove used for Sunday worship services. Joseph stresses the importance of marriage between a man and a woman, which is pleasing to the Lord (wonder what Joseph would think, 173 years later, as such doctrine is being turned on its head!).
Mary Ann sure cries a lot. With all the Steed children now happily married off, she and Benjamin observe their posterity running around at the reception party while adults mingle and chat happily. What more could they ask for?

The End

Thy Gold to Refine

     Published in 1993, Thy Gold to Refine was the 1994 winner of the LDS Literature Award and recipient of an award from Association for Mormon Letters. Word of mouth was spreading. Fans of the Steed family couldn't get enough of learning more about Mormon events thanks to the masterful storytelling of Gerald Lund.

     This volume covers just nine months, (July 1838-March 1839) yet it is packed with action, adventure and pathos. Insignificant names now an important part of church history: Haun's Mill, Far West, and Liberty Jail were the Lord's forge to refine and purify his people in order to prepare them for the next great adventure; Nauvoo and the trek west.

     The Benjamin Steed Family chart is rearranged to include everyone's posterity including Joshua's ex-wife, Jessica, and her new family from her marriage to John Griffith (see previous volume). Rebecca and Mathew remain the only single, unmarried Steeds but Rebecca's turn is coming!

Characters of Note list at beginning of the novel reveal Rebecca's current age as twenty.

     For the first time, Chapter Notes have also been included in this volume so readers can immediately learn historical fact from fiction following each chapter. A welcome change as even I didn't realize Lund had included similar notes at the very end of volumes 2 & 3 only. Chapter Notes will be the standard in every book from now on.

Chapter 1: Mary Ann is pondering her family and how far they have all come since meeting Joseph Smith and moving to Missouri. She will turn 52 this year. It is the morning after the big reunion with Joshua that concluded Volume 3. Joshua appears and he and Mary Ann talk of the children she lost and the miraculous return of her own prodigal son before entering the small family cabin to prepare breakfast. Later that day, Peter shyly approaches Jessica. He loves to learn and wrote a poem he'd like her to critique. Jessica will be happy to take him as a pupil in her little school. Olivia admits to Lydia she has a crush on her new Uncle Matthew. She's only eleven. He's almost eighteen. Lydia keeps this information to herself. Joseph Smith invites Joshua, Caroline and the children over for supper. They accept.

Chapter 2: Today is July 4 in Far West, Missouri. The entire Steed clan join in the celebrations. Will and Olivia announce they wish to take the Steed name and be officially adopted by Joshua into the family. Dinner at the Prophet's home went well. Caroline has lots of "golden investigator" questions which worries Joshua. Rebecca finds Mary Fielding Smith and introduces her fianceé, Derek, to her. Everyone enjoys the small parade to celebrate the holiday.

Chapter 3: Joshua and Caroline stay to hear Sidney Rigdon preach a fiery sermon. The enemies of the church will be sorry for all the trouble they've given the saints for today, Independance Day, they are a free, righteous people who will NOT be victims to their abuse anymore!

Chapter 4: Holding hands, Rebecca and Derek walk along the creek and make honeymoon cottage plans for their life after the wedding. Derek wants to settle in Adam-Ondi-Ahman. He tells Becca all about the history of the area and its significance in scripture as revealed to Joseph.That night a big family dinner outside the family cabin closes the 4th. Joshua finally talks  with Jessica. All is forgiven but Rachel must be protected as having her biological father and stepfather at future family gatherings might confuse her. Jessica agrees they will refer to Joshua as "Uncle Joshua" from now on. Tomorrow, Joshua will take his family back to Independence as he been called up to join the state army in the event of a Mormon uprising.

Chapter 5: Next day, tearful goodbyes as Joshua departs with his family. Will wants to do something for his new grandparents, perhaps buy them a special present, which gives Joshua an idea...Next day, a HUGE thunderstorm rolls across the prairie. The Liberty Pole that Sidney Rigdon preached under the day before is completely obliterated by one great lightening strike. Is this a sign? Brigham Young takes Matthew under his wing as a carpenter's apprentice.

Chapter 6: Mormons, including Derek who technically can't vote until age 21, are prevented from casting their ballots by a mob. Fisticuffs, with no lives lost, are the result. Derek is badly hurt. Wives and children of the Mormon men involved hide outside their homes, in the rain, just in case the mob returns.

Chapter 7: Joseph visits the Steed cabin next morning to share the news of what happened. He's taking a group of armed men North to help defend the saint's rights. The Steed men volunteer and return with Derek and Peter to Becca's great relief. Derek announces maybe the wedding date should be moved up from next year to next week. A dispatch will immediately be sent to Haun's Mill to inform Jessica and her family. Good thing no one has to write Joshua and Caroline about the change in the wedding date, they've just arrived!

Chapter 8: Next day, after lunch with Jessica and her family newly arrived and the entire Steed clan all gathered together, Joshua breaks out the presents. Instead of just buying one gift for Mother and Father Steed, Joshua opened his purse and bought gifts for the entire family, to make up for all the holidays and birthdays he missed during his long absence. It's Christmas in July! Everyone gets something. New dresses, bonnets and boots for all the children, including Rachel. Rebecca's new gown is especially lovely. Derek and Peter also receive new clothes for the wedding. A reaping machine for Pa Steed. The next day, Joseph Smith unites Derek Ingalls and Rebecca Steed in holy matrimony.

Chapter 9: Tension grows between the established Missouri settlers and these new arrivals with their strange religious beliefs such as abstaining from alcohol  and aversion to slavery. Benjamin tries out his new reaping machine to harvest his wheat crop. Everyone watches in awe at the new technology. Derek and Peter show Rebecca to her new sod hut in "Di-Ahman." The honeymoon cottage isn't quite what she was expecting but being young and in love, she'll take it. In St. Louis, Joshua is commissioned by Governor Boggs to ride out against the Mormon threat, never mind that the residents of Missouri are provoking these religious settlers to violence.

Chapter 10: It is now September 1838. Matthew presents his mother with a dish cabinet he made himself, under the tutelage of Brigham Young, for her birthday. In Di-Ahman, Becca and Derek stare miserably at each other while rain falls both outdoors and indoors. Becca creates a "thankful game" and they howl with laughter at their meager circumstances because all you need is love. Meanwhile, Olivia has no friends at her new school in Independence because she is a "Mormon lover." Caroline talks to her and helps her feel better. Joseph Smith and John Taylor talk to Peter and praise him for his quest for knowledge.

Chapter 11: After church and Sunday dinner, with Jessica and her family also visiting for the weekend, Lydia and Nathan call a Steed Family Council to propose the clan come together to form the Steed Family Corporation. They will even write to Melissa and Joshua inviting them to participate in pooling everyone's unique talents in business, the humanities and farming for the benefit of all. Benjamin loves the idea. October arrives and one community of saints is attacked and driven to Far West. Could Jessica and her family be next?

Chapter 12: Incoming refugees are straining resources in Far West while the enemies of the church have set their sights on every Mormon living in the area of Adam-Ondi-Ahman. All must leave or suffer the consequences. Fearing for Rebecca, Derek and Peter, Nathan and Benjamin obey the call from Joseph to join the rescue party. Hearing of the trouble up north, Caroline worries with Joshua but it's already too late. One woman flees the mob, kids in tow, arriving at Derek's cabin begging for help.

Chapter 13: Benjamin confides to Nathan that he knows of men in the church, led by Sidney Rigdon, using secret combinations in their plot to ride against enemies and murder them. They attend a meeting where Ben stands in defense against such evil practices and warns he's going to tell Joseph on them.Word of this also comes to Joshua who takes the swearing of oaths rumor seriously. Not knowing the whole story they believe Joseph Smith is behind it and decide to take action against the Mormons.

Chapter 14: Alarm sounds in the middle of the night. Trouble when a Mormon group rode against a mob who retaliated by taking prisoners. Joseph calls for men to help defend both Far West and rescue those taken. Nathan and Matthew respond. The party is attacked by a mob at what would later be called The Battle of Crooked River. At least two men die, one is an apostle who, at an earlier time, petitioned the Lord that he might be the first martyr in the cause of Christ. He dies content, his prayer answered.

Chapter 15: Caroline is very offended. Her friends, like Olivia's, are no longer receiving her and she is a social outcast for being a "Mormon lover." Apparently, the whole town knows Joshua won't openly lead a direct attack on the Mormons, like he did in the past, he'll only ride as a scout and...everyone has a problem with this? Up North, Jacob Haun, founder of Haun's Mill, rejects Joseph's counsel to bring his settlement to Far West and safety, insists the mob won't attack here, so far away. Benjamin talks to Joseph. Why is this happening? While it's flattering to be God's chosen people, couldn't he choose someone else? Joseph offers hope, reminding him that only after the trial of our faith are we blessed by an omnipotent God who sees all. Ben's spirits are lifted considerably because Joseph Smith ROCKS!

Chapter 16: With Nathan and Matthew back, and danger mounting, Benjamin calls a family meeting to go after Jessica, Rebecca, and their families and bring them back themselves. Everyone weeps as all kneel in prayer for divine guidance and protection in this family effort. Meanwhile, Peter is wandering the prairie in search of a lost horse and has now become lost himself. He falls into the hands of two men who don't love Mormons but Nathan and Matthew just happen to find and rescue their brother-in-law from his bonds and they all escape easily. Derek and Rebecca agree to return with the Steeds to Far West and safety. Jessica and John decide they will stay in Haun's Mill but send their little baby, John, back with Nathan and company, just in case.

Chapter 17: Haun's Mill is attacked! Jessica helps Amanda Smith (she was a real person whose husband, Warren, is distantly related to Joseph) escape when their cabin is under fire from the mob outside. Jessica gets a hole shot through the palm of her hand (which actually happened to another woman) while Amanda's boy is massacred with the other men who took refuge inside an un-chinked log structure which the mob took advantage of by sticking their rifles through the gaps and opening fire. Her other son, Willard, eleven years old, is a hero. Sadly, John Griffith is one of the tragedies.

Chapter 18: Joshua wants to  go with the state reserve troops to Far West to help settle the Mormon uprising but the General, knowing his Mormon family connections, refuses to give permission. Hearing of the attack at Haun's Mill, Joshua worries for Jessica, who is at that moment witnessing the miracle of Amanda healing her injured son Alma, whose hip was nearly blown away during the massacre. He is a brave boy, only eight-years-old.

Chapter 19: Steed women are packed and ready to flee Far West. The men arrive from Haun's Mill with the horrific report. All weep for Jessica while six-year-old Rachel goes into hysterics thinking her mother and step-father are dead. Back at Haun's Mill, Joshua, who defied his commanding officer and went after the troops anyway, finds Jessica with Amanda burying the dead in a common grave. Still in shock, Jessica allows her ex-husband to escort her out of the village to safety. They meet up with Joshua's men, under his command, looking for any spoils from the war to take advantage of. Joshua uses Jessica to soften their hearts and get a report of these gruesome events back to the general. Joshua takes Jessica to Far West where everyone must surrender to the state militia promising clemency for all but they take Joseph and Hyrum prisoner; betrayed by those they trusted. Other men, including Nathan and Matthew, are also led away.

Chapter 20: With Hyrum under arrest, Rebecca visits Mary Fielding Smith to cheer her up. Nathan and Matthew find an opportunity to escape with other men. Derek announces he's a Steed now and the family accepts. Ben and Derek leave to obey the terms of surrender but Peter will stay with the Steed women and children. Joshua, hearing the militia are holding Far West under siege, leaves in open defiance to his commanding officer to help his family.

Chapter 21: Steed women and children hide in the root cellar of the family cabin while Peter stands guard against the evil men still prowling the town looking for opportunities to loot, plunder, rape and steal. Two Missourians named Hugh and Caleb enter the cabin and start threatening Peter. Joshua, horrified at the aftermath of the mob violence, rides through town seeing the corpses lying about, the weeping of women and children. He's arrived in Far West just in time to save Rebecca from attempted rape and beats the hell out of Caleb, "That's my sister you a--hole!" There was a third man but Peter shot him just before Joshua burst onto the scene. With everyone from the root cellar safe, Joshua separates himself from his family, desperate to return to Independence for Caroline and the kids. Suddenly, a shot from behind. He's hit! Joshua quickly returns fire killing his unnamed attacker before passing out.

Chapter 22: With cabins and homes vandalized beyond repair, the Steeds, along with other Far West survivors, find refuge in remaining structures. Lydia's cabin becomes the new home base as everyone regroups and reports their experiences, including Rebecca's. No one knows where Joshua is and assume he escaped. Out on the prairie, Nathan and Matthew are determined to escape their captors in the middle of the night and return to Far West. They succeed. It is now November. Joseph and Hyrum remain under armed guard until their fate is decided: in lieu of execution (because all five men's guns simultaneously misfired in attempt to kill Joseph)  they will be imprisoned in Liberty Jail. Joseph, hands in manacles, tells the brethren to be of good cheer. They will not die while incarcerated.

Chapter 23: While visiting Mary Fielding Smith, Rebecca witnesses Hyrum's heartbreaking farewell to his family before being carted off to jail. Becca runs to Mother Smith's cabin to see the equally heartbreaking goodbyes as Joseph and Hyrum, forbidden to even lift the canvas wagon cover concealing them from their loved ones, are only grudgingly allowed to create an opening with their hands, and choke out "God bless you!" to a sobbing Mother Smith. Back at the Steed cabin, a stranger arrives to report an unconscious, badly wounded man turned up at his cabin, several miles away. His wife witnessed the man get shot by members of his own militia. Could it be Joshua? Bring him in.

Chapter 24: Back in Independence, Caroline hears of Mormon prisoners on public display and goes to investigate. Joseph recognizes her in the crowd and greets her by name. He also answers questions from others in the crowd about the Mormon faith, taking this opportunity to preach a short missionary sermon. Matthew and Nathan reunite with the family. Benjamin leads them to a back room where a still unconscious and badly wounded Joshua lies. They can't keep him here. Derek knows of a non-member widow with two daughters who might help them. Nathan, Matthew and Derek will transport Joshua to avoid lining up with other men in Far West who must surrender. Benjamin is marched away to the consternation of the women who weep, wail and cry their goodbyes despite orders from the Missouri militia not to speak to the prisoners.

Chapter 25: Apparently, Caleb was the one who was shot by Joshua as two men, Hugh and Riley, find Caroline and report the tragic death of Joshua Steed, shot in cold blooded murder by those heathen Mormons. Caroline, Will and Olivia believe the lie and are devastated. Will takes it especially hard. The two men drink themselves under the table celebrating their revenge against Joshua. Next morning a "Molotov Cocktail" with a forged note signed by "The Mormon Danites" crashes through Caroline's parlor window forcing them from their home which goes up in flames. Will's heart is now bent on revenge against all Mormons.

Chapter 26: Joshua awakens in the McIntire cabin. Mrs. McIntire is an Irish immigrant and a gracious host to her invalid guest. The women are not unchaperoned, Matthew stayed while Derek and Nathan returned to Far West. The two daughters Jennifer, age 16 or 17, and Kathryn, 12 are thrilled to have a distraction in their lives. Jenny already has the hots for Matthew. Joshua observes all this with an amused eye. Meanwhile, Benjamin is very sick from the exposure and filthy conditions of Liberty Jail. Joseph and the other men give him a blessing. Back at the McIntire cabin, the attraction between the two young people grow. The Irish Catholic girls giggle as Matthew tries to get Joshua to use the crutches he made for him. Joshua was shot in the chest, the bullet went clean through one lung, yet his leg is paralyzed and he breathes fine (continuity error, Mr. Lund?). In Far West, Mary Fielding Smith gives birth to a future prophet. Today is November, 1838.

Chapter 27: Caroline overhears Will and Olivia arguing about Mormons. Will hates them all because "They killed my Pa!" Caroline decides she must take her children and return to Savannah as she's been informed two men are in town asking questions about her and she's terrified, vulnerable, believing herself to be a widow. In prison with Joseph Smith and others, Benjamin is eye witness to Joseph's famous "Silence ye fiends of the infernal pit!" speech rebuking the guards because Joseph Smith ROCKS!

Chapter 28: Jenny McIntire wakes Matthew. Joshua is gone. He's been steadily recovering and getting better every day so he must be all right now and everyone can go home and get back to their own lives. Before he takes his leave, Matthew wants to give Jenny his Book of Mormon which she agrees to read. Mrs. McIntire asks Matthew what his intentions are regarding her daughter. Matthew admits he likes Jenny. He returns to Far West the same day Benjamin is released from jail along with other men, but not Joseph or Hyrum. Everyone cries. Nathan sets off to find Joshua and is with him when they arrive at Independence to discover the charred, burned-out remains of the house.

Chapter 29: Caroline is staying at the Montague Plantation, the same one outside Savannah where Joshua began courting her in the last volume. Will runs away, leaving a note to say he's gone to avenge his step-father's murder. Joshua has traced his wife's departure to Savannah and Nathan insists on making the long trip with him as Joshua is still weak from his injury and sick with worry. Benjamin relates the horrors of Liberty Jail to his family which Joseph and Hyrum continue to suffer. The reports coming out of that place are not encouraging, such as the prisoners being fed human flesh (which the spirit told them to abstain). Jenny writes to Matthew but she's not a very good speller and being isolated out on the prairie, has little educational opportunity. Matthew wishes Jessica could meet these two sisters and be their teacher.

Chapter 30: It's December 30, 1838. As they travel, Joshua wonders why Nathan and the other Steeds have been so charitable to him when the Mormons suffer so much persecution. Nathan reminds his brother of the example and teachings of Jesus and his Atonement. Caroline gets the shock of her life when Nathan shows up at her door to inform her Joshua is not only alive but right here, outside, waiting for her. Will is in St. Louis looking for Hugh and Riley who decide to set a trap for this insolent, cocky, young pup, take his money and teach him a lesson.

Chapter 31: Widow McIntire shows up at the Steed cabin with her daughters. They want to join the church and be baptized, forced to flee their home as a result. The Steeds welcome them into the clan. Matthew baptizes the girls. Benjamin, despite his lingering cough, baptizes the Widow McIntire. Joshua and company all arrive in St. Louis but are too late. Will follows a local man named Charlie into a warehouse and right into the trap. Will is overpowered. As the men argue over what to do with him, Charlie shoots Hugh with Will's gun. All flee the scene of the crime except Charlie who already arranged to shanghai Will to a riverboat captain. The deed is carried out and Will sobs in a coal bin as he realizes he failed in his vengeance and may never see his family again.

Chapter 32: Other Steeds hear firsthand account of Amanda Smith's Haun's Mill survival story and the miracle of Alma's hip. Nathan returns to the delight of Lydia. Everyone worries for Will who is still missing. Brigham Young, already filling in for Joseph, calls on all the saints to respond to those still in the outlaying settlements and bring them in. The word has come that the Saints will relocate back East in Illinois. All Steed men covenant their worldly goods and sign up to help all poor and needy. The Mormon extermination order has been issued in the state of Missouri. All Mormons must leave by spring or it's open season. Steeds prepare to leave along with the other saints.

Chapter 33: Emma Smith takes her children: Julia (age not given) Joseph, age 6, Frederick (age also not given) and baby Alexander and they leave Far West under the care of another family. Mother Smith and her family will wait another day. Lydia has come to say goodbye as they will also be waiting until Joshua arrives with several wagons with supplies for the Steed clan. Emma hides the only copy of the still incomplete JST King James Bible translation in her skirts. After nine days travel, Emma and her company arrive at the frozen shores of the Mississippi where the kind people across the river in Quincy, Illinois are ready to receive them. The ice is thin in several places but Emma is full of faith and determined her children will not sleep out in the open one more night. Walking across the frozen river, Emma tries to be brave and they make it. Back in Far West, the Steeds and McIntires plan who will travel with which party in order to ease the Steed resources.

Chapter 34: Becca, Derek, Jenny and Kathryn travel with Amanda Smith and her party. Matthew is also driving a wagon. Joshua and Caroline show up at the house in Quincy where Emma is staying. To their surprise (and the reader's) they learn Carl, Melissa and a new baby were also here in Quincy with a wagon load of supplies, inquiring after the Mormons and their family and continued on. Joshua and his family hurry to catch up to them (Remember, it's been 12 years since Melissa and Joshua have seen each other, they weren't present for the family reunion at the end of the last book!).  Melissa doesn't even recognize her big brother and it's a happy reunion. Later, Caroline wishes to Joshua that they could always be with the Steed clan but Joshua won't live among Mormons, sorry Caroline.

Chapter 35: Joshua watches a Mormon family cross the partially frozen river to Quincy. They barely make it, a miracle! Out on the prairie, it's a chilly night, Jessica and Amanda Smith talk by the campfire, observe how much in love Matthew and Jenny are who join them. They liken themselves to Nephi in the Book of Mormon traveling in the wilderness to their own promised land. Back at the Steed cabin in Far West, Joshua, Caroline and company have another tearful family reunion with Ma and Pa and Melissa and Carl.

Chapter 36: Mary Ann weeps for happiness as Carl and Melissa sit with her inside the cabin but the mood quickly sobers as Ben explains to Carl, Melissa and Joshua why they can't accept all their wagon loads of supplies when so many others need it more than they do. They've made a covenant to share whatever they have with the entire community. Ben also wants to stay and make sure everyone gets out safely. The rest of the family talk him into riding in one wagon as his health is still fragile (he's 53 after all) and fear he may die during the journey. It is now March 1839. Jessica, Jenny and Kathryn are waiting in Quincy as the other Steeds ferry over. Like some celestial family reunion: Joshua, Nathan, Melissa, Rebecca and Matthew all leave their spouses (or girlfriends in Matthew's case) to gather around Benjamin and Mary Ann Steed who is crying (again) as Benjamin presents to her "The children of Benjamin and Mary Ann Steed." Caroline starts to clap and everyone else joins in, including Jesssica and the McIntire women.

The End

Truth Will Prevail

The Benjamin Steed Family chart now includes the spouses of the three oldest Steed children and their posterity: Jessica, Lydia, Carlton and the six grandchildren. The five deceased children of Benjamin and Mary Ann are no longer included.

This volume covers just two years of church history, 1836-1838.

Chapter 1: The entire Steed family (minus Joshua who is still out west in Missouri and Melissa who has gone less active by marrying out of the faith) is sitting in sacrament meeting. Benjamin Steed, patriarch of the clan, ponders how much his little family has grown with the addition of spouses and grandchildren. Benjamin is now 51 years old. Rebecca is sitting next to him, she is now eighteen with dark hair and light blue eyes. Nathan and Lydia are still happily married. Sitting beyond them is Jessica who resides as a divorced woman with her daughter Rachel in a small cabin adjacent to Ben and Mary Ann's. Last is Matthew who will turn sixteen later this year and is growing up into a fine young man. Following the traditional bi-monthly Sunday dinner at Benjamin and Mary Ann's, the Steed clan is visiting and talking about today's events in the temple. Melissa has also dropped in to hear the news while Carl stayed home with the children. Today is April 3, 1836, Easter Sunday and something very special took place today during the service: the curtains were lowered and Joseph and Oliver Cowdery saw the Savior, Moses and Elijah as the keys of the restoration were given so the great gathering of Israel could commence prior to the second coming as foretold by the prophets. The Steeds marvel being part of this glorious work and kneel in prayer. How great is their joy!

Chapter 2: Even later that evening, everyone is enjoying pie. Melissa teases Rebecca about a certain non-Mormon suitor in Kirtland who has expressed interest in marrying her. Jessica announces she's going back to Missouri.

Chapter 3: Joshua is on a packet ship bound for Savannah, Georgia. He's managed to pay off his debts and get back on his feet by investing in the cotton industry, the reason for this trip. He also impulsively bought a porcelain doll, 12" high that cost $55 with the intention of giving it to Rachel, but it looks so much like his ex-girlfriend, Lydia, reminding him of his old obsession with her, it's driving him crazy! (What a strange, perverted man.) Joshua also has nightmares about Lydia's reaction to her husband's scars from the whipping he was responsible for. He disembarks in Savannah and is met on the dock by a cocky, precocious, twelve-year-old boy, Will Mendenhall, who offers to guide Joshua to the best cotton factors in the city. Will's angry mother, Caroline, bursts onto the scene, chews him out, but softens when Joshua intervenes in his favor. He introduces himself to this lovely, young, green-eyed, auburn-haired lady and offers to take Will with him tomorrow when he meets  the cotton factor as an excellent excuse to see this widow again.

Chapter 4: Everyone bawls like babies seeing Jessica and Rachel off with Newel Knight and company bound for Independence, MO and the new Zion. Later, Nathan and Lydia talk to their kids, Joshua, 5, and Emily, 4, about sacrifices and trials before tucking them into bed. There's a knock at the door, it's Heber C. Kimball requesting Nathan's help giving Parley P. Pratt a blessing of comfort because his wife, Thankful, is very sick. Parley has been asked to leave his family and serve a mission to Canada but he has no money and is hesitant to leave his wife. In the blessing, Parley is promised his wife will not only recover but conceive and bear a son while he serves a successful and very important mission that will bring many souls into the church (including a future prophet!). As Nathan and Heber walk home, Heber informs him the spirit has borne witness that Nathan is to accompany Parley on said mission.

Chapter 5: Turns out this cotton factor knows Caroline and suggests Joshua take her entire family out to the cotton plantation with him since the owners are also good friends to the late Mr. Mendenhall. Meanwhile, back in Kirtland, Rebecca has to break up with her suitor and he's not very happy about it. Everyone, including Carl and Melissa, see Nathan off on his mission to Canada. Carl is cynical but Lydia reassures him the Lord wants Nathan to leave his family and go and everyone will be blessed. Pa Steed backs her up along with Mary Ann. Carl is speechless. Joshua and Caroline are really hitting it off as they walk and talk together at the plantation. Caroline has a daughter, Olivia, who adores Joshua just as much as her older brother. With everything falling into place so neatly, Joshua and Caroline agree to begin courting.

Chapter 6: Toronto, Canada, April 19, 1836. At first, no one will accept Nathan and Parley's message of the restored gospel, not even John Taylor and his wife who introduces the Elders to a widow friend of hers who will give them food and lodging during their stay. She also takes them to see another widow who was struck blind. They give her a blessing and she is miraculously healed (she never joins the church).

Chapter 7: Nathan and Parley attend a meeting of faithful Bible readers searching for Christ's original New Testament church. John Taylor speaks while Nathan squirms in his chair, anxious to stand up and declare the truth of the restored gospel but Parley restrains him with a smile, "The spirit whispers patience." They attend the next meeting that evening where even more people are gathered but must wait to share their message. The fourth meeting commences, the house is full to bursting as Parley is invited to stand and preach. Parley delivers a spectacular sermon ending with Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and Mormonism. Some are offended and leave while the owner of the house is ready to kick them out but John Taylor believes and invites everyone to his house for the next meeting so they can learn more. Out in Missouri, Jessica has settled with other saints in the northern area of the state they plan to call Far West.

Chapter 8: Frustrated, Joshua delays leaving with his cotton because he wants an answer from Caroline. He learns of her financial trouble due to her foolish late husband who made some bad investments which lead to his death. They attend a dinner party where Joshua gets the host to tell him the whole story about Caroline's financial situation.

Chapter 9: Joshua gets the investors to let Caroline off on the debts she supposedly owes them but Joshua knows they're taking advantage of her. After dinner at her house that night, he shows her the papers he had drawn up that she needs to sign so she can get these creditors off her back. There's one catch, she has to leave town and never return but luckily Joshua is ready and waiting to carry her off so they can start a new life together but they must leave tomorrow. The next morning, Joshua finds a letter on his hotel door, "Yes."

Chapter 10: Lydia reflects on the state of all the women in the sewing circle gathered in this room. Emma is huge with child. Mother Smith lost babies too and there sits Eliza Snow, (her brother will be a future prophet) intelligent, talented seamstress, famous writer and poetess, teacher of girls in Joseph Smith's home, yet she's now over 30-years-old and never had the opportunity to marry. Suddenly, Nathan is back! He's delighted to see Thankful Pratt's full recovery and she is, indeed, with child just as the blessing foretold. Everyone's crying as Parley takes his wife in his arms and sobs. Later, all the Steeds, including Melissa, gather to hear Nathan's report. Lydia also hints she might be expecting another child.

Chapter 11: Joseph and Benjamin ride in a wagon and talk. Joseph wants to start up a bank since the church is so deep in debt. Emma has a second son and brings him to the sewing circle where Mary Ann and Lydia hear of Joseph blessing a baby and naming him Mahonri Moriancumer (the real name of the brother of Jared in the B of M). At a meeting for all men, everyone argues over past mistakes and debates the risk of going East to investigate a rumor of buried treasure that could help the church out of it's financial crisis. Ben frowns at this foolish idea. Later, Martin Harris and others take him aside to share their concerns over this risky venture to pay off $20,000.

Chapter 12: Jessica lives near Haun's Mill (uh-oh!) and is staying with the same Lewis family that took her in last time. She will teach school to support herself. Jessica has come a long way from saloon keeper's daughter who taught herself to read and write. Meanwhile, Joshua, Caroline and the kids arrive in Independence. Caroline is already expecting so they must be married, (only took them seven weeks to reach their destination!) no details given about the wedding. 800 miles East in Kirtland, Matthew confides to Becca he wants to follow Jessica and seek his fortune out west. He's also worried for Jessica, living out there all alone, with no Steeds around to protect her. Caroline is troubled to learn Joshua hates a group of religious fanatics called the Mormons due to the bitterness he still harbors towards his first wife (she still doesn't know about Rachel). Matthew has his parents' blessing to travel to Missouri. Benjamin and Nathan will accompany him so they can check up on Jessica.

Chapter 13:  Nathan, Matthew and Pa Steed arrive in Far West, MO. They find Newel Knight's home, learn Jessica is very sick with malaria and go to her. Joshua learns Jessica is back in the area but he sides with the local riff-raff;  itching to do something about these Mormons. Caroline is very troubled when Joshua shuts her out, refusing to come to terms with his past.

Chapter 14: Carl debates with Mary Ann and Lydia over Mormonism. They challenge Carl to kneel and pray with Melissa so he can find out for himself. Carl agrees to think about it. Lydia stops to talk to Joseph and Emma. They discuss the money troubles and the criticism facing church leaders.

Chapter 15: Meet Derek, age 19 and his little brother Peter, age 12. They are orphans living in Preston, England who work hard in a textile mill, live in poverty and wonder about God and religion. Back in America, Benjamin attends a meeting to discuss the formation of another church-owned bank. Ben buys a few shares but is skeptical of their worth (they should've named it Zions Bank!).

Chapter 16: Caroline is surprised when Will is sent home from school for fighting. Turns out it was over his stepfather, Joshua's past involvement with Mormon persecution and the ex-wife who left him for the new religion that everyone in town is still gossiping about. This upsets Will because he was taught to always be kind to anyone who might be different. Joshua talks to Will and admits it's true, he did ride against Mormons and helped drive them out of the area but he regrets it now and wants to be a better father this time around to Will and his sister. He relates all this to Caroline who is shocked but accepting of his penitence.

Chapter 17: Derek has an opportunity for a promotion at the mill from coal shoveler to book keeper thanks to Peter's tutoring. Caroline gives birth to a baby girl with bright red hair they name Savannah, in honor of her conception. Joshua presents the doll he bought back in Ch. 3 to Caroline and the new baby (Rachel who?). Back in Kirtland, Thankful Pratt confides to Rebecca and Lydia that she will die in childbirth but everything will be all right for this is God's will. They all cry together. Nathan, Matthew and Benjamin have been in Missouri for six months helping Jessica construct a cabin (because they are good home teachers) and clearing land that Matthew will help her cultivate for spring planting. Matthew is a good uncle to Rachel, carves her a wooden doll and helps babysit while Jessica teaches school. Today is April 6, 1837 and the saints in Missouri are celebrating seven years since the church was organized. Word arrives that Brother John Griffith, a widower with two boys, is interested in Jessica and wants to marry her, sight unseen.

Chapter 18: The Kirtland Safety Society Bank and stock company is not doing very well, the national economy isn't doing so great either.

Chapter 19: It's Jessica's wedding day. She's a bit nervous but very happy. Matthew is happy for her too. Back in Kirtland, Nathan and Lydia have John Taylor and Nathan's other Canadian converts over for dinner. All are shocked to learn that Parley Pratt has gone inactive and is openly talking against Joseph Smith and the church. Nathan and Lydia try and talk to him. Rebecca and Mary Fielding, one of the new arrivals from Canada and still single at age 36 (she doesn't know it yet but that will be changing soon!) have become good friends. They go to a meeting where patriarchal blessings are being given for the first time in the church. Rebecca is now 19 and very discouraged she may end up like her new friend and never marry. She receives her blessing and is told the Lord is aware of her great sacrifice in dumping her ex-boyfriend, she is very blessed to have been born into such a righteous family, and she is promised a priesthood holding husband and children in this life who will rise up and proclaim her queen of their home. Rebecca weeps openly while Mary Fielding must sit and listen.

Chapter 20: Nathan and Ben are back in Kirtland. They attend a meeting in the temple, but Joseph isn't there, he's out of town on business. The two Steed men feel strongly this isn't right, meeting without the prophet's guidance as many of the men murmur and complain calling Joseph a "fallen prophet." They leave before the contention escalates. Ben is so upset, he sends Nathan home while he roams the streets, alone. That Sunday, Joseph preaches. Afterwards, Heber C. Kimball is called to England to preach the gospel. Ben and Martin Harris discuss where they stand on their views about Joseph and the church. Joseph has fallen very ill. Perhaps he is not a prophet anymore? Ben wrestles with his doubt. These are dark days, indeed.

Chapter 21: Nathan witnesses heartbreaking departure of Heber from his family. Caroline burps baby Savannah as she tries to get Joshua to talk about his estranged family. Mary Ann suggests Ben go visit Joseph and put his mind to rest over all the contention. He and Joseph have a good talk and Ben's testimony is strengthened.

Chapter 22: Nathan talks to Parley again, they go to Joseph's house where he's now recovered from his illness. Parley begs forgiveness and Joseph accepts. Over in England, a young princess named Victoria, age 18, ascends to the throne in 1837. Derek is the first to witness strange men from America with funny accents arriving in his neighborhood. Derek, Peter and their young friend, Jenny Pottsworth, age 11 and her mother all attend the meeting of these Mormons from America. Derek gets a copy of the Book of Mormon from Orson Hyde.

Chapter 23: Derek and Peter pray about what they're reading and learning and feel good about it. Their baptisms, along with Jenny and her mother's all take place amid opposition and heckling from local ministers who resent this new movement decimating their congregations.

Chapter 24: Joshua and Caroline argue over the Mormons. Caroline later finds him in the tavern, drinking and gambling but she's not weak and submissive like Jessica. Caroline insists Joshua come home right now so they can talk about this or the marriage is over. He agrees and they have a positive discussion.

Chapter 25: Benjamin reads the Bible in his continuing struggle over Joseph as a true and living prophet of god. He finds his answer in the New Testament "by their fruits, ye shall know them" He attends Sabbath services but Joseph is out of town again. A huge fight breaks out. Father Smith is attacked. Benjamin tries to intervene. Later he tells Martin Harris and other men who want to impeach Joseph that he's made his decision, he supports Joseph and will no longer be coming to their meetings. Benjamin is attacked on the way home.

Chapter 26: Joseph returns and promptly excommunicates all those working against him and the church including Luke and Lyman Johnson of the quorum of the twelve apostles. The Steeds call a meeting for just the adults to discuss moving to Missouri and being part of the new Zion, since things are deteriorating so rapidly here in Kirtland for the church. Melissa cries at this news for she's gone inactive, she and Carl will not be joining the family and the impending separation only weakens her struggling testimony further. Out west, Jessica is pregnant. Matthew feels maybe he should move into his own separate cabin. Derek is fired from his job at the mill for joining the church. He tells Peter they will join the immigration to America with other English converts.

Chapter 27: Derek finds passage on a ship that will let the boys work as deckhands in exchange for food and steerage. Joshua learns his family is coming to Missouri. He knows about Jessica's marriage but she doesn't know about his, thanks to her father who remains Joshua's only contact. Lydia and Rebecca witness the death of Jerusha Smith, Hyrum's wife, who is leaving behind five children, the youngest only a baby. Some of the Steeds arrive in Far West, MO and surprise Rachel and Matthew. Joseph is also with the company and is warmly welcomed by the saints. A few weeks pass. One day, in Kirtland, Rebecca answers the door to find two English boys on the front step. They are immediately taken in by the Steed clan. Lydia and Nathan think Derek and Rebecca would make a nice couple.

Chapter 28: Letter from Lydia in Kirtland to Ma & Pa Steed in Missouri: Derek and Peter are relocating there and Lydia vouches for their fine characters. Hyrum is taking a wife, Mary Fielding, and they are all looking forward to joining the saints in Missouri as persecution in Ohio is pretty bad. Lydia will come, despite her pregnancy, (she's done it before) Rebecca will come with them while Melissa, sadly, remains behind with her own non-member husband and family.

Chapter 29: Oliver Cowdrey's excommunication strains his long standing friendship with Nathan who has just arrived in Missouri with Lydia and Becca. Oliver knows the Book of Mormon and the church is true but he can't support Joseph anymore as a fallen prophet. In another part of the state, Derek with his black hair and blue eyes is aware of the family's attempt to set him up with Rebecca. He and Peter are loading the wagon to Far West with Matthew's help. They invite Rebecca along where they meet a strange man on the road who stops to talk to them. The Steeds and Ingalls, share their picnic lunch with him but never find out his name. It is, of course, Joshua, who has been discreetly inquiring around the state for information about his estranged family. With his full beard and the fact it's been over a decade since he last saw his youngest siblings, it's no wonder they don't recognize him. Caroline finds out and can't believe he didn't reveal himself. He confesses to her about having Nathan whipped. Caroline only urges him to contact his family and start the healing process but he can't do it.

Chapter 30: It is very crowded in the little Steed family house/log cabin on the prairie. Derek announces he and Peter are moving to their own place while Rebecca hides her disappointment as the attraction between her and Derek is there but both are too shy to express their feelings to the other. She and Derek take a walk to discuss their relationship. Derek gives her the "I'm not worthy of you" speech. She calls him a fool and storms off. At Nathan's cabin, a knock interrupts their pleasant evening. It's Caroline with her kids in tow, "Um...Hi?"

Chapter 31: Joshua is furious at his wife for taking such liberties, introducing herself to his family without his permission, she had no right to contact them like that. He's so upset, he leaves the house. When he returns, Caroline and the kids are gone. The next evening, Joshua answers the door. It's Nathan. No, Caroline didn't send him, Nathan had no idea Joshua's wife left to spend the July 4th holidays with the Steed family in Far West. They must've crossed paths without seeing each other. Joshua invites Nathan in where they have a long heart-to-heart talk. All is forgiven and the healing can begin.

Chapter 32: Matthew prods Derek into telling Rebecca how he feels. Lydia, Caroline and everyone else visit and get to know each other. The Steed kids hit it off immediately with Joshua's step-kids. Pa Steed is especially taken with little Savannah but storms angrily from the room after it's suggested he reconcile with his estranged son whom he can never forgive.

Chapter 33: Derek proposes to Rebecca who accepts. Joseph reunites Joshua with his family by making a little speech about forgiveness before summoning the shy, humble, penitent, prodigal son into the room where he is immediately engulfed in a tearful group hug, including his own father, Benjamin, who discovers he can forgive his son and put the past behind them.

The End

Like a Fire is Burning

The Benjamin Steed Family chart, identical to the one from Pillar of Light, is also included here after the Preface listing all of Mary Ann and Benjamin's descendants, both the living and deceased. Ten children total.

This volume covers the time period between 1830-1836

Chapter 1: It is Lydia's wedding day to Nathan. Her father, Josiah McBride, tries to stop it. He even brings an officer of the law but everyone, including Father Steed, defends her choice and since Lydia is of legal age (she's 20) there's nothing Josiah can do to prevent this marriage from taking place. Joseph performs the ceremony. Six weeks later, Lydia is queasy with pregnancy. Father Steed is kind to her. Nathan is offered work at the Joseph Knight farm again and he accepts. Lydia is agreeable but cries anyway at their parting.

Chapter 2: Mid-June, 1830. Jessica is still riding high on her new social status as Mrs. Steed. Many of the townsfolk stop and talk to her with respect. She no longer works in her father's saloon. As wife of the most respected businessman in Independence, Jessica enjoys a rich life of leisure with books and long, solitary walks. In Palmyra, Melissa visits Lydia. Both love the gospel which strengthens their bond as sisters. Mary Ann tells Martin Harris that Benjamin is still uncertain about this new religion. Back in Missouri, Joshua insists a creepy new doctor in town examine and "fix" Jessica so she can carry a baby full term while Jessica just stares helplessly into her cup of tea and says nothing.

Chapter 3: Nathan helps build a small dam for baptisms but bad men tear it down overnight then jeer and make trouble while the saints perform the ordinance. Emma is baptized (her frail health prevented it until now) along with Mother Knight. The following Monday evening, a knock at the door reveals a constable is here to escort Joseph to a trial. A mob overtakes them and they barely escape.

Chapter 4: At the trial, Nathan and other friends of Joseph wait and watch anxiously as witnesses come forth to testify for and against Joseph. He is found not guilty. They are exiting the building when another group comes forward to announce Joseph is under arrest and must come with them for another trial in a different county. Joseph is abused and treated very unkindly by his oppressors. He is again found not guilty at this trial and is allowed to return home with his friends. After witnessing all these trials, Nathan is feeling very discouraged but Joseph reminds him of the Savior's similar treatment and to be of good cheer.

Chapter 5: Meet Parley P. Pratt from Ohio, an earnest young man seeking truth and knowledge along with his wife. After being introduced to the church, they were baptized. Now there's to be a meeting at the Peter Whitmer, Sr. home in Fayette, New York, where Lydia is reunited with Nathan. They pray together before going downstairs where new revelations are read by Joseph and calls are issued for men to serve missions. Later, the sisters are visiting and sewing. Emma Smith and Lydia are part of the group. Emma shares with them what is now D&C 25 which makes up for Emma never getting the opportunity to see the gold plates like Mother Whitmer did, who sacrificed a great deal hosting all those people at her tiny log home during the work of translation.

Chapter 6: Jessica discovers Joshua at her father's tavern, nursing his bottle. She informs him she's "fired" that doctor which makes Joshua mad. She's also just lost another baby. Back at the house, they argue about the real issue, that Joshua is still in love with Lydia. Joshua slaps Jessica for the first time in their marriage before storming out and slamming the front door. Jessica buries her face in her hands and shakes with sobs. Back at the Steed family farm in Palmyra, the family learns of a new revelation given to Joseph Smith about relocating the church in Kirtland, Ohio. Nathan and Lydia immediately announce they will begin packing to leave in obedience to the call.

Chapter 7: Melissa also feels the pull to obey the prophet and move. She is now 20 years old with no marriage prospects. She tells her mother she feels someone is waiting for her in Kirtland. Mary Ann is sympathetic but advises her to stay until Benjamin can be persuaded to move the family. It is now late January, 1831. In Missouri, Jessica is reading a Book of Mormon some missionaries gave her. She's been hearing them preach and likes what she's learning. Joshua isn't interested in any of that but he does jump up and run out the door when Jessica mentions these men were from back East and might have news about Lydia. In Kirtland, we meet Carl Rogers, age 22, oldest son of Kirtland's most prosperous livery stable, who witnesses the arrival of Joseph Smith as he enters the general store and greets the owner by name, "Newel K. Whitney, thou art the man!" Joseph also shakes Carl's hand. The red-haired, easygoing, young man is pleased to meet him.

Chapter 8: Joshua finds Oliver Cowdery, Peter Whitmer and Parley Pratt who confirm the Steed family's baptism (sans Benjamin) and Lydia's pregnancy which devastates Joshua as it means she really did marry his little brother and is now lost to him. Carl Rogers talks to Newel K. Whitney who tells him his conversion story to the church and that he really does believe Joseph Smith is a prophet. Carl's not sure what to think.

Chapter 9: Nathan and Lydia have one last meal with the Steed family before leaving. Pa Steed is not pleased with their decision and tries to talk them out of it since it's now late winter, February, 1831. Lydia bears her testimony and tells him this is the Lord's call and they will obey it. They leave to join the party of Mother Smith about to embark on the Erie Canal for the first leg of their journey west.

Chapter 10: Journey by canal boat is hard but the party prays and sings. Lydia feels the spirit burning within her and weeps for joy. Being pregnant has nothing to do with her roller coaster emotions. Back at the Steed farm, Marin Harris talks Benjamin into selling his farm and joining the movement west to Kirtland. He reminds Ben that many blessings have affected his family's life for the better since they joined the church. Ben reluctantly agrees. One-thousand miles to the west, Jessica and Joshua's marriage is even more dysfunctional than before, Joshua now sleeps in the second bedroom, but she resolves to change her attitude, be nicer to her husband and take more pains with her appearance to keep him around (because she's married to a jerk and deserves better).

Chapter 11: Nathan talks to the boat captain, a good man but hard and tough. After bearing his testimony, Nathan feels the spirit of missionary work. Mary Ann is ecstatic when her husband tells her the news about selling the farm and moving to Kirtland, using the new grand-baby as his excuse. The saints are stuck in Buffalo. Lake Erie is frozen solid and nothing  is moving. Nathan, Lydia and other saints watch in awe as Mother Smith declares that with enough faith the ice can break up and allow their boat to pass and it does while everyone else must wait another day.

Chapter 12: The story of Isaac Morley, of Kirtland, and how he came to join the church is told as it was his generous donation of land that allowed the saints to gather here. Lydia laughs hearing the story about Parley P. Pratt and the bulldog. Joseph enters the crowded room to announce the arrival of the Steeds. A tearful family reunion and the simultaneous news of Joshua's whereabouts is shared. Lydia gives birth to a baby boy the very next day. Joseph and Emma lost their twins but "adopted" another set from a widower named Murdock (such arrangements were not uncommon back then) who lost his wife in childbirth. Emma and Joseph name the newborns Julia and Joseph.

Chapter 13: Carlton "Carl" Rogers (curly red hair, green eyes) takes one look at dark haired, dark eyed Melissa Steed, laughing with her family as her father arranges to keep their horses at the Roger's Livery Stable, and is smitten! In MO, Jessica is pregnant again but Joshua is still punishing her for dismissing that doctor and for not being Lydia who can pop out babies on demand. Carl seeks out Melissa and offers to help her while she's on an errand into town. Gushing feminine demure, she accepts. Back in MO, Pa Roundy tells Jessica her husband is in trouble with gambling debts. Lydia and Nathan agree to live the higher law of consecration (it won't last).

Chapter 14: Missionary work thrives but Ben won't accept, even after hearing the story of the miracle of the healing of a woman's rheumatic arm by Joseph. Nathan blesses his new baby and is inspired to call him Joshua instead of Nathan as originally planned. Joseph teases Ben that they'll get him into the waters of baptism one of these days.

Chapter 15: Nathan is called to help the Colesville, New York branch relocate farther west to Missouri where Nathan just might find Joshua. Melissa and Carl disagree about the Mormon faith. He wants to get married but she's hesitant. Joshua gets Jessica to help him cheat in a big high stakes poker game but Jessica is hurt when she overhears Joshua putting her down in front of the other men by not being much of a "looker" so she leaves. Joshua misses her secret signals so he can know what cards the others are holding and loses everything.

Chapter 16: Joshua finds Jessica outside and continues to be a real a--hole of a husband. Furious, he slaps her twice, calls her a slut, and slams her hard against a building as they argue till a neighbor hollers from an upstairs window to keep it down. Gunshots are exchanged. Jessica bolts from the scene into the night, heading west until she finds Oliver Cowdery who takes her to a Mormon settlement (the Colesville saints) nearby to stay with the Lewis family. Jessica meets Joseph Smith who has come to visit this newest pioneer branch of the church in the west. Nathan is made aware of her situation and the pieces fall into place. Meanwhile, Joshua has high-tailed it out of town, lest the man he shot (who was unhurt) presses charges or word gets out about his domestic abuse. Jessica will be baptized. Nathan encourages her to seek a priesthood blessing so she might carry this baby full term and be guided in her marriage troubles. She agrees.

Chapter 17: The Steeds are settling comfortably into their new life in Kirtland. Carl calls to ask for Melissa's hand in marriage and gets the family's blessing. Jessica and Nathan gather with Joseph and other Missouri saints to dedicate the "land of Zion" or New Jerusalem of the future. Jessica is told in her priesthood blessing from Nathan that the Lord is aware of her difficulties, that her baptism tomorrow is the right thing to do, the baby she carries will be a girl and be born full term with no complications.

Chapter 18: This chapter consists entirely of letters: Nathan writes Lydia about the missionary work in Missouri and opportunities he's had to preach the restored gospel, Jessica writes to the entire Steed family introducing herself, Pa Roundy writes to Joshua about Jessica's baptism into the Mormon church, Lydia writes to her Mom begging some kind of word after they disowned her for joining the Mormons and marrying one of them, she misses them so much! Finally, Joseph Smith himself writes to Nathan about his horrific loss, a tragic story, when a mob broke into his Kirtland home one freezing night in March, dragged him from his bed, tarred and feathered him. Baby Joseph died from the exposure but his twin sister Julia will live and grow up.

Chapter 19: Back in Palmyra, New York, Mrs. McBride declares to her obstinate husband she will answer her daughter's letter. Another tearful family reunion when Nathan returns to Kirtland after a six month separation. Melissa is now married (the narration was silent on those details) and gives birth to a baby boy they name after his father and grandfather: Carlton Hezekiah. Joshua returns to MO and seeks out Jessica who accepts his apology but won't renounce her new Mormon faith, which Joshua so strongly opposes, and won't reside in town with him as husband and wife since she's quite happy with the Lewis family who've taken her in. Nathan leaves to serve another mission while Lydia gives birth to a second child, a girl she names Emily. Lydia suffers post-partum depression, mostly due to the fact her husband isn't here. Melissa quickly puts her in her place about keeping the faith, (alone!) while being married to a non-member. Jessica repeats her mantra to her Pa, she won't give up her new faith and return to Joshua. Pa shows her the divorce papers Joshua asked him to deliver and informs Jessica an attractive widow in town with two kids has her eye on Joshua (we never hear about her again and Joshua remains single until the next book).

Chapter 20: Joseph finally commits Benjamin Steed to baptism! It is now 1833 and the church is growing in leaps and bounds in both Ohio and Missouri which causes men like Joshua to perceive these people as a threat, especially in Jackson, County where opposition to the Mormons is strongest. Joshua is ready to take up arms against this religion that stole his wife and separated him from his family.

Chapter 21: Joshua joins the mob in burning the Mormon's print shop in Independence. Teenager Mary Elizabeth Rollins and her sister become legendary church heroines in risking their lives to help save what will later become important sections of the D&C. The mob tar and feather Bishop Partridge who takes it like the Savior and everyone feels shame, even Joshua who witnesses the entire scene of persecution.

Chapter 22: The Steeds weep to hear of Joshua's involvement with the mob attacks in the west against the saints. Jessica has given birth to her baby girl and named her Rachel. The mob activity also forces them out of their homes. They huddle in terror near the river as a fight erupts.

Chapter 23: November, 1833. Jessica witnesses Philo Dibble's miraculous recovery from the mob attack and gunshot wound after Newel Knight gives him a blessing. Her father begs her to return to town where it's safe but she'd also have to give up her new beliefs. Again, Jessica refuses and their conversation is literally cut short by the incoming mob, howling bloody murder and death to all Mormons. "Bye, Pa, gotta run!" And run Jessica does, carrying baby Rachel in her arms, the little Lewis boy fleeing beside her, both are barefoot as they run through the frozen grass leaving bloody footprints. Twenty-five miles later they reach a river. No one has money to cross on the ferry until Mary Elizabeth Rollins catches river fish with money inside, a miracle!

Chapter 24: In Kirtland, the church is deep in debt and everyone is mad at Joseph but hearts soften when they learn of the tragedy that befell the saints in the west. Zion's Camp March is organized. Lydia gives birth to a baby but it is stillborn. Lydia is brokenhearted but she has an idea, she will travel East with the two children to visit her parents in Palmyra while Nathan obeys the call to march west. Meet Brigham Young who is also going on the march along with Heber C. Kimball and other men who will become future, prominent church leaders. All the Kirtland saints turn out on May 5, 1834 to see the men of Zion's Camp off.

Chapter 25: Nathan keeps a journal of his experience: May 14, lots of grumbling, morale is low. May 18, all the horses are sick. Joseph admonishes the men to humble themselves and pray. All the horses recover. Nathan misses Lydia and his family terribly. June 6, the bones of a male skeleton are found on the prairie, Joseph proclaims these are the bones of Zelph the Lamanite. The prophet later rebukes them again for their bad attitude. The march continues to be hard and spirits remain low.  

Chapter 26: Lydia and the kids are enjoying their Palmyra visit where her parents have welcomed them and are spoiling their grandchildren rotten. Zion's Camp reaches Missouri but a mob is waiting for them. The Lord sends a great storm. The men find shelter in an abandoned Baptist church while Joshua and the mob suffer from the elements and ultimately call off the attack or risk getting struck by lightning. Now that the Lord has told Joseph "never mind" about this entire trip, Nathan decides to seek out Joshua. He's already found Jessica who will be returning to Kirtland with him. It's been seven years since coldhearted Joshua's seen any member of his family. He and Nathan argue while Nathan is tied to a chair by Joshua's anti-Mormon friends. Joshua is resentful against Joseph Smith and all Mormons for brainwashing Jessica and ruining his life back in Palmyra. Nathan retorts: "I'm gonna tell Mama not to pray for you anymore." Big mistake, Nathan.

Chapter 27: Lydia has bad dreams of a cool river, lush green grass and trees all turning to parched desert for no apparent reason (this terrifies her?). Nathan introduces Jessica and baby Rachel to the rest of the Steed family back in Kirtland who immediately take her in. Nathan talks to Melissa who encourages him to travel to Palmyra and join Lydia who doesn't want to return. She's been working at her father's store again, just like old times. Her children are happy and content and she's reestablished the ties with her parents by attending their church and not mentioning Mormonism.

Chapter 28: Nathan is miserable. He and his father-in-law don't get on, he hates working at the store. Nathan even shows them his scars from the whipping he got in Missouri by order of his own brother. Lydia is horrified. She had no idea. This shocks her into wanting to return to her family and the church, especially after reading the letter from Emma Smith Nathan brought her which contains a copy of that special revelation she received back in  Chapter 5.

Chapter 29: Eighteen months pass and it is now February 1836. The saints in Kirtland number in the thousands. The Steed grandchildren are growing up. Jessica works at Carl's livery stable keeping the books. Rachel is now four. Lydia helps teach at the common school. Joshua is five, Emily four and Lydia gave birth to a third child named after his father. Melissa has added another boy, David. Mary Ann, surrounded by her posterity, (sans Joshua) is thrilled. The days are busy and full with church meetings to attend and work on the Kirtland temple. Lydia gets her patriarchal blessing: she will be a mother in Zion, she will continue to have more children who will rise up and call her blessed and be as trees and rivers.

Chapter 30: Dedication of the Kirtland temple, March 1836. Matthew is now 15 and will stay home and babysit so all the adults can attend. Melissa doesn't go. Rebecca is now almost 18. She gasps at the beauty of the workmanship inside the beautiful edifice . Benjamin helped build and oversaw construction as well as making generous financial contributions as he's never been short on cash. Joseph thanks him and everyone takes their seats. The service begins with the choir singing a hymn written by Parley P. Pratt. Sidney Rigdon prays and gives a sermon. Everyone sings another hymn. Joseph reads the official dedicatory prayer. The choir sings "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning" by William Phelps. Suddenly, a miraculous Pentecostal event occurs. The heavens open, Benjamin is witnessing all of this but feeling a little discouraged as he has yet to experience any gifts of the spirit such as speaking in tongues, seeing visions or prophesying. He berates himself over his past sins, his former opposition to Joseph as a true prophet as the reason why the Lord would withhold such blessings from him until, finally, he hears a voice in his mind speaking to him. Back at the house, everyone talks excitedly of what they experienced during the meeting while Melissa listens and feels very left out. Exclamations draw everyone outside to look at the temple, now glowing in the sunlight. That night, another dedicatory meeting is held just for the men in a special priesthood session. Benjamin speaks in tongues, the temple is filled with angels. Nathan marvels at it all. The meeting doesn't adjourn until after 11pm. Outside, Ben and Nathan embrace. What a day!

The End

Pillar of Light

This volume covers three years, 1827-1830

Chapter 1: March 1827. Meet the Steed family: Joshua (age 19) has dark hair, Nathan (age 17) has fair hair, Melissa (age 16) and Rebecca (age 9) both have dark hair while Matthew (age 6) is a towhead. The parents are Benjamin and Mary Ann Steed. Benjamin and his oldest boys work hard on the family farm. As new arrivals to the area of Palmyra, in the state of New York, they are struggling to clear their land and plant their crops. Martin Harris, a neighbor, suggests they hire the honest, hardworking and respected Smith brothers to help. Benjamin takes his advice and decides to contact this Smith family.


Chapter 2: Meet Lydia McBride (age 18, revealed in Ch.6) daughter of the local General Dry Goods Store proprietor and a beauty with long hair, black as ebony, and dark eyes; whose perfume drives Joshua Steed wild! He's in town to meet the Smith boys and pick up a few items at the store for his mother. Back at the farm, after getting in a few hours of work, Joshua, Nathan and little Matthew enjoy the company of their new friends by challenging them to a lively game of stick-pulling.


Chapter 3: Nathan gets his first introduction to Lydia McBride outside the store and is just as smitten as his brother. Joseph passes by and exchanges greetings while local riff-raff tease him about gold bibles and angels. Nathan and Joshua are puzzled but don't say anything. Back at the Steed farm, another day of hard work is put in and Nathan walks Joseph and Hyrum partway back to their own family farm. Curious about the taunting, he asks Joseph about it. Joseph tells Nathan his story which members of the church will immediately recognize as the First Vision.


Chapter 4: Melissa teases Joshua about his crush on Lydia McBride as they get ready to attend a neighborhood barn raising where Lydia is too busy holding court to speak to him. Hurt by her blatant disregard for him, Joshua joins the same riff-raff scheming to find out more about the mysterious gold Joseph Smith is rumored to have. They pass him the bottle and Joshua is advised to stop associating with those Smith boys.


Chapter 5: Happy Easer! Nathan finds his mother outside reading the Bible and wiping away tears. He tells her Joseph Smith's incredible story. She believes him. At breakfast, the family learns Joshua never came home last night from the barn raising. Benjamin is not happy about it.


Chapter 6: Joshua wakes up with a proper hangover. Lydia stalls attending Easter church services with her parents because she's hoping to meet Joshua. They admit their attraction to each other. Joshua agrees to come visit her while she is staying with her aunt. Joshua returns home and has a big fight with Pa Steed over Joseph Smith and all the rumors. Joshua declares he's leaving home and storms out. Benjamin tells the Smith boys he will no longer be needing their help on the farm.


Chapter 7: Mary Ann worries for her oldest son, it's been several days now and there's been no word from him since the big "falling out." She sends Nathan into town to look for him. His search leads him to the aunt's house where he comes upon the romantic scene of a solitary Lydia singing her heart out in an apple orchard. They bond almost immediately. Joshua interrupts them. He's a little annoyed at little brother sparking his former beau but doesn't press the issue. He says he'll think about coming home for a visit this Sunday.


Chapter 8: Lydia and Joshua meet in secret where they have a tense conversation over his estrangement from his family. Joshua has taken up residence in a seedy part of town and Lydia is worried about his association with his new friends, those troublemakers, the Murdock brothers, whose company he's taken up as well as his family's friendship with the Smiths. They share their first kiss before a knock on the door ends the scene. Lydia leaves hoping her parents won't find out and ship her off to Boston relatives.


Chapter 9: Nathan talks to Martin Harris because he took a temporary job, helping out on his prosperous farm to earn money for a birthday present for his mother. Now he's off to town to  make his purchase with the perfect excuse to visit his favorite Dry Goods Store where a certain lovely young clerk might wait on him. Lydia is happy to see him but Joshua also enters the store. Nathan invites him to the birthday dinner this Sunday and both boys leave. Outside, Nathan is walking alone when he meets Emma Smith, wife of Joseph Smith. The Murdock boys are also loafing around nearby and take this opportunity to make trouble for the wife of the famous visionary gold digger. Nathan is all chivalry and has Emma's back until Joseph returns. During all this, Lydia has come out to see what all the commotion is. Nathan is upset that she stood by and did nothing. Joshua witnessed the abuse of Emma as well but he is angry with Nathan for taking Joseph's side.


Chapter 10: Nathan calls on the Smith home to talk to Joseph. He needs to know more about these rumors. Joseph tells him about the Angel Moroni Visit he received four years ago and that those four years are now up. He will be retrieving the gold plates from their hiding place in the woods next week. Now begins the great work of the restoration.


Chapter 11: Nathan shares this second story with his mother who, again, believes all. Melissa also believes but Benjamin is not happy and remains unimpressed by these ridiculous  stories and rumors. Lydia comes over the next day to make amends for her actions as well as to tell Nathan she is no longer interested in being Joshua Steed's girlfriend and will officially break up with him tomorrow.


Chapter 12: Joshua plans to join the Murdock brothers and their gang in an attack on Joseph for the gold plates. When Lydia learns of this, she is horrified and runs to warn the Steeds.


Chapter 13: Joshua and his friends fail in their attempt to apprehend Joseph and take the heavy bag containing the gold record. Joseph is successful in fighting them off and getting away to the detriment of the mob.


Chapter 14: Nathan, Benjamin and Lydia arrive at the Smith residence. It is pouring rain. Breathing heavily, Joseph enters and reports his attack while his family attends to his minor injuries. The men leave to apprehend the mob while Lydia stays and talks to Joseph. She observes this family who talks of the coming work in translating the record and realizes all the rumors about them are untrue. Ben and Nathan return and the three go their separate ways. The two Steed men find Joshua at the tavern, nursing his wounds; drowning his sorrows. A HUGE argument between father and son erupts. Benjamin punches Joshua who grabs a pistol and threatens to shoot his own father while Nathan pleads for them to stop. Joshua looses his nerve and bolts.


Chapter 15: Benjamin talks to Martin Harris who shares his part in Joseph Smith's story. He recently had an interesting experience in fulfilling a scriptural prophecy from Isaiah. Ben is troubled. He doesn't know what to think about all this.


Chapter 16: Independence, Missouri, 1828. In leaving home to seek his fortune, Joshua ended up here: the borderline between the Wild West territories and civilized America. He's started up his own freight shipping business and is doing well. He's also discovered a special talent in poker and is currently winning enough tonight to expand his company. Meanwhile, back in New York, the Steed family is discussing Joseph's latest story about the trouble he recently had with a lost manuscript. Nathan is also making plans to court Lydia and set up housekeeping on a plot of land he's eyeing.


Chapter 17: Nathan visits Joseph to hear the entire story of The Lost 116 Pages for himself. To earn money for his marriage plans, Nathan has agreed to work for the Knight Family which, coincidently, is the same family Joseph will be staying with while commencing with the work of translating the ancient record. Nathan next meets with Lydia who is pleased her new beau will be out of town for a season as she's being sent to that Boston finishing school after all because her parents aren't too pleased at her marriage prospects.


Chapter 18: Nathan and Joseph talk about the progressing work. Nathan meets Oliver Cowdery. They marvel over the 116 pages story again now that Joseph has been forgiven and the work is going forth. Later, Oliver shares with Nathan the story John the Baptist Restores the Aaronic Priesthood and their baptism. Nathan immediately wants to be baptized too.


Chapter 19: In Boston, Lydia is very troubled when she learns of Nathan's baptism in a letter. She begins packing to return to Palmyra. In Missouri, we meet Jessica Roundy, illiterate, introverted barmaid and daughter of the local saloon owner, who has her eye on Joshua Steed. She studies at night, teaching herself to read and write so she might better impress Joshua who often talks to her and encourages her to improve herself.


Chapter 20: Benjamin hurt his arm so he will be staying behind while the entire family travels to Fayette, New York and the home of Peter Whitmer where a small, informal meeting will be held. Mary Ann is excited to go because Joseph will be reading from the recent completed translation of The Book of Mormon. She is anxious to see Nathan and wants to learn more about being baptized. Joseph reads an excerpt from what will become 3 Nephi 11 (the account of the Savior's visit to the Americas) and Mary Ann weeps.


Chapter 21: Martin Harris calls on Benjamin on the day his family is due to return. Benjamin is not impressed that Martin is planning on donating a large sum of money to help Joseph publish his new gold bible. Martin shares his testimony of being one of the Three Witnesses in the Book of Mormon. Ben is troubled and not sure what to think or believe.


Chapter 22: Nathan calls on Lydia so they can talk and make wedding plans but they argue instead. Lydia cannot accept this new religion. Benjamin and Mary Ann also argue over the issue. In Missouri, Joshua learns of Nathan engagement to his former girlfriend and gets very drunk. He's so upset, he runs right out to call on Jessica and propose marriage to her which she accepts.
(Don't do it, Jessie!)


Chapter 23: Eight months have now passed and even though Lydia and Nathan have broken off their engagement, he continues to work on his own property and has built a small cabin for himself.


Chapter 24: The new Mrs. Joshua Steed in Independence, MO is expecting her first child. She is quite content with her current life situation. Joshua is kind to her and they joke about the baby being a boy. Jessica worries she hasn't felt any fetus activity in several weeks but keeps it to herself. Back in Palmyra, Nathan purchases three copies of the newly published Book of Mormon. He plans to give one to Lydia on his way out of town to attend The Official Organization of the Restored Church of Christ on April 6, 1830 at the Peter Whitmer home in Fayette, New York. Mary Ann wants to go too.


Chapter 25: On their way out of town to Fayette, Nathan sends Melissa in with the copy of the Book of Mormon to give to Lydia at the store because he's driving the wagon on their way out of town. Inside is a letter to Lydia from Nathan with his testimony of the sacred book, encouraging her to read and pray over certain passages. Benjamin has grudgingly given his permission that his family might keep and read the copies of the Book of Mormon Nathan gave them. He also gave them permission to attend the special meeting on April 6.


Chapter 26: Lydia is mad when she discovers her father took the book Melissa brought in for Lydia and threw it in the dustbin. She fishes it out and reads the note Nathan left her inside the book. Realizing he is truly sincere in his love for her, she decides to give this book a chance and starts reading. In Independence, Jessica loses the baby and is heartbroken. She cries for the first time in nearly eighteen years. Narration says she hadn't cried since she was eight when her mother died. That makes her around 26 years old! Joshua drowns himself in the bottle, thinking of Lydia.


Chapter 27:  Mary Ann notes there are at least 50 to 60 people present in this tiny Whitmer log cabin for the organization of the newly restored church of Christ. Readers will recognize many famous names from Church History: Oliver Cowdry, Martin Harris, the Smith family, the Knights, Orrin Porter Rockwell and, of course, the entire Whitmer family including the older, married, children. The spirit is strong at the conference with the first blessing and passing of the sacrament, the inspired prayers read from what will one day be known as D&C 20. Because he has been baptized, Nathan receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, walks over to his mother and immediately begins to prophesy by the power of the spirit. Baptisms for all female Steeds follow afterward. Mary Ann, Melissa and Rebecca all join. Nathan baptizes them with encouragement from Joseph. Matthew is not included as one of the candidates for baptism but he did go with the family to the conference. Back in Palmyra, Lydia has a miraculous change of heart after reading the Book of Mormon and is waiting for her fiancée when Nathan returns from Fayette with his family. They kiss and will marry in the next book.


THE END