No Unhallowed Hand

The story continues, post martyrdom, post-mortem intervel, of Joseph Smith. There's a sense of "What now?" for the both the Steed family and the saints in this volume. Who will assume leadership of the church? How long until the great mass exodus to Utah is set in motion? Who will be the next Steed to marry? Gerald Lund keeps these pioneer stories alive in his bestselling series. Nobody writes like this anymore.

For the first time, the author includes individual family tree charts for each of Benjamin & Mary Ann's five children (Jessica has her own) so all grandchildren are included and it's very helpful.

Start- June 1844
End - February 1846

Chapter 1- Nathan is looking at the graves of Joseph and Hyrum, contemplating the three days since the martyrdom. No headstones, just two mounds of dirt. Today is Sunday; back in town, a bedridden Kathryn urges  her sister and brother-in-law to attend worship services (because she wants to secretly practice with her crutches and barely makes it back to the bed when they return). Peter stops by to visit. He wants to talk about their relationship, except they don't have one, as Kathryn bluntly points out. He leaves and she cries. Even later that same Sunday, Kathryn in her wheelchair joins the rest of the Steed clan, including Jessica and Solomon, at the main evening family gathering. She joins the debate with Joshua over where the church will turn for leadership; who will succeed Joseph? Lots of rumors going around Nauvoo.

Chapter 2- Nathan and Benjamin talk quietly that same Sunday evening while the Steeds visit outside in the cool evening. Ben confides to Nathan the graves he visited earlier today were fake, the bodies were secretly buried elsewhere. New scene: Savannah and Mary Ann are walking down the street. Savannah is being her usual precocious self, soberly discussing with her "step" grandma the Smith family and why a woman changes her name after she marries. Savannah runs off to play with one of the Smith boys so Lucy Mack Smith and Mary Ann can talk. Later the older and younger Steeds return with Jane Manning, one of the few negro LDS women in Nauvoo. Jane no longer works for Emma Smith who can no longer afford the big house. Mary Ann promises Jane help in securing a new position. (By starting LDS Family Services?)

Chapter 3- Caroline, still recovering from the wagon accident that took Olivia's life, hobbles out to the front porch where Joshua sits unable to sleep due to agonies of guilt over the death of his step-daughter. He has recurring nightmares of Olivia accusing him of negligence before waking in cold sweat. Caroline suggests he proceed with the purchase of an even grander piano (to replace the one they already have!) he planned to present to Olivia on what would've been her seventeenth birthday. Lydia tells Nathan that Parley P. Pratt is back so Nathan stops by to hear his news including the personal revelation he received while serving in Boston about the martyrdom.

Chapter 4- In Kirtland, Ohio, Melissa learns of the martyrdom and yearns to be with her family during this terrible time. Carl is supportive. Back in Nauvoo, Will gets the surprise of his life when he answers the door to find his father’s business partner from St. Louis, Walter Samuelson, and his spunky daughter, Alice, standing on his doorstep. Alice hangs out with Will while Joshua and Walter discuss the possibility of moving their business from Nauvoo to the more Mormon-tolerant city of St. Louis. Walter urges Joshua to consider moving his entire clan as well, so everyone can take advantage of greater opportunities but Joshua could never uproot his family, especially his still recovering wife. Walter also warns Joshua that some of their business associates are murmuring about his Mormon connections which may threaten his life but Joshua doesn’t believe him. Will shows Alice the temple site while she introduces him to the newest 1844 word to be added to the Collegiate Dictionary: “O.K.”

Chapter 5- Will continues the walking tour of Nauvoo with Alice. Both agree this last week has been nice. Melissa, Carl and the kids arrive in Nauvoo and prepare to disembark from the riverboat and surprise the family. Joshua gets a visit from John C. Bennett who is trying to stir up trouble that Joseph secretly confided to him who the next leader of the church should be. Three weeks have now passed since Mary Ann promised Jane Manning she’d help her find another position in service. The answer is right there, Jane will work for Melissa and Carl’s family of course! Parley Pratt arrives, out of breath, to inform Benjamin and Nathan of an important high priest meeting to counter the rumors.

Chapter 6- Brigham Young and other prominent church leaders are just a few days away from Nauvoo, traveling home from their respective missions. The road is blocked by a mired ox wagon. Miraculously, Brigham is led by the spirit to free the six yoke of oxen after all other attempts fail. The party can now proceed with all swiftness to Nauvoo where they arrive just in time to stop a meeting that was to officially appoint Sidney Rigdon as the new president of the church.

Chapter 7- That evening, everyone discusses the meeting. Joshua is confident Sidney will be appointed anyway while the rest of the clan know and understand what makes a prophet. Melissa and Carl also support Sidney because he is against plural marriage. That night, Matthew and his family, including Kathryn are having family scripture study when Brigham Young calls to share the latest news about the next meeting that will be held later in the week to officially vote on the new president.

Chapter 8- Today is Thursday, August 8, 1844 and everyone, including non-members like Joshua and Carl are gathered for this monumental meeting. Even very small children, like newborn baby Mary Melissa, under the care of Jane Manning, are included. The meeting is held outdoors in a large grove east of the temple and more than 5,000 people are in attendance. The morning is spent hearing speeches. Pompous Sidney Rigdon has given his speech outlining all the reasons why he should succeed Joseph as leader. It is now Brigham Young’s turn to speak and what a powerful counterpoint he makes! No church can be called God’s true church, unless it includes twelve apostles holding all the authoritative keys and one prophet, seer and revelator. Suddenly, Caroline grips Joshua’s arm while Mary Ann gasps at what she sees. Others in the crowd have similar reactions, pointing and exclaiming. Rebecca forcibly grabs her five-year-old son who exclaims what everyone else is already affirming, “It’s Brother Joseph!” Kathryn and Jenny weep for they can hear Joseph’s voice. Joshua, in shock, turns to Carl who is just as bewildered while Melissa suddenly sees it too. Then, finally, Joshua has his own experience as the familiar voice of his longtime friend and acquaintance, Joseph Smith, hits his ears. Joshua cannot deny it; he knows that deep, resonant voice urging the saints to consider carefully Sidney’s argument for their vote just before Brigham’s voice takes over and the miraculous vision dissipates. Now, vote! Brigham Young is unanimously called and sustained as the next leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Chapter 9- The Steed Clan, minus Melissa and Carl, gather to discuss what they saw and heard today: Benjamin, Nathan and Matthew didn’t see or hear anything. Continuity error by the author for Rebecca now claims she didn’t experience anything either but Derek did. Those who did: Lydia, Savannah, Christopher, Emily, Jenny and Kathryn. Joshua pleads the fifth but Nathan suspects his older brother experienced something but doesn’t press him. Joshua visits Melissa after Carl and the children have gone to bed so they can talk freely. Melissa shares her experience which she hasn’t told Carl yet and is troubled due to their views on plural marriage and her current struggles with the faith. Carl is content for them to be less active. Joshua returns home to tell Caroline he’ll be leaving for St. Louis on business again. Will goes with him so Alice can give him a walking tour of her city where they use their new word, OK, and giggle like teenagers in love. Alice admits she’s been reading the Book of Mormon but needs more space and time to investigate on her own and Will respects that.

Chapter 10- Several pages of narration describe the new church order under the direction of Brigham Young. Rebecca, Jenny and Jessica have all announced new babies for next year. The Knabe Piano arrives in Joshua’s household and is set up in the parlor for Savannah while the old one is given to Nathan and Lydia for Emily, their oldest daughter. It is now October 1844 and time for General Conference (such as it was in pioneer days) which, for the men, includes the calling of individual mission assignments. Benjamin has a secret wish to be called as a mission president. His desire is granted. He and Mary Ann will preside over the Nashville, TN mission. Derek and Matthew have also been called to serve for a short time in Arkansas. Brigham visits the Steeds in person to give them more specific details and reassure the expectant wives that their husbands will be home before the babies are due. Later that day, Peter calls on Matthew’s house to see Kathryn who has to be dragged out of the back bedroom by her sister. Once apologies are made, Peter and Kathryn talk about Peter’s hurt feelings at not being called on a mission like the other young men. He wisely points out to Kathryn that mental crutches can be just as hindering to the human soul as physical ones. Kathryn is humbled and meekly asks him to read aloud from the book he brought. Let the courtship begin! Ten days later, the family bids Benjamin and Mary Ann farewell.

Chapter 11- Rebecca visits Mary and Mercy Fielding Smith/Thompson. Robert Thompson died so Hyrum took Mary’s sister as a plural wife. Now both are widows with children forced to double up in a much smaller house because Emma claimed their former residence for a boarding house. Rebecca’s admires both women’s positive attitude without any bitterness towards Emma. The temple is nearing completion. Emma is struggling to get along with Brigham Young who has his own ideas about running the church while Mother Smith plays peacemaker. Rebecca counts her blessings.

Chapter 12- Matthew and Derek have their own missionary adventure in the hills of Arkansas as they experience persecution from a mob while contacting some less active members in their area. They are beaten and nearly lynched, accused of spreading mischief, forcing their daughters to enter into enforced polygamy. Both men fervently deny these false accusations and manage to avoid a hanging by distracting the men. Some in the mob have a change of heart and subdue the leader, admit they were wrong to let it go this far and let the Elders go with no hard feelings.

Chapter 13- Two girls are born to Jenny and Rebecca. Derek and Matthew are present for the deliveries. Jessica (now 41 years old) gives birth to a boy. Savannah turns eight and immediately begins pestering her Papa to let her be baptized but Joshua won’t relent. She tries hiding in the barn and refusing to eat for an entire day. Will and Caroline talk Joshua into a compromise. Joshua proposes a trial period for his daughter to be on her best behavior until June then he’ll give his consent. Savannah agrees.

Chapter 14- Nathan writes the family letter (dated June 10, 1845) to Ma & Pa Steed telling all the news including Savannah’s baptism and the whistling and whittling brigade formed by the saints in attempt to keep the peace in Nauvoo. Jane Manning is getting married to another free black man who is also a member of the church (they will separate years later in Utah). Caroline is outside, keeping cool in the shade, when Alice from St. Louis makes an unexpected surprise visit. Alice has questions about the church, such as plural marriage, and wants the clan’s opinions and views. Jenny takes her to the temple site where Matthew is working and they have a nice conversation which is interrupted by the onset of a violent thunder and lightning storm. Jenny panics for her sister, who is understandably terrified of thunderstorms, left alone back at the house to mind the children. They hurry back.

Chapter 15- Kathryn is trying hard not to go into hysterics in front of the children as the hail, thunder and lightning storm rages outside. A window shatters and everyone screams just as Peter comes bursting through the door, like a knight in shining armor, to throw his arms around a sobbing Kathryn and calm their fears. Hours later, everyone gathers to assess the damage of the storm. No one in the family suffered any real property damage so the subject turns to the church. Non-members joke about the possibility of being knocked over the head and baptized. Alice pipes up and announces she wouldn’t mind that at all. Will is then teased into proposing marriage to Alice. Kathryn adds it might be a double wedding, if Peter will have her. Thirty miles south, Jessica and her family receive the happy news of the engagements and decide a trip to Nauvoo is in order.

Chapter 16- Miles outside Nauvoo, a big anti-Mormon rally is being held to decide the best way to exterminate the Mormons and drive them out of their state. The first target will be Yelrome, where Solomon just happens to be when the attack comes…

Chapter 17- Solomon is helping Brother Morley (for whom Yelrome is named) when the mob arrives. Solomon tries to intervene but is clubbed unmercifully (never fear, he doesn’t die). Back in Nauvoo, the Steeds hear about the attack and all willing and able Steed men volunteer to help.

Chapter 18- Early the next morning, Nathan and Lydia are outside talking. Nathan assures Lydia Jessica and her family are all here, safe, in Nauvoo having come on their own, before Brigham’s call to gather went out. Nathan and Joshua ride out together with Porter Rockwell’s rescue party and Joshua hears some of the fascinating stories of Porter’s duties as bodyguard to the prophet before witnessing Porter’s vigilante gunmanship in action. Joshua returns home late that night where Caroline is waiting up for him. Alice’s parents may not approve of her hasty decisions. Joshua might want to consider making a trip to St. Louis to play mediator.

Chapter 19- Joshua, Will and Alice depart on a riverboat for St. Louis as the Steed clan wave goodbye. As they walk back to their homes, Nathan halts all the adults, sends the kids off to play and declares a family meeting right here and now to fast and pray for Joshua, Alice, Melissa and others in their family who will miss out on the great migration to Utah, if they choose to stay behind, thus dividing the Steed family forever. Walter Samuelson and his wife are, indeed, not very happy with the news Will and Alice spring on them. Joshua and Will sit by the river and reminisce about the time Will was shanghaied (see vol. 5) while Alice’s parents suggest a compromise: they will give their permission for her marriage if she will wait until the Mormons have left the state before joining that religion, just to prove she’s not doing it to please her beau. Alice talks to Will the next day and they agree to wait six months until Grandma and Grandpa Steed return from their mission. That should satisfy everyone.

Chapter 20- Even the governor of the state of Illinois won’t do anything to assist the second class Mormon citizens. Alice, Will and Joshua return to Nauvoo in time for a big meeting about the upcoming migration where all the saints are instructed in preparations for the long journey.

Chapter 21- October, 1845 and final decision making time for the Steeds: are you in or out? Carl and Melissa are out. Caroline is torn but will stay in Nauvoo with her husband. Nathan tries to talk to Joshua who won’t bend. He tries Caroline who is touched at his effort to keep the family together but she will bide her time until Joshua has a change of heart. She and Joshua have a good conversation that night where Joshua admits he’s open to the idea of going with the family.

Chapter 22- Benjamin and Mary Ann are greeted by the entire family at the dock. Brigham Young calls Will and Alice into his office with a difficult assignment for Will. With all his sailing experience, Brigham wants Will to be part of a group of New York City saints leaving on a packet ship to sail around South America to California, as an alternative route to the Rocky Mountains. If Will agrees, he’ll need to marry Alice right away so she can go with him. This means Alice’s baptism will need to be moved up as well. Joshua is very put out by this earthshattering news but gives his consent (those darn kids will just elope anyway) and a double wedding with Peter and Kathryn is thrown together by the Steed woman in less than 48 hours.

Chapter 23- It’s the fastest wedding in the west! Benjamin officiates. Brigham Young and all twelve apostles are in attendance. Benjamin points out he only has the authority to marry them for time. Later, when the temple is dedicated, they can have the opportunity to be sealed for eternity. Brigham adds his assurance that all worthy members desiring this ordinance will have the opportunity very soon; and so, the two couples are married.

Chapter 24- Emily is thirteen; her cousin Rachel, fourteen. They are best friends and like to gossip about boys and dream of their own future weddings. Rachel is happy because her new (second) stepfather is going to officially adopt her (again!). Emily teases Rachel about the insanely long new last name she’ll have: Rachel Steed Griffith Garrett plus whatever name she takes when she marries. Emily also wonders if Rachel finds it weird calling her biological father “Uncle Joshua” but Rachel says she doesn’t mind, since it was Joshua who got her Mom and new stepfather together. Emily (to this reader’s horror) is envious of her cousin’s good fortune having so many fathers in her life (sans no fault divorce). The girls go downstairs to leave for the youth activity and are complimented by Nathan and Lydia. Joshua and Caroline receive a letter from Alice’s parents who aren’t too pleased with the baptism and elopement. Joshua hopes their business relations can still be salvaged. He meets Walter at a hotel in another town where Walter drops the bomb: he’s selling off his share of their business and severing all ties with Joshua who is shocked and angered by the news. Two men hired as bodyguards by Walter decide to profit from this little venture.

Chapter 25- Traveling back to Nauvoo, carrying the gold as part of his share from the sale, Joshua is attacked by Walter’s men. Thanks to a Good Samaritan, Joshua gets back to Nauvoo badly wounded but alive. The money also remains safely hidden under the wagon box which Joshua moves to one of his warehouses. The bad men torch the warehouse in retribution for their failure to rob Joshua and succeed in bankrupting him.

Chapter 26- Will and Alice arrive in New York City. In Nauvoo a special Steed Family Women’s council is held so Benjamin can instruct them on what to expect when they all go to the temple to receive their endowment. The brethren are also asking for help in making and donating all the beautiful items that will be needed for the endowment ceremony and the different rooms in the temple.
In later scenes, everyone discusses their plans to either stay or go with the saints in the big migration. Nathan and Lydia are definitely in. Joshua was forced to sell out in St. Louis, he no longer owns any business or property there, so he's out. Peter and Kathryn determine they will have to find their own way across the plains, since Peter has no skills that might be of any use on the trip.

Chapter 27- The temple endowment was first introduced by Joseph Smith in 1842. Benjamin was present. It is now December 1845. All married Steeds who are active in the church take this opportunity to participate in the endowment session. Caroline doesn’t go. Lydia visits Emma Smith who is still bitter over plural marriage but happy for her friend who is now temple worthy. Emma is unable to accept these new doctrines and will be staying behind to the dismay of both who have been good friends since Kirtland. Almon Babbitt informs Brigham Young there is a marshal here to arrest him. Brigham has an idea. He sends another man to impersonate him and escapes. Even the marshal is a good sport about the joke.

Chapter 28- Five Steed couples are sealed together as husband and wife: Benjamin & Mary Ann, Derek & Rebecca, Solomon & Jessica, Jenny & Matthew, Peter & Kathryn. Nathan and Lydia were already sealed by Joseph Smith in the last volume but they came to support the others. Kathryn is still wheelchair bound but uses crutches whenever she can. The happy couples walk and talk solemnly in the chilly night. Solomon reads what will one day become D&C 131. The sacredness of their shared experience overwhelms them all as voiced by Benjamin who gives a long speech about family, children and grandchildren all belonging to them now and how no one will be alone after death.

Chapter 29- January, 1846 and the state has declared their time is up and all Mormons must leave peacefully or suffer the consequences. Inspired by Savannah and her great desire to follow the prophet to Zion, Joshua decides he’s got nothing more to loose and talks to Nathan about throwing his lot in with the family. Nathan is ecstatic.

Chapter 30- Jane Manning James is recruited by Nathan to share her family’s story with Carl and Melissa in attempt to soften their hearts towards joining the saints. Her story about how God healed their feet while they traveled across the plains to Nauvoo is impressive but Carl and Melissa ultimately decide they will be safe enough in Nauvoo. Matthew walks with Brigham who gives a glimpse into the life of a modern day Moses and all its challenges. Tomorrow is the big day when everyone must be out of the city. They come to the temple where a crowd of faithful saints, anxious to receive their endowments before the exodus, plead with the prophet to open the temple one last time. Brigham relents.

Chapter 31- As the first wagons roll out on February 4, 1846, Alice Samuelson Steed writes in her journal on board the ship bound for San Francisco. Spirits are high but trials are coming. Over in another city, Peter and Katheryn have a “job interview” with the wealthy Reed family who plan to join the Donners in a massive trailblazing expedition to California.

Chapter 32- Benjamin leads the Steeds in a powerful and moving prayer before they set out. Those left behind weep and wail as the wagons roll out. A sense of foreboding and foreshadowing creeps into the narration as the Steeds board the ferry across the ice-choked Mississippi; something very bad is about to befall our favorite fictional family. Joshua and Savannah have tagged along. They are nearest the foul mouthed worker who maliciously spits tobacco juice in the eye of one ox who goes mad with pain, upsets the wagons and knocks Savannah into the icy water. Joshua and Solomon dive in after her. Benjamin is scanning the water when he spots Savannah’s blue dress and jumps in. He emerges triumphant, hands her to Solomon but succumbs to the current and is lost leaving Mary Ann screaming his name.

Chapter 33- Benjamin saved his granddaughter’s life but at the price of his own. Brigham Young comes over to the camp to offer his condolences, taking the newly widowed Mary Ann in his arms as she shakes with sobs. Benjamin will be buried here on the Iowa side of the river, on a bluff overlooking Nauvoo. Brigham will come for the funeral tomorrow. The Steeds are overcome with shock and grief. Melissa suggests they call off their migration but everyone insists Benjamin would want them to press on. Joshua decides he will travel with them as far as Nebraska, to help his mother and drive her wagon.

Chapter 34- Alice is having the worst Valentine’s Day of her life. Seasickness rages on board the ship and a terrible storm is currently making life miserable. She resents her healthy and happy as a clam husband who never gets motion sickness. Will is in his element as he eats in front of her but has to jump back to avoid being hit by her vomit. The storm blows itself out and everyone starts to feel a little better. Back in Nauvoo, a freak arctic cold front has swept across the plains, freezing the river and allowing all the saints in the city who want to leave the opportunity to cross over; a miracle. Nathan leads his family in prayer before they depart. Back at the gravesite, Mary Ann quietly says goodbye to her best friend, eternal companion and husband.

The End