When I was younger, I read the first six (or so) books from The Work and the Glory series by Gerald Lund, which tells a fictionalized account of one family who lived during the first years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Now the series is complete with nine books, and I enjoyed revisiting it, as the fictionalized Steed family continued into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. The twenty years of this family’s saga were a significant influential moment in religious history, and Gerald Lund’s series provides a solid historical fiction environment for anyone interested to learn about church history.
The Work and the Glory Volumes
Following is a brief summary and thoughts about the different volumes in this nine-volume series.
Volume 1: A Pillar of Light, 1827-1830
In the first book, A Pillar of Light (1990), we are introduced to the Steed family, which meets Joseph Smith in the late 1820s. I remember loving the portrayal of the young prophet, and I know that this book and the others in the series were a nice introduction to me of historical fiction, in general. The Steed family is close knit, although the oldest brother, Joshua Steed, is stubborn and resists his father’s domineering attitude. As such, he becomes ostracized from the family, a significant development for the further story. Meanwhile, his brother Nathan ends up falling in love with the town shopkeeper’s daughter.
This book does a nice job of weaving in the characters and their backstories with a testimony of the Restoration. As it was the first book, it did not have chapter end notes but rather an entire novel overview of the things that were true versus fabricated to allow for further development of the family and the book’s series after all. I loved the sweet testimony of Joseph Smith and imagined how I would have felt had he been sitting next to me, bearing testimony. This is a volume that transforms “regular” people into ones that feel the hope of God in their hearts.
Volume 2: Like a Fire is Burning, 1830-1836
Like a Fire Is Burning (1991) discusses the early Kirtland years, while the church was still growing and the people were preparing a temple. This covers the founding of Kirtland and the beginning of settlement in Missouri, which ties into Joshua Steed’s story, as he lives in Independence. In Kirtland, patriarch of the family Benjamin struggles to come to terms with the gospel and the oldest daughter, Melissa, marries a man not of the faith.
It’s not the most exciting book, but I loved how the author tied in Nathan’s mission (fictionalized) with Parly P. Pratt’s mission (true) to Toronto. The story of John Taylor’s conversion in Toronto is inspiring, and I would love to learn more about this future prophet of the church.
I also especially loved the depiction of the Kirtland temple dedication. It is such a beautiful outpouring of blessings, and the depiction of this influence on the early saints was gorgeously written. Building a temple where God may dwell was the most important thing they could do at this time, to prepare them for the difficult times to come.
Overall, this volume shows how the Saints struggled before they received the beautiful blessings they needed from the Lord. It shows the young church (and the new members) transformed from somewhat innocent beginnings to filled with glorious power from God.
Volume 3: Truth Will Prevail, 1836-1838
The gospel starts to spread worldwide in Truth Will Prevail (1992). Now missionaries are being sent to England and new characters are introduced that the reader can assume will someday meet with the Steed family, although at that point it is only to be seen how! Derek and Peter Ingalls live and work in Preston, England, in dire poverty. The gospel brings hope and light into their life.
Back in the USA, at this point in church history, things become difficult as financial struggles caused many saints to falter. Now many begin moving to Far West, Missouri, and the reader who knows church history begin to worry who of all the characters we love will face trials in the coming years. As a happy point, Joshua begins to change his life into a more honorable direction as he falls in love, cleans up his lifestyle, and shows love towards his new family.
The gospel challenges overall test the members of the Steed family too. This volume shows an early financial and worldly trial of faith and character as our Steed family transforms and grows.
Volume 4: Thy Gold to Refine, 1838-1839
Horrors face the Saints in Thy Gold to Refine (1993). I found this incredibly difficult to read as a mother. I know I read it as a child, but it did not hit me as hard as it did when I read it now. This volume covers just a year in the history of the Saints, from summer of 1838 to the spring and summer of 1839. The members of the church have left Kirtland and their temple. How hard it must have been to leave it all behind! The promises in the revelations show that moving on was the Lord’s will, but soon all begin to question the truth of this.
In Far West, however, the Saints soon find violence and destruction as Missourians politically and then physically reject the newcomers. This book gives a glimpse of just how horrific the violence was during this year. Knowing what I know now, I can see the suggestions that the author never does state explicitly but that I know what happened.
I feel like this era is a turning point in the early history of the church. Many former believers have turned directly against the church and, like Judas, betray leaders, only to later come back and beg forgiveness. The damage has been done, and Missouri Governor Boggs orders the extermination of the Saints from the state.
In the beginning of the book, the freedom flagpole is struck by lighting and destroyed. This true event is created the rumors that they would have no peace in Missouri. Such was the case. Once again, family worldly wealth and progress is completely destroyed, but despite violent treatment, physical deprivation, and starvation, by the end the Steed family has been reconciled, including Joshua and his new family. The novel, though it covers a short time, indeed shows an arc of growing faith from beginning to end.
Personally, as a mother and from a modern perspective, I can only wonder about the PTSD the young children and all the Saints faced after this horrifying year.
Volume 5: A Season of Joy, 1839-1841
There is a respite from torment in A Season of Joy (1994) as the Saints settle in Nauvoo. I grew up visiting Nauvoo every single summer, pretty much, so Nauvoo has always held a special place in my heart. Since my childhood, I’ve loved learning about history, and the stories and factoids I learned on tours of Nauvoo were a big part of that. (Now the missionaries in the houses in Nauvoo focus more on bearing testimony in each house, instead of sharing historical facts and tidbits such as I love. I understand why, but I still miss those mini-history lessons and I wish my kids would love history as I do!)
Not everything is peaceful as the novel progresses, since the Steed family has trials as young men go on missions and death and natural disasters make life difficult. But the miracles that happened in Nauvoo are memorable, and I loved getting a glimpse of how these leaders of the church may have lived, had life been calm and “normal” for them as early settlers in Western Illinois.
Volume 6: Praise to the Man, 1841-1844
For the majority of Saints that lived during the years that were covered in Praise to the Man (1995), I believe much of life was somewhat peaceful in the town of Nauvoo. As depicted in the book, settlers were coming from around the world and many missionaries were sent abroad to invite more to come. Tensions began to build in the places around Nauvoo and so hints of growing trouble must have discouraged many of the residents of the town.
One major cause of local consternation was the introduction of polygamy, which Gerald Lund treated very well in the novel. A big confusion began immediately as the practice became known, because the town also had a deceitful gynecologist named John C. Bennett who began sexually abusing women in the name of the church. Although Gerald Lund was discrete in explaining his abuses, it still is a disturbing novel to read because of Bennett’s influence. As the very limited practice of polygamy in the church is explained, the Steed family almost readily accepts it and understands, which I also found a bit unbelievable. That is, however, coming from my modern-day perspective. I’ve also read about later polygamy practices in Utah (not all reviewed), and I believe that although the practice may have begun honorably, abuses were rife in the system at later dates.
Praise to the Man ends with the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, which leaves the novel’s characters in mourning. However, the Steed family still gathers as a family to love one another, which is what life is about. It was essential to cover this issue in Mormon history, and I appreciate how this novel covered it. The novel had a satisfying resolution despite the tragedies.
Volume 7: No Unhallowed Hand, 1844-1846
No Unhallowed Hand (1996) is the first volume of the series that I did not encounter as a young teenager, because it hadn’t been written yet! Thus, it was historical fiction that I was not as familiar with, although I have since of course read the church-issued history Saints that covers this period, as well as other historical works. The title references a quote from Joseph Smith about how no “unhallowed” or unholy hand could stop the work of God from progressing on the earth. This volume encapsulates that by showing Brigham Young’s amazing leadership after the death of the prophet.
The volume starts with spiritual manifestations to help members recognize Brigham Young’s leadership, even as many others claim the right to lead the church. Given the history of the church at this point, from a purely secular point it’s surprising that anyone would want to! But the Steed family is an example of how the faithful came to know the true leader. Some simply knew, so the spiritual manifestations were not needed. Others continued to question, and some unbelievers receive the manifestations that solidify their beliefs.
The volume also shows the results of Joseph’s martyrdom as the Saints in outlying villages are again tormented (like in Missouri) and must flee to “Zion” for safety. Through it all, righteous Saints finish building the temple and are blessed with more from the Lord through the Endowment. Just as the Kirtland temple blessings helped faithful Saints understand and grow through blessings, this blessing from the Lord fortifies them from the trials still to come.
I had not known (or I’d forgotten?) about the outlying settlements from around Nauvoo, and I was shocked to hear about the violence on Nauvoo citizens that were not even members of the church. Was there no respite for anyone even kind to the Mormons? the city charter had been revoked, and Illinoisians insisted that Saints leave the state: the deadline is increasingly brought forward until thousands are forced to leave in February, only to be “blessed” with such cold that they can flee to Iowa over the frozen Mississippi River.
No Unhallowed Hand has some sad moments unknown in the other books. Overall, however, the volume solidifies the concept underscored in its title: nothing is going to stop this work of God, not the death of a prophet and family, not violent mobs, and certainly not a little cold weather.
Volume 8: So Great a Cause, 1846
Iowa is a nemesis for much of the Steed family in So Great a Cause (1997). The Nathan Steed family crosses Iowa, but it takes three months, giving them plenty of time to question the reasons of their leaving not just Nauvoo but the camp on the banks of the Mississippi. Others in the Steed family face new struggles too, with Will Steed and his wife traveling with the Saints on the Brooklyn (around Cape Horn) to California with a troubling leader at the head. Peter Ingalls and his disabled wife decide to travel west with an exploring group called the “Donner Party.” And some Steeds still remain in Nauvoo amid the troubles.
Although I’d known missionaries had been sent in all directions, I was unaware of some of the specific stories in different states, and how so many Saints were preparing to go West in 1846, despite not residing with the body of Saints in Nauvoo. I really like how the author has incorporated our Steed characters into so many of these other groups so we can get a glimpse, for example, of life on the Brooklyn. Sam Brannon was not a very good “Saint.” Further, I was intrigued that the author put Peter in the Donner Party because I didn’t think that that doomed party had anything to do with the Saints going west. The next book will show how it does relate!
So Great a Cause does leave room for the final sequel to the story and in that sense it feels somewhat incomplete. However, the titular encouragement of “So Great a Cause” does come full circle as the Steed family, our “heroes,” embraces the cause of Zion in this book. The story arc and character development does satisfy in this eighth volume.
Volume 9: All is Well, 1847
The ultimate conclusion to our Steed family saga in All is Well (1998) is the arrival of the main body of Saints in the Salt Lake Valley. But the journeys are all different. First, some of the Steeds are sent with an advance party with Brigham Young. Others must remain at Winter Quarters to further prepare and support the others there. Peter Ingalls travels with the Donner Party his wife rests in Alabama. A few young men join the Mormon battalion. Matthew stays behind the main group of Saints to help with his woodworking skills in making a raft. Will and his wife arrive in California after their troubling voyage and must decide whether or not to advance on to Utah to join with the Saints. All face unique trials of their own while only hoping that “all is well” with the rest of the family.
I found this volume quite satisfying as the members of the family make their way to each other. The inclusion of the Donner Party made sense! Research shows that their trail breaking through the Utah mountains was a big help for the Saints the next year. Plus, having one of our Steed characters present to help them find the broken trail he’d helped with the year before certainly made it easier for the Saints. (There really was a member of the Donner Party to help the Saints find the trail.) The ultimate reunion was all we could hope it would be, and I loved seeing the Steeds making plans for the next generation in the new valley of the Saints.
Overall Thoughts on The Work and the Glory
I felt, in the end, that it was time to end the Steed story. It could keep going for generations, for surely, although it may have been all “well” at the end of volume 9, setting up life in Salt Lake City was not easy that first year. Further, pretty soon after the Saints were established in that valley, Brigham Young would call families to go on missions to new settlements throughout the Utah territory. There is no end to the gospel story. One little glimpse of the Steed family could be retold through their generations to come as they spread around the world — Mormons would settle in Cardston, Alberta, as well as northern Mexico and Arizona. Within two generations, descendants in the faith would be asked to stay in their home area and build Zion in their own homes. That is where we are today.
The Work and the Glory had some irritating flaws for me. First, it was the “ease” of conversion. Every character that sincerely read The Book of Mormon came to believe in the gospel and become baptized. Although I do believe it is true myself, I struggle to believe that all of these complex characters were so “easily” converted. Will’s wife, Alice, for example, had been reared in a very anti-Mormon family in Missouri. Joshua, too, had very deep feelings. It is hard for me to imagine the sincere prayer being so readily accepted. Maybe that is my own cynicism living in a religion-less age of the world. Maybe people were more sensitive to their own sincerity in prayer. But it felt increasingly unrealistic as all of the family continued to follow each other, all the way to Salt Lake City. In reality, families were divided for life. (It is a book written for a member audience, so I am not surprised with the approach.)
The other difficulty for me was actually the lack of death. That sounds strange. No one wants main characters to die. In this case, though, the Steed family survival rate was astonishing! Again, it’s an inspiring historical fiction tale, so I can’t fault the author that much, I suppose, for making it a pleasant read. It just added to the unrealistic approach to the tale, given how much suffering and starvation other characters faced, and how many died from simple illnesses and events. (How dare Lydia, who lost one child, complain to Emma Smith, who lost her first four!)
In the end, I’m really glad I read through this series from start to end. The historical notes and resources the author provided (from volume 2 on) did help give context to the fiction versus the true history. It gives a glimpse of the historical characters and what their lives were like. Finally, a loveable family had a happy ever after ending in the Salt Lake Valley. What a relief to be in Zion! Let’s hope they can keep up the faith into the untold future before them.
