I knew the prophets.

In 1832, the Johnson family become early converts to the newly founded American religious movement known as the Church of Christ or “Mormonism”. They follow the charismatic leader, the Prophet Joseph Smith, westward to Ohio, Missouri, and Nauvoo. Along the way the Johnsons experience hardship, loss, violence and persecution at the hands of anti-Mormons. Despite these setbacks, they are fervent in their belief in Joseph Smith and his religious revelations. In 1842, Joseph Smith secretly introduces polygamy to a select group of his followers, including the Johnsons. Polygamy is met with shock and disbelief, and several prominent Mormons leave the church and join the growing anti-Mormon movement. The Johnson family fully embraces polygamy with two of their daughters becoming Joseph Smith’s plural wives. In 1844, the tipping point in violence occurs when the Prophet and his brother are murdered by an angry mob. A crisis of authority and struggle to take power of the fledgling religious movement ensues, splintering the Mormons into several sects. The Johnsons must decide whether to follow the new leader, Brigham Young, westward to Deseret or remain loyal to Joseph Smith’s family who believe they are the rightful leaders.

View here

This project is an anthology of inter-connected fiction and non-fiction stories from early Mormon history (1800 to early 1900s). The people and historical events are real. Some stories are fictionalized while others are historical accounts. Each story is derived from found documents, such as journals, autobiographies, newspapers, or letters. They can be read individually or in sequence. Over time, a larger story will unfold that will reward regular readers.

Author: Debbie Passey