From the turbulent history of the western migrations comes this thrilling story of a desperate and exalting adventure. As Moses led his people into the Promised Land, so Brigham Young led 15,000 persecuted Mormons to religious freedom in Utah, founding an empire in the
valley of the Great Salt Lake and bringing a desert to bloom.

In boyhood, as a farmer and carpenter in New York State, Brigham Young tried but failed to find a satisfying religion. Then he read the inspiring Book of Mormon and was baptized in the new and controversial Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He went to Ohio, joined Prophet Joseph Smith and became the great Mormon leader's most trusted disciple.

The Mormons were excellent farmers and prospered wherever they settled, but because there was so little understanding of their religious beliefs, they were regarded with suspicion and not given sanctuary anywhere. When Joseph Smith was assassinated by a mob, Brigham
Young became the Mormon leader. On him depended the future of the faith. He must find his flock a permanent home. But where in all America could they hope for safety, freedom from persecution? Perhaps Zion lay in Utah territory in desert lands that nobody wanted—in the desolate valley of the Great Salt Lake.

The story of that migration from Illinois to Utah is perhaps the most incredible in American history. Brigham Young led his penniless, starving, fever-ridden men, women and children across the plains and over the Rocky Mountains. With a genius for organization, he ordered crops planted on the way so that other Mormon groups following might harvest and eat. In almost every settlement a temple was built—and desecrated by furious mobs.

This is a story of how one man's faith sustained the faith of thousands, and of how he brought his wanderers to port through a national storm. Rarely does history combine the elements of adventure and religious inspiration—but this is such a story. Authenticated by historians and members of the Mormon Church.

From the dust jacket