Showing results by author "Gerald N. Lund" in All Categories

Into the Flames, the sixth and final installment of Gerald N. Lund's Fire and Steel series, brings new experiences, new challenges, new opportunities, and not a few tragedies into the lives of the Eckhardt and Westland families. In America, Mitch and Edie continue their struggle to hang on to the ranch that has been their family's home for nearly fifty years, while Benji's quest to find work turns catastrophic and sets him on a new path that will take him to exotic climes and an unexpected reunion.

As this volume opens, it is a time of great sadness and of uncertainty. Having lost their beloved prophet, the Saints witness a series of power plays by those who would use the opportunity to further their own interests. It is not long, however, before the Lord's purposes are made apparent and the Twelve take their rightful position as leaders of the Church, with Brigham Young at their head. For a time, an uneasy peace seems to prevail in Illinois, but then the Nauvoo Charter is revoked, anti-Mormon hatred is again inflamed by those involved in the Prophet's death.

Several momentous events take place during this period in Church history: Nauvoo becomes a well-established city; the Relief Society is founded; the endowment is administered for the first time in this dispensation; Joseph Smith becomes a candidate for president of the United States; he delivers his monumental King Follett Discourse. Meanwhile, however, dark forces outside as well as inside the Church are at work to destroy Joseph and the Restoration cause.

The Mormon faithful begin the long trek west in 1846 searching for their promised land. The trek proves more miraculous, challenging and costly than ever imagined. The trail is littered with human sweat, tears and graves. It is necessary for the Steeds to split up and hope for a sweet reunion at the trail's end.