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A review by tanyarobinson
Saints, Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand: 1846-1893 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4.0
I applaud the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for taking on this 50-year span of church history in such a transparent manner. Some of the hardest issues to face manifested in the years between 1846 and 1897, polygamy being perhaps the most difficult to address. Rather than trying to summarize attitudes or rationalize policies, Saints speaks through countless quotations - both positive and negative - from those who lived through the time. I haven't come away with any settled opinions, but rather an increased appreciation for how complex the situation really was, and grateful that plural marriage is not asked of my generation.
While the first Saints volume was filled with stories that were familiar, No Hallowed Hand was mostly new material for me. Rather than focusing entirely on Salt Lake City and its environs, there was a lot of information about European missions and Saints in the South Pacific, Hawaii, Canada, and other parts of the United States. It was fascinating to learn more about the often tenuous relationship between the church and the US government during the later 19th century.
Every member of the church should read this book to appreciate the legacy we have been given. It's not just about those who traveled across the plains, but those who settled new areas, served far-away missions, endured separation and prison rather than renounce plural marriage, and built up educational institutions that would benefit their posterity.
Both volumes of Saints are written on a fairly low reading level, as they're meant to be accessible to as many as possible, but the stories and themes are not simple. They inspire a lot of reflection, and can lead to further research (aided by excellent footnotes and bibliographical information). 4 solid stars.
While the first Saints volume was filled with stories that were familiar, No Hallowed Hand was mostly new material for me. Rather than focusing entirely on Salt Lake City and its environs, there was a lot of information about European missions and Saints in the South Pacific, Hawaii, Canada, and other parts of the United States. It was fascinating to learn more about the often tenuous relationship between the church and the US government during the later 19th century.
Every member of the church should read this book to appreciate the legacy we have been given. It's not just about those who traveled across the plains, but those who settled new areas, served far-away missions, endured separation and prison rather than renounce plural marriage, and built up educational institutions that would benefit their posterity.
Both volumes of Saints are written on a fairly low reading level, as they're meant to be accessible to as many as possible, but the stories and themes are not simple. They inspire a lot of reflection, and can lead to further research (aided by excellent footnotes and bibliographical information). 4 solid stars.