“They that go down to the sea . . . these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. . . . Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” —Psalm 107:23–24, 31Many pioneers’ journey began long before the trail across the plains. Brigham Young University professor Fred Woods’ quest to learn more of these unheralded “sail before the trail” travels unearthed the little-known story of the Julia Ann, which shipwreck...

Did you know LDS-sponsored basketball teams were once a major missionary tool? Bounce back in time and discover for yourself how basketball influenced the growth of the Church in Australia. This inspiring book and DVD share the remarkable true stories of early Church basketball stars. Sure to entertain fans of all ages, it's perfect for the whole family!

Ports to Posts is the result of more than a quarter century of research in Latter-day Saint migration narratives from the nineteenth century. Fred E. Woods takes the reader from early church beginnings in upstate New York to ecclesiastical gathering places in Kirtland, Ohio, and Jackson County, Missouri. The journey then incorporates international European ports to Latter-day Saint gathering locations in Nauvoo, Illinois, and later in the Salt Lake Valley during the peak of this e...

The autobiography of Eli Wiggill offers a captivating narrative of one family’s journey from Gloucester, England, to South Africa, and eventually to Salt Lake City during the mid-nineteenth century. Eli and Susannah Wiggill’s conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Africa serves as a focal point in their remarkable story. Eli’s retelling vividly portrays their steadfast faith, missionary efforts, and the challenges they faced as pioneers in establishing commu...

Bright Lights in the Desert explores the history of how members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Las Vegas have improved the regions’ neighborhoods, inspired educational institutions, brought integrity to the marketplace, and provided wholesome entertainment and cultural refinement. The LDS influence has helped shape the metropolitan city because of its members’ focus on family values and community service.Woods discusses how, through their beliefs and...

Since the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in 1830, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has added millions of people to its global membership. Crucial to its initial growth were converts from Great Britain who emigrated to join with other Latter-day Saints in the United States. Many, however, also stayed in the United Kingdom in order to establish a presence of the Church there.In The Latter-day Saint Image in the British Mind, authors Malcolm Adcock and Fred...

George Darling Watt was the first convert of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints baptized in the British Isles. He emigrated to Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1842. He returned to the British Isles in 1846 as a missionary, accompanied by his wife and young son. He remained there until 1851, when he led a group of emigrant converts to Salt Lake City, Utah. Watt recorded his journey from Liverpool to Chimney Rock in Pitman shorthand. Remarkably, his journal wasn’t discovered until 2001—and...

Tonga has by far the highest percentage of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of any country in the world. How did this come to be? At first, missionary work in Tonga appeared to be a failure. Then, after closing the mission for a decade, the Church returned and began harvesting the fruits from the seeds that had been planted earlier amid tremendous opposition. The truths of the gospel resonated with the Tongan people, who exhibited incredible faith and sacrifice. T...

Notwithstanding the frigid circumstances, a genuine warmth emanates from the Alaskan Saints. The match that lit this internal flame was the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, first striking the Alaskan borders at the turn of the twentieth century. The Latter-day Saints have subtly shaped Alaskan society, although composing less than five percent of the state’s population. Their influence on Alaskan communities can be seen through their family values, humanitarian service, community projects,...

The story of the Willie and Martin handcart pioneers is among the most compelling in the history of America's western migration. Though tragic, it is also a story of triumph that scarcely has an equal. It is one of history's great witnesses of the power of faith and sacrifice.Although this story is one of the most frequently told of all Mormon pioneer accounts, it is also among the least understood. This book provides the most comprehensive and accessible account of these pioneers'...

The enduring saga of Mormonism is its great trek across the plains, and understanding that trek was the life work of Stanley B. Kimball, master of Mormon trails. This final work, a collaboration he began and which was completed after his death in 2003 by his photographer-writer wife, Violet, explores that movement westward as a social history, with the Mormons moving as “villages on wheels.”Set in the broader context of transcontinental migration to Oregon and California, the Mormon...

Between 1864 and 1866, thousands of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints left their homelands in Europe and South Africa for the desolate deserts of Utah Territory, which they hoped would be their Zion. Church leaders had supported gathering to a specific location since 1830. In 1856, Jacob Dawson discovered a beautiful location on the Missouri River, just seven miles north of Nebraska City, where he established a town. Dawson named the town Wyoming. Although determin...