Fire of the Covenant: The Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies [Paperback]

Gerald N. Lund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2004

Share in the pathos and spiritual power of the handcart experience

The author of the acclaimed historical fiction series The Work and the Glory brings another dramatic chapter in Church history to life in Fire of the Covenant, a novel about the 1856 Willie and Martin Handcart Companies. Elder Lund weaves his fictional characters into the tapestry of actual historical events helping us feel a part of the companies who set out for Zion late in the season during the first year of the great handcart migration. Trapped by early winter snows in Wyoming, these Saints driven by the "fire of the covenant" they had made with God rose to heights of unsurpassed courage and endurance. Their story will thrill you to the core.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Couldn't put it down, September 19, 2008
By Anja

This book lets you live side by side with the early pioneers -- they come alive! It has changed the way I view the early members of our Church forever. The language is varied yet simple enough to let the events and the people play the lead. You won't regret reading this.

Must Read!, November 22, 2002
By Camilla

This is the second book I have read by Lund, and it has drawn me in. I like to feel conected to characters and this book made that easy! I appreciated the notes at the end of each chapter that clarified the facts. I have never before learned so much from reading a novel. 'Fire of the Covenant' is a muct read!

Powerful and Inspiring, September 29, 2008
By Amber

This book is so magnificent. I couldn't put it down after the 1st page. I gained a much deeper appreciation for the pioneers and a testimony of the gospel, which they were willing to risk so much to live by.

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--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Elder Gerald N. Lund was sustained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy in April 2002. He was employed in the Church Educational System of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint for more than 30 years and has served on many writing committees. He is the author of numerous bestselling novels, including The Work and the Glory series, The Kingdom and the Crown series, One in Thine Hand, and The Alliance. He and his wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 794 pages
• Publisher: Deseret Book Company (December 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590384113
• ISBN-13: 978-1590384114
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 4.9 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It will make you laugh. It will make you cry., March 23, 2006

By 

Kenneth Higbee "regular joe reader" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fire of the Covenant: The Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies (Paperback)

Gerald Lund's work of historical fiction (Fire of the Covenant) brings to life the unique history of the handcart pioneer migration to Utah in the mid 1800's. Lund weaves together real people involved in the ill-fated 1856 Willie and Martin Handcart Companies with a set of fictional characters.

The story starts in Europe with the conversion to Mormonism of several characters and their life-altering decision to leave their families, homes, and jobs in order to sail to America and cross the midwest plains and Rocky Mountains by handcart -- all for the sake of their new found faith. Many of these pioneers were poor (hence the use of handcarts instead of wagons); some could not yet speak English; others were old and knew that they might not live through the journey. Yet they moved forward with faith.

The lateness of their arrival in America combined with some unfortunate decisions and an early and severe winter combine to place these handcart pioneers in the Rocky Mountains pulling their handcarts through blizzards while suffering from starvation and frostbite.

This is my favorite Mormon historical fiction novel. This book will make you laugh and cry. One of the best compliments I can give a book is to say that some of the characters from the book continue to inspire me even years after I read it. The Fire of the Covenant is one of these books.

Reading Fire of the Covenant is an entertaining way to learn about Mormon handcart pioneer history. Those familiar with Mormons and Mormon pioneers will gain additional insight. Those coming fresh to the topic will not be left behind, and will learn both the history and the feeling behind the history.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just as good the second time around!, December 15, 2005

By 

Susan Howell "Avid Reader" (Spanaway, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fire of the Covenant: The Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies (Paperback)

When I first read this book, I was overwhelmed! I read The Work And The Glory, so was familiar with the author. Gerald Lund made me a part of the handcart trip, and a member of each family. I am enjoying it again, and just as overwhelmed as the first time! It reminded me of the strength of the Mormon Pioneers. This is a book that will stay in my library, so that I may read it several more times! (I meant to put 5 stars!)

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It left the Fire of the Covenant burning in me..., December 13, 2002

By 

"someguyinutah" (Salt Lake City, UT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fire of the Covenant: A Novel of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies (Hardcover)

What an amazing talent Gerald Lund has in his ability to merge historical events with the inclusion of fictional characters. Although this book's several pages can intimidate even the stoutest of novelists, I found myself unable to put it down as I moved from one chapter to the next. I found myself being pulled into the story and truly feeling what it must have been like crossing the unsettled West as a Mormon Pioneer. On more than one occasion I was actually brought to tears.

If you read this book, prepare yourself for some late night reading sessions.