Across the Sea, Across the Plains: The Epic Account of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies from Europe to Zion Book

Acknowledgments xv

Author's note xix

1 Opening the Door of Salvation: The European Gathering 1

2 "No Unhallowed Hand Can Stop the Work From Progressing": From Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley 22

3 He will Remember the Isles of the Sea: England, Scotland, Wales, Denmark 37

4 Special Gathering: Perpetual Emigration Fund & Handcart Plan 53

5 Shepherds of the Flock: 1856 Emigration Season 56

6 Across the Mighty Waters: Emigrants on Board the Ships Thornton and Horizon 63

7 Unlikely Band of Pioneers: A People of Immeasurable Faith and Courage 71

8 Embarking Upon a Most Remarkable Journey: From New York and Boston to Iowa 75

9 Surely the Blessings of the Lord were with Us: Iowa City, Iowa, to Florence, Nebraska 85

10 The Debate: Florence, Nebraska 92

11 Moving Forward Full of Hope and Faith: Florence, Nebraska, to Fort Laramie, Wyoming 101

12 Stark Realizations: Fort Laramie, Salt Lake Valley, Scott's Bluff 123

13 Go and Bring in Those People Now on the Plains: Urgent Call to Action 128

14 Stout Hearts and Great Faith: Fort Laramie to the Platte River Bridge 136

15 Such Tender Devotion: Independence Rock to Sweetwater River, Fort Laramie to Deer Creek 142

16 Our Hearts Began to Ache: Fort Bridger to South Pass 149

17 God Only can Understand What We Went Through: Deer Creek to Rocky Ridge, Platte River Bridge to Red Buttes 152

18 Seemingly Insurmountable Odds: Rocky Ridge to Green River, Red Buttes to Avenue Hill, South Pass, Devil's Gate, Salt Lake Valley 176

19 Travel On, There is Help for You: Salt Lake Valley, Green River to Fort Bridger, Greasewood Creek to Devil's Gate 198

20 We Go on Doing all We Can, Not Doubting Nor Despairing: Muddy Creek, Devil's Gate to Martins Cove 208

21 Nothing But the Power of a Merciful God Kept Them From Perishing: Echo Canyon to Little Mountain, Martin's Cove 214

22 Hearts Moved with great Compassion: Arrival in Salt Lake Valley, Departure from Martins Cove, South Pass to Sixth Crossing 222

23 Vague Conclusions: Fort Bridger to Salt Lake Valley, Sixth Crossing to Three Crossings, Devil's Gate to Salt Lake Valley 235

24 Intensity Increased: Rocky Ridge to Green River 238

25 Vallant Men of God: Fort Bridger to Big Mountain 243

26 Labor of Love: Salt Lake Valley 247

27 A Most Remarkable Sacrifice: Devil's Gate to Salt Lake Valley 256

28 Absolute Knowledge That God Lives: Salt Lake Valley 264

Conclusion 266

Notes 273

Bibliography 301

About the Author 313