The Work and the Glory

Praise to the Man follows the story of the restored Church and the Steed family from the summer of 1841 to the summer of 1844. Some momentous events take place during this period in Church history: Nauvoo becomes an established city; the Relief Society is founded; the endowment is administered for the first time; Joseph Smith becomes a candidate for president of the United States and delivers his monumental King Follett Discourse. Meanwhile, dark forces outside and inside the Church are at work to destroy Joseph and the Restoration. Before the story ends, the powers of evil will have swept across the Church, taking out some in very high places, making some others waver, and taking Joseph and his brother Hyrum to their date with destiny in Carthage. Woven throughout these events are the lives of the Steeds. As Joshua sees the Mormons gaining more influence with his wife and children, his patience finally reaches the breaking point. Will must resolve his feelings for Jenny Pottsworth and his desire to know if the Church is true. New hope is born in Jessica's life when she is offered a new teaching position. Mary Ann and other Steed women participate in the beginnings of the Relief Society. But before long, whisperings reach the ears of some of the Steeds about curious teachings and practices going on in Nauvoo - specifically it is rumored that God may have restored the ancient practice of plural marriage. How will they respond when they find out that at least some of the rumors are true? The issue becomes a trial of faith that shakes the Steed family to its very roots. At the center of this volume are the final days of the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Though heart-wrenching in its depiction of the Prophet's last hours on earth, it inspires admiration and affection for "the man who communed with Jehovah" and will fill readers with anticipation for that glorious time when, in the words of the hymn, "millions shall know 'Brother Joseph' again."