Gathering in Harmony

by Stephen L. Prince

Description

No group of people was more important than the Mormons to the settlement of the American West, but most histories are written of the more glamorous Mormon leaders, not of the plain folks who lived the events that formed the broader history. Gathering in Harmony is a chronicle of ordinary people such as Allen Taylor, John H. Redd, George Prince, and James H. Imlay, whose lives collectively represent a cross-section of early Mormon history and the pioneering of southern Utah. Gathering in show more Harmony presents the story of Mormonism from the earliest days in Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa to the trek across the plains to Utah. Far more than a family history, the book deftly recreates the forces that influenced these people in their journeys and the way in which they themselves helped to shape events. Drawing on many primary sources, the narrative goes on to recount the early settlement of southern Utah, the story of New Harmony--a small town with a significant history--and culminates with the exploits of a most uncommon common man, Sheriff Antone B. Prince. Southern Utah in its early settlement years is revealed in words and deeds of the pioneers. Told with objectivity and a respect for the faith of his forebears, the author illuminates the lives of those who struggled to build up the inheritance for those who would follow. show less

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cpg 222 reviews

The subtitle reveals the unusual focus of this book: "A Saga of Southern Utah Families, Their Roots and Pioneering Heritage, and the Tale of Antone Prince, Sheriff of Washington County". It is 1/4 a biography of Antone, 1/4 a history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and 1/2 an account of the involvement of Antone's ancestors in that history. Even as he touches on sensitive subjects (e.g., the Mountain Meadows Massacre) and displays a familiarity with controversial sources (e.g., Will Bagley's Blood of the Prophets), the author consistently maintains a faithful perspective.

All of Antone Prince's ancestors were my ancestors, so perhaps I found this book more interesting than the average reader would, but I think that show more the book would have an objective appeal, as well. The author's summary of LDS history is very well done, and perhaps seeing how one family's history is interwoven with that of the Church would provide a rough nonfiction equivalent to the fictional "Work and the Glory" series (which I've never read). The "Harmony" referred to in the title, is the town of New Harmony, where Antone lived during his early life, and where John D. Lee lived and was the branch president at the time of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The interaction of Antone's ancestors with Lee is described, and my saintly grandfather is quoted as saying that *his* grandfather thought that Lee was "a dirty old son-of-a-b****".

Antone was sherrif of Washington County (where St. George is located) from 1936 to 1954, and it's hard for me to imagine that anyone wouldn't find the chapter on his tenure in that office fascinating. He comes across as a real-life version of Mayberry's Andy Taylor, complete with prisoners locking themselves into their cells, unusual law enforcement techniques--Antone's "roadblocks" usually consisted of him standing alone in the middle of the road with a rifle--, encounters with criminals on the FBI's Most Wanted list, and occasional acts of surprising bravery.

The author is Antone's grandson, but you shouldn't confuse _Gathering in Harmony_ with a typical family history. show less

May 16, 2020 (Edited)

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jhhymas 41 reviews

Sep 21, 2011

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