Men with a Mission: The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the British Isles, 1837-1841

by James B. Allen, Ronald K. Esplin, David J. Whittaker

Overview

In 1838, suffering from persecution, hardship, and uncertainty, members of the Quorum of the Twelve must have been astonished at the revelation that said: “And next spring, let them depart to go over the great waters, and there promulgate my gospel.” Their adventures in the British Isles are a truly epic story in Latter-day Saint missionary work — poignant, powerful, and inspiring.

Men With a Mission is a carefully researched, compelling account of that work, taking us to such renowned places as the River Ribble, John Benbow’s picturesque farm, and the docks of Liverpool. This is the story of how those courageous young leaders (their average age was thirty-one) preached, published, confronted devils and persecutors, battled poverty, walked great distances, suffered homesickness, and won the hearts and loyalty of those who became the British Saints.

Review

“One of the best-ever works on Latter-day Saint history, Men With a Mission was a classic as soon as it was published. This book is a model for how our history should be written — based firmly on original research and contemporary documents, illuminating not only the story but also the world in which the story took place, and written very, very well by authors who have mastered the topic. This book is both informative and especially inspiring, as it tells the fascinating story of the first missions of the Twelve to the British Isles.”

Kent P. Jackson

Associate Dean of Religion, Brigham Young University

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781609086961
Publisher:	Deseret Book Company
Publication date:	01/01/1992
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

David J. Whittaker is currently University Archivist of the Mormon Experience at BYU. He received his BA from BYU, his MA from California State University at Northridge, and his PhD from BYU. He has published widely in Church periodicals and professional journals; Ronald K. Esplin is the managing editor for The Joseph Smith Papers. He received history degrees from the University of Utah, the University of Virginia, and Brigham Young University. From 1972 until 1980, he was part of the History Division of the LDS church's Historical Department, with assignments both as a researcher and writer and as an archivist. He moved to Brigham Young University in 1980 when the History Division was transferred there to become the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History. From 1986 through 2002, he served as managing director of that research institute and as a professor of church history and doctrine. From 1988 to 1991, he served as one of the editors for Macmillan’s Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Most of his publications have involved Brigham Young and early Utah or pre-Utah Mormon history, including Men With A Mission: The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the British Isles, 1837–1841. Many of them also concern Joseph Smith and early Latter-day Saint leadership.