Standing on the Promises

Standing on the Promises brings to life the experiences of black Mormon pioneers in the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The three-volume historical fiction series follows real historical figures like Jane Manning James, Green Flake, and others who joined the Mormon faith in the mid-1800s. The narrative centers on the complex racial dynamics within the early Mormon church and traces how these pioneer families maintained their faith despite facing discrimination and challenges. Through careful research and storytelling, Young and Gray reconstruct the daily lives, relationships, and spiritual journeys of these overlooked historical figures. The authors draw from primary sources including journals, letters, and church records to create an authentic portrayal of 19th century Mormon life and culture. The series spans several decades of church history, from Nauvoo to Utah Territory, examining how racial attitudes and policies evolved over time. This work makes an important contribution to both Mormon and African American historical literature by exploring themes of faith, identity, and belonging through the lens of early black converts to Mormonism. The series raises questions about the nature of religious conviction in the face of exclusion and inequality.

Readers say this historical novel illuminates early Black Mormon history through compelling personal narratives, particularly focusing on Jane Manning James and other Black pioneers. Multiple reviews mention valuing the research and documentation that went into recreating these stories. Readers liked: - Detailed historical accuracy backed by primary sources - Personal connection to characters' emotional journeys - Educational insights into lesser-known Mormon history - Writing style that brings historical figures to life Readers disliked: - Slow pacing in some sections - Complex timeline jumps between characters - Some dialogue felt stilted or unnatural Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (155 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (20 ratings) One reader on Goodreads noted: "The authors managed to balance historical accuracy with compelling storytelling." Another wrote: "This filled an important gap in my understanding of early Church history, though the narrative sometimes dragged."

Black Mormon by Newell G. Bringhurst A historical biography that examines the intersection of race, religion, and identity through the life of early Black Mormon pioneer Jane Manning James.

The Color of Christ by Edward J. Blum, Paul Harvey The book traces how race shaped American Christians' depictions of Jesus throughout history with focus on African American religious experiences.

All Abraham's Children by Armand L. Mauss A scholarly examination of Mormonism's evolving racial teachings and policies from the 19th century through modern times.

Race and the Making of the Mormon People by Max Perry Mueller A study of how early Mormon theology and record-keeping practices influenced racial categorization and identity formation in the church.

Black Pioneers by Jane G. Manning First-hand accounts and primary source documents tell the stories of early African American members in the Mormon church.

🔹 The book is part of a trilogy that tells the groundbreaking story of Black Mormon pioneers, focusing particularly on Jane Manning James, one of the first documented Black members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 🔹 Co-author Darius Gray served as president of the Genesis Group, an official LDS Church-sponsored organization supporting Black Latter-day Saints, and personally experienced the pre-1978 priesthood restriction that affected Black members. 🔹 The authors spent over seven years researching historical documents, conducting interviews, and gathering oral histories to ensure historical accuracy while bringing these forgotten stories to life. 🔹 The narrative includes the remarkable journey of Green Flake, who drove the first wagon into the Salt Lake Valley with Brigham Young, and became one of the few Black pioneers honored with a monument in This Is The Place Heritage Park. 🔹 The book challenges common misconceptions about early Black Mormon pioneers by revealing their deep faith and significant contributions to the settlement of Utah, despite facing both racial and religious persecution.