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Bookstore Home > Gender and Cultural Issues > Black Studies
One More River to Cross (Standing on the Promises, Book 1)
Awarded Best Novel in 2000 and Best Historical Fiction in 2004 by the Association for Mormon Letters. Born into slavery, Elijah Abel was destined to become one of the few Saints of African descent to receive the priesthood before the policy concerning Negroes was in place. In fact, Elijah was ordained to the priesthood by Joseph Smith himself. He served three missions for the Church and remained an active member of the Third Quorum of the Seventy until his death. Jane Manning James was born free but was still subject to mistreatment at the hands of a white minister in her youth before converting to the Church under miraculous circumstances. It became her privilege to live among prophets. She resided with Joseph and Emma Smith and later with Brigham Young. When she died, Joseph F. Smith delivered a stirring tribute at her funeral. These and other remarkable stories, until now lost to history, are brought forth in this sweeping saga--Standing on the Promises. From marvelous beginnings, through nearly unendurable hardships, to the bursting forth of more light with the revelation on the priesthood in 1978, the story of African-American Latter-day Saints is deeply affecting, one that will resonate with members of the Church everywhere. This first volume covers the years 1831 to 1848 in the line of several black Mormon pioneers. Review Excerpts: "In One More River to Cross, Margaret Young and Darius Gray have created a haunting, beautifully written, carefully documented story that describes the lives of black saints in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ. Pioneer stories often neglect these saints of color. This novel reminds us of their presence and prominence among the early saints, including close association with the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family. Many black saints had only recently attained their freedom, and they found some relief in the company of the saints. We would hope that the early saints had treated all men as equals, but we learn that--like today--prejudice often appears even among people who should know better. In the fine people of One More river to Cross, you find a strength and an integrity that served them well in their long trek across the nation--escaping from slavery in Maryland, joining the Saints in Illinois, and traveling across the plains to the Mountains of Zion. You'll likewise find a deep humanity that extended beyond the boundaries of their own culture to those around them, setting an example for our growing, multicultural church today. One More River to Cross is an important addition to both Mormon and African American literature, with the story of a people who learned to reach deeply wihin themselves to find a sense of purpose, a sense of worth, that only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring." --Association for Mormon Letters _____ "The Association for Mormon Letters is pleased to present its first award for historical fiction to Margaret Blair Young and Darius Aidan Gray for their trilogy Standing on the Promises. Over the course of three novels, the reader is taken on a journey from the early nineteenth century to the present day, following The story is as unflinching in its portrayal of this period of American history, in which even free blacks were mistreated and condescended to, as it is gentle and understanding in tone, putting the actions of early Saints in the historical context of that day. As readers discover the perseverance of black men and women in the face of ongoing persecution, even at the hands of some of their This is not just the history of black Latter-day Saints. It is the history of our church, and in some ways the history of all its members--a pioneer story in _____ "A dream come true! Keeping alive the stories of our black pioneers was the deep desire of Ruffin Bridgeforth, first president of the Genesis Group of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." --Betty Bridgeforth, widow of Ruffin Bridgeforth _____ "In a way that pure history cannot do, this story attaches us to black Saints who deserve to be known and appreciated by our generation." --William G. Hartley, Associate Professor of History, Brigham Young University _____ "Not only is Standing on the Promises filled with fascinating historical facts and a unique exploration of a most compelling topic, the writing itself is top-notch. These are pages of our history have been left too long unseen and we all become better for our discovery. I can think of no other source that could claim to be its equal in celebrating the family of man to which we all belong. Bravo!" --Kent Hansen _____ "Apart from being an interesting read, this book is a great conversation starter. I was surprised to find how few of the members of the Church were aware of the existence of African-American pioneers. It certainly is an edifying and powerful story--long overlooked by observers of "Pioneer Day" and by members nationwide. Intermixed with dialogue are factual accounts--the endnotes of each chapter are almost as interesting as the story itself. It is also a well-written piece of literature using multiple points of view to relay the pioneer story in a new and vivid light. With the Church growing with such speed worldwide, it is important to learn of the multiple different cultures and how all of us can relate through our belief in Christ. One More River to Cross is a triumphant step towards this goal." --Susie Oslund _____ "I have read this book and it's subsequent follow on, Return to Canaan and I was thrilled to read of the trials and tribulation of the people involved. I have laughted and cried with them and found great strength in their great courage and commitment, not only to the church, but also to the Prophet Joseph, and the leadership that followed, and in particular to the Lord. I look forward to reading the volumes to come and know I will enjoy those as well I have the last two. Thank you for a wonderful piece of work." --Tony Collins of Australia _____ "Until you've read this book, you only know part of Church history. A big hole has been left out of the traditional Church history accounts; a hole which has begun to be filled with the publication of this book." --Jim Dorigatti of California _____ "We owe it to our African-American members to read this history of a little understood group of devout Latter-day Saints who went through more than most of us could bear, more than most of the pioneers we so revere. To be turned away from transport open to other Saints because of skin color and then walk 800 miles to Nauvoo with only the clothes on your back leaving bloody footprints in the snow and carrying a baby demonstrates a faith in God that will strengthen our own faith. And then to live a lifetime with only that faith to sustain when some who shared your own beliefs treated you as less than human goes beyond patience, it must qualify for "blessings beyond measure." I laughed and cried my way through this first volume in only a few days. The style is delightful and familiar. It makes you a part of the story. And I found my own great uncle in it as a missionary who converted a few slaves and their masters. I am grateful and honored to be connected in some small way to this story. It makes me hope I would have been one to support and welcome rather than debase. I can't wait for the next volume. If you read only one book in the coming year, this should be it." --Laurie J. Wilson of Utah _____ "The authors have accomplished their goal of bringing to life these early pioneers. I am a fan of historical fiction and am eagerly awaiting the next volume of this trilogy. This story is a page-turner. I had no idea that the black people had received the priesthood prior to the 1978 revelation. When I read about Brother Able I was thrilled for him. When Jane walks into the Prophet's home and is welcomed with open arms my heart was filled with joy." --Diane Richey of Utah _____ The narrators of One More River to Cross begin by telling us readers that we're missing a part of our pioneer history. Sure, we Mormons know all about the Willie and Martin handcart companies, Porter Rockwell, Mary Fielding Smith and the Mormon Battalion, but what do we know about Elijah Abel, Jane Manning James and Green Flake? Before reading this book, I didn't know that a black man held the priesthood and served as a missionary in New England in the 1830s. I didn't know that a family of free blacks walked from Connecticut to Nauvoo just to be in the company of the Saints. I didn't know that a black slave was among the first Mormons to set foot in the Salt Lake Valley. But now I know that of all of our pioneer forebears, no one deserves more respect than those faithful black saints. They not only endured persecution from without the Church but from within, yet stayed true to the faith. One More River to Cross is an engaging book that tells the stories of black pioneers from an honest and faithful perspective." -- Don Seamons of Utah _____ ". . . .And now I can say, 'I have a pioneer heritage, too.' Fictional history by it's very nature can bring even the most obscure historical event to life. Margaret Young and Darius Gray have done a wonderful job of allowing these Black saints to 'speak from the dust', as it were. Now, during pioneer days, I can know in my heart that my people had as important a part as any other in the restoration of the Gospel on this earth. Kudos to those two authors for their fine portrayal of these very special people's lives." --Nathleen Albright of California A review of this book by Jeffrey Needle may be found here: A review of this book by D. Michael Martindale may be found here: A review of this book by Roy Schmidt may be found here: A review of this book by Samuel Brunson may be found here: Click here to read more about Standing on the Promises. Margaret Blair Young teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. An accomplished author, she has won numerous awards from the Utah Arts Council, including Best Short Story Collection for Elegies and Love Songs (which also captured Best Short Story Collection of the Year from the Association of Mormon Letters); Best Novel of the Year in 1992 for Salvador, and Best Novel of the Year in 1995 for Merry's Daughters. She has also written three plays, two of which have been produced at BYU, including Dear Stone and I Am Jane. Margaret also teaches at the Spanish Institute at BYU. She says working on Standing on the Promises: One More River to Cross was "totally different than anything I've ever written. I felt completely inspired with each page, and everything else I've written prepared me for this." Darius Aidan Gray has a Bachelor of Sciences degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Utah, and has completed programs with the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University sponsored by the Ford Foundation, ABC, and CBS (a professional program equivalent to earning a Master's Degree without the thesis). A skilled communicator and writer, he was senior staff reporter and chief photographer at the CBS affiliate in Salt Lake City. He also worked as an assistant to a U.S. Senator on African Affairs. He's also an independent business consultant, and a small business owner dealing with the automobile after market. Through August 2003, Darius presided over the Genesis Group, an official arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized in 1971 to support Church members of African descent. His grandfather James Louis Gray was born a slave; his great-grandfather Louis Gray was a slave near Independence, Missouri, and appears in Standing on the Promises: One More River to Cross. Title: One More River to Cross (Standing on the Promises, Book 1) Retail Price: Your Price: Only $16.95
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Margaret Blair Young and Darius Aidan Gray, 2000, Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 6.5x10" hardbound, 337 pages.