True Sisters

This timely new novel by bestselling author Sandra Dallas is the very moving and unbelievable story of four British women in the Martin Handcart Company who made the 1,300 mile journey on foot from Iowa City to Salt Lake City in 1856 in search of the promised land.  Based on true events, this ragtag group of Mormon converts was the last group to make this harrowing trip.  Upon the urging of Brigham Young himself, two other handcart groups had successfully preceded them.  But by the time the Martin company left Iowa City, Winter was fast approaching and the hand-made two-wheeled handcarts stood little chance of surviving the treacherous, snow-bound trip.  Nor did the people who attempted the trip, facing -20 degree temperatures, starvation, amputations and death.  It's a miracle anyone survived!

True Sisters [1] is an inspiring, yet depressing story.  The sheer strength, spirit and determination of the four women - Nannie, Louisa, Jessie and Anne - was the only thing that got them through this ordeal.  The caring, love and unselfish support they showed each other was truly inspiring.  There was little to smile about in the book, however.  It was difficult reading about the way these pilgrims blindly followed their leaders, resulting in tragic loss of life.  The children that died was particularly painful to read about. But the historical aspects of this book, particularly the foundations of the Mormon faith, is very interesting, shedding some light on the faith of Presidential candidate Mitt Romney.