Glory From on High

A Banner is Unfurled #3

by Marcie Gallacher, Kerri Robinson

As the walls of the Kirtland temple rise in splendor, opposition rages within and without the Johnson home. Multiple tragedies strike Ezekiel and Julia's family, threatening to rip relationships apart at the roots. Threats from Church antagonists mingle with contention and suspicion simmering amongst the brethren themselves. And not even the Prophet can escape the specter of illness hanging over the city. Will the faith of the Johnsons flounder, or flourish? Thankfully, there are times of rejoicing amidst the struggle: births and marriages, baptisms and blessings. The beloved temple is dedicated, ushering in great manifestations of the Spirit. Kirtland is riddled with debt and doubt, but rich in revelation. Even Ezekiel Johnson's heart is touched—yet escalating dangers may widen the division between him and Julia. Join the Johnsons as they test the strength of faith and the resilience of love, with the white walls of the Lord's house as a backdrop, shining with glory from on high. Book on 7 CDs. Narrated by Jason Tatom.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Religion

309 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you know I don't get many things 5 stars, but this one is very special and close to my heart. It is about my people and not just my religious group MY ANCESTORS. I am the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Ezekiel and Julia Johnson. The story is of course fictionalized but based on facts. I am in awe. My mom and I are in a race to read them. I do not give it 5 stars because of the family connection, but the story is actually riveting and inspiring! There are many times I heard myself say, "Go Johnson's" or "I am proud to be a Johnson" in fact in my small town I have discovered a descent of this line through Joel Hills Johnson, I come from his Brother George Washington Johnson (who is mentioned often in the book but out of 16 kids he is one of the younger ones), George Washington Johnson, had Milas Edgar, who had Josiah Buriah,who had my grandmother who had my dad, who had me! I love these people and I am grateful for my distant distant cousins Marcie Gallacher and Kerri Robinson who took the time to write these books!. At the end of their books they have notes of where they got their facts(journals,letters etc). SO COOL!!!

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried during parts of this story. Truly touching!

[Thomas C.Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy historical fiction, and I have found these novels to teach as well as show the customs and ideals of society from the past. - - - I am glad that death is not such a big part of my life. - - -

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really loved reading this series and simultaneously learning about my Johnson ancestors and the history of the early Church. What a hard time! It makes me so grateful to live when I do, and for all my ancestors went through.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about my ancestors and their experience with the restoration and the early persecutions against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They truly have been an example to me, and I am blessed to learn to know them in this way.

[Edy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the series. These books are interesting, but they don't have any literary features that makes them outstanding.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a historical novel - so much is true. It made me cry!

[LuAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps because I hadn't read the other books in this series, I had trouble staying focused, keeping characters straight, or wanting to continue to read. As the story moved toward the climax, the scenes became choppy and I felt the authors were either trying to finish a manuscript too quickly, or that they were so afraid of depicting something in a way that was not historically accurate that they decided not to stray from the history itself. Also, I didn't feel the climax of the story was well-developed. Instead the authors mentioned the event that made up the climax then jumped to a wrap-up scene with a single character without any natural flow to the end. Overall, I was disappointed. If you are interested in reading this book, I would suggest that you start with book one and see if it works for you. Unfortunately, I didn't have that luxury since I needed to read the most recent book in a short gap of time for a potential review.

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the only reason I'm still reading this series is because I am interested about what happens to the characters. I guess I could always go find some historical documents to find that out, but I assume the books are at least a little more entertaining than those would be. I think the biggest problem I have with these books is that they are trying to fit so much in at a time. Each book covers multiple years and jumps huge gaps of time. Most of the book was just big events in the Johnson family's lives, and that's just not enough for a GOOD/GREAT historical fiction in my opinion.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series hasn't been a disappointment yet, and I don't think it could be. The tale of the Johnson family is at times a very bleak one, but is always buoyed up by their faith and determination to serve God at all costs (including death of loved ones and separation of loved ones). I may like it or enjoy it a bit more than others knowing that this family is closely related to me (4th great grandfather is B. F. Johnson).

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ezekiel is totally withdrew from his wife. They remain married and will always be connected through the life that has come upon them. They lose more children in this book, their anchors in life are going to God one by one and yet Julia holds strong and keeps her children strong in the faith. Two daughters marry one is over seen by God the other God help her and keep her strong! Now the Saints are being driven from their homes as the beginning of the exodus to zion.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first two books of the series a couple years ago and really like them too. This third book just recently came out. They are somewhat similar to "The Work and the Glory" series. They are set during the same time and talk about the early history of the church. The difference is that this family is not fictional. They were a real family and the book is based on journals they kept. I especially like this about the book.

[Ila Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. It is taken from the lives of the Johnson family. It is of true events in their lives as they were numbered among the Saints of Kirtland and drove from that state to Missouri. I recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys early LDS church history and stories from that era.

[Beccabevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I wait for the 4th book to come out? Probably not! I've gained a great testimony by looking at the inner me and realizing how fortunate I am and also how much I take advantage of the Church. I am amazed at the many trials these early believers had to go through to build up Zion so we can live the way we do today. It brings a tear to my eye every time I think about it.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than the first two. And I enjoyed them, this one just seemed better to me. I'm not sure how many books are in this series, but I'm definitely interested enough to pick up Volume 4. I really enjoy listening to it because of the time period as well. Not as good as The Work and the Glory, but I like them.

[Sandie Mixa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has me hooked. This one made me cry several times. I love that the Johnson family is real, all the characters really lived. The church history aspect reminds me of Work and the Glory and is so well written! Great job Marcie and Kerri! Marcie- I knew you in Elk Grove in 1985. Fantastic series.
Sandie Mixa

[Naomi Bass · Rating 4 out of 5]

To have faith in the prophet and follow him no matter what your sorrow. The Johnson's had much sorrow but were among the faithful saints, who stayed with the church after the Kirtland Bank failed and many left the church.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was still a pretty interesting book although I'm not sure about the true validity of some of it. It was still a good read and made me think about what life was for the early saints and how difficult it was.

[Carri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the reason I liked this book so much was because it involved pioneer ancestors of mine. If you've read The Work and the Glory, this would probably be a repeat of the same experiences, just seen through different eyes. I thought it was a good book.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great legacy of faith and determination to do what you believe under much pressure to take the easy way out. I love the matriarch of the story, my great great great grandmother. I wish I had her faith and the courage to live like she did.

[Gina Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one definitely is the most difficult to read due to the time in church history. It did give me a great feel for the time and lives of those who lived it. I still am glad to be reading the series.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading this series because 1) it is about a family from whom my husband is descended 2) Gerald Lund based some of The Work and the Glory series on this family. In many respects this book is superior to the Work and the Glory because it deals with real people.

[Carma Bird]

Vol 3 of the Johnson family history....excellent...can't wait for the next installment!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing to find faith and joy amid trail and loss. This was sad, yet faith promoting at the same time.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series. It is like Work and the Glory, but is more appealing to me since it is based on a real family.

[Tenille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope this series isn't finished yet, I am hooked!!

[Tiffini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical fiction--we are actually related to the family that it is about.

[Erica]

Loved this book as much as the other two!

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book totally gives you a great perspective of what feelings the early saints had when they experienced so many hardships that followed the saints.