President Heber C. Kimball's Journal: Seventh Book of the Faith-Promoting Series. Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints

In Short

This book serves as a historical chronicle of Heber C. Kimball’s missionary service in England during the late 1830s and early 1840s. Written for a young audience in the late 19th century, the narrative follows his travels, the establishment of churches in Great Britain, and his subsequent return to a volatile American landscape. It functions as a testament to the resilience of early converts and the personal sacrifices required of its leaders. Its enduring value lies in its candid, unvarnished look at the physical hardships and spiritual fervor that defined the early days of the Latter Day Saint movement.

The Story

The narrative begins in 1837 with the author’s departure from Kirtland, Ohio. Driven by a deep sense of calling, he travels with fellow missionaries toward the coast. The journey is marked by financial uncertainty and the practical necessity of relying on the hospitality of strangers and the support of coreligionists. Upon arriving in England, the missionaries encounter a mix of skepticism and sudden, fervent interest. The author gains immediate traction in the region around Preston, where he finds a populace receptive to his message. He recounts with vivid detail the scenes of baptism in frigid winter waters—sometimes with ice over a foot thick—and the rapid formation of new congregations across multiple villages.

As the ministry expands, the author experiences both the triumph of successful conversions and the bitterness of rejection. Ministers of established churches, initially welcoming, often turn against him once they perceive their own congregations are dwindling. Despite these shifts in social climate, the author moves with persistent energy from town to town, finding success even in places previously written off by other preachers as "hardened" or "wicked." He portrays these converts as profoundly humble, noting their deep affection and willingness to sacrifice for their newfound faith.

The narrative arc shifts when the author returns to the United States and finds his community in Missouri embroiled in intense conflict. He describes the visceral danger of the time, documenting the imprisonment of his associates and the forced displacement of families. The author’s voice takes on a more urgent, protective tone as he recounts the suffering of the displaced and his own efforts to sustain those left behind or incarcerated. He weaves these accounts with personal reflections on the spiritual opposition he perceives, noting that his successes are consistently followed by moments of intense trial.

The later portion of the work follows his eventual return to England for a second mission, demonstrating the maturity of the church’s organizational efforts. He notes the establishment of permanent structures—such as shipping agencies and printing presses—that allow for the migration of thousands of converts. The story concludes with his return to Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1841. He reflects on the immense contrast between his first arrival in England as a penniless stranger and the thousands of adherents he leaves behind. The book ends not with a sense of finality, but with the author reunited with his leadership circle, acknowledging the hand of a higher power in the growth of the community and the stability of the institutions they helped build.

How It Unfolds

The mission begins The author departs Kirtland for New York, relying on faith and the occasional charity of strangers to fund a trip across the Atlantic. He encounters financial disappointment early on but maintains a steady focus on his goal to reach British soil.

Preaching in Preston Upon arriving in England, the missionaries find immediate success in local chapels, though they are quickly barred from these spaces once the local clergy fear losing their own congregants. The author adapts, preaching in homes and barns and baptizing scores of new believers in the process.

Success in the countryside The author ventures into villages that were previously considered unreceptive, witnessing a profound, emotional response from the inhabitants. He describes baptisms continuing through the night in freezing winter conditions, underscoring the intensity of the period.

Peril in Missouri The narrative shifts to the American Midwest, where the author returns to find members of his faith imprisoned and facing systemic persecution. He details the difficulty of assisting families as they are forced to flee their homes with only the barest possessions.

The second mission After a period of hardship and sickness, the author returns to England to oversee a more established missionary effort. The focus moves from initial proselytizing to organization, including the logistics of transporting large numbers of converts to America.

The People

Heber C. Kimball occupies the center of the narrative as both a tireless, pragmatic traveler and a man of intense, mystical focus. He is driven by a singular sense of duty, often disregarding his own health—frequently battling the "chills" and exhaustion—to attend to the needs of his converts. He views himself as a father to these new believers, displaying a protective, almost possessive love for those he has brought into the fold.

Joseph Smith appears throughout the text as a guiding, authoritative figure. The author relies on his counsel during times of extreme stress, particularly during the Missouri crises. Smith is depicted as a mentor who provides perspective on the nature of spiritual opposition, helping the author interpret his own struggles as evidence of his nearness to the divine.

Brigham Young is a constant companion in the latter half of the book. He serves as a tactical partner during the missions and the flight from Missouri. His presence provides a sense of stability during the author's most vulnerable moments of illness and professional transition.

The local converts, such as the Richards family and the humble laborers in the English countryside, serve as the heart of the movement. They are defined by their rapid, almost childlike acceptance of the message and their extraordinary willingness to support the missionaries, often out of their own meager resources. Their transformation from outsiders to dedicated believers is the engine that drives the author’s sense of purpose.

In Its Own Voice

At that time we had but very little means, but still we determined to prosecute our journey, believing that the Lord would open our way.

The author describes the initial, uncertain steps of the journey as they left Kirtland without adequate funds.

The streets were crowded with men, women and children, who solicited alms from the passengers as they walked along.

The author recounts the desperate poverty he witnessed in England during a particularly harsh winter.

We have landed in the spring of 1840, as strangers in a strange land, and penniless, but through the mercy of God we have gained many friends, established churches in almost every noted town and city of Great Britain.

The author quotes a summary from a fellow leader regarding the rapid growth of the church during their second mission.

What It's Really About

The book is fundamentally an argument for the power of proselytizing and the necessity of personal sacrifice in religious life. It examines the struggle between "the true light" and the "mists of darkness," positioning the author’s life as a battleground where spiritual endurance is tested by physical deprivation and societal hostility. There is a deep, recurring question regarding the nature of faith: does it provide comfort, or does it invite persecution? The author concludes that both are true, suggesting that the most meaningful spiritual work is inseparable from the most difficult life experiences. It is a portrait of a man who finds his own identity through the act of spreading his convictions, regardless of the cost to his physical comfort or safety.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers interested in the mechanics of early 19th-century religious movements will find this a fascinating, if sometimes challenging, primary source. The book offers a window into the sheer logistical effort required to build a faith tradition from the ground up, highlighting the roles played by grassroots organization and the personal magnetism of its early leaders. You will feel the immediacy of the author's voice—earnest, plain, and entirely devoid of irony.

However, the reader should be prepared for the book's pacing, which shifts between exhaustive daily details and compressed summaries of massive organizational successes. The author’s worldview is absolute; he views his opponents and the climate of the era through a strictly binary lens, which may feel jarring or narrow to a contemporary audience. Furthermore, the descriptions of extreme suffering—starvation in England or forced displacement in America—are recounted with a matter-of-fact tone that emphasizes the era's harshness. For those who can navigate the period-specific attitudes and the occasional theological density, the book leaves a lasting impression of a life lived with total, unblinking commitment. It is a candid look at the cost of being a pioneer, useful for anyone looking to understand the human elements behind an organized movement.