The Quest Begins (Zion's Promise Book 1)

In 1860, William Jefferies has been serving as a full-time missionary for the Mormon Church in his native England for over four years when he concludes he should marry and emigrate to Zion where he can worship without fear of opposition or discrimination. He marries Mary Frances, the daughter of Mary Ould, a faithful Mormon woman in Bristol, and for whom William had long nurtured a secret love. In April, 1861, they marry amid unusual circumstances. Despite the opposition of Mary Frances' tyrannical, non-member father, they plan to emigrate. When they leave Bristol, the couple is joined by Mother Ould, her son James, and daughter Laura. They travel by train from Bristol to Liverpool to await emigration. Arriving in Liverpool, the new family prepares to depart the bustling seaport. They board the Manchester, an American packet ship, and the ship moves to anchor in the Mersey to await departure. Here, Father Ould, discovering his family is fleeing his tyranny, brings police officers to tr