Descended from the Hawaiian royal line, Jonathan Napela became one of the first—and most influential—converts to the Church in Hawaii. A man of intelligence, social status, and wealth, he used his considerable position to further the gospel in his native land. He developed a lifelong bond of brotherhood with Elder George Q. Cannon, helping to translate the Book of Mormon into Hawaiian and establish a gathering place for the Hawaiian saints in Laie, Oahu. But when his beloved wife, Kitty, was stricken with leprosy, Jonathan made the defining decision of his life. He would leave his life of privilege to become her caretaker and spend the rest of his life on Molokai, the island of lepers. To those who suffered similar heartbreak and banishment, Jonathan’s self-sacrifice became their lifeline. Based on true story, this is an extraordinary novel of a man who chose love in the face of death.
My Review
I was so excited to read this book about Jonathan Napela, he was mentioned in a show about the early LDS Church in Hawaii that I love and I'd been wanting to learn more about him ever since. This novel is well researched and just an amazing story about the life of Jonathon, his wife Kitty, and George Q Cannon, the man who is responsible for Jonathon being baptized. I loved the glimpse of early Hawaiian Latter Day Saints this book gave. I really loved the way it portrayed Jonathon and his wife, and especially Jonathon's faith. I also really loved the way that it portrayed the love that George Q Cannon had for these amazing people. This is a book that you won't want to miss!
Buy Belonging to Heaven: Amazon / Deseret Book also available in your local Deseret Book store.
Author Gale Sears - Gale Sears is an award-winning author, known for her historical accuracy and intensive research. Gale received a BA in playwriting from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in theater arts from the University of Minnesota. She is the author of the bestselling The Silence of God and several other novels, including The Route, Christmas for a Dollar, Autumn Sky, Until the Dawn, and Upon the Mountains. She and her husband, George, are the parents of two children and reside in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Find out more about Gale Sears - Website
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Labels: Gale Sears, LDS Historical Fiction
