The Letters of Brigham Young and Thomas L. Kane
Edited by Matthew J. Grow and Ronald W. Walker
I was aware of several times in Mormon history when Thomas Kane was available and very supportive of the Saints. It’s easy, but unpleasant, to imagine what would have happened if he had stayed in the comfort of his home and ignored the coming of the Utah War–a war that never happened. Glancing through the Table of Contents, I found President Young and Thomas Kane shared ninety-nine letters during a period of thirty-one years from August 2, 1846 until five months before Brigham Young’s death. Kane was alway there, along the trail as the Saints searched for a new home, and through the trials and tribulations of establishing a new home in Zion. I knew Brigham Young considered Thomas Kane a true friend. With this book, we gain a clearer picture of how deep their friendship ran.
The Prophet and the Reformer:
The Letters of Brigham Young and Thomas L. Kane
By Matthew J. Grow and Ronald W. Walker
This is an important reference for understanding what actually happened before the Utah War. Thomas Kane played an important part in the Saints’ lives early along the trail. His biggest influence may have been after the Mormons had abandoned their city, fearful that the government, once again, was sending troops to oust them from the city they built with love. Much of what brought the war to the forefront was a result of miscommunication, or poor communication. Thomas Kane, invested his own time and at his own expense, to help out. With his help, the war was diffused before it ever began. I am really eager to read these letters.
