The Faith of Phebe ; A Novel-Ography of a Mormon Woman: Phebe

The Faith of Phebe chronicles the life of Phebe Draper Palmer Brown, a unique pioneer woman who was baptized by Brigham Young in Canada during the early years of the Church. Beverly B. Thompson has taken her interest in the history of Phebe and the town of Draper, Utah to weave a compelling story around the life of the first woman to settle in Little Willow, a small village nestled in the southeast corner of the Salt Lake Valley which was later named Draper. Using a novel format, the author helps you feel the challenges Phebe faced as a widow in Kirtland and Far West and the love that came to her from a man of God promised to her in a blessing. Through the Nauvoo exodus, the Mormon Battalion march, gold discoveries and the trek back to the Salt Lake Valley she is by his side. One of only four women to stay with the mormon Battalion until they reached San Diego, she faced the unbelievable hardships with courage and determination. Phebe was a pioneer woman with great faith, fortitude and perseverance. In her eighty-two years she crossed the continent from Canada to Mexico, from New York to California and back to Utah. She traveled by foot, sleigh, wagon, horseback and mule. It appears that each mile and every task answered a call to go beyond her own comfort or personal desire. That same spirit that drove the efforts of her maternal great Grandfather, the noted Reverend John Lathop (1584-1653) who fought for religious freedom in England, seemed to propel her through life. It was a life of devotion to God, family and her fellow man. The faith of Phebe never wavered as she applied principles of the gospel to the challenges of life as she faced mob violence, thirst, hard work, starvation, polygamy, loneliness and death. As one of Brigham Young's early converts, she devotedly followed his direction as a prophet of God. Phebe's story will help you realize the importance of prayer and faith in relying on the Lord and his chosen servants in all things.