Faith and Betrayal: A Pioneer Woman's Passage in the American West

I was so glad to be able to read this book. I have a Great grandmother who was put on a ship at the age of 13 from Denmark, sent to the Mormans all alone, no other family member came. Her mother and father divorced in Denmark, over this desire of my great grandmother's mother to join the Mormans, she herself never came to America. This left my Great Grandmother to fend for herself. I had never been able to understand how this could possibly have happened, until I read this account. Like Jean Rio, she came to dispise the Morman Faith and her descendents in general refered to themselves as "Jack Mormans".

I was totally captivated with the life of this lady who left her wealthy & comfortable home in England to join up with the Mormon's. That is after they paint a rosy picture of their "Promised Land in Utah Territory". But they certainly failed to mention a few minor things that would take place. I was raised a Mormon and left it over 35 years ago to become a Bible believing Christian. I was certainly never taught what really happened in the early formative years and this book brings out the true events. I always wondered how the church could grow as it did and this book explains all of that. It brings out the perverted cult it really was and the hardships put upon this woman after joining. She was never told she would have to give all her possessions & money. Brigham Young lived quite well from the funds given in Utah, while the others lived in stark poverty. They never told the people in England before they left for the new world of the polygamy, poverty, communal living etc... & so much more. Sally tells the story well, between the entries in the journal & without animosity as she certainly could. This was a fascinating work and after reading this book I will read the book Sally Denton wrote on the Mountain Meadows Massacre. She has done her homework in the background and setting of this book and I am sure she will do well in the next one.

Jean Rio, Mormon convert, traveled from England with a large group of people to settle in the barren land of "Deseret", which is now modern day Utah. Fed by her faith, her ultimate belief that she was right in her convictions, and a determined spirit, Jean not only survived this perilous journey, but helped others survive it along the way. Sally Denton, Jean's great great granddaughter, recounts her relatives momnumental journey in the small and quiet book, "Faith and Betrayal". Using Jean Rio's diary as a record of account in this book, Denton reconstructs the history of her family, and the decision of Jean Rio to leave her life of priviledge in England to the great unknown. Starting off in luxury, Jean converts to Mormonism and decides her faith should bring her to America and Utah, as one of those brave pioneers. The rest of the story recounts Jean's life in Utah, her disillusionment with Mormonism, and her eventual resettling to California. Jean's trek across the United States would earn my five stars by itself. Denton's reconstruction of the journey of Jean and her entourage is compelling and amazing. I long since knew about the travels of Mormon pioneers, but never has the perilous journey been so wonderfully reconstructed. It was amazing to read of Jean's growth during the trip, finding skills she never knew she had. This is one pioneer woman who deserves her story to be told. Much has been and will be said about Denton's view on Mormonism, and her "obvioius bias" and several will discount her story by their "factual errors". Any book written that dares suggest that a religion, such as Mormonism, has faults, is bound to be attacked. It is almost tiresome that it happens, but alas, it is. At least Denton has said her peace, and has shared it in a wonderful book. I highly recommend this story for anyone who wants a intrguing story about a woman who had the courage to follow her convictions, and live her life based on her beliefs.

The pioneer women of the American West were amazing. Whether they undertook their perilous journies to escape religious persecution or poverty, or in search of economic opportunity or adventure, they endured almost unimaginable hardships. Their abilities to overcome adversity, to survive, and eventually to flourish in their new land was the result of a combination of factors--strength of character, devotion to family, community spirit, and faith. We need to remember their stories. In uncovering the story of one such woman, her great-great grandmother, author Sally Denton retraces the footsteps of Jean Rio, from a life of culture and comfort in England, across the Atlantic, through the untamed landscape of the American West, and deep into an encounter with extreme religious fanaticism. Until recently, Jean Rio's story remained lost and fragmented in a diary and stories passed down through her descendants. In piecing together the elements of this story and placing it in historical context, the author pays homage not only to her own great-great grandmother, but also to the thousands of others whose names and stories are forgotten.

What a life ! What a book ! It's Biography, 19th Century American and European History, Religion, Woman's Studies, Self-help and so much more. I hope it finds room in your book collection ; the impact that it has on you will determine its placement. The story of Jean Rio is a gracefull written portrait of adventure, the acceptance of compromise and the integrity found in perseverance. The rich dance of tender touching tough touches every page. Jean Rio was in search of the music within herself and the heartfelt breathing of a Spiritual life fully lived. Did she succeed ? I believe that if she were sitting here with me today she might answer the question by saying, "go listen to Etta James' GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY ". You'll have to read the book to find out what she thought of slavery and polygamy. ENJOY !