The Zion Trail

Promised Valley series

On a hot summer day, young Elijah Marshall stops plowing to give a drink of water to two strangers and invite them to lunch with his family. His neighborly act sets in motion events that will drastically change his future.

The strangers share a new religion, which the family embraces. But the neighbors want no part of Mormons. Multiple acts of unkindness and starvation drive the Marshall family to flee to the Mormon city on the banks of the Mississippi River, Nauvoo.

Then the path of Elijah’s life takes perilous detours, with twists and turns he never expected to make.

In a 19th century coming-of-age story ranging from Pennsylvania to the Great Salt Lake Valley, Elijah plunges into harrowing adventures filled with sorrow, danger, and romance.

“Once again, Marsha Ward has woven an exciting historical novel. Elijah Marshall’s adventures, trials, and faith building experiences as he journeys on The Zion Trail will keep readers turning pages until the end!” ~ author Loralee Evans

“Marsha Ward has long been one of my favorite Western authors. She is a masterful storyteller who paints a picture so vivid, I feel as though I’m peeking back in time and catching a glimpse of life a hundred years before I was born. I highly recommend The Zion Trail.” ~ author Amelia C. Adams

“A wonderful book with heartwarming characters. I enjoyed every moment of it.” ~ author Rebecca Shelley

“Marsha Ward’s genius rises to her highest peak in The Zion Trail, with spot-on period terminology and meticulous attention to detail. It pulled me back to that time when my fourth-great-grandfather converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and took that Zion trail, and beyond.” ~ author Debra Erfert

“From an unexpected beginning in Pennsylvania, Elijah Marshall travels through heartbreak to claim his purpose in life. While the story illustrates the early history of the LDS church, the message is one of personal triumph through perseverance, culminating in a most satisfying resolution you won’t want to end.” ~ author Carolyn Steele