The Mormon Prophet

Dougall, L. (Lily), 1858-1923Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.1

Word count: 543K words
Chapters: 55

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Mormon Prophet by L. DougallAuthor: Dougall, L. (Lily), 1858-1923,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Dec 11, 2005

Editor's review

L. Dougall's The Mormon Prophet is a historical novel built around a religious figure and a community of faith, narrating the image of the prophet in early Mormon history. Its value lies not in doctrinal debate but in using fiction to present the order, sacrifice, and conflict within a community of faith, and the individual's position before religious authority. The narration shows the typical features of historical fiction from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century: detailed scene-setting, with individual fates intertwined with group migration and institutional founding. It is best read as a literary text for understanding how the English-speaking world of the time imagined and narrated Mormon history, not as an authoritative work of religious history. Suitable for readers interested in religious fiction and narratives of the American West, who can feel the tension between character and era in a long read.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in religious historical fiction
Readers who want a literary perspective on early Mormon narratives
Readers who enjoy historical fiction of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
Readers concerned with themes of faith and communal conflict

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking an authoritative historical source on Mormonism
Readers with no interest in religious themes who prefer pure suspense or romance
Readers unaccustomed to lengthy historical exposition and old-fashioned narrative pacing

Reading tips

Before reading, learn the basic timeline of early Mormon history.
Distinguish the novel's narrative from historical fact; look up key events separately.
Follow character threads through the chapters and note relationships within the community of faith.
Plan a longer reading period, pausing after each complete scene.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a historical record of Mormonism?

No. It is a historical novel about early Mormon figures and community, shaped by the author's interpretation and literary invention. For Mormon history, consult specialized historical scholarship; this book is better read as literary narrative, to observe how the English-speaking world of the time imagined this religious group.

Can I understand it without knowing Mormon background?

The main plot is understandable, but basic background helps. A brief timeline of early Mormon migration and organization before starting the novel makes it easier to follow characters' positions and the origins of communal conflict, reducing obstacles caused by unfamiliar background.

Is the English difficulty suitable for intermediate readers?

This is a public-domain English historical novel with much narration and description and somewhat old-fashioned syntax; intermediate readers need patience and a dictionary. For extensive reading, focus on characters and main events without dwelling on every descriptive detail; for intensive reading, additional checking of historical and religious terms is needed.

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About the author

Dougall, L. (Lily), 1858-1923 Author

Lily Dougall (L. Dougall, 1858–1923) was a British novelist. Public information about her life is limited; what is currently known is chiefly her six published works from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Among them, The Mormon Prophet takes religion and community as its theme, The Zeit-Geist explores the spirit of the age and the inner life, and The Mermaid: A Love Tale has a legendary quality. Her other works include A Dozen Ways of Love, The Summit House Mystery Or, The Earthly Purgatory, and What Necessity Knows. These titles show that her writing ranged across love stories, mystery and detection, and religious and social themes, often driven by ethical conflict and the tension of her characters' situations. Her style is plain and plot-centred, reflecting the late Victorian and Edwardian popular novel's interest in faith, feeling, and moral choice.