Jon Lyman is a boy full of adventure. But he finds himself in trouble first with the Paiutes in Nevada when he demands part of a deer he was hunting that some of the Indians had killed. He then goes home to find his mother upset that he snuck out of home without permission again. His mother is upset because he is only five years old, and shouldn't be out exploring things on his own. He also has another mother he calls aunt Penny, she is his father's second wife. His father is a Polygamist Mormon who was asked to go to Nevada to settle a small community called Muddy River. Brigham Young then asks Charles Lyman Jon's father to move his family to a new settlement in Utah north of Kanab and to live the United Order where the community shares everything including food, land, and any money they receive. They call the new town Orderville, because they were to live the United Order. On their way to Kanab they are caught in a flash flood where they end up losing their wagon and all of their possessions. This makes Charles and his family destitute relying upon the church members in Kanab for assistance. Many of the other people who were in Nevada also were called to settle Orderville and are also poor. They stay in Kanab for a while until they are able to chose a site for their new town. While in Kanab, Jon meets William Stewart the son of Levi Stewart the Bishop in Kanab. William befriends Jon and teaches him how to shoot a gun, and promises to take him hunting some time. Jon also meets Major Powell who had made expeditions to the Grand Canyon, and Zion. Powell shows Jon pictures of Zion and it makes Jon want to explore that place himself. They go to Orderville and start to build up the community, but have some conflict over the Idea of Indians, and making the United Order work in the town. The build a common meeting house where they hold meetings and have meals together, and then they work together to farm and to build the community and to make it so the Virgin River didn't flood the town. Brother Esplin is the town's outcast who refuses to do any work or socialize with the rest of the people in town. Jon meets an Indian friend named Tobiah, and they have some adventures together. William comes and takes Jon on a hunting trip up north, and then promises him he would take him to Zion. But when William returns to Kanab his wife has a baby and is unable to return to Orderville. Jon gets impatient and ventures out to go explore Zion, a storm comes up and the river starts to flood the area. Brother Esplin goes out to find Jon and bring him home safety. He rescues Jon and they return to the town. The town excepts Brother Esplin and rebuilds his home that was destroyed by the flood. The children of the town also accept Tobiah as a friend and allow him to play with them.
About the Author: Chris Fife has written several fiction and non-fiction books. He has a master's degree in education and has taught for over fifteen years teaching health, science, PE, geography, and history in secondary schools. He spends his free time reading, writing, gardening, hiking, and serving in his church in various activities. Chris has been involved in the Boy Scout organization for more than eight years, and has done a lot of training in the outdoors. He lives in Utah with his family.