John Stevens’ Courtship

As the daughter of Brigham Young, Susa Young Gates was uniquely positioned to become one of Mormonism’s most influential writers. She was already an established author, editor, and founder of the Young Woman's Journal when she penned John Stevens' Courtship as a serialized novel (1895-1896) and substantially revised it again in 1909. One of the finest examples of early Mormon fiction, John Stevens' Courtship dramatizes a love triangle set during the federal occupation of Utah. The lovers' fates are entwined with pressing questions about the position of Mormon women, the ending of polygamy, and the future relationship between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the United States of America.

BCC Press's critical edition brings together the 1895-1896 and 1909 manuscripts into a single volume. This juxtaposition, along with an introduction by Natalie Brown, allows readers to witness the critical role Gates played in reimagining narratives of latter-day saint domestic life and patriatism as the Church sought to integrate with the broader United States after its renunciation of polygamy in 1890. This edition is appropriate for scholars, students, book clubs, Relief Societies, and casual readers.