Elias: An Epic of the Ages, is, according to its author, "an attempt to present, in verse form, historically, doctrinally, and prophetically, the vast theme comprehended in what the world terms 'Mormonism.'" In classic poetic form, it presents the history of the cosmos, from the Creation to the end of days. Orson Whitney served for twenty-eight years as bishop of the Eighteenth Ward in Salt Lake City. Called to the Council of the Twelve Apostles, where he served until his death, Whitney was educated at the University of Deseret and became chancellor of the University of Utah. He filled three missions for the Church, his last presiding over the European Mission. A man of letters, he wrote The History of Utah, published biographies of Heber C. Kimball and Lorenzo Snow, and produced several books of poetry, including his lengthy epic poem, Elias. He was the first to articulate the vision of Mormon literature in his 1888 sermon, "Home Literature."
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