American Exiles

When federal marshals seized Charles Ora Card inside his Logan home, it set off a chain of events that would drive families into hiding and reshape Latter-day Saint history.
This is the true, human story of the Mormon Underground.

Based on true events and drawn from the journals and writings of Charles Ora Card and other firsthand histories, American Exiles: Saints in Shadows brings to life the peril faced by Latter-day Saints in 1886, where faith, family, and duty collided under federal persecution.

Blending authentic diaries, letters, and family memory, this novel reveals a story of families forced into secrecy, of faith pushed to its limits, and of a leader whose path would ultimately turn north—toward an untested frontier and the hope of refuge.

As federal marshals close in on Logan, Charles Ora Card—stake president, community leader, husband, and father—must protect those he loves while remaining true to the covenants that define his life. What follows is a deeply human journey of arrests and escapes, hidden homes and midnight flights, and the strain placed on wives and children who must flee or conceal themselves.

Through the eyes of Charles and his wives—Zina Young Williams Card, Sarah Jane Painter Card, and Lavinia Rigby Card—along with other historic figures, this sweeping novel portrays the unseen sacrifices of nineteenth-century Latter-day Saint women and men. Their courage forged spiritual resilience, shaped new settlements, and helped carve a refuge across the Canadian border.

A story of conviction, exile, and the hidden heroes behind the history.

• LDS historical fiction based on real people

• Faith-affirming stories of adversity and deliverance

• The Mormon Pioneer era and nineteenth-century Utah history

• Clean, character-driven novels

• True accounts of the Mormon Underground

“Extraordinary depth and historical authenticity… you feel every footstep of the journey.”
“A powerful, moving portrait of Charles Ora Card and the women who shaped him.”

A historical saga exploring the exodus from Utah, the founding of Cardston, and the courage of Saints who walked—and hid—in the shadows.

If you love richly detailed history, vivid characters, and stories that illuminate the faith behind the headlines, you’ll love American Exiles: Saints in Shadows.

Begin the journey today.