Kumen Jones: The Heart of a Pioneer

Kumen Jones: The Heart of a Pioneer

The story of the San Juan Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints may have been the most difficult pioneer settlement in the history of the expansion of the western United States. The journey to settle the southwest corner of the territory of Utah was only 250 miles. It was expected to take six weeks. Instead, it took six months. The crossing of the plains thirty years earlier of some of these same pioneers was 1,000 miles and took about three months. This expedition included crossing some of the most rugged canyon-riddled country including having to blast a 2,000 foot descent down the canyon wall to the Colorado River, now called “The Hole in the Rock.” Kumen Jones was called as one of the leaders of this mission. Like other Bluff settlers, he and his two wives endured many years fraught with disasters and trials, but also filled with faith and perseverance. This book delves into the specific virtues of these hardy pioneers and is hoped to be an inspiration to all who read it.