5 STARS

I listened to the book on my kindle and it turned out to be a good thing. It would have taken me forever to read the last quarter of the book through all my tears. I cried at tender moments, happy, sad and everything in between. I was on a seesaw with my emotions. I think of my hard times and they are not hard compared to what some face in the world.

I love the notes at the bottom that tell you what is true fact and where it came from. Makes journals important and keeping letters. Also like the story I had no idea on most of it. I learned a lot and felt so much with Belonging to Heaven. I really like the phrase riding on a rainbow talking about someone who died.

These characters in the book were real people who lived, loved, suffered and made a difference in a lot of lives. With this book they continue to make a positive difference by the example they lived.

The story is a historical novel that starts August 3, 1843 in Oloalu, Maui with getting ready for the marriage of Jonathan Napela and Catherine Keliikuaaina Richardson.
Than it tells George Q Cannon being in California and getting called on a mission to the Sandwich Islands at age 23. They were prospecting gold and found a vein that was enough to pay their way and personal needs, even a little to send to Utah. It was the first of miracles that they share.

It shares how they started the mission and how they decided to teach the natives they were going to have to learn the language. That their was only 12 letters in their language. The missionaries share some of their experiences through their letters and journals. Tell about some of the trials and blessings teaching the gospel. The prayers that were answered.

Elder Cannon worked to learn the language. They figured it would take about a year to learn it. Elder Cannon with hard work received the gift of tongues he could understand a lot of what he heard before that. With their efforts to learn the language opened more doors to them. He met Jonathan and began to teach him and his wife.

Jonathan was a judge and had gone to missionary school. With him opening up his house to Elder Cannon and listening to him. He started getting threatened to loosing his judge job. His minister was preaching lies against the Mormons. Jonathan before he even decided to join the Church helped them build a little Church to preach. He also wrote letters of introductions to others for Elder Cannon. He lost his job before he joined. His wife did not join but supported him.

The people of Hawaii suffered many trials one disease came through and took around 30 percent of the people. Some where saved through the power of the priesthood but not all. The church also lost around 30 percent of their members. Just thinking about all the suffering.

The last part of the book deals with lepers and what they went through. People tried to keep their family members hidden but the government came into the homes and shipped all of those with the leprosy to a remote island. Even little children they sent by themselves. Some were allowed to go and take care of their family but not too many.

Jonathon made the choice to go with his wife and the government gave him the job of taking care of a lot of the colony. Dealing with being in charge of food, welfare. The boat they went on could not even take the long boats to shore only so close than they had to get out and swim in rough waters to shore.
Most of the people could not feel their feet and hands. Some could not swim even. Jonathan was able to organize those who could help others so none were lost before they got to shore.

How bad things were once they got to the camp. They only had fresh water aways away. Their was no law and a few took from those who could not stop them.
Jonathan and a Catholic priest Father Damien worked for years taking care and building a place for those who kept being sent there. They helped each other help those in need.

I learned so much reading this book. Felt so much. Saw how much service to others is really what Jesus showed by example. Both Jonathan and Father Damien showed their love of the Savor by giving love and service to so many. How their prayers were answered. I am glad I was able to read Belonging to Heaven.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to review it on its book tour hosted by I am a reader, Not a Writer. Also by Netgalley.
Pub Date Mar 18 2013. Shadow Mountain Publishing ISBN:9781609071592 ( )

George Q. Cannon didn't know what to expect when sent to the Sandwich Islands, he didn't know what to expect. He found himself on the island of Maui as a young leader over other missionaries. Through guidance and revelation he decides the best way to teach the people is to learn the Hawaiian language. This takes him around the island of Maui, where he meets Jonathan Hawaii Napela. They form a quick bond, and Jonathan Napela joins the church and does great things. They translate the Book of Mormon into Hawaiian, and soon Jonathan is leading the Mormon settlement in Laie, Oahu. Jonathan will face one of his biggest trials yet though, one that will force him to choose between the life and the people he loves most.

I used to live in Honolulu, so I was very excited to read his book. I was not let down. The author does a fabulous job of letting you into the world of George Q. Cannon and Jonathan Napela. I find the descriptions of how the early LDS missionaries traveled and taught fascinating. They had to ask for donations to live, and they worked very hard to survive. I would think this would distract from the work, but they managed to get a lot done. I had a passing knowledge of church history in Hawaii, but mostly on Oahu as that's where I lived. I've traveled to Laie many times, so I had fun reading about the sugar cane settlement there and all the work that went into gathering the LDS member on the North Shore.

I thought what this book did best was capture the spirit of the Hawaiian people. The respect shown to their heritage and beliefs was admirable. The Hawaiians have such a rich culture and history, and you get a good sense of that in this book. The sacrifice of the early Hawaiian Saints is echoed and represented by the huge sacrifice Jonathan Napela must eventually make. I greatly enjoyed this book. The historical aspects really came alive, and I could almost feel like I was back in Hawaii (although unlike George Q. Cannon I don't think I'll ever learn to like poi). If you are interested in church history or the Hawaiian people, definitely check out this book.

Galley provided for review. ( )