Open Fire: J. Golden Kimball Takes on the South

"Open Fire" is the story of J. Golden Kimball's experiences as a missionary, and later a mission president, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern States Mission at the turn of the century. It is historical fiction, in that an historically accurate account of real events and real people is stitched together with fictional details. These things really happened, as you can read in straight-up historical accounts. Hurst is a very entertaining writer - he provides enough detail to tell the story well but does not dwell on details for their own sake. I found the book fascinating and a page-turner from beginning to end. I am a little biased because I am a devotee of all things J. Golden Kimball, but I think anyone interested in Mormon history and/or in the South in the late 1800's would greatly enjoy "Open Fire". This was a time of intense persecution and mob violence in the South, against African-Americans, Jews, Catholics, and Mormons, too. Numerous examples of mob violence against Mormon missionaries and converts are well documented in history. This book provides a fascinating view into those times and events and into the early lives of people who went on to major leadership roles in the Church. J. Golden Kimball's first mission president was none other than BH Roberts, who went on to be a great church scholar and General Authority. He and J. Golden would later serve together in the First Quorum of Seventy, and J. Golden would succeed him as the Senior President. J. Golden's mission secretary was George Albert Smith, who later went on to become the President of the Church.

Uncle Golden took on the South and everyone is better because he did. I loved the way J. Golden Kimball used humor to defuse tense situations and touch people's minds and hearts. I was also impressed that he used music, even though he didn't feel they sang very well it invited the Spirit, and softened the hearts of people who had intended to hurt them.I have a greater appreciation for the courage and sacrifices of the missionaries who were called to serve in such a hostile area. I have greater love and respect for B. H. Roberts too. He was kind and courageous. This was a great read about a great man I already admired, but I respect him even more now.

"Open Fire" by Scott M Hurst is one remarkable story. It is written in a way that makes you feel like your watching it happen as you read it. We all know the name J. Golden Kimball. We've all heard some of the stories, but Scott Hurst has captured the emotion and the humor that describes the cowboy, the missionary, the man of God, who never wavered. His humor is expressed as well as his love for God. I got caught up in this book and I couldn't let go until I read the last page. Now, because I enjoyed it so much, I've ordered my own personal book. I've told other people how good it is, and my mother can hardly wait to read it, herself.I give this book five stars.

I very much enjoyed reading Open Fire. I picked up the book for some light reading, but found that the tales, lessons, and humor in it stayed with me well after I reached the (inevitable, yet somehow still surprising) conclusion. The narrative style is consistent and amusing; I even found myself, on occasion, narrating my own days in the old-timey, western voice the author employs to great effect.The legend of J. Golden Kimball, as told here, serves to amuse, impress, and inspire.

J. Golden Kimball is pretty awesome already, but this book brought his story to life for me like never before. I bought it for my brother-in-law for Christmas and started glancing through it, then I couldn't put it down. It's a comic, fluid, and enjoyable breeze of a read through the intense and difficult time that Elder Kimall spent in the South. It's essentially historically-based fiction, but it's awesome.

This is a well-written partial biography of a great CHARACTER in LDS history. I should think anyone would enjoy this glimpse into the life of an early missionary in the post civil war south. At that time the KKK, some suspicious clergy, and others, made these faithful men one of their main targets. This book is interesting, filled with humor, tragedy and inspiration too. What more could we ask?

This is a different side of J Golden that is great to read. It also ties in with our family as one of my wife's ancestors was killed in the Kane Creek massacre. It was great to learn more details about it.

I really have been interested in J Golden Kimball for several years. This book is pretty well in line with what I had learned about him and his life. We need more of him.