The Edge of Wilderness

By Alexander Winward and Carolyn Twede Frank

A recounting of a lost gem of Utah pioneer history and a novel to rival those of Gerald Lund with the added wit of a Mark Twain adventure.

In 1855, as the young Utah Territory teeters under outside pressure and internal strain, a call goes out to settle the untamed frontier and teach neighboring tribes the gospel of Jesus Christ.

William Sterrett-a recent convert, tailor, and devoted husband-has already survived one mission that nearly cost him everything. Now, torn between his wife and his faith, he answers the call again, joining a rough band of missionaries whose motives don't end up as righteous as they started.

In the harsh isolation of Elk Mountain Valley, (now Moab, Utah), greed, division, and a deadly illness threaten to destroy them all. As tensions rise and survival hangs by a thread, William must decide what his faith is truly worth.

Inspired by a remarkable true story, this gripping western blends hardship, humor, and heart in a tale of courage, consequence, and quiet miracles on the frontier.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GZHNYQFH
• ISBN13: 9798257851537
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"