By Author, G.M. "Jackson" Jarrard
Marching on Zion
"A gripping story, a lesson in peace-making." Col. Craig Morgan, US Army (Ret.)
When John C. Fremont ran for U.S. President in 1856, he promised to “fight against the twin relics of barbarism, slavery and polygamy.” He lost to Democrat James Buchanan. But “Old Buck” realized that while he could do nothing to end slavery, polygamy and the Mormons, on the other hand, were fair game. He succumbed to the pressures of his anti-Mormon advisors to divert attention from Bleeding Kansas and send an Army to Utah to install a new governor at the point of a bayonet, if necessary. Fleeing persecution, the Latter-day Saints left the borders of the United States in 1847 only to be the targets of corrupt politicians 10 years later . But thanks to their diminutive defender, Thomas L. Kane, and help from Sen. Sam Houston and their own stalling actions to burn supplies and rustle cattle and mules, peace broke out in Utah — until the Civil War engulfed the nation four years later in 1861.
Books by a Time-Traveler
Time-traveling is not just a hobby for me, probably more like an obsession, I reckon. The gnarly mugshot to the right was taken by my friend and cohort, Col. Craig Morgan, at the site of a scene from Chapter 1 of Marching on Zion. It’s at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon on the edge of Silver Lake where on July 24th, 1857, ten years to the day that the Mormons (Latter-day Saints) first arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, Brigham Young and some 2,500 pioneers were gathered to celebrate ten years of peace and freedom far away from their persecutors. That’s when four horsemen, somewhat apocalyptically, rode into camp to break the news that one-third of the U.S. Army was “marching on Zion” to install a new governor, by force, if necessary. Details are in the book. And below are shown other books I have written or published. Read on! Jackson Jarrard
G.M. "Jackson" Jarrard
Author
Historical Fiction & Fantasies
This work of historical fiction both teaches AND entertains as it lays out the nail-biting events of the Utah War of 1857-1858 when President Buchanan sends one-third of the U.S. Army to subjugate a persecuted people in order to draw attention away from slavery that divided the country and lead to the Civil War.
This Christian fantasy asks the question “if you stumbled across a city in a strange corner of the world where the people were of one heart, one mind dwelt in righteousness and there was no poor among them, what would you do to get an invitation so you could remain there forever?
A mutilated murder victim in authentic Indian garb, a suspect lost in the 13th-century and a sheriff chasing ghosts. Petroglyph tests the boundaries of reality. The answer is etched in sandstone — if you know where to look. And the place to start is the Fremont Indian State Park off I-70 in central Utah, just don’t come looking after dark.
Nonfiction & Biographies
In 1831, a mill builder and farmer, Joel Hills Johnson, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, devoted his life to it, suffered persecution, preached the Gospel and helped found cities, built mills, leaving hundreds of descendants. This is the autobiography of a pioneer, a poet/author and patriarch.
Somebody once said that when a person dies without leaving a life story behind, it’s as if a library has burned. This short, easy-to-read guide gives you the tools, the outline and the motivation to finally compose your life story and leave a treasured record for your loved ones..
In 2021, Congressman Rob Bishop left office after nine successful terms representing Utah’s First Congressional District. A lifetime high school teacher, Rob details what Congress is REALLY like and how it could be improved to be more responsive to all Americans.
“Good historical fiction comes from discovering the truth from scraps of history. It's been said that when someone dies without leaving a life story behind, it's as if a library has burned down. The lesson? Write YOUR story so that a future author someday can breathe new life into you. Believe it or not, a century from now your story might keep people spell-bound. Don't be forgotten — you're worth remembering!
- Jackson Jarrard
Upcoming Readings & Events
December 2nd, 2025
South Jordan Community Center 10778 So. Redwood Road South Jordan, Utah 84095—7pm
Author's Roll-Out of the Novel, MARCHING ON ZION with Q&A
Author GM “Jackson” Jarrard introduces the setting, the story and the chief characters brought to life in his new novel about the Utah War, MARCHING ON ZION, that began in the spring of 1857. It began when newly elected president of the United States, James Buchanan, sent one-third of the entire U.S. Army to Utah Territory to install a new govenor and replace Brigham Young, at the point of a bayonet, if necessary and how the Mormons’ friend Thomas L. Kane was able to mediate the conflict while the Utah militia delayed the army, burning supplies and taking cattle. Other local authors will be on hand to also make introductions.
January 12th, 2026
Clubhouse at The Summit House 3390 W. Signal Peak Dr.
Taylorsville, Utah 894129 @ 6:30 pm
Sons of the Utah Pioneers, Bennion-Taylorsville Chapter
Author GM “Jackson” Jarrard brings the conflict, the setting and the real-life characters who are brought back to life in his historical novel, MARCHING ON ZION.
January 14th, 2026
The Gale Center/Museum 10300 So. Beckstead Lane
South Jordan, Utah 84095 @ 7:00 pm
Sons of the Utah Pioneer, Jordan River Chapter
Author GM “Jackson” Jarrard brings the conflict, the setting and the real-life characters who are brought back to life in his historical novel, MARCHING ON ZION
Jackson Jarrard
Former adman repents and turns to writing books. More are coming. While you’re waiting, he has some reading material to keep you occupied. Take a look above.