Wesley Viner
ON THE RECORD · 7 verbatim quotes · every quote source-verified
“It was a source of protection. It was a source of strength. It would keep them safe,”
Wesley Viner · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27
Viner described the metal shield of Heart Shield Bibles as largely symbolic to the families who sent loved ones to war.
“As I read those, I think about how profound and serious and meaningful that was for the family members who sent their kids, their loved ones off to war and gave them this as they left,”
Wesley Viner · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27
Viner reflected on how anonymous handwritten messages in pocket Bibles made them even more powerful.
“largely a forgotten name.”
Wesley Viner · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27
Viner said Union soldier John Weissenheimer would be largely forgotten if not for his surviving Bible.
“If not for this Bible,”
Wesley Viner · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27
Viner said Union soldier John Weissenheimer would be largely forgotten if not for his surviving Bible.
“This Bible allows us to take this anonymous person from history, this person who no historical textbook is ever going to talk about, and surface them and tell their story,”
Wesley Viner · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27
Viner explained how a surviving Civil War-era Bible allowed historians to reconstruct the story of an otherwise anonymous Union soldier.
“Many of the tales that surround the 'Heart Shield Bibles' are likely a bit exaggerated,”
Wesley Viner · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27
Viner said the truth about Heart Shield Bibles' bullet-stopping reputation is less cinematic.
“For some reason, he found something in that Bible that meant a lot to him,”
Wesley Viner · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-27
Viner reflected on why Union soldier John Weissenheimer kept his battered Bible through the war and his transfer to the Invalid Corps.