Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration (2011) User Reviews

Worth Watching

[rlgriffith2 · 8/10 · 7 June 2006]

I don't know what movie some of these other people watched, but they must have seen a different "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" than the one I saw.

I think the movie was both well-done and inspiring. I think it's definitely worth watching. It's apparent from the outset that a lot of care went into the making of this film. The background scenery is beautiful.

I think the film does a good job of portraying Joseph Smith both as a man and as a prophet. Joseph's spiritual experiences are portrayed with taste and reverence.

I would definitely recommend watching this movie.

It's a statement about the church as well as a movie

[orbrium · 8/10 · 18 May 2006]

This movie makes a statement about Joseph Smith, what he stood for, and what the LDS church believes. With all the current media coverage of a certain fugitive people have confused the LDS church with the FLDS church and criminal fugitive Warren Jeffs. Jeffs is Not associated with the LDS church yet media groups internationally have asked for comments about Jeffs from The LDS church. Jeffs is not mentioned in the movie at all but I think that it is ironic that this movie with all it's points about Joseph also point away from the fews of the FLDS church and their leader at this time in the media world. This is a movie about Joseph Smith and a great one at that. Some of the most obvious differences between Jeffs and Joseph is portrayed in Joseph's humanity, acceptance and love. Jeffs views and opinions differ greatly from Joseph Smith and the LDS Church and it is seen in this movie. Jeffs thinks of the "Negro" as devils. Joseph Smith knew they were children of god and gave up his wife's favorite horse to a African American (former slave) to buy his son's freedom. Joseph is shown doing housework for his wife Emma and is criticized by a member until Joseph tells him that a man may lose his wife in the next life if she chooses not to stay with her husband and that doing chores is a way to help and cherish your wife. Jeffs brought one of his polygamist wives to her knees in front of a class full of students by grabbing her braid and twisting it painfully till she came to her knees. Lastly Joseph participated with law enforcement and sought aid from the government at all times. Jeffs thumbs his nose at government and flees at all times.

I loved this movie and if you don't know much about Joseph Smith and what the LDS church believes, then this is the movie to see. And if you had confused the LDS Church with the FLDS church then you really need to get your act together. We are not much different from anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, the Sanctity of marriage and the family, as well a patriotic to our homeland and country. We are all different as well just like you can find different protestants, Presbyterians, methodist, baptist and Catholics. What's important is our message and what we stand for. This movie trys to portray that but there is so much of Joseph's life that can't be covered in a mere 2 hour movie. This was a really great show.

Serves its Purpose and Is Beautiful

[marenuts · 9/10 · 6 June 2006]

This movie was beautiful. It was full of memorable imagery, good acting, and touching subject matter. It would be very easy to write it off as being too sentimental, but that is the sentiments this type of a movie is trying to achieve. I was totally involved in the story's unfolding and presentation. There were a few cheesy shots, but such is to be expected in a religious propaganda film. The only complaint I can conjure is there wasn't a ton of details. However, this movie wasn't created to explain every element of Joseph Smith's life, ministry, triumphs, controversies, failures etc.; it was designed for a quick glimpse at a few highlights of one of the most amazing American and historical religious figures of all time.

Life and history of the Prophet Joseph Smith

[joleen-claessens · 10/10 · 16 February 2006]

This is by far the most incredible movie I have seen in a long time. The actors gave wonderful portrayals of the characters in the movie. The story was accurately portrayed. The story starts out with a young woman from the British Isles and her father traveling by steamboat to Nauvoo, Illinois. She has become a member of the LDS Church and he has not. He thinks she is ridiculous for making the trip and is discouraging. She encourages him to read about Joseph Smith, the Prophet. This is where the story of the Prophet Joseph Smith begins. The movie accurately portrays his life and some of the history of the LDS Church at the same time. It was graphic at times, but was needed. The emotional expression was very believable, which caused my emotions to spill out. Filming was awesome. The way in which the story was presented was touching. After the movie was over, we just sat there unable to moved. I was stunned. For people who know very little of Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, I would encourage you to see this. If nothing else but to gain some understanding of his life. For those who are members of the Church, I would encourage you to see it. It will increase your testimony of this most incredible man. This is a must see.

Nice Tear Jerker

[gleebley2002 · 10/10 · 9 January 2006]

I saw it at the Legacy Theater in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City this morning. I'm going to assume that one's level of enjoyment during this movie will largely be based on one's level of acceptance of Joseph's story.

However, that aside it was very well made, well acted, and had a nice score. If you get to Salt Lake City, it is a must to see it in the Legacy Theater. I have never been in a nicer theater as far as picture quality, sound quality and ambiance in my entire life...I wonder if the Church would let me watch Batman Begins there! Being that I'm LDS and regard Joseph as a prophet, I was touched in several places and was brought to tears quite a few times...which I presume is expected since they handed out tissues BEFORE the movie started! Anyway, I'm told that this film is available in several LDS Visitor Centers around the globe, if you have 70 minutes check it out because whether you believe Joseph Smith or not, he tells a fascinating story.

Great film

[tjgoldrup · 10/10 · 30 May 2006]

After reading the comments to this movie and seeing the mixed reviews, I decided that I would add my ten cents worth to say I thought the film was excellent, not only in the visual beauty, the writing, music score, acting, and directing, but in putting across the story of Joseph Smith and the road he traveled through life of hardship and persecution for believing in God the way he felt and knew to be his path. I am very pleased, indeed, to have had a small part in telling the story of this remarkable man. I recommend everyone to see this when the opportunity presents itself, no matter what religious path he or she may be walking, this only instills one with more determination to live the life that we should with true values of love and forgiveness as the Savior taught us to do.

The movie was excellent

[ann-244 · 10/10 · 24 May 2006]

I am stunned at the negative comments that I have read and can only assume that the people making such comments were less than honest. This is the most moving and real portrayal of Joseph Smith that I have ever seen. It was well acted to the point that at times I forgot that I was watching a movie. It brought Joseph's life of hardship, good-natured optimism, enduring faith in people and God, and ultimate sacrifice to life such in a way that frankly left me speechless and silent in awe. If anyone, of ANY Christian religion can watch this movie without being touched in some positive way--I would have to say it is a reflection of the individual and NOT the movie. I give the movie a "10" and encourage honest souls to view it. At the very LEAST it is an extremely heart felt portrayal of man who gave everything he had for what he believed...In a world where values and beliefs are ridiculed, this movie stands as a enduring reminder of the kind of people we are supposed to be- no matter what religious beliefs we hold.- Ann Pruitt-

I absolutely loved it!

[beautiful_dreamer_29 · 10/10 · 22 April 2006]

I really thought they did an *excellent* job, there was nothing wrong with it at all, I don't know how the first commenter could have said it was terrible, it moved me to tears (I guess it moved about everyone to tears) but I try not to cry in a movie because it's embarrassing but this one got me. It was SOOO good! I hope they release it on DVD because I will definitely buy a copy! I feel like it renewed my faith and gave me a hope that I can't explain, it made me want to strive to be a better person, they went through so much and we kind of take that for granted, I guess. Compared to that, I feel like our own trials are nothing. Well, not nothing, but they hardly match what they had to go through. I loved it. Who played Emma?!

Well acted; Beautiful cinematography; Troubling and inaccurate history

[dpeters911 · 6/10 · 4 May 2006]

I personally loved how crisp the picture was and how beautiful many of the nature shots were. The cinematography was simply superb.

Acting was quite well done: especially for the younger Joseph Smith, Jr. and his brother Alvin. Emma plays her role in the film quite beautifully.

However, this is film was woefully short of historical accuracy. I cannot recommend it for serious students of the LDS Church and the life of Joseph Smith.

My three big gripes: 1) Portrayal of Joseph and Emma's Marriage In reality, Joseph and Emma's marriage was severely strained (quite early in the relationship I might add). Polygamy deeply drove a rift between Emma and Joseph. As early as 1833, Joseph Smith began practicing polygamy. The first incident set a pattern for following relationships:

Around 1833, Emma and Joseph adopted a young Fanny Alger into their household. Emma loved the dear girl and -for a while- everyone approved of the Smith household. However, Joseph took Fanny Alger as his wife in private. When Emma discovered this, she threw the girl out of the house. Many of the townsfolk had already grown suspicious of Joseph's behaviour with the young girl and were confirmed by Emma's broken heart.

A more accurate portrayal of Emma would have acknowledge her personal suffering and loss. Not a word creeps into the film that confirms Joseph was involved in polygamy - despite having married around 31 women in his lifetime.

2) Joseph's Character The film, especially in regards to my last statement, avoids the questionable aspects of Joseph's character and history. I understand why the LDS church does this but I am dismayed. Joseph's illegal bank at Kirtland, failed presidency attempt, his personal pride (read the Official History of the Church for examples), criminal history as a youth (he was charged with fraud and glass-looking after conning a near-by farmer as a youth), etc. Very little of the film shows a balanced portrayal of Joseph Smith, Jr. The best history is accurate history: not such a whitewashed presentation.

In all, the film is beautiful... but is a beautiful fiction. As a film that in many respects was trying to portray a historical Joseph Smith, it failed.

The Passion of Joseph

[gary-peterson · 3/10 · 20 February 2006]

I saw this film over the weekend and while I was impressed as always with the beauty and polish of Church-produced films, I left disappointed that this one fell so short, failing to inform members and leaving investigators with many unanswered questions.

The film is 70 minutes of vignettes from the life of Joseph Smith. It's not a true biopic because there's no real coherent narrative. Most of the episodes concern Joseph doing good deeds, playing baseball, running races and laughing with children, often in sloooow motion. What a great, just folks kind of guy that Joseph was, huh? Look at him out there beating rugs for his wife Emma. Well, howzbout the rugs of his 33 plural wives?? No mention whatsoever is made of polygamy. A glaring omission.

And it is in such omissions where the film falters. It supplies too little information and leaves critical thinking audience members wondering WHY is Joseph getting tarred and feathered, WHY is he getting thrown in jail and WHY does that mob want to kill him? The film's climax is of course Joseph and Hyrum's trek to Carthage jail (riding past a veritable United Nations of faces looking out from Nauvoo's doorways). But no mention is ever made about WHY. Nothing about Smith suppressing the Nauvoo Expositor newspaper and ordering its press destroyed for its revealing the secret teaching of polygamy. The audience is left to wonder or to assume it's just more baseless persecution of the Church. No mention of Joseph being charged with treason for declaring martial law and calling out the Nauvoo militia.

Of course I certainly did not expect this Church-produced film to present the Joseph of Richard Bushman's recent biography Rough Stone Rolling, but I was surprised and taken aback at just how little of substance was actually presented.

And worse, what substance that was presented was often inaccurate. Two examples jumped out at me. First, the translation of the Book of Mormon. The film shows Joseph reading right off the golden plates in their two-ring binder, which plates in reality were hidden far from the site. It's well known that Joseph did his translating by burying his face in his hat, peering at the seer stone in there. The second inaccuracy occurs at Carthage jail, where the mob storms the cell. The History of the Church reports that Joseph had a six-shooter and even fired off a few rounds before jumping out the window and giving the Masonic signal of distress (as reported in Times & Seasons).

Maybe showing the reality of the gunfight would have shattered the heart-tugging mood the filmmakers had created, but by omitting it they were unfaithful to history and failed to show Joseph as he really was: handy with a gun and able to defend himself. In fact, the impression the film gives is that Joseph was a nice guy, but also something of a milquetoast that everybody beat up, tossed in jail and eventually murdered in cold blood. He was far from that; Joseph was a disciplined and determined man who endured a lot of hardship and struggle to bring to fruition that in which he believed.

See the film, but know going in that's it's cotton candy. Then get your meat and potatoes by reading a copy of Bushman's biography of Smith, Rough Stone Rolling

PS: Church-produced films have no credits, but seasoned eyes can pick out a couple familiar faces. Rick Macy is excellent as Joseph Smith, Sr. and Bruce Newbold, beloved as Thomas in Finding Faith in Christ, here plays the cranky Methodist minister who failed to show Christian love to a young seeker after Truth.

A Beautiful Story - A Moving Movie

[sidunrau · 10/10 · 9 January 2006]

Warning: mild spoilers.

The story of Joseph Smith stands out as an amazing - even moving - episode in American history and World Religious history. This movie portrays events in the life of Joseph Smith, whom Mormons revere as the prophet of the restoration of the true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth. I've so far seen the movie twice in its first month of public showing.

Joseph Smith is shown first to be the youngest of a trio of brothers (Alvin, Hyrum & Joseph) who, at a very young age, needed an operation. The operation, done without our modern conveniences, was bloody and difficult. The scene helped to show the cohesiveness of the Smith family and the bonds between the brothers and between Joseph and his parents.

Joseph's religious confusion and subsequent praying which lead to what Mormons call the First Vision was interestingly portrayed. The face of Jesus is never shown, but you see the unmistakable nail marks in His hands. The rejection by religious leaders and many in his small New York community is sweetened at least slightly by Joseph's marriage to Emma.

This movie does not clearly map out the events of Mormon Church history, but merely jumps from scene to scene. This is not a critique - simply a note about the style.

The practice of tarring and feathering is shown, and it is especially dramatic and moving when Joseph delivers a sermon about the Savior's love with a scarred face from having recently been attacked.

The movie masterfully portrays simultaneously the joy and growth of Mormonism as an infant church, while at the same time the ever-deepening opposition that spread into the heights of local governments.

The film shows many scenes from Joseph's life, including a few beautiful moments portraying his relationship to Emma. An attempt is made to show the depth and complexity of Joseph's life, including his fierce love for his wife, his endless love for children, his wit, his courage in the face of filthy and dangerous opposition, his religious sentiments, and his compassion.

As Joseph and Hyrum ride to Carthage, never to return home alive, most of the characters from throughout the movie, whose lives had been touched by Joseph, are shown along the way, helping to reinforce what was already seen but setting up the final scene to be more powerful.

At the end, the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum is portrayed, and moviegoers are left to ponder the events they just witnessed.

When I first watched the movie I assumed it was made by the Church to introduce Joseph Smith to non-members. I no longer think that is the case, although I hope the movie can do just that. As an insider, I find that the film is a celebration of Joseph and excellently reinforces the good things we already know about him. I am curious to see how outsiders will view the film - whether they will simply see it as propagandic, an epic story of an American religious man, or something else.

The film is beautifully shot, family friendly, moving and, hopefully, something good for everyone. That the events portrayed actually happened in these United States of America is interesting to ponder in light of the many aspects of our culture - including freedom of religious expression and respect (generally) for the law - we moderns take for granted.

UPDATE: Sometime in 2011 the movie was re-worked. I've heard (from missionaries serving on Temple Square) that the new movie is 65% new footage - and I've heard that it is 65% old footage. Regardless, many of the scenes from the first version of the movie are intact, and many are new.

The most significant difference is the story itself, and the impact of the story. Here is a brief comparison:

OLD FILM: Story narrated by a convert who was sharing her excitement about her new faith with her non-Mormon father as she traveled to Nauvoo. She unfolds the story of the life of Joseph Smith to her father, and when they finally arrive at Nauvoo, Joseph is on his way to be martyred, and she ends her narration with a line, "you don't have to have seen the Prophet to know he truly was a man of God" (or something like that).

NEW FILM: Narrated by an older woman's voice, it turns out to be the testimony of Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph's mother, and as she tells the events of Joseph's life she is able to make it very personal since she was an eye-witness to much of it. Her identity is not revealed until the end, when it shows her closing her testimony

Sight of the eternal?

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 25 December 2014]

Prophet Of The Restoration of the Mormon Cinema is a life study of the founder of the Church Of Christ of Latter Day Saints Joseph Smith who was the middle kid in a large family named Smith just trying to scratch out a living on a farm in Palmyra, New York. Back in those days Palmyra was part of what in Western New York State was called the 'burned over' district. Traveling preachers were in fact the only entertainment these people had often the only book they had in the house was the Bible and the various interpretations thereof these folks heard them all. It was the only entertainment these farmers scratching for a living in the soil like the Smith family had.

According to Joseph Smith he was first visited by the eternal when he was 15 and later on was given some gold plated bound books in Hebrew which this barely literate man translated. He did of course have help there. These became the Book of Mormon, a biblical supplement for what became the LDS church, the story of Israelites who made it to the western hemisphere and of Jesus who made a second visit to that western hemisphere civilization they started of which we have no archaeological evidence.

Nathan Mitchell who played Joseph Smith in several films anchors this film with a good interpretation of the part. As is usual scrupulous detail is given to creating the look and atmosphere of the Jacksonian era in American history where the church was founded and grew.

Gentile audiences will get a good idea about what makes LDS church what it is today from Prophet Of The Restoration.

Complete Whitewashing of History

[andrewjchaney · 1/10 · 16 September 2014]

It would be one thing if this movie was just billing itself as fan fiction. However, it is such a complete whitewashing of history that it only vaguely resembles the Joseph Smith of reality. What the movie doesn't cover:

• Smith's polygamous/polyandrous marriages (and lifelong public denial of them).

• Smith's unsuccessful treasure digging by using a "seer stone" that he found while digging a well.

• Smith translating the Book of Mormon using this same seer stone by putting it in a hat.

• Smith creating the Book of Abraham by translating ancient papyrus that eventually turned out to be nothing about Abraham.

• Smith verifying the authenticity of and translating the Kinderhook Plates (plates that eventually turned out to be a hoax).

• Smith ordering the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor's printing press because they exposed his polygamous activities.

I really liked this movie.

[carzube · 10/10 · 18 April 2006]

This movie was the best movie I have ever seen. Being LDS I highly recommend this movie because you are able to feel a more understanding about the life of Joseph Smith. Although the movie was not made with highly acclaimed actors it is a remarkable and life changing movie that can be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone. I saw this movie with my family and I can bear witness that we have all had a change of heart. This movie allows people to really understand how hard the life was for the prophet and how much tribulation he was faced with. After I saw this movie,there was not a single dry eye in the entire room. Everyone was touched by what they saw and I have not been the same since I have seen it. I highly recommend this movie for everyone.

Incredible!

[davids_art · 10/10 · 3 September 2016]

Whether you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or not, this film is a must see. The visual and sound effects are spectacular, and the acting is superb. The story is very accurate to history.

The only real way to fully appreciate this film entirely is to see it IN the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City. This movie was made specifically for this theater. Therefore, the sound, screen, and over-all experience is somewhat hindered if it is viewed elsewhere such as online or on DVD. Do not let that dissuade you, though in deciding on whether or not to see this film. See it wherever and whenever you are able, and if you ever happen to visit SLC, see it in the theater that it was filmed for. You will not regret it.

Oh, and no matter what your religion or lack of religion, good luck getting through this film without breaking down in tears. It is not possible.

About the restoration of the gospel in this dispensation.

[sweetpandemonium · 10/10 · 22 May 2006]

The most amazing, spiritually uplifting movie about the restoration of the gospel. Far better than any other film, or movie made about the restoration thus far. If you haven't seen it, hop on a plane to Salt Lake and see it now. You won't regret it! You truly get a sense of what the first saints had to struggle through, putting complete and total faith in there prophet Joseph Smith. You finally get some sort of comprehension of the things the prophet had to fight through and the persecutions he and his people faced. If you have any questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints and our humble beginnings just watch this movie, it will make complete and total sense afterward.

A tear jerker indeed!

[tag44017 · 10/10 · 28 December 2006]

As a convert into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I try to absorb as much as I can of my new religion's history. I was invited to attend a showing of this film with my sons & the other young men & women as well as their families of our ward.

On a beautiful spring evening, we drove to Kirtland, Ohio to the church's historical village located there. We were to have had reservations at the Vistor's Center to view this movie. Since my movie viewing was limited to only a few church documentaries, I was intrigued. The only "full length motion pictures" of the church's I had seen was "Legacy" and "My Best Two Years", both which I thought were very well written and preformed.

At the beginning, the missionary interpretor passed out tissues stating that several people had been deeply moved to the point of tears by this movie. I thought "OK...but it takes a lot to move me to tears." Imagine my surprise when I found myself sobbing! It truly is a very moving & inspirational testament to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

See it & believe in it's powerful message!

If you ever wondered about the Mormon. watch this.

[wesby-e · 10/10 · 18 October 2011]

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (known as mormon church, popularly) I absolutely love this movie, and recommend this movie to all, specially to all those who have wounded hearts or have had a hard time. Please leave all preconceptions aside about what you may have heard of us, just take a look at this movie and decide for yourself. We believe in Christ, we are Christians, and this movie should inspire all Christians and all people really, because it is that good. If you have not seen it, i HIGHLY recommend you watch it, we spend a lot of time watching TV or movies, why not this one.

I know you won't regret it. I know being of this religion i may be biased you don't need to take my word for it, experience it yourself.

Not Historical

[h-zimmy · 1/10 · 23 May 2006]

I feel the movie did not portray Smith historically. The goal of this movie was to tell Smith's life in a way that would be "comfortable" to the LDS Church leaders, historical accuracy seems to have been of little concern. The movie was designed to be a "faith promoting" experience, not a balanced view of Smith "as a man." I have taken it upon myself to study Smith's life and have read both LDS works and none LDS works. The movie, like most LDS projects, was beautifully filmed and well acted. However, this was not a realistic portrayal of either the beginnings of Mormonism or Smith's relatively short life.

A significant period of time was given to reenacting an accident that Smith had when he was seven. While this event was no doubt important in forming his mental outlook, it appears that the main reason for including it in the film is to help establish a sympathetic view of Joseph Smith. Another point is in portraying Smith's teen years the film is silent regarding the Smith family's involvement in magical practices during the 1820's. Another problem is while the movie shows Joseph Smith good-naturedly entering into wrestling contests, it fails to show how he sometimes lost his temper and became violent.

I could go on and on. This movie was not historical in any way and should be considered a fictional movie about a man. I would not recommend seeing this movie for any other purpose other then entertainment.

Well done for a wonderful purpose!

[joewren2 · 10/10 · 2 June 2006]

Despite reading the "initial comments" from someone who curiously disliked the film -- (WHY IS THE ONLY NEGATIVE COMMENT VERY FIRST ON THE LIST?)it was very nice to note that virtually everyone else loved it! Obviously the Church wanted to stress certain points and portray the prophet Joseph Smith in a positive manner ~ thats the whole idea. And in fact, those points were extremely effective. We already know Joseph Smith was human... but despite that, AND all of the horrific negative attempts stirred on by the adversary, it showed just how he was able to complete a remarkable, God-given work. I'd recommend it to anyone!

Shows only the nice parts of the history, avoids the controversies.

[wybe-vandijk · 2/10 · 30 January 2014]

I'm not sure if this review contains spoilers except that it doesn't address the negative side of Joseph Smith that everybody should be aware of but, just to be safe, I add a spoiler alert anyway.

I watched this movie just now and am stupefied by the rating of 7.7 and the number of reviewers applauding this. Everyone who does a little research knows that there is much more to Joseph Smith than how he is portrayed in this movie. Joseph Smith was a conman. He was convicted for what he did, betraying people's trust. He also was a polygamist and a pedophile. As such he inspired criminals like Warren Jeffs of the FLDS as the members of the FLDS follow all the original doctrines of Joseph Smith.

I can't believe that the 10/10 reviewers are not aware of this and therefore I can't understand all the praise they are giving to Joseph Smith and this movie. I would like to hear from a LDS member if they truly believe only this side of the Joseph Smith story and refuse to acknowledge the bad things he did or that they just don't know better. The last I doubt. Please let me know.

Oh, why 2/10 in stead of 1/10? The movie isn't bad enough for a 1 rating. I think there are worse movies out there. 2 fits well for me.

Why not include more about Joseph Smith's controversial statements?

[ingleseeuu · 8/10 · 18 February 2010]

I think the film is educational. However, it fails to treat the issue which sparked so much controversy: plural marriage. Also, the film fails to reveal what the LDS church espouses. Big opportunity was missed to tell the world what they actually believe. I could not get a clear idea of what it is LDS views are on central topics of religion.

I have many LDS friends and they are nice people. Would have been nice to get a clearer picture of how they view their prophet's more controversial statements. Maybe these statements are just too controversial to be treated in a film format, but it would have been great to hear the whole story of Joseph Smith's truly interesting life. After all, it gives insight into American thought on religion in the 18th century. Hope they do some documentaries on this fascinating subject, allowing historians to comment on Smith's life. We may have a Mormon president some day. After all, Smith ran for president.

Amazing

[colziepie · 10/10 · 12 February 2014]

This movie is totally amazing. I watched it many years ago and it inspired me. I am so glad that I was able to find it and watch it again. I recommend it greatly and I promise you will never look back. I love seeing inspiring movies, especially about people who have changed the course of history and influenced others lives even years later. I often felt strong emotions in this movie, and I hope you will to. It talks about the life of Joseph Smith according to him and those there. And will strengthen your testimony an your relationship with god. I know god was in this mans life and totally in this movie. If you don't believe me? Watch the movie. I hope you like it!!!

Joseph Smith

[carrie-163 · 10/10 · 12 October 2007]

This is one of the most spiritual movies I have ever seen. I headed up with about 150 people to St. George and we saw this movie in the visiting center of the St. George temple.. Not one person had dry eyes in the audience. Also, there were some non- religious and anti-Mormon people in the audience who felt the spirit of the movie and were touched by the captivating music and reenactment of the story of the pioneers and the hardships they faced because of their beliefs.

I recommend this movie for anyone who wishes to understand more about Joseph and the hardships that the pioneers went through. After all, it is apart of American History.

The story about the life of the American Prophet-leader Joseph Smith

[smith-emma12 · 10/10 · 9 October 2013]

Excellent film if you want to understand the like of Joseph Smith and the context of his life experiences. A very moving film about an incredible and unique American figure that is not well understood. Regardless of your faith, you will come away with a newfound appreciation for the devotion and resilience of early Mormon concerts and their dedication to what they believed to be true, in spite of intense persecution and suffering. Mob attacks, their homes and cities burned to the ground, women raped, children shout and killed and yet they were devoted still. Smith himself endured mockery and scorn from even good friends , tar and feathering, beatings, jail time without trial and much more.

Excellent script, beautiful cinematography, and you will find yourself laughing more than once. Watch it, you won't regret it.