Watch The Work and The Glory: American Zion

The Work and The Glory: American Zion is a historical drama film that depicts the life of a Mormon family living in the 19th century in Nauvoo, Illinois. The movie is based on a series of novels written by Gerald N. Lund. The film revolves around Benjamin Steed (Sam Hennings), a successful businessman and leader in the Mormon community, who is struggling to reconcile his growing doubt about the authenticity of the religion's teachings with his unwavering loyalty to his family and community. These doubts are exacerbated when he is visited by the charismatic Joseph Smith (Jonathan Scarfe), the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the midst of Benjamin's personal crisis, his family is faced with a series of painful challenges including the opposition of their non-Mormon neighbors, the ravages of disease, and the difficulties of building a new home and community.

As the Steed family struggles to survive and thrive in the face of these challenges, they are also drawn into the larger drama of the history of the Mormon church. The film portrays the persecution and violence faced by the early Mormon pioneers at the hands of non-Mormon vigilantes and government officials, including the murder of Joseph Smith and the eventual expulsion of the Mormons from Nauvoo.

Through Benjamin's story, the film explores themes of faith, family, community, and the tension between personal belief and institutional doctrine. The movie also offers a glimpse into the early history of the Latter-day Saint movement, including the early years of the church's founding, the development of its distinctive teachings and practices, and the persecution and exile of the early Mormon pioneers.

The acting in The Work and The Glory: American Zion is generally strong, with Sam Hennings delivering a heartfelt and nuanced performance as Benjamin Steed. Brenda Strong plays his wife, Mary, with warmth and strength, and Eric Johnson brings a compelling energy to the role of Joshua, Benjamin's rebellious son.

The film's sets and costumes are well-designed and create a convincing visual representation of the period. The cinematography is also impressive, capturing the natural beauty of the Illinois countryside and creating a sense of the expansive, rugged landscape that the Mormon pioneers traversed on their journey westward.

Overall, The Work and The Glory: American Zion is a moving and thought-provoking portrayal of a fascinating period in American and Mormon history. By weaving together the personal struggles of one family with the larger historical events unfolding around them, the film offers a rich and textured portrait of the challenges faced by the early Latter-day Saints as they sought to build a new religious community in the face of persecution and adversity.

The Work and The Glory: American Zion is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.