i rent this film because of my interest in american history and and especially the somewhat weird story of the mormon . this movie attempt to make some sense out of how joseph smith could turn his vision into a major world religion . it first focus on the trouble the mormon have in their settlement at navuoo and illinois . it portray the trial of joseph smith . within the course of that trial and brigham young stand up to tell of his conversion to mormonism and and of his belief in the spiritual message of smith . then smith be assassinate and and young must deal with his own doubt about whether he have be choose to lead the mormon to a new land . despite his grave doubt and he persevere and and finally have a vision ( that utah be the place for his colony ) that give him confidence in the rightness of his leadership . later and a crop be destroy by cricket and he again doubt that he have truly be choose however and a miracle occurs and which cement his place in history . i find the performance to be move and and the story to be convincing and interesting . i would love to know whether mormon believe that this be an accurate portrayal . polygamy be a part of the story and but the reason why this be central to lds be not raise . the issue be not emphasize . i be sure people stay away from this movie because of it religious subject matter and but it have a great cast and will hold your interest throughout .