The true story of how the Church of Latter Day Saints made its way to the American West in search of a home free from persecution informs this historical drama, based on the novel by
Gerald N. Lund. In 1833, Benjamin Steed (
Sam Hennings) and his wife, Mary Ann (
Brenda Strong), were the leaders of a family of Mormons living in Missouri, but they and their fellow followers of the teachings of Joseph Smith (
Jonathan Scarfe) knew little peace, as fierce anti-Mormon factions took violent action against the settlers. When several hundred LDS members were forced from their homes by vigilantes, Smith and his loyal second Brigham Young (
Andrew Bowen) set forth to find a new home for their growing flock. Benjamin and Mary Ann join the migration west, but not everyone in their family joins them; their eldest son Joshua (
Eric Johnson) has turned his back on the Mormon faith, and has joined forces with the men seeking to put a stop to Smith, Young, and their new church.
The Work and the Glory: American Zion was the sequel to the 2004 film
The Work and the Glory, also based on a novel by
Gerald N. Lund. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide