Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration

Mary, a recent Mormon convert, travels more than 4,000 miles to Nauvoo, Illinois with her father to meet Joseph Smith. They discuss what it means to judge a prophet, and Mary asserts that she already knows Smith is a prophet of God. She invites her father to discover the truth by reading what Smith wrote.

In 1813, Smith suffers a severe injury that becomes an infected condition in his left leg. An experimental operation removes the infected bone, sparing him from amputation and beginning a path that will shape a new religious movement.

Spring 1820 marks Smith's First Vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ. They instruct him not to join existing churches because he will be called to start his own church.

Three years after the First Vision, the Angel Moroni guides him to the location of the golden plates, which will become the source for sacred scriptures of the new church.

Smith's eldest brother, Alvin, dies, a painful turning point for the family. Alvin's death profoundly affects Joseph and the course of his early life.

Smith meets Emma Hale and soon marries her, despite initial opposition from her parents. The marriage strengthens him as he continues his work and later translation efforts.

During a translation session with his scribe, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery pray to understand a doctrine and are visited by John the Baptist, who grants them authority to baptize. Not long after, Peter, James and John appear and confer additional priesthood authority, enabling the Church of Christ to be organized in April 1830.

As the church grows, persecution and harassment drive the community to relocate to Kirtland, Ohio in 1836. The move marks a turning point as they establish fresh beginnings and pursue temple-building ambitions.

In Kirtland, Smith proclaims the need for a temple. After its completion, a significant meeting is held, and Smith and Cowdery witness another vision in which God accepts the temple. Additional personages appear and confer further priesthood keys or authorities.

The church begins its first missions to the British Isles, preaching to new communities. During this period, Mary meets the missionaries and joins the church.

Despite temple success and visions, persecution continues, prompting further relocations until the community settles in Nauvoo, Illinois, where another temple is constructed. The growing settlement faces escalating tensions with outsiders.

As threats rise, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum realize enemies seek to kill them. Smith gradually transfers his authority to a number of apostles, including Brigham Young, signaling a pivotal leadership transition.

On June 24, 1844, Mary and her father arrive in Nauvoo, hoping to meet Smith, but they are unable to connect and decide to follow the riders from a distance as the expedition continues. The moment captures the tension surrounding the community and its leaders.

The Smith brothers report to the jail in Carthage, Illinois, where armed men break in and kill them. The brutal act marks a brutal and historic moment in the movement's history and tests the faith of adherents.

The film closes with a exhortation drawn from the Doctrine and Covenants, urging believers to press on in so great a cause. The message resonates as the narrative acknowledges immense loss while reaffirming faith and purpose.