You
I
Thought I saw the angel Moroni like you said I thought you might like that. I'm proud of you. You're so grown-up
I'm getting baptized on Sunday. Are you ready to be baptized? I'm trying to be good and I say my prayers every day
Well almost every day
Did you get baptized?
Many years ago. I was among the first I was only 13 years old when I first read the book of Mormon
I borrowed a copy from Papa's friend and read all night
Oh
Would you get more flour, please
Joseph Smith welcome to my I never imagined I would actually meet the man they called the prophet
So but it was a moment. I would never forget Hello
Eliza, I'm Joseph Smith
It would seem brother Morley that your missing book of Mormon is not missing after all I
I would like you to keep it. I shall give brother Morley another
The Lord has called us to a great and marvelous work
To establish Zion the land of promise it was there
I first heard the prophet Joseph speak of a place called Zion the new Jerusalem a city where we would build our temple and live
in peace and be of one mind I
Wanted to be a part of Zion with all my young girl heart
You're not taking your chair
We never did get it fixed I said I'd fix it well, there's no time now
Why would God command us to leave to find peace in our new faith? Well, it's not my faith
Please change your mind. You don't even know where you're going
We're going to Zion. You don't even know what that means. You're a fool. I'll have none of that
You've never tried to understand any of this
Johnny Johnny
I believe this to be the true gospel of Jesus Christ
God is the author of it. It was by him
We received the Book of Mormon and it is through his prophets voice that we are called to go
Well, I don't believe in Joseph Smith and I think you're a fool, too
You're a fool, too. I never expected to see my brother again. I never knew how much I loved Johnny until I watched him run away
We followed Joseph Smith to Ohio and on to the far western edge of the frontier to a young, Missouri town called
Independence to be gathered as a righteous people unto the Lord. That's what the prophet had said and so to us
Independence was more than the edge of the wilderness. It was the place we would build our home and established our promised city of Zion
Daniel did you have a good ride? Come here. Give me a hand with this
Two years ago half a dozen of these Mormons arrived at the Missouri now they number 1,200
They are superstitious and opposed to slavery
How about that Joe Smith speaking to God and his angels?
How about that Joe Smith speaking to God and his angels? In no time you will have a Mormon sheriff and Mormon judges
We propose this declaration
No Mormon shall move and settle in this county
We propose this declaration. No Mormon shall move and settle in this county
Their leaders shall have been any further immigration of their distant brethren
The Mormon printing office shall be closed
Get in trouble get everyone out
I'll take the children
Come on Daniel go
Daniel get down
Gentlemen gentlemen please
Gentlemen there must be some way we can resolve this peacefully
This is impossible
For three years we tried every lawful means to get our lands again and wearied God with our appeals for justice but to no avail
The citizens of Clay County treated us with kindness but in the end they asked us to move on
This time Mama did not go with us
We started over once again but at last our endless petition to the government was heard
They appointed Caldwell County for the settlement of the Latter Day Saints
That's my son Johnny
Hello Papa
I'm sorry about Mama
Come too late
I didn't know
I hope you can forgive me
I'll need some time
Yes sir
I can't believe how grown up you are
You've gotten so big I've hardly recognized you
Come I want you to meet my friend sister Catherine
This is my brother Johnny
My dear dear brother Johnny
How do you do?
Johnny
Oh Johnny
I'll finish it for you now
Don't finish it for Mama
The Lord said the gospel would be proclaimed by the weak and simple
This surely proves it
You make a fine missionary Papa
I'll do whatever the Lord asks me to do
I've asked Jacob to look after you
Then we'll be alright
I've been stubborn and unforgiving
I'm sorry
Don't just up and join the Mormon church because of a pretty face
Yes Papa
Goodbye Papa
God moves in a mysterious way
But watching Papa go I could never have imagined the way his mission would change my life
I myself have looked for the truth for many years
There are many who are kept from the truth only because they know not where to find it
How can you claim to know the truth?
He is called a prophet
A Moses in our day
False prophets in sheep's clothing
Ravenous wolves
And Matthew also says he shall know them by their fruits
Here is the fruit
An ancient record confirming what every Christian heart yearns to know for certain
That Jesus is the Christ
The very Son of God
May one buy your book preacher
Oh of course just for the price of printing
Five pennies
I am short the price
You may owe what's left
A man's soul should be worth a farthing
Ah David
We've missed you these past weeks
The Mormons are persuasive aren't they?
It is their doctrine not their man which attracts me
Well they believe in the Bible as we do
But they have another book
Another testament to the Lord
Here have you seen this?
And when you have received these things ask God, eternal Father, in the name of Christ
Whether these things are not true
Did you ask God, David?
I feel as if I should join myself with them
The faithful have looked a long time for a renewal of the ancient faith, David
Perhaps the time has come
I believe God can speak to men
If your heart tells you it is his true church
Then maybe he is speaking to you
On Sunday last 17 souls joined themselves to the body of the saints by baptism
Among them is a fine man named David Walker
Whom the Spirit of the Lord has truly touched
I love you all
If trouble continues remember there must be opposition in all things
That righteousness be brought to pass
The peace and good cheer of our home in far west did not last
The harassment from the mobs had come again
The hinge is not the Lord's way
But some of the brethren were determined we would not be driven out again
My brother Johnny was among them
The rumor is unconfirmed Major
But I have heard those Mormons are raising an army against us
Take this to General Clark in far west
He is to proceed with all possible speed
The Mormons must be treated as enemies
They must be driven from the state
Or if necessary
Exterminated
Johnny
The trouble with our neighbors did not end
But we learned to endure
And the Lord poured out his blessings in return
Johnny married Catherine and settled on a creek near the city of far west
At a place we called Hans Mill
Here, what? Two hundred of them
Everywhere
Hey, get in the woods
Oh, watch the back
Oh, no
Our precious city of far west was in ruins
An army of mobbers had entered our homes
Stolen our possessions
Taken our property at the point of bayonets
And violated that which was most precious
This treaty provides that you leave the state forthwith
You can expect no mercy
I will ensure that the governor's orders are carried out
As for your leaders, you will never see them again
Joe, Joe
There is no Zion, is there?
It doesn't exist at all
We retreated
We were beaten
We traveled back the way we had come
And took refuge in a sick, infested swamp on the Mississippi
Our leaders said it was to gain our strength
And go west again to build our city of Zion
But I did not believe them
Would you take care of Mary for me?
We can't lose faith, Eliza
Johnny had faith and he's dead
Joseph had faith
And he's in prison
I believed in Zion
And there's no such place
If God loves us so much, why has he abandoned us?
We'll find Zion
We will
I can't believe it anymore
I'm going to release you from prison
You look quite like the way I feel
Do you have faith to be healed?
I don't know
Is there no end to this suffering?
The Lord suffered all things for us
Our days are known
And our years shall not be numbered less
If the very jaws of hell gape open after us
It shall be for our good
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
I do, but is he truly mindful of us?
Eliza Williams, in the name of Jesus Christ
Arise and be made whole
The Lord does love us
He chasens us to teach us obedience and faith
Zion cannot be built without these principles
It is our own weakness that keeps us from her
Yet even so, we shall begin again to raise a city
The Lord has already begun to sweep the earth
And gather his elect to help us
The Lord has already begun to sweep the earth
One father
David Walker
John
Now we are even
No, I will forever be in your debt, John
Welcome aboard, man
Truly Joseph Smith was a prophet of God
Within three years our beautiful city of Nauvoo
Rose like a miracle from the dreary swamps of commerce
It became the largest city in the state of Illinois
Come, all ye saints of Zion
And let us praise the Lord
His ransomed are returning
According to his word
In sacred song and gladness
They walk the narrow way
And thank the Lord who brought them
To see the latter day
This stone is laid in honor of the great God
May it there remain until the whole fabric is completed
That the saints may have a place to worship God
And the Son of Man
Our beloved Savior and Redeemer
Have where to lay his head
The Spirit of God like a fire is burning
The latter-day glory begins to conform
The visions and blessings of the Lord are returning
And let us praise the Lord
The Lord has blessed us
Where's Daniel?
He's off to work on the road
He's... he's with a good captain
I meet you
How could I ever thank you, Jacob?
I have more thanks than I deserve
Eliza has consented to be married
Papa
Oh, I'm so sorry
This is David Walker, Eliza, Mary, Catherine and Jacob
You have a fine eye for beauty, sir
Let glory to them
In the highest be given
Henceforth and forever
Amen and amen
Excuse me, sir
My name's David Walker
I'm Joseph Smith, Jr.
Right
Well, of course
I know who you are
You're the prophet
I'm only mad, Mr. Walker
Sent to preach the gospel
I was baptized by John Williams in England
Well, I arrived first this morning
Splendid spectacle it was
Then it is Brother David
Welcome to Nauvoo
It is a high honor
What may I call you?
Oh, I've been called just about everything
Brother Joseph suits me fine
Brother Joseph, then?
It's a grand time to be on earth, David
The fullness of times
Tell me what you want me to do
Help build a temple
Here on this very spot
Where we may worship God
According to the powers of the holy priesthood
Help us do that, David
If ever a people were inspired by a vision
And united in a common purpose
It was those of us who were called
To build the temple in Nauvoo
Holiness to the Lord
Brother Jacob, I'll have your lunch whenever you're ready
You're a man of obvious good fortune, Brother Jacob
Our dishes stay so pretty
Flattering words are a devil's trick, Brother Walker
Ah, but truth is not flattering
Jacob said you were working on the temple one day in five
Twice the one in ten Brother Joseph has asked
Jacob exaggerates
Jacob is precise in the truth
I confess, I feel driven to finish it
Well, the temple will bring us blessings we don't even understand
Jacob is waiting till it's finished
So he can marry Eliza there
Well, perhaps I will slow down and work just one day in ten
Shall we have a challenge on the cross-cut?
Aye
Elder John
Noah, are you quite able with your hand?
Shall we have a small wager?
Yes, sir
I avoid intemperate habits when I can, Brother David
Of course
Well, a prize then for the winner between us
First turn with Eliza at the dance
Brother Hiram
Ready
Ladies
Your work in the sunstone for the temple is extremely hard
I know
Your work in the sunstone for the temple is exquisite.
I started cutting stone when I was only 12.
I cut stone much better than I dance, I'm afraid.
You did fine.
No, I have two left feet.
Is your foot all right?
I told you, it's fine.
I would like to call on you again.
No, no, no.
We mustn't even discuss it.
Eliza, I would have you for my wife.
You remind me of Johnny.
Well, I have a little to offer, but these hands,
my faith in the Lord, and a promise
to cherish you with all my heart.
And I will make you laugh.
We can only be dear friends.
I'm sworn to Jacob.
But I don't think you love Jacob.
He was like a father to me when I had no one.
Well, Jacob's like a father to everyone.
Don't speak ill of him.
He's the kindest man I know.
Marriage is a grand reward for kindness.
But love is kindness.
It's unselfish.
It's long-suffering.
It endures all things.
It.
And love is exciting, happy, and splendid.
Eliza, is that you?
Yes, papa.
Jacob's waiting.
You were worried.
I'm fine.
I'll be right in.
With the pain, the suffering, and the patience,
God also allows us joy.
That feeling between brethren is not pleasing to the Lord,
Brother Walker.
I hold none for you.
And I none for you.
If I've offended you, Jacob, I'm sorry.
Truly, I am.
I am, of course, not unaware of your interest
in Sister Williams.
I've spoken with her and suggested
that she consider her feelings and choose between us.
I am, of course, not aware of your interest in Sister Williams.
You promised to make me laugh?
Every day.
I bless you with long life and prosperity.
Thoroughly, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven.
Step up.
Mama would have liked you, David Walker.
You're laughing.
I, like Paul, have been in perils.
I should be like a fish out of water
if I were out of persecutions.
But their persecutions are vain.
Their accusations false.
In all things, we seek to do the will of the Lord.
It is His church.
After the many, many testimonies which
have been given of Jesus Christ, this
is the testimony, last of all, which I give of Him.
That He lives, for I have seen Him, even
on the right hand of God.
And I have heard the voice bearing record
that He is the only begotten of the Father.
He was a remarkable man, Peter.
But people never really understood us.
The church wasn't about Joseph Smith.
It is the church of Jesus Christ.
Oh, Latter-day Saints.
Yes.
Father Joseph's testimony of the Lord
was the last thing I ever heard Him say.
They killed him!
Joseph Smith has been murdered at the Carthage jail!
The prophet is dead!
David.
I was not prepared for how it would end.
It hasn't ended.
It only ends if we lose faith.
He held an army at His command, yet He
allowed Himself to be taken.
His vision exceeded ours.
You know what He asked us to do.
We must go on and do it.
We'll be driven from Nauvoo.
You must finish the temple.
Why didn't God protect him?
Maybe His work was finished.
But ours has only begun.
There's no end.
How can you have such faith?
I learned for myself the Lord loves us.
He will not abandon us.
But we must not abandon Him.
CHOIR SINGING
With the death of the prophet Joseph, old enemies appeared and tried to drive us out.
In truth, we would never leave until we finished our temple as we were determined to be endowed
with the ordinances of the Lord.
The time of the Exodus had come.
We turned our faces west to our great and unknown journey to a new land west of the
great rivers, to where we would plow and plant and build the kingdom anew.
The call of Zion was in our ears, but the memory of Nauvoo was in our hearts.
And should we die before our journey's through,
should we die before our journey's through,
should we die before our journey's through.
It was too late to go on to the Rocky Mountains.
We camped at the Missouri.
The winter of 1846 was a dark memory I do not wish to remember,
and a place I shall never forget.
Brigham Young left with the advance party early in the spring of 1847.
I had not heard from David, but my faith did not allow me to wonder if I would ever see
him again.
We could wait till next spring.
David should be back by then.
We're going with Elder Pratt now.
Confound it, Liza.
You know I'm no better than baggage with my lame leg.
Then we'll cart you along as baggage.
Tarnations, Liza.
If you're so set on going with Polly, then I'll stay back here.
God has not brought you over so many years and so many miles to leave you at the edge
of the wilderness.
Mama wouldn't let you stop, neither will I.
I'm not able on my own.
Then I will carry you on my back.
I'll drag you behind an ox if I have to, but I'll not leave you behind, and I'm not going
to stay another day in this miserable place.
Who raised you anyway?
Papa, it's so close, I can feel it.
Zion is waiting.
Let's help God keep his promise.
God bless you, God bless you, God bless you, God bless you.
God bless you, God bless you, God bless you.
We've come so far.
I know you've given your best, but it isn't enough.
I've hauled my family 500 miles across the wilderness.
I've done whatever I had to do.
I can't pull the wagon.
Dear God, I know you've blessed my family and are surely weary of my endless prayers.
You healed me.
I know you can heal this ox.
God bless you, God bless you, God bless you, God bless you.
God bless you, God bless you, God bless you.
We entered the Salt Lake Valley in the summer of 1847.
That little boy was your father and they got to build their temple.
They worked side by side until the day my David died.
Please hand me my book.
This is the book I told you about.
The Prophet Joseph Smith himself gave it to me.
I want you to have it.
And make sure that this legacy of faith may never die.
God bless you, God bless you, God bless you, God bless you.
God bless you, God bless you, God bless you.
God bless you, God bless you.