Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration 2011

Runtime

70 mins

Language

English

Directed by

T.C. Christensen

Made by

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Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration Plot Summary

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In a prologue, Mary, a recent Mormon convert, has traveled over 4,000 miles to Nauvoo, Illinois, with her father to meet Joseph Smith. His daughter and father discuss what it means to judge a prophet, and Mary insists that she already knows Smith is a prophet of God, inviting her father to discover the truth by reading what he wrote. He starts to read an issue of Times and Seasons and the Book of Mormon, setting the stage for a long and formative journey.

In 1813, young Joseph Smith suffers a severe injury and a subsequent infection to his left leg. An experimental operation removes the infected parts of the bone, sparing him from amputation and beginning a road that will shape a new religious movement.

The narrative continues with the spring of 1820, when Smith experiences his First Vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ, who instruct him not to join existing churches because he will be called to start his own. Three years later, the Angel Moroni guides him to the location of the golden plates, the source for what will become sacred scriptures for this new church. Soon after, Smith endures the death of his eldest brother, Alvin, an event that profoundly affects him. Alvin Smith dies, marking a painful turning point in the early family saga.

Smith meets and marries Emma Hale, despite the initial opposition of her parents, and a few years later he retrieves and translates the golden plates. During a translation session, Smith and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, pray to understand a particular doctrine and receive a visitation from John the Baptist, who grants them authority to baptize. Not long after, Peter, James and John appear and confer additional priesthood authority, enabling them to organize the Church of Christ, which they do in April 1830.

As the church grows, it faces persecution and harassment, forcing the community to relocate to Kirtland, Ohio in 1836. While in Kirtland, Smith proclaims that God desires a temple to be built. After the temple is completed and a significant meeting is held, Smith and Cowdery witness another vision in which God accepts the temple. Additional personages appear and confer further priesthood keys or authorities on them, reinforcing the sense of divine mandate. Smith also commissions travels to preach the gospel in the British Isles for the first time, and during this period, Mary meets the missionaries and joins the church.

Despite the temple’s success and the visions granted, the community endures ongoing persecution, prompting further relocations. They eventually settle in Nauvoo, Illinois, where they construct another temple. As tensions rise, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum realize that enemies seek to bring them to Carthage, Illinois, to kill them. Facing the danger, Joseph decides to confront the threat, telling Hyrum that they may not return if they go. He gradually transfers his authority to a number of apostles, including Brigham Young, signaling a pivotal leadership change.

On June 24, 1844, Smith, Hyrum, and two others—John Taylor and Willard Richards—ride out of Nauvoo on horseback. Meanwhile, Mary and her father arrive in Nauvoo, hoping to meet Smith, but ultimately decide to follow only to a certain distance as the riders disappear from sight. The Smith brothers then report to the jail in Carthage, where armed men break in and kill them, marking a brutal and historical moment in the movement’s history.

The film closes with Smith’s exhortation drawn from the Doctrine and Covenants: > Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration (2011) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Mary travels to Nauvoo to meet Joseph Smith

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.

Nauvoo, Illinois

Joseph Smith suffers a severe injury in 1813

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.

1813

First Vision opens a new spiritual path

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.

Spring 1820

Moroni guides to the golden plates

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.

c. 1823

Alvin Smith's death

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.

1823

Emma Hale becomes Joseph Smith's wife

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.

late 1820s

First priesthood, baptism authority and church organized

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.

April 1830

Persecution and relocation to Kirtland

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.

1836 Kirtland, Ohio

Temple proclamation and visions in Kirtland

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.

late 1830s Kirtland, Ohio

Mission to the British Isles begins; Mary meets missionaries

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.

1836-1838 British Isles

Relocations continue; Nauvoo temple planned

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.

late 1830s Nauvoo, Illinois

Leadership transition as threats mount

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.

1840s Nauvoo

Mary and her father arrive in Nauvoo to meet Smith

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.

June 24, 1844 Nauvoo

Smith brothers killed in Carthage jail

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.

June 27, 1844 Carthage, Illinois

Final exhortation to persevere

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.

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration Characters

Explore all characters from Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration (2011). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Joseph Smith (Nathan Mitchell)

The central founder and visionary, he experiences a dramatic arc from a youth injury to leading a new faith. His First Vision and translation work drive the movement’s trajectory, while personal conviction faces external pressures from persecution and opposition. He navigates spiritual revelations and leadership responsibilities to steer the community through growth and hardship.

✨ Visionary 📜 Prophet 🧭 Leader

Joseph Smith Sr. (Rick Macy)

A paternal figure who supports and observes his son’s unfolding vocation. He embodies faith and resilience as the family and movement face upheaval. His perspective helps ground the narrative in family and communal dynamics during periods of trial.

🧭 Patriarch 🕊️ Faithful

Alvin Smith (David Nibley)

Joseph’s elder brother whose death marks a significant turning point in the family story. His loss reverberates through the narrative, shaping Joseph’s emotional and spiritual trajectory. The event foregrounds how personal tragedy intersects with faith and movement-building.

💔 Brother 🕯️ Tragedy

Lucy Mack Smith (Tayva Patch)

Mother of the Smith family, present in the early years of the faith’s formation and family saga. She provides context for family dynamics, faith, and perseverance in trying times. Her role helps connect personal devotion with the broader religious movement.

👩 Matriarch 🌟 Faithful

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration Settings

Learn where and when Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration (2011) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1813–1844

The film spans the early 19th century, beginning with Joseph Smith’s youth and a life‑changing injury in 1813 and ending with the martyrdom of Smith in 1844. It situates these events within a broader era of religious revivalism and frontier expansion in the United States. Key milestones appear in the 1820s and 1830s, including the First Vision and the organization of the church, the temple era, and migrations in response to persecution.

Location

Nauvoo, Illinois; Kirtland, Ohio; Carthage, Illinois; British Isles

The story unfolds across major 19th‑century settings: Nauvoo, Kirtland, Carthage, and travels to the British Isles. Nauvoo becomes a growing hub of faith and temple-building, while Kirtland marks the early efforts to establish church organization and temple worship. Carthage represents the dangerous opposition faced by the community. The journey to the British Isles mirrors the early missionary push that helps spread the movement beyond America.

🗺️ Frontier 🏛️ Temple-era 🛡️ Persecution 🌍 Missionary journeys

Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration Themes

Discover the main themes in Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration (2011). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

✨

Prophetic Vision

Personal revelations drive the founding of a new faith. Joseph Smith’s First Vision and ensuing visitations frame the legitimacy of the movement. Revelations translate into scriptures and guide both spiritual practice and organizational choices. The theme shows how belief in divine guidance shapes the community’s path.

🛡️

Persecution & Migration

Persecution forces believers to relocate across states and regions, testing loyalty and resilience. The constant movement from place to place shapes the community’s identity and solidarity. Threats and hostility push the group to seek safer havens and new opportunities for growth. The film portrays migration as a response to external pressures rather than a simple escape.

🗝️

Authority & Leadership

The conferment of priesthood and prophetic authority anchors the movement’s governance. Smith and his associates grapple with distributing keys and guiding powers while expanding the church. As dangers mount, leadership transfers to apostles, signaling a shift in governance and strategy. The theme links spiritual authority to organizational structure and mission fulfillment.

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Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration (2011). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the sweeping hills and fledgling towns of early‑19th‑century America, a restless spiritual yearning pulses beneath the ordinary rhythms of daily life. Against a backdrop of rugged frontier landscapes and bustling river towns, the film opens a window onto a world where faith, hope, and doubt intersect with the promise of something new. The tone is both reverent and intimate, inviting viewers to feel the weight of a burgeoning movement while savoring the quiet moments that shape its leaders.

At the heart of this story stands Joseph Smith, a young farmer whose extraordinary visions set him on a path far beyond the fields of his childhood. Guided by a sense of divine purpose, he gathers a small circle of believers, including his steadfast partner Emma Hale, whose love and resolve become essential to his quest. Their relationship is portrayed as a tender partnership, balancing personal devotion with the growing responsibilities of a nascent religious community.

Parallel to the prophet’s inner journey, the film follows Mary, a recent convert traveling great distances to witness the unfolding story firsthand. Her inquisitive spirit and the bond she forms with her father provide a relatable entry point for audiences, echoing the wonder and curiosity that draw many to fresh ideas. Together, these characters navigate a landscape marked by both optimism and uncertainty, setting the stage for a tale of faith, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of a vision that seeks to reshape a generation.