I have seen this movie twice and added the DVD to my personal collection. I also read the complete book series. The screen play is one of the most remarkable re-creations of a novel into a movie that I have yet to experience in my 66 years. Mr. Larry H. Miller, Executive Producer has gone on record and saying he loves the series and that's why he was pay rolling it. I have met and talked with the author Gerald N. Lund, a remarkable writer, historian, and marvelous Christian. His work combines both accurate history and an exciting and unique way to present, what could be boring history. I find his work, not only rewarding, but truly remarkable. This film had to be made. It will go a long way to dismiss erroneous "myths" about Joseph Smith and the "Mormon" Church in particular. I highly recommend it to both LDS member and non-LDS audience member patrons alike. This movie is highly entertaining as well as educational. I have never given a move 10 out of 10 until I saw this movie.

Like other commentators, I am biased. I have not read the books, but I am LDS and I was on the set for a couple of days when it was filmed last spring. This is only the third non-LDS sponsored film with LDS backgrounds,(Brigham Young, The Other Side of Heaven) that I have felt was done with compassion and without undo bias on either side of the issue. While melodramatic, I felt it fit the time and the subject of the story. I also felt that the actors were well chosen for their parts and that the scenery of east Tennessee lent itself well to the setting of the story, (which was supposed to be New England area). The score was wonderful, the addition of the peripheral sound was just the right touch. In short, I was impressed and hope that a sequel is made. I would recommend this to anyone. No language, no sex, nothing to be afraid to take the older kiddies. (The historical backgrounds might be a bit difficult to explain to very young children.)

My chief complaint about this movie is that the advertising is ambiguous and misleading. It gives you the impression that it is an early American faming/romance movie when it is actually a Mormon recruiting film. I like learning about other faiths and I am proud to say I was one of the few adventurous soles who saw "Mohamed messenger of god". I am glad I learned about the formation of the Mormon faith but I do like being tricked into seeing it.If you judge this film solely as a religious film then it is better than average. However, if you judge it by normal standards then it falls short. It is a bit melodramatic with a weak plot that is contorted to show the founding of the Mormon Church. The acting is mediocre with inexperienced actors in key roles. In one particular scene it was obvious by the eye movements that they were reading lines. The main plot of two brothers vying for the same girl just sinks into nonsense. The cinematography was nice and the best part of this effort. In summary, see this movie if you would like to learn about the founding of the Mormon faith otherwise avoid it.I would warn that judging by the huge number of glowing recommendations on this website that Mormons are piling on the praise partly with pride in their faith and partly as a missionary effort. There is nothing wrong with that but you should be aware of it. My observation of Mormons is that they are fine people and a credit to their faith. If you doubt my observation, note that no credible source reviewed it.Finally, I say that the producers did this film a disservice by disguising the true nature of it. There are thousands of Mormons in my town yet the theater was empty probably because they did not know about it. Proper marketing would have done it better service and brought in a lot of people like me who like knowing about the religious diversity of this country.

Because I was very disappointed in this movie. This movie to me was no better than any daytime made-for-T.V. special on some religious channel. The acting and storyline were so horrible and forced my friend and I laughed and joked throughout the whole flick. At the beginning of the movie we were surprised and glad we were alone and the only people in the whole theater; ten minutes into the movie we found out why. The actors had absolutely ZERO credibility, the dialog was inane, and just how did everyone seem to have the most beautiful, shiny, perfectly shaped, pearly white teeth when dentistry was almost non-existent back then? Hmmm...The only thing I did like was the great cinematography, as there were some really gorgeous Tennessee landscapes. Good scenery, bad script.A sugary, homogenized waste of what could have been a really good movie. Two thumbs down.(unless you are Mormon then you'll probably LOVE this movie, easy now...it's only my opinion) ;)