The Work and the Glory 2: American Zion (2005)

The Work and the Glory film series consists of American period piece-historical fiction Christian-drama films, based on novels of the same name written by Gerald N. Lund. The plot centers around the fictional family named the Steeds, their experiences as early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their pioneering experiences with Joseph Smith.

The films were well received from critics within the religious target audience,[1][2][3][4] while it received a more critical response from the wider array of critics.[5][6][7][8] Though the movies were not financially successful in theaters, multi-millionaire Larry H. Miller continued with assisted funding to complete a trilogy of movies. The collection was later stated to have turned a profit, through their combined home video sales.[9]

Development
The series of historical-fiction novels titled The Work and the Glory and written by Gerald N. Lund, were published between 1990 and 1998. The concept for the series of books was conceptualized by Kenneth "Kim" Moe, prior to the hiring of Lund as author.

Moe was determined years earlier that a series of novels based around the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was something that he was inspired by God to ensure is written. His fascination with the early members of the Church and the events of the pioneers, first began after reading a short history about the Latter-day Saints while in a Salt Lake City International Airport; and event which eventually led to his baptism as a member of its congregation. After various failed attempts at writing a draft for the novel, Moe realized that he was not the man for the job. He went to a local bookstore and purchased various Latter-day Saint fiction until he read Lund's The Alliance and The Freedom Factor; where he was certain he'd found the writer. During the 1980s while working as a seminary teacher, Lund was approached with the offer from his boss, who told him that a Ricks College donor (Moe) had wanted him to write a novel adaptation of the early history of Latter-day Saints. At that point the author turned down the opportunity, believing that he would not have the time to do so. Dismayed at Lund's declined offer, Moe continued to attempt writing the first draft while he continued to have the author's boss repeatedly pitch the idea to Lund. Eventually, Gerald N. Lund decided to write the novels after fasting and praying about the project. The author's work continued through his time serving as a Bishop of his local ward, a Stake President of his stake, and as a Seventy in the Second Quorum of the Seventy.

Following the release of the novels, Lund approached the idea for a feature film adaptation and attempted forming a media company to product the movies. Unsuccessful in his attempts, the author determined to hire a professional filmmaker. Serving as a general authority, Lund went to the First Presidency for their approval in creating a film that was not officially produced as media from the Church. Approached by many filmmakers, Lund personally selected Scott Swofford as director. Though production concerns arose, including Lund's hope that the epic scope of his novels would translate adequately to film, the movie series was deemed a success. Surpassing the author's expectation in earning over $6 million at the box office, they have since been revealed to have also turned a profit when including home video sales.[9]

Films
Film U.S.
release date Director Screenwriter Producer(s)
The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light November 24, 2004 Russ Holt Scott H. Swofford
The Work and the Glory: American Zion October 19, 2005 Sterling Van Wagenen Matt Whitaker
The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided November 22, 2006
The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light (2004)
Main article: The Work and the Glory
In spring of the early 1820s, after selling their Vermont homestead the Benjamin Steed family, including: Benjamin, his wife Mary Anne, their children Joshua, Nathan, Melissa, Rebecca, and Matthew; moves to upstate New York, where they begin to establish themselves within the community of Palmyra. As the begin to successfully clear the land for their farm with the assistance of hired assistance they acquired through local brothers named Hyrum Smith and Joseph Smith Jr., the family finds themselves at the center of controversy. Though they had peacefully integrated socially amongst their neighbors, the family is surprised by the disruption they encounter due to their friendship with the Smiths; in part due to their bold claims: that God once again speaks to a living prophet on the Earth, that Joseph had been divinely chosen to be that role, and that through the deity's instructions Joseph is translating ancient scriptures of the Ancient Americas that further confirm the teachings of the The Holy Bible and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and that through various works reestablish the Church that Christ had in ancient times.[a]

When the Steeds find that their family is divided on these topics, a number of them discover for themselves that what Joseph Smith teaches is true and decide to join the ranks of thew newly reestablished church; at the dismay of the patriarch Benjamin. The family's oldest son joins the ranks of the mobs who tyrannize the community, and despite his differences with the Latter-day Saints, Ben finds himself defending their personal choices. As the family has disputations amongst them as to the validity of the experiences of their friends, angry members of the community begin to persecute them. Together they work towards a familial decision to trust and help the Smiths, or to turn against them.[1][10][11][12]

The Work and the Glory: American Zion (2005)
During November 1833, Missouri allows hundreds of peaceful inhabitants who are Latter-day Saints to be hunted and driven from their homes in Jackson County. Despite the continued persecution of angry mobs, Joseph Smith led the church members to Far West where he continued to courageously teach the members of the sect of the teachings and understanding that continues from revelations that are made known by God. As they continue the work that they believe they are divinely called to do, they begin to realize that the freedoms they hold as citizens of the United States are being taken from them and under the direction of their religious leaders, prepare to move until they find their promise Zion.

While the events unfold, the Steeds struggle to keep their family together as the strong beliefs in their convictions have lead to familial separation due to their differences in religious ideology. After Matthew is taken and beaten for his role as a Latter-day Saint, its discovered that Joshua is continually involved in the violent and murderous attacks against the local Latter-day Saints. Benjamin rises up to stand against the ongoing assaults. Though he doesn't believe their teachings, Ben is determined to protect his family, his friends the Smiths, and the innocent people who are being harmed; even if it means he must stop his oldest son in any way possible.[2][13][14][15]

The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided (2006)
Years later, after spending time away from his family Joshua Steed finds that his time in Savanna has changed who he once was. No longer a rebellious alcoholic engaged with organized terrorism towards a religious sect of his community, Josh is now a successful and established businessman. Upon marrying a local widow, he discovers that she and her son have joined the Latter-day Saints as members of their church. He finds that he no longer has hate for these people nor their teachings. When his wife Caroline and step-son Will ask about his family, Joshua finds himself ashamed of the events that led to him abandoning his past; including leading the persecution that physically harmed his younger brother Nathan and the other members of his immediate family. Despite his internal humiliation, he determines to return with them to his parents, siblings, and their families.

Returning to Missouri now as a wealthy man, he humbly begins to search for his family. Through his efforts and determination to amend for his past mistakes, the divided Steed house begins to heal. As the Latter-day Saints continue their journey to Missouri, Governor Boggs makes it lawful to kill a member of the church with his Mormon Extermination Order. Joshua soon finds that he and his family are a part of the settlement that will be harmed in these attacks, and realizing that these events are not dissimilar to what he had committed himself to a younger age, he quickly discovers that it is only he who can save them from the gathering mob. Joshua turns to God for guidance and for strength, while racing against time to mend the broken bonds of his childhood home and to fight against the arriving militant dangers.[3][16][17][18][19]

Main cast and characters
List indicator(s)
This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
V indicates a voice-only role.
Y indicates a younger version of the character.
Character
The Work and the Glory:
Pillar of Light The Work and the Glory:
American Zion The Work and the Glory III:
A House Divided
Benjamin "Ben" Steed Sam Hennings
Mary Anne Steed Brenda Strong
Joshua "Josh" Steed Eric Johnson
Nathan Steed Alexander Carroll
Lydia McBride-Steed Tiffany Dupont Sera Bastian
Melissa Steed Brighton Hertford
Rebecca "Becca" Steed Kimberly Varadi Julia Cunningham
Matthew Steed Colin Ford Cody Sanders
Jessica Roundy-Steed Griffith Emily Podleski
Caroline Mendenhall-Steed Meredith Salenger
William "Will" Mendenhall Steed Connor Chavarria
Joseph Smith, Jr. Jonathan Scarfe
Emma Smith Sarah Darling Melanie Hawkins
Additional crew and production details
Film Crew/Detail
Composer Cinematographer Editor Production
companies Distributing
companies Running time
The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light Sam Cardon T.C. Christensen Stephen L. Johnson Excel Entertainment,
Manchester Pictures Excel Entertainment Group 1hr 50mins
The Work and the Glory: American Zion Reed Smoot Vineyard Productions L.L.C. 1hr 40mins
The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided Gordon Lonsdale Vineyard Productions L.L.C.,
Excel Entertainment 1hr 29mins
Reception
For more details on the reception of each movie, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.
Box office and financial performance
Following the theatrical release of the first film, financer Larry H. Miller stated that though there were profitability concerns following the release of the first installment due to the status of the projects as some of the most expensive Latter-day Saint media ever made, he felt "comfortable with the level of [its success]." As a result of the box office returns from the first movie, the sequels which were produced back-to-back had a combined budget to equal approximately the cost of their predecessor's.[20][21]

Film Box office gross Box office ranking Home video
total Budget Net loss Ref(s)
North America Other territories Worldwide All time
North America All time
worldwide
The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light $3,347,647 — $3,347,647 #6,867 #10,383 information not
publicly available $7,500,000 ≥ -$4,152,353 [22][23]
The Work and the Glory: American Zion $2,025,032 — $2,025,032 #7,561 #11,830 information not
publicly available $6,500,000 ≥ -$4,474,968 [24][25]
The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided $1,325,092 — $1,325,092 #8,089 #13,106 information not
publicly available $6,500,000 ≥ -$5,174,908 [26][27]
Totals $6,697,771 N/A $6,697,771 x̄ #7,506 x̄ #11,773 information not
publicly available $20,500,000 ≥ -$13,802,229
Critical and public response
Film Critical response
Rotten Tomatoes
The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light 17% (12 reviews)[5]
The Work and the Glory: American Zion 45% (11 reviews)[6]
The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided 80% (5 reviews)[7]