Many films have been made about the early days of the Mormon Church. This is the first to treat the founding and organization of the Church from the perspective of the three men who claimed to have witnessed the metal plates from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon. The story is complicated even though the message is simple. The film helps us to understand these these men as real people who managed to hold true to their principles even when they felt personally betrayed by church members and leaders. Some of the most controversial aspects of early Church history are intertwined with the lives of these men. Parts of the film may be difficult to understand by those who are not familiar with Joseph Smith and the early days of the Church. Nonetheless, the message of integrity and holding true to principle even in the most difficult circumstances rings true. The film is an important addition to the growing body of literature that is helping enrich our understanding of this unique and important piece of American religious history. It is worth a repeat viewing.
Review of Witnesses
