All language subtitles for Witnesses.2021.1080p.BluRay

Get 'em boys.

Get 'em!

David, I'm frightened.

I'm here, Julia.

I am right here.

No, no, please!

Be still, Julia.

You're never gonna see
his face again.

- Please.
- Get your hands off of me!

- Let's go, let's go!
- Got you.

Julia, Julia!

On your knees!

Quiet!

Silence!

Which one of you is
David whitmer?

I am David whitmer.

You know why you're here?

You know Joe Smith?

I do.

And you were with him
when he saw the gold plates?

I was.

Oh, we're tired of you mormons!

All you gotta do is admit

that you and Joe
Smith made it up.

I'll let you and
your friends go.

But if you don't...

David!

David.

It's the pretty one.

What do you want from us?

We want you gone.

No!

Throw it, throw it.

Get him out, get him out,
get him out.

Get out.

I was told-

- I said, take your
paper and get out.

So what he said was the truth?

John Murphy?

From the hamiltonian last June.

First of all, I heard
you saw an angel.

I never saw one.

I want your description of
the shape, voice, brogue,

and construction of
his language.

David whitmer: It had
no appearance or shape.

John Murphy says, then you
saw nothing nor heard nothing?

Your response,

nothing in the way that
you would understand him.

Who are you?

I'm a reporter.

I've already spoken
to dozens of reporters.

Mr.
whitmer, did you see an angel?

Not according to John Murphy.

Well you are not the
David whitmer

that I was expecting to meet.

Well, they said, they
said they believed you.

I don't.

You shall have three days

after you receive this
communication to you,

including 24 hours in each day

to depart with your
families peaceably.

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

But in that
time, if you do not depart

we will use the means in our
power to cause you to depart.

So help us, god.

Mr. Reporter!

I don't know why you are here

and frankly, I'm not
sure I care.

But what you heard from Mr.
John Murphy

of Caldwell county was
not the truth.

It's Joe Smith, get him!

You got him?

He's over there.

I see him.

John Murphy's account differs

from other interviews
that I've read.

My publisher, the
Richmond democrat,

sent me here to get the truth.

Are you willing to Grant
me an interview?

Why would you or your
readers be interested?

I'm always interested
in the truth, Mr. Whitmer.

Well then, Mr.?

Kelly, Edwin Kelly.

I shall endeavor to
tell you the truth.

So.

Did you see an angel?

As clearly as I see you today.

But, Mr. Martin Harris did not?

Not at that time.

This angel showed you
some unusual metal plates.

Yes.

Thin sheaves, made of gold?

That was their appearance.

The same plates
uncovered on a hill

by a Mr. Joseph Smith.

That is correct.

This Joseph Smith
collected the plates

and raced down a hill

where he was attacked
by three different men.

That is my understanding.

So holding the
plates in one hand,

he fought off three armed
attackers with the other?

Carrying a bundle of gold
that weighed, how much?

You miss the point.

So what is the point then?

That an angel delivered
an ancient record.

Whether it was gold or brass
or tin makes no difference.

Yes, so you said.

Did you hold the plates?

I did not.

But others did.

Alvin.

Alvin, yeah, asked me.

I have them.

What happened?

I was attacked.

How many?

Three.

Blasted thievers.

You won't catch them.

Put them on the table.

Fetch some water.

Carlos, go get hiram.

Can we not see them?

No, I intend to keep my promise.

That's enough, Catherine.

It's okay, ma.

Go ahead.

Just, keep them covered.

Joseph.

Are those the?

I'm having trouble
getting beyond the

a record written on gold.

Yes, you and many others.

The secrecy.

Why not just show
them to everyone?

What would you do

if I told you I had
gold in this box?

And how long do you think
I'd be able to keep it safe?

Somehow, the word got out

and people came from
every creek and hollow

hoping to see the plates.

Several attempts were
made to steal them.

Joseph moved the
plates repeatedly.

He enlisted the help of
Martin Harris,

a close friend and neighbor.

They haven't gone anywhere,
Martin.

You asked for my help, but
you can't show them to me?

Well, as I said, I've
been commanded not to.

Well, they're either
gold or lead.

And you don't have enough
credit to purchase lead.

You know, I quizzed your family.

I asked each one of them
about the plates

and they all told me
exactly the same story.

Yes, we rehearsed it
very carefully.

You mock me.

Martin.

Story's true,

all of it.

You must not blame me
for not taking your word.

If it hadn't happened to me,

I don't think I could
believe it myself.

We heard only
rumors of Joseph's visions.

The thought of new
scripture written

on gold plates was fascinating.

I was beyond curious.

I wanted to meet this
Joseph Smith.

The man who talked with god.

What are you doing?

You startled me.

Where are you going?

What makes you think i'm
going anywhere?

I didn't want to wake anyone.

I'm going to see Oliver.

Does father know?

He does.

Do you really think
that Joseph had a vision?

Oliver thinks so.

I'd love to know.

Me, too.

And, since I'm going,

I'm going to find this hill

that everyone keeps
talking about.

You're sure that this
is the place?

Maybe somebody got it
before he did.

No, old Joe has it.

Pete saw him packing it
down the mountain.

Yeah, and Pete's half blind.

And you say that he
promised you part of the gold?

He promised.

He lied.

That's what he done.

Didn't give us what's ours.

So, they saw the plates.

They saw something.

Do you believe them?

It occurs to me that we are

asking the wrong people.

If we want to know if Joseph
Smith has gold plates,

we should be asking
Joseph Smith.

Oliver, what would you do
with 50 pounds of gold?

It's not about the gold, David.

I was just asking.

Joseph was anxious to translate

the ancient record.

He had been given
interpreters by the angel.

They contained seer stones,

but he wasn't sure
how to use them.

He experimented, achieving
a small measure of success.

Meanwhile efforts to steal
the plates intensified.

They're on the way!

Mother, to the bedroom.

Come on, girls.

Where are the plates?

Father's shop.

The box is under the
floorboards.

Joseph, I'm scared.

I'm scared too,

but I'll tell you a secret.

The louder you yell

the braver you become.

Really?

Works every time.

They're here.

Okay, just like we rehearsed.

- Ready?
- Ready.

Quickly, men!

Martin Harris
helped Joseph and Emma

move to Harmony, Pennsylvania,

where they enjoyed some
measure of peace.

Joseph began translation
with the interpreters

but soon became more
comfortable with a seer stone.

At first, Emma was scribe.

After a time, Martin took over.

Be forever written.

Feel like I'm back in school.

How does it work?

What?

The seer stone.

What does it do?

You wouldn't believe me
if I told you.

Can I try it?

No.

But that's not going to stop
you from asking again, is it?

Let's get back to work.

But behold, my sons and
my daughters.

I cannot go down to my grave,

save I should leave a
blessing upon you.

Joseph.

Emma.

What are you doing up?

You need to get back into bed.

Very strange.

All is dark as Egypt.

Perhaps we should pray.

Dear lord, we are
struggling all of a sudden.

Lost without thy guidance.

If this is due to my
own sins and weaknesses,

I ask for forgiveness.

Joseph,

it's my fault.

I switched the stones.

Why?

Why would you do that?

There are those who say
you have memorized the words.

They say that I
shouldn't be here.

That I'm wasting my time.

Who?

Who says that?

More than one.

I just wanted some proof.

I need some proof.

Martin, when will you believe?

Why do you want to go back?

Is it the gold?

Doesn't the gold intrigue you?

Hard work intrigues me.

This farm intrigues me.

Listening to god intrigues me.

And I am your son.

He's a good boy, father.

Then what is it?

I don't know.

But what if god spoke to you?

He wouldn't speak about gold.

You don't understand, father.

Does Joseph speak to god?

There is nothing
wrong with our god.

Does our god speak to you?

David.

This is where we hear god.

We will discuss this after

the planting is finished.

You know your father's right,
David.

I know, mother.

I will save the southern
fields for you.

Don't count your chickens.

Where's Joseph?

Emma, you should be in bed.

He's taken the interpreters.

He's gone to
inquire of the lord,

to see if I might take
the pages to show Lucy.

You weary the heavens
with her demands.

What is this, the fourth
time you've asked?

The third, just the third.

My wife I need to
offer some proof

of what we're doing here.

Take them.

But guard them with your life.

Tell Lucy I don't want to
hear another peep from her.

I will tell her.

No, you won't.

You're right, I won't.

You will show them only
to these people.

And you will sign an agreement,

a covenant that you will
do what I ask.

Thank you, Joseph.

And if it so be that
they rebel against me,

they shall be a scourge
unto thy seed

to stir them up in the
ways of remembrance.

You can do this.

That we may preserve
unto our children.

You can do this.

It came to pass that the
lord spake unto my father

and it came to pass
and it came to pass-

There's been a problem.

I wasn't finished.

Lucy, why do you mock our work?

I brought the
translations for you

and you alone to read.

You realize that people
think you're a fool?

Why do you spend so much
time with Joseph?

Neglecting our family?

Wasting more money?

Lucy, that's enough.

What will you do if he
asks for more?

Mortgage our farm?

If the lord requires it, yes.

Oh, you've lost all respect.

That is enough.

You're an embarrassment.

Not one word more.

Why is this happening, Joseph?

I don't know.

I'm not sure I understand
anything right now.

Can't you do something?

What, what would you have me do?

Can't you heal him?

Emma-

- can't you raise him
from the dead, Joseph?

No, Emma, it doesn't
happen that way.

I can't just reach out my
hand and raise the dead.

Peter did it.

I'm no Peter.

But you're a prophet.

Did you not see god?

Did he not speak to you?

Yes he did,

but he doesn't speak to me now.

If you can't sleep and
you don't eat...

I have lost my son, Alvin.

I have lost my brother, Martin.

How can I sleep or eat?

It's been three weeks.

I can stay with my mother.

You have to go.

Are you sure you
are well enough?

Go, go get Martin.

Is he still out there?

Yes, he is.

He's just sitting there,
on a log.

He's just sitting?

Sitting.

Well, I'll not wait.

No.

Let him come on his own.

He's coming.

Come, sit, the food's
getting cold.

It's been getting cold
for three hours.

Hiram.

Yes, father.

Dear lord, please bless
this food for our use

and bless us in thy service.

We're grateful to be
visited by our brother

Joseph and joined for dinner

by brother Martin.

Amen.

Amen.

Joseph, the food will
be good for you.

Martin, why do you not eat?

Are you ill?

No.

I have lost my soul.

I have lost my soul.

Martin, have you lost
the translation?

Yes.

It is gone, and I
know not where.

You made an oath to me,

and I made an oath to god.

And now you have
condemned us both.

I'm so sorry.

You must find those pages!

I cannot!

Go and look again!

I am sorry, Joseph.

I have looked
everyplace in my house.

I've ripped open beds
and pillows.

It is gone. It is gone.

God entrusted me, and I
entrusted you,

and the work we have
done is in vain!

What will become of his work,
Martin?

What will become of god's work?

Dear god, what have I done?

Were the pages ever found?

No.

So like the plates,
they just disappeared.

You're a skeptical man, Mr.
Kelly.

I'm a reporter.

Where do you think the
book of mormon came from?

I don't know.

I haven't really given
it much thought.

I think that Mr. Smith
had a vivid imagination.

A man with no education,

who could barely compose
a well-written letter,

wrote a 500 page book,

a book of scripture?

Really, Mr. Kelly?

So the work went on.

I'm a weak man, Joseph.

Though I don't mean to be.

I'll never have your faith.

It isn't easy, being
chastised by the lord.

No it isn't.

He chastised you?

He's taken away the plates

and I've lost the
ability to translate.

But what will we do?

It's not the first time
I've been reprimanded.

But this time Martin,

we will listen.

But it wasn't your fault.

- I was the one.-
- Yes.

You're right, Martin,
you were the one.

You were the one who came
to me in my time of need.

And it's because of your
generosity that Emma and I came

to this place away from
those who would harm us.

And you were the one who
left your farm to come here

and assist in the lord's work.

It's you Martin, it's
you whom the lord loves.

You will see the plates.

The lord has declared it.

If he will bow down before
me and humble himself

in mighty prayer and faith in
the sincerity of his heart,

then will I Grant unto
him a view of the things

which he desires to see.

You'll see the plates, Martin.

I have a letter from
your friend, Oliver.

You'll finish the plowing,
David.

Yes, father.

David, I pray all is well.

I've recently secured employment

as a school teacher
in Manchester.

And I'm boarding with
the Smith family.

Which Smith family, you ask?

Yes, he of the gold plates.

Or his parents, rather.

People talk of little else.

They continue to dig up
the countryside.

Oliver?

Samuel.

Good evening.

I'll.

I'll just be going to my room.

Did you need something, Oliver?

No, thank you.

Yes, there is
something that I need.

Was I listening at the door?

Yes, I was.

You simply won't talk about it.

I have seen the plates.

What do you mean? How?

I haven't actually seen them.

It was a dream or something,
but,

but I did as you
suggested and I prayed

and I'm convinced the lord
has a work for me to do.

The school term ends in march

and I'll travel with Samuel.

Samuel's staying with
Joseph through the spring.

I want to help Joseph.
I need to help him.

Well then, it's settled.

Now, will you please
take all that wet-

- can we take the wagon?

No, I need the wagon.

You'll walk.

That's why the good
lord gave you two legs.

I want to go to.

No, of course not.

Then who'll do Samuel's work?

Don't suppose it matters

whether I give my blessing
to this or not.

Which, of course I do.

Joseph!

Joseph! Joseph!

Samuel!

You brought someone with you.

This is Oliver cowdery.

Mr. Smith. I come for the
purpose of writing for you.

Have you?

You spoke of the translation?

He stayed with us
over the winter.

It's kind of hard not to hear.

Well, let's talk it over
after we get you cleaned up.

Little brother, you smell like

you've been on the
road for a week.

It was as
though Joseph and Oliver

had long known each other.

They talked late into the night

and Joseph readily accepted
Oliver's offer to scribe.

Rather than try to
retranslate the lost pages,

they moved forward
with the work.

Are you ready?

Of course.

And now with god who has
created you on whom you

are dependent for your lives

and for all that ye
have and are-

are you getting this?

Hmm? Oh, yes.

- Oliver.
- Yes?

You need to write this
exactly as I dictate.

And now if god, who
has created you,

on whom you are dependent
for your lives

and for all that ye
have and are.

Doth Grant unto you
whatsoever ye ask that is right.

In faith, believing, ye
shall receive.

A lawsuit brought by your wife.

We've separated, Lucy and.

I fear there is no
reconciliation.

I'm sorry, Martin.

Who will testify?

Many.

She's poisoned them against you,
Joseph.

If you could show me the
plates, I will testify.

No, that I will not do.

But you promised.

Yes, in the lord's time,
not ours.

Then what am I to say?

The truth.

Tell them the truth.

The work of
translation was unlike

anything Oliver had ever done.

While pondering an
account in the record,

Joseph and Oliver sought
answers concerning baptism.

A heavenly visitor taught
them of power and authority.

Amen.

Now it is better than a man

should be judged of
god than of man.

For the judgments of god are-

Oliver, are you getting this?

Actually, no.

I'm sorry, Joseph.

He prophesied.

Oliver did?

We were filled with
the holy ghost.

Oliver has great gifts.

Hey, hey!

Two men on horseback.

They've run off.

Joseph, what are we going to do?

I don't know.

I think I might know
someone who can help us.

Joe Smith told me the
box was full of sand

and that he claimed it was
gold to deceive the people.

Order!

Where is this Mr. Smith?

He is prepared, should he
be subpoenaed, to testify.

Proceed.

What was this Mr.
Smith hoping to achieve?

Money, pure and simple.

Objection, your honor.
Speculation.

I don't need your help.
Thank you very much.

Please refrain from asking
your witnesses to speculate

on matters of which
they have no knowledge.

Remember, exactly as
we rehearsed.

The prosecution wishes to
call Mrs. Martin Harris.

- The letter was to you.
- Yes.

Oliver had written
me periodically

to tell me of his experiences.

He would also send me passages

from the book of mormon.

- It was unbelievable.
- I can imagine.

You may doubt me, Mr.
Kelly, but Oliver was learned.

He was truthful.

He said he was visited
by John the baptist.

And others.

He was given priesthood power,

the power to baptize.

They were in need of help.

They wrote asking if they
could come to fayette.

They needed a safe place
to finish the translation.

They wanted you to take them in?

With their golden Bible

and all the trouble
that came with it?

I'm not sure I would've done it,

but my father was a
practical man.

He said I could go if
I finished the plowing.

It was three days work,

but the next morning,
it was done.

Well, what do you mean?

Who did it?

That's the question
my father asked.

David.

David!

Did you do this?

No, father.

I don't understand.

What is at work here?

You didn't hire them?

Who?

There were three men here,
yesterday.

Is this a sign from your god?

Father, may I go?

There is something in this.

You must go.

Go.

Giddy-up. Yah!

Yah, go, go go!

Your complaint charges that Mr.

Smith

never had the gold plates.

Mrs. Harris doesn't hear well.

If my colleague could
please speak up.

I hear just fine.

When she wants to.

You're claiming Mr.
Smith has no gold plates.

That is correct.

Your hope is that the
court will require Mr. Smith

to produce the gold
plates or go to jail.

I had but one thought,

to prevent the
defrauding of others

as Mr.
Smith has defrauded my husband.

And yet, you yourself
gave money to Mr. Smith.

Yes, yes, I did.

$28, money given to you
by your mother.

I said you gave $28.

I heard you.

Did you give Mr.
Smith the $28 or not?

Yes, I did.

Were you defrauded?

He asked if you were defrauded.

I don't know what you mean.

Did he cheat you?

Did Joseph Smith cheat you?

Or did you give the
money willingly?

Answer the question.

Did you willingly give Mr.
Smith the $287?

Yes I did, but-

- all right.

- No more questions.
- That is quite enough.

I have other witnesses,
your honor.

I'm sure you do.

And they will all say
the same thing.

Is Mr. Harris here?

Well, let's hear from him,
shall we?

Push, push!

Mr. Harris, this Joe Smith.

Now he asked you for
money, for what purpose?

He never asked me for money.

But you, you gave him money?

Yes.

And he promised you what
in return, Mr. Harris?

He promised me nothing.

He asked for nothing.

He defrauded no one.

I did once, of my own
free will and accord,

put $50 into his hands,

in the presence of witnesses,

for the purpose of doing
the work of the lord.

And as to these plates
he professes to have,

if you continue to
resist the truth,

it will one day be the
means of damning your souls.

Order. Your honor, do something.

Order.

I will do something.

The only people who have
given Mr. Smith any money

are your client and her
husband, both willingly.

I see no evidence that anyone
was defrauded of anything.

This is folly.

Case dismissed.

Whoa.

Excuse me.

I'm looking for Oliver cowdery.

You must be David.

You have the advantage of me.

I'm Joseph.

You're Joseph Smith?

Come inside.

Emma has dinner waiting.

- David.
- Oliver.

I can't thank you enough.

Oh, hello, hello.

That was, that was Joseph.

The prophet.

Well, it seems as though
you knew I was coming.

I wrote a letter,

but I knew that I would
arrive before it did.

Oliver.

How did you know I was coming?

He sees things.

He's a seer.

You remember the stone?

Well, yes, you said that he
uses it for the translation.

Among other things.

You rode hard the first night.

And then you stayed at
the central hotel

in colesville last night,

which is owned by a man

by the name of Stephen bosworth.

You left early, very
early this morning.

We knew you'd be here
before dinner.

I rode through the first night

and stayed at the central hotel
in colesville last evening,

and left early this morning,

whether it is run by a man
named Stephen bosworth,

as you said, I don't know,

but I intend to find out.

He sees things?

It's been truly remarkable,
all of it.

Gentlemen, dinner awaits.

We'll leave first thing
in the morning.

1, he's so young.

I think it'll work just fine.

He's not exactly
what I expected.

And what did you expect?

I'm not sure.

Moses, I suppose.

He's just like you and me,
and then again,

he is the most remarkable
man I have ever met.

When the book is done,
Joseph has been commanded

to restore the true
church of Christ.

Restore?

Yes, and he thinks
that you've been called

to play a major role.

Well, it would seem that there
is work I need to get done.

- David.
- Yes?

Joseph, Oliver.

- Brothers.
- David.

Martin.

Our father in heaven,
as thy servants

we humbly kneel before
thee and petition thee

for these, my brethren,
that they might see

thy holy record.

That they might go forth

and testify of it's truth
in order that I,

that I might not carry this
truth alone any longer.

In Jesus' name, amen.

Oliver, will you pray?

Our dear lord,

we bow our heads in
deep humility

and ask thee to show us
thy holy record.

We kneel before you as
imperfect men

who have toiled and
sacrificed in thy name.

Please, god give us this,
thy blessing.

David.

- Dear god-
- it's my fault.

I'm not worthy of
this experience.

I do not have enough faith.

Martin, please.

No, it's fine.

I mean, it's not fine.

But you should carry
on without me.

David, continue.

Ha, ha.

Dear god,

Julia!

Julia!

I've seen them.

Seen what?

I've seen the plates.

David! David!

What happened?

It's finished.

You're finished?

Yes, the
translation is complete.

We must celebrate.

Come, we must celebrate.

Mother!

Mother, the book is done!

The book is remarkable.

It covers a thousand
years of history.

This doctrine is sublime.

A 500 page book translated
in less than three months.

Some say it was written
by someone else.

Because it's easier to believe

that it was written
by someone else

than it came from an
angel on plates of gold.

Yet, I saw both the angel
and the plates of gold.

Have you read the book
of mormon, Mr. Kelly?

I have dabbled in its pages.

Perhaps you should
withhold judgment

til you become better
acquainted with the book.

Point taken.

Joseph thought that once
the book was published,

his work was done, but it
was just the beginning.

His revelations came
much more quickly.

You would have us go to Ohio.

The lord wills it.

The timing is

Awkward.

The lord's timing is
seldom convenient.

What is it, David?

We had hoped to be married.

That's wonderful.

And have you asked her?

Not yet.

She'll be very happy.

You saw it in the stone?

I don't need a stone
to bless a happy union.

Bring her to Ohio, David.

I will,

I will.

We shall be married.

What?

Married.

The lord had
promised Joseph a new Zion.

Converts flock to the new faith.

Among them was Sidney
rigdon, a fiery preacher

who was reluctant to leave
his congregation behind.

Some of you have heard

that I have been drawn
to a new faith.

I am not here to abandon you,

rather to proclaim my
unmitigated faith

in the lord Jesus Christ,

who is the author of
our salvation

and the head of the
restored church.

Amen!

That I'm committed to sharing

with each and every one of you.

Will you hear me?

Yes.

I am humbled and grateful.

Will you love and trust
me just one hour longer?

Yes.

Will you hear the entire tale?

Yes.

Good.

Then open your bibles
to the gospel of John.

Chapter 10, verse 16.

As I share with you
from a new text.

Your work has been a
great blessing

to the church brother rigdon.

Many people found the
truth because of you.

The lord speaks to you,
brother rigdon.

Thank you, Joseph.

I have long been a
student of his words.

I don't think you understand.

The lord speaks to you.

The lord speaks to me?

Personally?

Yes.

Your work has been acknowledged.

You have been as John,

sent forth to prepare the way.

The baptist?

Yes, but now, now you
will baptize with authority.

It is my greatest wish.

You have been called to write,
Sidney.

As your scribe?

Yes.

And what about Oliver?

Without Oliver's work,

brother rigdon would
not be with us.

What do you say, Sidney?
Will you do it?

Yes.

I, I would be most honored.

Consider it done brother Joseph.

Good.

It is done then.

It was the
first hint of division.

Joseph was grateful for every
new convert sent by god,

but we chafed at Sidney's
new-found power.

We looked for our own
authority and found it

in what we thought was a
new revelation,

received by hiram page,
my sister's husband.

Newel Whitney broke the
news to Joseph.

Dinner's ready.

He's been there for some time.

That is not unusual.

Who knows about this?

I'm not sure.

But he called it a revelation?

Sixteen pages, given
to hiram page.

David's brother-in-law.

What does David think?

He's convinced it's true.

All of the whitmers
are convinced.

And Oliver.

Yes.

Why do they not just come to me?

Can you not just tell them
that the revelation is false?

It's not that easy.

It's pruning the branch
without killing the tree.

You said anyone could
receive revelation.

That is true.

You encouraged it.

That is also true.

This, however, is not true.

How do you know that?

Because these words
are at variance

with the order of god's house.

Does hiram page have
authority to speak

in the name of the lord?

You said even the least
Saint may know all things

as fast as he is able
to bear them.

Yes, but all things
must be done in order.

Only one can speak for the lord.

But he used a stone.

He used a seer stone?

You no longer use the stone,
Joseph.

God gave me the stone
as milk to a child.

When the child eats meat
the milk is put away.

He prophesied great
things through the stone.

He knows the location of
the city of Zion.

He has been deceived.

And you have been deceived.

You flirt with apostasy.

No one shall be appointed
to receive commandments

in revelation in this church

excepting my prophet,
Joseph Smith.

Thus sayeth the lord.

You had differences with Joseph?

Not in the beginning.

I loved him.

Joseph, Joseph only
listened to his own counsel.

And yet he asked you
to succeed him

as president of the church?

I was asked to preside
over the church in Missouri.

You helped build the
kirtland temple.

And when it was completed,

more angels?

Yes.

I saw angels.

As did many others.

Joseph was dragged from his
bed, tarred and feathered.

You remember?

I remember.

This is from an account
by Luke Johnson

from the millennial star.

"My father hearing the
outcry of the family,

went to the door.

Finding it held by someone
on the outside,

he called for his gun.

He pursued and was knocked down

and his collarbone was broken.

He was taken back to the
house and hands laid upon him

by David whitmer and
immediately healed.

You remember that?

There are others.

Shall I read them?

It's not necessary.

I remember.

And yet you left the church.

Why?

Joseph was gaining confidence

in his role as the
lord's prophet.

Converts came and went,
leaders Rose and fell.

But, but Joseph moved forward.

He tackled a new undertaking.

The restoration of the Bible.

It brought new questions.

As such-

I would have a word with you.

Yes, of course.

Alone.

I'm sure there's nothing
we have to talk about

that Sidney can't hear.

I'm pretty sure that there is.

Alone.

Sidney, would you please
give us a few minutes?

Of course, Joseph.

Of course.

What is troubling you?

This has gone too far.

I speak of Fanny alger,
your housemaker,

or is she your wife?

Oliver, I feel your outrage,
I do.

Please, sit down, and
we can talk this over.

We were sealed by the power of
god and under his authority.

So god did it.

As part of the
restoration of all things

in the same manner as
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Is this the same god who

will not allow me to
sell my property?

You should know
better than anyone

that we buy property to serve
the church, not ourselves.

It is the right of every citizen

in this country to
hold property.

We are the citizens of god.

Joseph, my brother,
Joseph, don't you see?

See what?

You are intoxicated by the power

of leading a believing people.

That power is a sacred trust.

One that you must not,
cannot betray,

or as god as my witness,
you will be smitten.

Joseph, my dear Joseph.

I have heard god's voice flow
through you like living water.

I have stood in the
presence of angels with you.

But I fear you have
been deceived.

And if you are smitten,
what will become of us?

I'm not deceived Oliver.

I will always maintain a
true principle,

even if I stand alone in it.

Kirtland was on edge.

Every day brought wagon
loads of people to the city.

Joseph was desperate to
care for them.

The brethren devised a
simple solution, a bank.

Oh, I'm so sorry,
brother whitmer.

It would appear that I'm fine.

Happy to help.

The saints
were asked to make deposits.

The money would then be used
to help the new arrivals.

Joseph's vision of god's
kingdom in kirtland

was astonishing, but sadly,
our faith was fragile.

Things are going well then?

Yes, we're quite busy.

Joseph talked to you.

He did. I'm here to buy stock.

That's wonderful. David-

- you have cash? I do.

And these people?

Loans, they are all
here for loans.

I need more bank notes.

- How many?
- How many have you got?

The people in kirtland
were happy to get the loans,

but when it came time to
pay them back,

they couldn't do it.

The bank notes were worthless.

All the investors
lost their money.

Joseph, Sidney, almost
everything they had

was tied up in the bank.

My losses have been devastating.

We've all lost money,
Oliver, you know that.

The only way to succeed
now is to stay the course.

The temporal and the
spiritual do not mix, Joseph.

I need to go my own way.

Hey, you best come with me.

Requiring silver for
the notes is impractical.

Land is a wise compromise.

Land is what we have.

Without it, the bank
never could have opened.

We were promised that the bank

was instituted by the
will of god.

We were promised that it
would not fail,

that it could not fail.

Who made you that promise?

Whoever made you that
promise had no authority to so.

I have been very clear
from the beginning

that unless this
institution is conducted

on principles of righteousness,
it will not stand.

We must remain united.

- You have no proof.
- It's gone.

What more proof do I need?

- That proves nothing.
- It proves everything.

I will not stand here
to be accused.

Brothers, brothers!

What is happening?

Warren and I were
just discussing

the loss of some banknotes.

I'm not sure I understand.

Brother parish, what is
he talking about?

Unfounded accusations.

He says I've been
stealing bank notes.

$20,000!

Perhaps you've been careless.

Careless?

Warren was the only one that-

Joseph, Joseph, I'm sorry.

Warren was the only one
who had access.

What's going on? What happened?

The bank's gone bust.
There's no money!

Three weeks after it opened,

there was a run on the bank.

Joseph's enemy
hoarded bank notes.

And when they demanded payment,

there wasn't enough to pay them.

The bank was closed.

As were many others.

It was a bad time financially
across the nation.

But he was a prophet.

Joseph's notion of society

could only succeed in a
perfect world.

We were far from perfect.

Many who once supported
Joseph now doubted him.

Others, including Martin Harris
refused to support the bank.

Joseph remained undaunted.

Hello, Joseph.

Martin, I need your help.

You need my money, you mean.

That's all you've ever
needed from me.

For which the lord
has blessed you.

Yes.

He has blessed me.

Martin, you've been a
good and faithful brother,

but, yes, the lord needs
your help one more time.

These are hard times
in kirtland.

The bank.

The bank.

I warned you it was not wise.

You cannot just
print paper money

that is not backed up by
real assets, gold, silver.

And had those with the
ability to do so joined in,

we would not be having
this discussion.

I was your first and
faithful friend, Joseph.

And Oliver, David, Sydney,

they have taken my place.

They have been given
high and holy callings.

And I have been stuck
with the churches bills.

$5,062.

- And $0.83.
- And $0.83.

The deed for 230 acres
of kirtland township.

Will you be turning the deed
over to Joseph, Mr. Harris?

No, Mr. Holbrook, this
investment is for me.

I fear I have lost them.

Who?

David, Martin, Oliver.

The list is long.

I have done everything god asks.

And yet I face opposition
at every turn.

Maybe god wants you to
learn something.

Seems I'm only capable of
learning from my mistakes.

Moses didn't make mistakes.

But you do learn, eventually.

Yeah, eventually.

Emma, I will do as god asks.

There are many who claim that
you are no longer a prophet.

I know.

And what does a
prophet's wife think?

That you are too
generous to run a bank.

That is certainly true.

But I believe you speak for god.

It must be by a large
majority and-

- we've waited long enough.

The time is now.

The time for what?

You speak apostasy.

The bank is ruined.

We've all lost money.

How could a true prophet
fail to perceive this?

You are the one that
stole money from the bank.

Our duty is to depose
the fallen prophet

and correct the course for god,

it is not up for us to decide.

I propose that David
whitmer be placed

as president of the church.

Why should it be David?

Who would you have it be?

It'll be Joseph and Joseph only.

What say you David,
will you lead the church?

We have to act now.

Now is the moment.

Father Smith will be preaching.

And what about Joseph?

Joseph's in Toronto.

Wait outside, Luke.

Watch for the constable.

When I get through, send them.

Today, we take the temple.

While most
continued to support Joseph,

opposing voices grew
ever louder.

One of the boldest groups
was led by Warren parish.

These people would
stop at nothing.

We didn't join them, but we
listened, as did many others.

And set my standard
to the people and they.

Share the floor.

We'll be asking you to
leave in a peaceable manner

as we have business
to attend to.

As do we.

We asked you to leave.

There's no need for violence,
good sir.

The temple belongs to us.

The temple belongs to the lord.

Brother cowdery, bring
them to order.

This man is a justice
of the peace.

He'll have you arrested.

What we discuss today
is a most serious matter.

That of dissension.

As brother Joseph noted,

a house divided against
itself cannot stand,

but must fall.

Here, here.

You and I must decide
what we shall do.

If the leading brethren
of our church

can not remain united,
how will we stand?

Yes.

Brother cowdery.

This is to inform you that the

high council convened
Sunday night last

to consider your worthiness
to remain a member

of the church in
full fellowship.

Oliver, what's wrong?

The charges against
brother cowdery

- are as follows.
- Oliver, what is it?

For aspiring to a church
leadership role

other than that to which
he was appointed.

Unchristian-like
conduct in neglecting

to attend church meetings.

For declaring that he
would not be governed

by ecclesiastical authority
in his temporal affairs.

For refusing to leave
kirtland, Ohio,

and join with the
saints in Missouri.

For proclaiming himself
president of the church of

Christ

in an insulting letter
to the high council.

You are here by ex-communicated.

And released from your position,

the first presidency thereof.

Yeah.

Ye are the salt of the earth.

Here, here.

But if the salt have
lost his savor,

wherewith shall it be salted.

Yes.

It is thenceforth
good for nothing

but to be cast out and
trod under foot of men.

Here, here.

Have you lost your savor,

then you are good for nothing

but to be cast out and
trod at the foot of men.

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

Cast them out!

You shall have three days

after you receive this
communication to you,

to depart with your
families peaceably.

If you do not depart,

we will use the means in our
power to cause you to depart.

So help us god.

David.

So who wrote the letter?

I don't know, but 83
men signed it.

Joseph did not, nor did Sidney.

He's either hiding or he's gone.

Said you were leaving.

I didn't believe it.

Can't truly believe that
they'll hurt you.

You read the letter.

I read it.

Those were Dr. Hayford's words.

Maybe.

Let's go, girl.

They cast you out?

Under the threat of violence.

Who?

Does it matter?

With nothing to cling to,

we were scattered on the wind.

We each went our separate ways.

The one thing that
remained firm, however

was our testimony of the
book of mormon.

Martin needed
something to follow.

He joined a church
formed by Warren parish,

but it didn't last.

Our brother, Martin Harris.

Now, then, to other
orders of business.

As to our tenets of belief,

I feel it necessary to
separate ourselves

from the previous church.

And as such hold that the
book of mormon,

that so-called revelation,

coming from the mouth of
the vile, fallen prophet

Joseph Smith should
be renounced.

This church will rise to
prominence on-

brother Harris, you have
something to say?

Hear me well.

The book of mormon is no fake.

I know what I know.

I have seen what I have seen and

I have heard what I have heard.

I have seen the gold plates

from which the book of
mormon is written.

I have seen an angel bear
record of truth

and I have heard the
voice of god.

Never doubt it.

You do so at your own peril.

So, that's when
you came here, to Missouri.

Yes, Richmond became my home.

Did Joseph
ever reached out to you?

Did he invite you back?

Joseph was forgiving.

He made it clear we could
always return.

I didn't bring you out here

to clear brush heber.

I know, Joseph.

I figured we would talk
when you were ready.

This has been on my
mind for some time.

I'd like you to write a
letter to Oliver.

Oliver cowdery?

There's only one Oliver.

And do you think he'll listen?

I think Oliver has
been gone long enough.

It's time he returns.

Let's clear some brush.

Dearest Oliver, we thought,
perhaps,

our longest esteemed
friend might feel

he had wandered long enough

and that he might have
a disposition to return.

We are ready to receive you.

We are not your enemies,
but your brethren.

Your dwelling place ought
to be in Zion.

Joseph Smith junior,
having been commissioned as

Jesus Christ, I baptize you
in the name of the father,

and of the son, and of
the holy ghost.

Joseph!

Elizabeth!

He's gone.

They shot him.

Who, sweetheart, who?

Joseph.

He's dead.

Joseph!

It's okay.

Sorry.

It's okay.

Was it the same?

It just won't let go of me.

No matter where I am, I
can't outrun this thing.

Maybe it's time you
make peace with it.

Maybe it is.

I turn to the scriptures
in the old testament.

To Samuel, that great
and faithful prophet.

In the second book of Samuel,
chapter 19 verse seven,

it states "now therefore arise,

go forth and speak comfortably
unto thy servants."

Are we willing to
speak comfortably?

Are we willing to be bold?

To arise and go forth
in the name of the lord?

Welcome, Oliver.

Be a part of the great gathering

in the last days.

You think they'll let me stay?

Be faithful.

It's been so long.

Be the window-

- come with me.

We have been called,

as the children of Israel

out of the world to invite
all to come to Christ.

For I swear by the lord.

If thou go not forth-

We welcome you, Oliver cowdery.

It has been far too long.

Please come with me.

It is not often that we are
graced with the presence

of one of the founding
members of our church.

Oliver cowdery, the church's
second elder, will address us.

I never thought I'd have
the opportunity

to address the body of
the saints again.

I will not waste it.

I'm not currently affiliated
with this honored company.

Something I hope to
quickly rectify.

I'm not here to seek
power, nor to interfere

with the business or
callings of those men

who've born the burden
since the death of Joseph.

My request is to be a mere
member of Christ's church.

I throw myself at your feet.

And I ask to be one of
your number, I,

I, I wish only to be
aligned again

with brother Joseph
and with god.

Oliver cowdery.

I baptize you, in
the name of the father.

Is it possible that
Joseph deceived you

when he showed you the plates?

Joseph did not show
me the plates.

An angel did.

Is it possible that
Joseph mesmerized you

or created some kind of
hallucination?

I was not under any
hallucination.

Nor was I deceived.

I am no fool.

I saw with these eyes and
I heard with these ears.

I know whereof I speak.

There were
others who questioned.

There were others who doubted.

And some even threatened.

No, take your hands off us.

No, don't touch her!

Julia! Julia!

Silence!

Welcome, friends.

Which one of you is
David whitmer?

I am David whitmer.

Do you know why you're here?

You know Joe Smith?

I do.

And you were with him
when he saw the gold plates?

I was.

And you expect us to
believe that.

What you believe
doesn't change the truth.

Oh, we're tired of you mormons.

And we just want you to leave,

one way or another.

All you gotta do is admit that
you and Joe Smith made it up.

And no angel showed you
no gold plates.

And I'll let you and
your friends go.

But if you don't-

David!

David!

It's the pretty one.

Take her.

No, no, please Don'.

So what's it gonna be?

Let her go.

Okay.

What do you want from us?

I thought I made
myself pretty clear.

We want you gone.

No, no, no!

Now, tell us the
truth of your lie

and all will be forgiven.

I am afraid I might
disappoint you.

What do you mean?

The truth is,

it is not a lie.

God almighty knows that I
have seen the gold plates.

And I fear him a lot more
than I fear you.

I know what I've seen.

I know what I am promised.

I will not deny

what I have learned about my
lord and savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ.

He is my savior.

Just shoot him.

Get him, boss.

Let him go.

What, boss?

Let him go.

What, why?

I just have one
last question, Mr. Whitmer.

When we began this interview,
you said

that Martin Harris
saw the plates?

In the testimony of
three witnesses

will I send forth of my word.

Those were the words
of the lord.

On that same afternoon
Oliver and I saw the angel,

Joseph went in search of Martin.

Dear god, thou knowest
my weaknesses,

but even more, thou
knowest my heart.

Grant me strength.

Grant me wisdom.

Grant me thy grace.

And I will endeavor to do all

in my power to further thy work.

This I pray, in thy holy name.

The lord loves you, Martin.

And I love you.

Tis enough.

Tis enough.

Mine eyes have beheld.

Mine eyes have beheld.

It's a remarkable story.

Do you believe me, Mr. Kelly?

What I believe Mr. Whitmer,

is that you are a man
of integrity.

As for John Murphy,
Caldwell county.

I'm less inclined to say
the same for him.

I'm a reporter, Mr. Whitmer.

I ask questions.

Sometimes, I can't help myself.

The box?

Just an old letter.

And a manuscript.

Is it?

The book of mormon,

the printer's manuscript.

Given to me by Oliver cowdery,
shortly before his death.

You realize this doesn't
prove anything?

The book of mormon was not
meant to be proven, Mr. Kelly.

It has to be read.

Then ask he who governs all.

Mr. Whitmer.

I'll send you a copy of my
article when it is printed.

I look forward to it.