The Work and the Glory III comes to Idaho
For all the Work and the Glory fans out there who can’t believe The Work and the Glory: A House Divided is the final installment of the series, (by golly, why don’t they just turn all those books into movies?) viewers will not be disappointed at where the screenplay leaves the Steed family.
A House Divided begins with a fast-paced flashback of everything that has happened to the Steeds through a nightmare of Benjamin Steed. (If you haven’t seen the first two movies, don’t be afraid to go; you’ll get the gist of what’s been going on).
When the movie begins, the Kirtland Temple has just been completed by the Saints, and although this is a happy time, the Church has fallen into substantial debt. The movie revolves around the Church’s struggles with money, pride and ever-present violence.
Meanwhile, Joshua Steed, the prodigal son, has married a beautiful new wife and is living comfortably in Missouri with his family and thriving freight business. But the past can’t be forgotten; soon Joshua has to decide whether his hatred of the Mormons is worth losing everything he ever loved.
Jonathan Scarfe pulls off another wonderful and believable performance as Joseph Smith; his portrayal of the prophet’s hurt and frustration during a dark time in the Church’s history is eerily real.
Alexander Carroll, the actor who portrays Nathan Steed, improved immensely in this last The Work and the Glory installment. He was not nearly as stiff as he seemed in the first two movies, and I actually wanted to see more of him in A House Divided.
Make-up for this movie was incredible. In one scene, Benjamin Steed is recovering from a brutal beating, and the sickly Joseph Smith stops by to visit. Between Benjamin’s swollen and bruised face and Joseph’s green and clammy complexion, viewers can’t help but wince.
Caroline Mendenhall Steed, Joshua’s new wife portrayed by Meredith Salenger, was a definite girl-power character (her stubbornness floored more than a few big-headed men).
The Work and the Glory: A House Divided is rated PG for some violence. It gets released in Idaho on Feb. 2. 
