Jane and Emma (2018) Movie Script
- Jane?
- Emma?
- Jane, are you coming?
- Emma!
Wait for me, please.
- Jane!
- Coming. Wait for me.
- Hurry!
- Emma!
I'm here!
Wait for me,
please!
[grunts]
[gasps]
[gasps]
- Janie.
Jane.
- Go back to sleep.
- You have a dream?
You did, didn't you?
- Hard to sleep with you
doing all that talking.
- If you can't sleep,
it's 'cause you're dreaming.
What'd you see?
- I think I got to go back.
- We got a good job
here, Janie.
Don't want to lose it.
- Yeah.
You right.
All right, Sergeant.
Let's go home.
Come on.
[plaintive piano music]
- Jesus, take me
to the light
To the light, oh-oh-whoa
Jesus, lead me
through the night
Through the night
Yes, Lord
Jesus, take me
to the light
To the light
To the light
To the light
To the light
I said, Jesus,
take me to my home
To my home,
yes, Lord
Jesus, heal
my achin' bones
Achin' bones,
oh-oh-whoa-oh
Jesus,
take me to my home
To my home
To my home,
to my home
- Yeah, whoa, whoa.
- To my home
- Brother Joseph was right.
You solid as God's word.
[plaintive piano music
continues, fades]
- Fine horse.
Whose is he?
- He mine.
- Well, I reckon he belongs
to whoever you belong to.
- Only master I answer to
is God Himself.
- [chuckles]
Well, I hope God gave you
your free papers then,
'cause I'm gonna need
to see them.
- I was born free.
- That so?
How about that horse?
You got papers on him?
- No.
He was a gift.
- [laughs]
- Hey.
No!
[both grunt]
- Hey, look.
I found your papers.
Yeah.
See?
There you are.
Or that one could be you.
- No, sir.
That ain't me.
- All you runaways
look the same,
and you got no papers.
[laughs]
All you got's
that horse,
and folks is liable to think
you stole him.
You know what they do
to thieving niggers?
But I'm feeling charitable.
Come on.
You're welcome.
[clicks tongue]
- You mean I gotta walk?
- How else we gonna get there?
- You got any idea
how long that gon' take?
- Wait, who said anything
about walking?
- Your sister
wanna walk there.
- Angie.
- Walk to Illinois?
You crazy?
- We need a home, a better one,
and we gonna find it there.
- You is crazy.
- Janie, they didn't let us
back on the boat.
- I know.
- All our bags!
- All your clothes.
- It's a blessing in disguise.
We ain't gotta carry 'em.
- If we turn back now,
we could probably get
to Wilton in a day or two.
- Turn back?
We ain't even close.
It'd be more'n a week.
- Oh, come on, Janie!
- Nauvoo is our home now.
Gonna be better
than Wilton ever was.
Got to be.
- Mama, I'm cold.
Can we go inside?
- You see us someplace
to go inside?
- I thank the Lord every day
my children born free.
I known three masters
'fore I was.
Being free what got us
thrown off,
'cause there sure was some
colored folks still on board
that--that steamer to Nauvoo.
Only difference
between us and them
is that they belong
to somebody.
I know God's hand's on us
'cause we all together.
Going forward, going back,
we going together!
- Let's go.
Walking'll keep us warm.
Let's sing a hymn.
- Oh, Lord, no.
- Guide us,
O Thou great Jehovah
both: Oh-whoa-oh
Saints upon
the promised land
Saints upon
all: The promised land
- Oh, yeah
Hold on
Hold on to your family
Lay low
Lay low in the valley
We roll
Tonight
when the Sun leaves
Stay strong
Stay strong at the rally
I know
My Jesus will save me
Follow
My Lord
till I can't breathe
I go
Wherever He takes me
He won't
Won't ever forsake me
Hold on
Hold on to your family
Lay low
Lay low in the valley
We roll
Tonight
when the Sun leaves
Stay strong
Stay strong at the rally
[rope creaks, metallic squeal]
[eerie echoes]
[forlorn music]
[knocks]
[knob rattles]
[knocks]
- Hello?
[wind whispers]
[gasps]
[gasps]
[wailing]
[both scream]
Emma!
- Jane!
Thank goodness.
- Thank the Lord.
- I could've--
- I was afraid something
happened to you.
- I wasn't expecting--
How did you know to come?
- I didn't.
I'm so sorry.
[sobs]
[sobbing]
Where everybody else?
Mother Smith?
- She took the children
back to her house for company.
Poor thing was beside herself.
- What about you?
- Me?
I haven't been able to sleep.
The news came at midnight,
and I haven't been able
to close my eyes since.
It's been all fits
and starts and bad dreams.
- Where are the neighbors,
the relief society sisters?
Somebody should be here
with you.
- They came.
There were too many,
too close.
I couldn't breathe.
They want a viewing tomorrow,
but I'm not going to do it.
- No viewing?
- No.
- But everybody's
gonna want to see you
to pay their respects.
- Not to me.
- If it wasn't for you, then--
- If it wasn't for me,
he would still be alive.
They want to come.
I know.
I'm sorry for it,
but I can't let them in.
I simply can't.
Why did you come back?
- I--
I'm still
figuring that out.
- You sure this it?
- Look like a hotel to me.
[knocks]
- Good afternoon.
Both: Good afternoon.
- You all look like you've come
quite the distance.
- Oh, yessum,
from Connecticut.
- Gracious me.
- We come to see
the prophet Joseph.
Do you know where
we might find him, please?
- Joseph is my husband.
Please, come in.
Come in.
I'll fetch him.
Joseph, we have guests!
[women whispering indistinctly]
Who is this?
- She all right.
She nice, see?
Say hello.
- Hello, little man.
- Hello.
- What's your name?
- Sylvester.
- Sylvester?
That's a fine name.
I'm Sister Emma.
I'm very pleased to meet you.
I may have a few fellows
around here your size.
- Come on.
- Fred?
Fred,
this is Sylvester.
Why don't you take him into
the kitchen for a bit of cake?
- Mm.
- Come on, then.
- Emma?
- What?
- That him.
- Who?
- The prophet.
- Why can't you ever come down
with your coat already on
like a respectable fellow?
- I'd hate to raise your
expectations beyond reason.
- Joseph, we're not alone.
- When are we ever?
- We have company.
- Forgive my distraction,
friends.
Good afternoon to you.
All: Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon, sir.
- They've come all the way
from Connecticut.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
- Tell us all about it.
Please.
Sisters, make some room.
We have visitors
who've come quite a long way,
and I think their story
will intrigue you.
- Thank you.
- You're the head of this
little band, aren't you?
- Yes, sir.
And you is the prophet
Joseph Smith.
I knew it when I saw you.
- Did you?
- I saw you in a dream,
clear as I see you now.
The Lord done sent that dream
so I'd know you His prophet.
- You're a visionary then.
Sister--
- Jane, sir.
Jane Manning.
- Sister Jane.
Well, tell us
about your travels here.
- Our family,
we joined the church
in Wilton, Connecticut.
- Jane was first.
She wouldn't hush up about it.
[laughter]
- That's true.
Anyways, when we got baptized,
we wanted to gather to Zion
with all the other Saints,
but when we tried to get
on the boat in Buffalo,
they wouldn't let us,
on account of our being black.
So we walked.
- You walked?
That must be, what,
700 or 800 miles?
- Yessum.
We walked until
our shoes wore out
and our feet cracked open
and bled.
We left blood on the ground
with every step.
And we prayed, asking the Lord
to heal our feet
so we could join you here,
and He did.
- My goodness.
[chuckles]
Isn't that faith?
- We couldn't stay away.
When we heard the Saints
had built a city all their own,
we had to come.
We're hoping to
make a home among you.
- We are so glad
to have you here.
- Most assuredly.
God bless you, Sister Jane.
You're amongst friends now.
You'll be protected.
- You shouldn't have.
- No trouble.
Expecting company?
- A rumor's been
floating through town.
There's a price on Joseph,
$1,000 for his head.
Strangers have dragged Joseph
from my house before.
It won't happen again.
- Where did you--
You know how to use it?
- I do.
- You planning to use it?
- If it comes to that.
At the very least,
I'll watch over him.
- All night?
- If I must.
- Then I'll watch with you.
- You don't have to do that.
- You shouldn't be alone,
not tonight.
- What about Sylvester?
- He's with Mama.
I'll see him tomorrow.
I'm staying.
As for that thing,
that's your beast to tame.
I ain't touching it.
- It's fine,
though my shoulder tends
to ache some after firing.
- You've shot it?
At what?
Or who?
- Just bottles on the fence
for practice.
- Don't nobody want to end up
on your bad side.
Course, probably ain't
any safer on your good side.
I'll go start us some dinner.
- Mm
A poor wayfaring
man of grief
Hath often crossed me
on my way
Who sued so humbly
for relief
That I could never
answer nay
I had not pow'r
To ask his name
Whereto he went
Or whence he came
[knock at door]
- I'll send them away.
Afternoon.
- Good afternoon.
Might I speak
with Sister Smith?
- It's all right.
Thank you.
Please, come in.
- Sister Emma, I--
I don't want
to be a bother to you,
but with so many
of the brethren gone,
I--I felt it my duty
to stop by.
I was hoping there was
some small way
in which
I might be useful to you.
- I can't think of anything
at the moment.
Thank you.
- Are you certain?
- William?
- I've come to ask--
we'd like to take Brother Jos--
We'd like to take the body
to the store
and look after it there.
He belongs beside Hyrum.
- You're most kind,
but I'll manage.
We'll manage.
- The men will keep watch,
and since it's likely
to storm tonight--
- No, I'm sorry.
No one will take him tonight.
- Brother Joseph
is a man of the people.
You are not alone
in your grief.
- I know I'm not,
but he is my husband.
The people
will have him forever.
Let me have him tonight.
- And if a mob comes for him?
Do you think you can
hold them off?
- You'd be surprised, I think,
at the things
God gives me strength to do.
- You called him back.
You wrote the letter
that called him back,
and now he's dead.
- Yes, I begged him
to come back.
So many times
I watched him leave
not knowing how or when
he would return.
I was afraid he--
He came back
because I asked him to,
and he's never
leaving again.
- Got some wood needs chopping.
- Happy to help.
- [weeping]
- Well, now, hello.
- Oh.
- Jane, what's wrong?
- Nothing.
- Your tears
tell me otherwise.
- It's foolish.
- What happened?
- [sniffles]
My clothes, they gone,
all of them,
two whole trunks full.
I had to leave them
on the boat in Buffalo,
but then
Brother Charles Wesley Wendell
said he'd bring them here,
but now he says
he can't find them.
- I'll talk to Brother Wendell.
We can replace
your clothes, Jane.
- How?
Top of that,
my brothers and sisters,
they all done found work,
got themselves homes.
I ain't got no home.
- Emma?
- [sniffles]
Emma?
- Dearest, your ones
and your sevens
are dangerously similar
in appearance.
Jane.
What's wrong?
Is it Sylvester?
Is your son all right?
- Yessum, thank you.
- Jane's trunks were taken
on the journey here.
She had all her
clothes in them.
- Oh, no, I had no idea.
- She says she has no home.
- But you have a home
here at the hotel with us.
If you want it, that is.
Don't you like your room?
- I do. Thank you.
- Good. I'm glad.
It's yours.
But there's something else.
- I need a job.
I've always earned my own keep.
- Well, we know
you get a thing done
when you set your mind to it.
Heaven knows I could use
some sensible help around here.
What kind of work do you do?
- Washing, ironing,
I can help with the cooking.
Whatever needs doing,
I'll do it.
- Wonderful.
Then when you feel rested,
you can start with the wash.
- I ain't tired.
- Then by all means,
start as soon as you like.
As for the clothes,
there's some new calico
just arrived in the store.
We'll get some straight away
and then go see Sister Wilkes.
She's a fine seamstress.
- Oh, I can do it myself.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
- That is most impressive.
- Truth is, I don't
trust no one to do it right.
Mama says I'm vain.
- [chuckles]
I'm glad to have someone
in this house
with a sense of taste.
Mind your sevens, dearest.
Jane and I
are off to the store.
Don't wait for us.
- Now?
- Why not?
You'll have first pick
of the new goods.
Where's my shawl?
[soulful choral music]
- Isaac James.
- Well, well, well,
ain't you
a sight for sore eyes?
- Don't you sweet-talk me.
What you doing here with them?
- Brother Clayton said he
needed some help carrying.
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, he does,
carrying the prophet's body
out of his wife's house.
- [sighs]
Now, I didn't mean
nothing by it.
- I know.
- When'd you get back in town?
- Just today.
- Well, I wish you hadn't.
- Come again?
- It was a mob
that killed Brother Joseph.
It's dangerous around here.
- Sylvester.
- He's all right.
He's all right.
I was just at your family's
place with Sarah and them,
and your mama's there too.
She likes it when I come by.
- You're a good man,
Brother James.
- [scoffs]
Brother James?
You know I ain't coming
for your tithing, girl.
Can I see you sometime
when you ain't got
a axe handy?
Maybe later tonight, maybe?
- Come around 9:00.
Mm.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Isaac?
Tell Mama I'm here
and I'll see her tomorrow.
You think Brother Clayton'll
come back?
- I can't say.
- Maybe you should think
about his offer.
Might be better to let the men
take Brother Joseph
to the store.
- No.
- It's only two of us
over here,
no guests, no help.
What if a mob come?
- Was that Isaac James
with him?
- Mm-hmm.
- He's a nice fellow.
- He'd like you to think so.
[necklace snaps]
- Oh, no.
- Maybe we can read
a little later.
- That would be nice.
- All right, then.
I'll be in my old room.
- [sighs]
Joseph, Joseph, Joseph.
[knock at door]
- Good afternoon,
Sister Smith.
- Hello, Sister Littlewood.
- I hope this isn't
too much of a bother.
I was hoping
to ask a small favor.
I hear your girl is quite adept
with the laundry.
- It's true
Jane irons beautifully.
She can get stains out
no one else has managed.
- Yes, wonderful.
I was wondering
if I could borrow her
just for a day or two.
- Jane is not mine to lend you.
She is highly capable,
and you're welcome
to hire her for the day.
- You pay her?
- Yes, once a month
plus room and board.
- Oh.
I see.
- Thank you for calling.
- Good day.
[loud clatter]
- You all right?
I heard the crash.
- Oh, its,
I misstepped and dropped
the water bucket, that's all.
- It's all right.
Emma,
why ain't any of Joseph's
other wives here with you?
- I sent them home,
as I prefer this house
to be run
with far less giggling.
Flour, please.
[grunts]
You're thinking.
I can hear it
loud as the parlor clock.
- Not my business.
- It's bothering you
just the same.
- Don't you feel responsible?
- Why?
They're women grown.
- They look up to you.
- Wouldn't be the first time
their trust was misplaced.
How is a woman like me
supposed to find any joy
in a house full of
pretty young things
like the Partridges?
No.
Joseph is gone,
and so are they.
- Here.
- [grunts]
Thank you.
- It late.
You have to do that now?
- I have to keep moving.
Helps me stay awake.
- I'll watch over him.
You need to sleep some.
- It's fine.
I'm fine.
[hand thuds, Emma gasps]
- Oh, here.
Let me see.
You need to rest.
- I need to work.
- I got it. You just sit.
You ain't gotta wash this.
Ain't no use for it.
- I know.
- Oh.
- Let me have a look at it.
Come upstairs.
I think I left
the sewing box there.
You'd probably like
to do it yourself,
but I'm no slouch
with a needle.
- I know you ain't.
- Jane, what's this?
May I?
- Mm-hmm.
You can't hurt it.
- [gasps]
How did this happen?
- This morning,
riding back from Iowa.
I stopped for water,
and a man was there,
asked for my free papers.
- How dare he?
You've never been a slave.
- He took Sergeant.
I'm sorry.
I know Brother Joseph
loved that horse.
- No, the horse
is of no consequence.
It's you I'm worried about.
Has anyone been told?
- No.
- I know.
We'll write up
a charge
and have it printed
in the paper.
- It don't matter, Emma.
- He threatened you.
- Emma.
- He took something
that was dear to you.
- Emma,
a horse ain't the worst
that ever got took from me.
He was a white minister.
First time he asked,
I said,
"I ain't got nothing to give."
He took it anyway.
Rest of the times
he ain't asked no more.
One day his wife said,
"Jane, you look sick.
Go home to your mama,
and don't come back
till you're better."
Oh, I gave birth to Sylvester.
I had to leave him with Mama
so's I could go back to work.
[knock at door]
Afternoon.
Can I help you?
- Is Brother Joseph at home?
He and I have a bit of business
to discuss.
- He's at the temple block.
Are you Brother Petty?
- Yes.
- He told me to expect you.
Won't you come in?
He'll be here
any minute now.
Can I get you anything?
- That temple is a marvel.
To live within
walking distance
of a true house of God,
imagine.
- Mm.
It'll be a sight to see.
I ain't been so excited
since I was baptized.
- You've been baptized?
- Yes.
- Well, that can't be so.
- I remember clear as anything.
It was very wet and very cold.
- But you're a child of Cain,
cast out since
the beginning of time.
- I'm a child of God,
just like you.
I heard his voice,
and I felt his spirit.
No man can keep me
from where God calls me in.
- I'm sure Brother Joseph
would say that it's--
- What would I say,
Nathaniel?
I'm curious to know.
- Well, I--
- The negro has been
enslaved, beaten, and murdered
for no reason
but the color of his skin.
You assume that by looking
at our Sister Jane
that we are somehow superior.
In what way, I do not know.
If you were to exchange places
with a black man,
I mean completely--
your upbringing,
your employment,
even the clothes
off your back--
he'd be like you
and you like him.
No one would see any difference
between the two of you.
Negroes have souls
and are subjects of salvation.
They are not just
children of Abraham.
They are children of God.
To curse the negro
is to tempt damnation.
You have something for me,
don't you?
Good day to you, brother.
- Good day then.
- That shouldn't have happened.
I'm sorry.
- Every road seems to end
before I can get
where I need to go.
- [sighs]
When that temple is built,
Emma and I
will take you in ourselves.
You'll have every blessing
numbered to you from God.
You'll be with Him forever.
[faint clattering]
- Did you hear that?
- Oh, likely the wind.
Big storm coming,
air heavy with it.
- Are you sure? I thought--
- Someone there?
- I could have sworn.
[footsteps]
- [sighs]
- Brother Law did this?
- Together with the Fosters
and the Higbys.
But Law is the one
they've chosen
to be church president.
- In my place.
- He says he's not a prophet,
only the president.
He's calling for a separation
of church and state.
- No!
[sighs]
Sister Jane.
Was there
something you needed?
- I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
- I'd gladly rip out a tree
stump right now if I could.
- What happened?
- Our enemies have branched out
from speaking vile things
about us to printing them.
1,000 copies of slander
litter our streets.
The city council will meet
about it tomorrow,
but we need
to do something sooner.
This--this is a nuisance.
- But you can't stop
it's being printed.
That's illegal.
- I can and I will,
if it means
protecting our people.
I'll destroy the press
if I have to.
Get the marshal.
Sister Jane,
where are you going?
- I didn't mean
to tell you like this.
You've got bigger things
to worry over.
My sister and me are going
to Iowa to look for work.
- Ah.
- I think it's time.
- May I offer you a blessing
before you go?
Sister Jane
Elizabeth Manning...
the Lord
has heard thy petitions.
He has witnessed thy trials.
Thy life has been preserved
for a wise purpose.
Put thy trust in Him
who died for thy sake,
and He shall make thee
equal unto every task.
Thy days shall be prolonged
until thou art satisfied.
All shall be well with thee
both here and hereafter.
In Jesus' name...
Amen.
- Amen.
Thank you for everything.
You've always been
so kind to me.
- Why don't you take
old Sergeant?
- Oh, I--I couldn't.
- I insist.
He'll get you there before dark
safe and sound.
Sister Jane?
How I look forward
to seeing you again soon.
- Brother Joseph,
you be careful.
- It's my duty to protect
the Saints no matter the cost.
- They were gonna get him
one way or another.
I have an idea.
[sighs]
It's beautiful.
- [inhales deeply]
- Guide us,
O Thou great Jehovah
- Saints upon
the promised land
Saints upon
the promised land
- We are weak,
but Thou art able
- Hold us
with Thy pow'rful hand
Hold us
with Thy pow'rful hand
- The Holy Spirit
Feed us till
the Savior comes
The Savior comes
- Yes, Lord!
- The Holy Spirit
Feed us till
the Savior comes
all: The Savior comes
- Why don't you go see Isaac?
- Already seen him.
- I know, but--
- I'll see him again
soon enough.
- So you've been
thinking about him?
- Yes...
and no.
- He did propose, didn't he?
- Last month,
before I went away.
- I knew he would.
But you don't look
the least bit excited.
I thought--
You refused him.
- The moment I was baptized,
I knew the Lord wanted me
to be with His people.
I just knew it,
like I know my mama's voice,
and it brought me here.
But Isaac, he always
talking about going out West.
- West? What for?
- He says
a man gon' be treated
like a man out West;
that being colored
don't matter.
- That may be the case for him,
but you're still a woman.
- I been working all my life,
earning a place
for me and my son.
But I look at Isaac,
and I wonder do--
Do he want
the same things as me?
- I thought marrying Joseph
would be like marrying
any other churchman;
we'd be respected and admired;
people would ask him
to bless babies
and perform weddings.
What a life I should have led
as a pastor's wife.
But it was never that simple
or that sweet.
God touched him,
and our lives turned to chaos.
- But you stayed with him.
- My life would have been
incomplete without him.
- Sisters,
two years ago
Apostle John Taylor
suggested that we should
model our relief society
after several impressive
ladies' groups back east,
but we do not meet to talk
about being kind over tea.
We strive to be kind,
kind to strangers
and to each other.
I have many faults which
the Lord must take to the forge
and hammer out of me,
but He knows my heart.
He hears me pray daily
to live and work in tandem
with my husband.
It has not been an easy road.
But when God places us
in a predicament,
it is God who will
lead us out of it.
It takes faith to know that,
and I don't always have enough.
- How's Sister Emma?
- [sighs]
She need to sleep
a good long while.
For the world to be different
when she wake.
- Hmm.
Yeah.
It's different already.
- Yeah.
- How long you staying?
- Don't know.
After the funeral, maybe.
Angeline is waiting for me
in Burlington.
- Mm.
Is the work good?
- Yeah, it good.
But I miss--
I miss church.
- [chuckles]
Well, if I could have
talked you into
staying in the first place--
- We need the work.
- Now, we all do.
I'm just saying...
Maybe
someday you and me
can share the load.
- Maybe.
- Well, what--
what's stopping it?
If ever there was two people
belonged together,
Jane Elizabeth,
it's you and me.
- Isaac,
I know you got
good intentions,
real good heart,
but I got to think
of my family, my son.
My son ain't got no father,
but he's--
- He's a part of you.
That's good enough for me.
- I ain't ashamed of him,
not at all.
He's smart,
and he's so thoughtful,
such a sweet little man.
- I can be a father
to Sylvester
if you'll let me.
- You gon' keep waiting,
ain't you?
- Till you say yes.
- Brother Hewlett there
is looking to teach us
this afternoon,
brothers and sisters.
When you climb a ladder,
you must begin at the bottom
and ascend step by step
until you arrive at the top.
So it is with the principles
of the gospel.
God himself
was once as we are now.
That is the great secret.
If the veil were rent today
and the great God who holds
the world in its orbit
was to make Himself visible,
you would see Him
like you see yourselves
in person, image, and form.
How do we become like God
and inherit all the Father has,
becoming one grand
and eternal family?
The sealing power,
brothers and sisters,
it is a gift
from our heavenly Father.
If we consent to live
by the tenets of the gospel,
we may enter His holy temple
and be connected
to our children
and our dead
and our God
forever.
- Know then that every soul
is free
To choose his life
and what he'll be
For this eternal truth
is given
both: That God will force
no man to heaven.
- Jane, are you happy here
with us?
- Mm-hmm.
- Joseph and I
have been talking,
and we--
we want to adopt you.
- Adopt me?
Into your family?
- If you are sealed to us,
your place in God's kingdom
will be assured.
- Brother Joseph's told me
so many things about
blessings in the hereafter,
but this?
- You've become so dear to us,
to me.
I can't imagine
not having you near.
You'd be part
of our family forever.
- Forever?
I got people too.
I got parents who love me,
my brothers and sisters,
and Sylvester, my boy.
- Yeah.
- If I say yes,
I'll be leaving them
all behind,
ain't I?
It's a blessing I can't share.
- I don't rightly know.
- I can't do that to them.
It ain't fair.
Emma, all this is still
so new to me.
I don't--I don't understand it.
- It's a lot to take in.
You should take some time
to think about it.
- I will.
I think I should
say no for now.
- I'd hoped you were different.
- Different?
- Everyone is always trying
for a minute alone with him,
not thinking every minute
you spend with him
is a minute I lose.
- I ain't never took
nothing from you.
- Even now that
he lies there cold,
you still demand
that I share him!
- What was I supposed to do?
- Take my side!
- Like you took my side
so many times?
[thunder rumbles]
- I tried to.
I want to.
- Not enough.
So many Saints
have come through your house
shocked to know
that I ain't no slave.
You know what I thought
would be different?
This place, Nauvoo.
I thought,
"The Lord wants me here.
Gathering to Zion gonna
change me for the better,"
but the Saints
ain't as different
from the rest of the world
as they think they is.
- That's why you left.
- Mm-hmm.
I had to get out.
I had to clear my mind.
I was hurting so much,
I couldn't even hear
the Lord's voice no more.
- I know what that's like.
- Yeah, you do.
- Why didn't you tell me?
You should have told me.
- You don't see me
the way Joseph sees me.
- I wanted us to be sealed,
to be family!
I wanted you to be
my sister forever,
and you left with barely
a word, without a goodbye!
- I'm your sister till someone
thinks I'm your girl.
Look.
You earned
the right to grieve.
Ain't no one can take it
from you.
But you can't let
your pain blind you.
- What do you know
about my pain?
- You married a man of God,
and you're surprised
others might need him too?
- You don't know what it's like
to love a man so completely
only to have
everyone else love him too.
- He ain't just your husband.
He's the Lord's prophet.
- They are one and the same!
- No.
No, they ain't.
Between the Lord
and His prophet,
I found hope to carry on
from day to day.
Joseph saw fit to treat me
like a sister,
and now he gone.
[thunder rumbles]
Gone.
If you of all people
can't tell where Joseph starts
and the church ends,
you can't fault no one
for loving him.
Go to bed, Emma.
[thunder rumbles]
- [sniffles]
[sobs]
[hyperventilating]
[thunder crashes]
[moans]
Joseph.
[thunder crashing]
- Oh, Lord,
why is this
happening to me?
I don't understand
what you want from me.
I don't.
I've been trying so hard.
I'd like to believe
that this is right,
that I'm where
you want me to be,
that this is your church
and I am your child,
'cause it's too much pain,
Lord,
too much suffering.
It blots out any joy,
leaving me hollow.
I don't know
what you want from me!
Where am I supposed to be?
Is there no blessing for me?
[thunder cracks]
[eerie music]
[wind whispering]
- You have a dream?
- I think I gotta go back.
Nauvoo is our home now.
- Why did you come back?
- You're a visionary, then.
- The Lord
done sent that dream,
and it brought me here.
- Jane!
- Emma.
[thunder crashing]
Emma!
[thunder crashes, wind howls]
Emma?
Emma!
[thunder crashes]
Emma!
Emma!
- Joseph!
[thunder crashing]
- Emma?
Emma!
- Joseph!
[gunshot, both scream]
No!
Joseph!
- What are you trying to do?
- He will come back to me.
- Emma, he won't!
- He will!
- He won't!
He dead!
- Jane.
No!
[wailing]
- Let it out.
- He's gone!
- Yeah, he's gone,
but you're still here.
And you gon' be fine.
I'ma make sure of it.
- [sobbing]
- There, there, now.
- [sobbing]
- You gon' see him again.
[thunder rumbles]
[gentle music]
"There is no charm equal
to tenderness of heart,"
said she afterwards to herself.
"There is nothing
to be compared to it."
"I desire a fruitful,
active mind
that I may be able to
comprehend the designs of God.
I desire that whatever may be
my lot through life--"
both: I may be--
- Enabled to acknowledge
the hand of God in all things.
- Did you write this?
- Yes, I wrote it.
- Did he tell it to you?
- Joseph?
No, he--
No.
I asked him for a blessing,
but the governor called
for him to go to Carthage,
and there wasn't time.
He told me to write up
the finest blessing
I could think of,
and he would sign it
when he came home, but he--
- He never came back.
- Because of me.
- It ain't your fault.
- I called him back.
- No.
God wanted him home,
and God called him back.
Think on all those times
Joseph could have died
and didn't, all those times
he never came home,
and you wondered
if he'd got hisself killed
only to see him
stumble through the door
the next morning.
Acknowledge the hand of God
in all things.
- God called him back.
- Yeah.
Try and sleep.
[birds chirping]
- Have you been here all night?
You didn't need to.
- I wanted to.
- Thank you.
- You don't have to be afraid
anymore.
- Yes,
but at what price?
- I'll start some breakfast.
- I've already started it.
It'll be ready
in a few minutes.
We should enjoy the quiet
while we can.
Soon enough the whole town
will descend upon us
to see.
Such a day.
- Oh, you beautiful man.
Goodbye.
- I've missed Sylvester.
- He sure do love
playing with your boys.
- Oh, the boys.
Oh,
my boys.
If I were to tell you--
Jane, I--
- What is it?
- I'm expecting.
- [sighs]
It's a gift,
a little piece of Joseph
to keep you company.
- [sighs]
- [chuckles]
- When do you go back
to Burlington?
- If that room is still free,
maybe I'll stay,
if you don't mind.
- I don't mind, not at all.
Jane,
the offer still stands.
We should all be sealed
together as a family,
you and Sylvester, all of us.
- We will be.
- It won't be easy.
I won't have much say
in anything,
not anymore.
- You made the offer.
That's enough.
- But certain folks won't see
you the way Joseph saw you.
- As a sister?
- My sister.
My dear friend.
[distant chatter]
- Ready?
[soulful choral music]
- Yes, yes
[choral music continues]
We have pain
We have pain, Lord
[choral music continues]
Sorrow
- When I'm strong enough
to cry unforgettable
Have faith enough to try
the impossible tells me
I am a child of God
- And I can feel the Spirit
burning within me
Lighting the way
every time that I say
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
- Say you'll never leave,
I'll follow where you go
You can take the lead
I can see the road and be
Be a child of God
- I'll be brave enough
to jump
Wise enough to pray
Be a worthy son
with every breath I take
And be
And be a child of God
- And I can feel the Spirit
burning within me
Lighting the way
every time that I say
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
And I can hear Him say,
"I'm with you every day
Wipe your tears away."
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
[delicate music]
- We all have trials, oh
We all have pain
We have pain
We have pain, Lord
We all have trials
We have pain
We all have sorrow
We all have pain
We all have pain
But in the end,
there's hope
Hope, hope
Hope for a better day
Yes, yes, Lord
I've seen the end, Lord
I've seen
I've seen the day, ooh
I've seen the end, Lord
I've seen the end, Lord
I've seen the day
I've seen the day
Stay by my side, Lord
I need you every day
I need you every day, Lord
That's 'cause in the end
there's hope
Hope, hope
Hope for a better day
Oh, Lord
Ooh, Lord
- Emma?
- Jane, are you coming?
- Emma!
Wait for me, please.
- Jane!
- Coming. Wait for me.
- Hurry!
- Emma!
I'm here!
Wait for me,
please!
[grunts]
[gasps]
[gasps]
- Janie.
Jane.
- Go back to sleep.
- You have a dream?
You did, didn't you?
- Hard to sleep with you
doing all that talking.
- If you can't sleep,
it's 'cause you're dreaming.
What'd you see?
- I think I got to go back.
- We got a good job
here, Janie.
Don't want to lose it.
- Yeah.
You right.
All right, Sergeant.
Let's go home.
Come on.
[plaintive piano music]
- Jesus, take me
to the light
To the light, oh-oh-whoa
Jesus, lead me
through the night
Through the night
Yes, Lord
Jesus, take me
to the light
To the light
To the light
To the light
To the light
I said, Jesus,
take me to my home
To my home,
yes, Lord
Jesus, heal
my achin' bones
Achin' bones,
oh-oh-whoa-oh
Jesus,
take me to my home
To my home
To my home,
to my home
- Yeah, whoa, whoa.
- To my home
- Brother Joseph was right.
You solid as God's word.
[plaintive piano music
continues, fades]
- Fine horse.
Whose is he?
- He mine.
- Well, I reckon he belongs
to whoever you belong to.
- Only master I answer to
is God Himself.
- [chuckles]
Well, I hope God gave you
your free papers then,
'cause I'm gonna need
to see them.
- I was born free.
- That so?
How about that horse?
You got papers on him?
- No.
He was a gift.
- [laughs]
- Hey.
No!
[both grunt]
- Hey, look.
I found your papers.
Yeah.
See?
There you are.
Or that one could be you.
- No, sir.
That ain't me.
- All you runaways
look the same,
and you got no papers.
[laughs]
All you got's
that horse,
and folks is liable to think
you stole him.
You know what they do
to thieving niggers?
But I'm feeling charitable.
Come on.
You're welcome.
[clicks tongue]
- You mean I gotta walk?
- How else we gonna get there?
- You got any idea
how long that gon' take?
- Wait, who said anything
about walking?
- Your sister
wanna walk there.
- Angie.
- Walk to Illinois?
You crazy?
- We need a home, a better one,
and we gonna find it there.
- You is crazy.
- Janie, they didn't let us
back on the boat.
- I know.
- All our bags!
- All your clothes.
- It's a blessing in disguise.
We ain't gotta carry 'em.
- If we turn back now,
we could probably get
to Wilton in a day or two.
- Turn back?
We ain't even close.
It'd be more'n a week.
- Oh, come on, Janie!
- Nauvoo is our home now.
Gonna be better
than Wilton ever was.
Got to be.
- Mama, I'm cold.
Can we go inside?
- You see us someplace
to go inside?
- I thank the Lord every day
my children born free.
I known three masters
'fore I was.
Being free what got us
thrown off,
'cause there sure was some
colored folks still on board
that--that steamer to Nauvoo.
Only difference
between us and them
is that they belong
to somebody.
I know God's hand's on us
'cause we all together.
Going forward, going back,
we going together!
- Let's go.
Walking'll keep us warm.
Let's sing a hymn.
- Oh, Lord, no.
- Guide us,
O Thou great Jehovah
both: Oh-whoa-oh
Saints upon
the promised land
Saints upon
all: The promised land
- Oh, yeah
Hold on
Hold on to your family
Lay low
Lay low in the valley
We roll
Tonight
when the Sun leaves
Stay strong
Stay strong at the rally
I know
My Jesus will save me
Follow
My Lord
till I can't breathe
I go
Wherever He takes me
He won't
Won't ever forsake me
Hold on
Hold on to your family
Lay low
Lay low in the valley
We roll
Tonight
when the Sun leaves
Stay strong
Stay strong at the rally
[rope creaks, metallic squeal]
[eerie echoes]
[forlorn music]
[knocks]
[knob rattles]
[knocks]
- Hello?
[wind whispers]
[gasps]
[gasps]
[wailing]
[both scream]
Emma!
- Jane!
Thank goodness.
- Thank the Lord.
- I could've--
- I was afraid something
happened to you.
- I wasn't expecting--
How did you know to come?
- I didn't.
I'm so sorry.
[sobs]
[sobbing]
Where everybody else?
Mother Smith?
- She took the children
back to her house for company.
Poor thing was beside herself.
- What about you?
- Me?
I haven't been able to sleep.
The news came at midnight,
and I haven't been able
to close my eyes since.
It's been all fits
and starts and bad dreams.
- Where are the neighbors,
the relief society sisters?
Somebody should be here
with you.
- They came.
There were too many,
too close.
I couldn't breathe.
They want a viewing tomorrow,
but I'm not going to do it.
- No viewing?
- No.
- But everybody's
gonna want to see you
to pay their respects.
- Not to me.
- If it wasn't for you, then--
- If it wasn't for me,
he would still be alive.
They want to come.
I know.
I'm sorry for it,
but I can't let them in.
I simply can't.
Why did you come back?
- I--
I'm still
figuring that out.
- You sure this it?
- Look like a hotel to me.
[knocks]
- Good afternoon.
Both: Good afternoon.
- You all look like you've come
quite the distance.
- Oh, yessum,
from Connecticut.
- Gracious me.
- We come to see
the prophet Joseph.
Do you know where
we might find him, please?
- Joseph is my husband.
Please, come in.
Come in.
I'll fetch him.
Joseph, we have guests!
[women whispering indistinctly]
Who is this?
- She all right.
She nice, see?
Say hello.
- Hello, little man.
- Hello.
- What's your name?
- Sylvester.
- Sylvester?
That's a fine name.
I'm Sister Emma.
I'm very pleased to meet you.
I may have a few fellows
around here your size.
- Come on.
- Fred?
Fred,
this is Sylvester.
Why don't you take him into
the kitchen for a bit of cake?
- Mm.
- Come on, then.
- Emma?
- What?
- That him.
- Who?
- The prophet.
- Why can't you ever come down
with your coat already on
like a respectable fellow?
- I'd hate to raise your
expectations beyond reason.
- Joseph, we're not alone.
- When are we ever?
- We have company.
- Forgive my distraction,
friends.
Good afternoon to you.
All: Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon, sir.
- They've come all the way
from Connecticut.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
- Tell us all about it.
Please.
Sisters, make some room.
We have visitors
who've come quite a long way,
and I think their story
will intrigue you.
- Thank you.
- You're the head of this
little band, aren't you?
- Yes, sir.
And you is the prophet
Joseph Smith.
I knew it when I saw you.
- Did you?
- I saw you in a dream,
clear as I see you now.
The Lord done sent that dream
so I'd know you His prophet.
- You're a visionary then.
Sister--
- Jane, sir.
Jane Manning.
- Sister Jane.
Well, tell us
about your travels here.
- Our family,
we joined the church
in Wilton, Connecticut.
- Jane was first.
She wouldn't hush up about it.
[laughter]
- That's true.
Anyways, when we got baptized,
we wanted to gather to Zion
with all the other Saints,
but when we tried to get
on the boat in Buffalo,
they wouldn't let us,
on account of our being black.
So we walked.
- You walked?
That must be, what,
700 or 800 miles?
- Yessum.
We walked until
our shoes wore out
and our feet cracked open
and bled.
We left blood on the ground
with every step.
And we prayed, asking the Lord
to heal our feet
so we could join you here,
and He did.
- My goodness.
[chuckles]
Isn't that faith?
- We couldn't stay away.
When we heard the Saints
had built a city all their own,
we had to come.
We're hoping to
make a home among you.
- We are so glad
to have you here.
- Most assuredly.
God bless you, Sister Jane.
You're amongst friends now.
You'll be protected.
- You shouldn't have.
- No trouble.
Expecting company?
- A rumor's been
floating through town.
There's a price on Joseph,
$1,000 for his head.
Strangers have dragged Joseph
from my house before.
It won't happen again.
- Where did you--
You know how to use it?
- I do.
- You planning to use it?
- If it comes to that.
At the very least,
I'll watch over him.
- All night?
- If I must.
- Then I'll watch with you.
- You don't have to do that.
- You shouldn't be alone,
not tonight.
- What about Sylvester?
- He's with Mama.
I'll see him tomorrow.
I'm staying.
As for that thing,
that's your beast to tame.
I ain't touching it.
- It's fine,
though my shoulder tends
to ache some after firing.
- You've shot it?
At what?
Or who?
- Just bottles on the fence
for practice.
- Don't nobody want to end up
on your bad side.
Course, probably ain't
any safer on your good side.
I'll go start us some dinner.
- Mm
A poor wayfaring
man of grief
Hath often crossed me
on my way
Who sued so humbly
for relief
That I could never
answer nay
I had not pow'r
To ask his name
Whereto he went
Or whence he came
[knock at door]
- I'll send them away.
Afternoon.
- Good afternoon.
Might I speak
with Sister Smith?
- It's all right.
Thank you.
Please, come in.
- Sister Emma, I--
I don't want
to be a bother to you,
but with so many
of the brethren gone,
I--I felt it my duty
to stop by.
I was hoping there was
some small way
in which
I might be useful to you.
- I can't think of anything
at the moment.
Thank you.
- Are you certain?
- William?
- I've come to ask--
we'd like to take Brother Jos--
We'd like to take the body
to the store
and look after it there.
He belongs beside Hyrum.
- You're most kind,
but I'll manage.
We'll manage.
- The men will keep watch,
and since it's likely
to storm tonight--
- No, I'm sorry.
No one will take him tonight.
- Brother Joseph
is a man of the people.
You are not alone
in your grief.
- I know I'm not,
but he is my husband.
The people
will have him forever.
Let me have him tonight.
- And if a mob comes for him?
Do you think you can
hold them off?
- You'd be surprised, I think,
at the things
God gives me strength to do.
- You called him back.
You wrote the letter
that called him back,
and now he's dead.
- Yes, I begged him
to come back.
So many times
I watched him leave
not knowing how or when
he would return.
I was afraid he--
He came back
because I asked him to,
and he's never
leaving again.
- Got some wood needs chopping.
- Happy to help.
- [weeping]
- Well, now, hello.
- Oh.
- Jane, what's wrong?
- Nothing.
- Your tears
tell me otherwise.
- It's foolish.
- What happened?
- [sniffles]
My clothes, they gone,
all of them,
two whole trunks full.
I had to leave them
on the boat in Buffalo,
but then
Brother Charles Wesley Wendell
said he'd bring them here,
but now he says
he can't find them.
- I'll talk to Brother Wendell.
We can replace
your clothes, Jane.
- How?
Top of that,
my brothers and sisters,
they all done found work,
got themselves homes.
I ain't got no home.
- Emma?
- [sniffles]
Emma?
- Dearest, your ones
and your sevens
are dangerously similar
in appearance.
Jane.
What's wrong?
Is it Sylvester?
Is your son all right?
- Yessum, thank you.
- Jane's trunks were taken
on the journey here.
She had all her
clothes in them.
- Oh, no, I had no idea.
- She says she has no home.
- But you have a home
here at the hotel with us.
If you want it, that is.
Don't you like your room?
- I do. Thank you.
- Good. I'm glad.
It's yours.
But there's something else.
- I need a job.
I've always earned my own keep.
- Well, we know
you get a thing done
when you set your mind to it.
Heaven knows I could use
some sensible help around here.
What kind of work do you do?
- Washing, ironing,
I can help with the cooking.
Whatever needs doing,
I'll do it.
- Wonderful.
Then when you feel rested,
you can start with the wash.
- I ain't tired.
- Then by all means,
start as soon as you like.
As for the clothes,
there's some new calico
just arrived in the store.
We'll get some straight away
and then go see Sister Wilkes.
She's a fine seamstress.
- Oh, I can do it myself.
- Really?
- Mm-hmm.
- That is most impressive.
- Truth is, I don't
trust no one to do it right.
Mama says I'm vain.
- [chuckles]
I'm glad to have someone
in this house
with a sense of taste.
Mind your sevens, dearest.
Jane and I
are off to the store.
Don't wait for us.
- Now?
- Why not?
You'll have first pick
of the new goods.
Where's my shawl?
[soulful choral music]
- Isaac James.
- Well, well, well,
ain't you
a sight for sore eyes?
- Don't you sweet-talk me.
What you doing here with them?
- Brother Clayton said he
needed some help carrying.
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, he does,
carrying the prophet's body
out of his wife's house.
- [sighs]
Now, I didn't mean
nothing by it.
- I know.
- When'd you get back in town?
- Just today.
- Well, I wish you hadn't.
- Come again?
- It was a mob
that killed Brother Joseph.
It's dangerous around here.
- Sylvester.
- He's all right.
He's all right.
I was just at your family's
place with Sarah and them,
and your mama's there too.
She likes it when I come by.
- You're a good man,
Brother James.
- [scoffs]
Brother James?
You know I ain't coming
for your tithing, girl.
Can I see you sometime
when you ain't got
a axe handy?
Maybe later tonight, maybe?
- Come around 9:00.
Mm.
- Yes, ma'am.
- Isaac?
Tell Mama I'm here
and I'll see her tomorrow.
You think Brother Clayton'll
come back?
- I can't say.
- Maybe you should think
about his offer.
Might be better to let the men
take Brother Joseph
to the store.
- No.
- It's only two of us
over here,
no guests, no help.
What if a mob come?
- Was that Isaac James
with him?
- Mm-hmm.
- He's a nice fellow.
- He'd like you to think so.
[necklace snaps]
- Oh, no.
- Maybe we can read
a little later.
- That would be nice.
- All right, then.
I'll be in my old room.
- [sighs]
Joseph, Joseph, Joseph.
[knock at door]
- Good afternoon,
Sister Smith.
- Hello, Sister Littlewood.
- I hope this isn't
too much of a bother.
I was hoping
to ask a small favor.
I hear your girl is quite adept
with the laundry.
- It's true
Jane irons beautifully.
She can get stains out
no one else has managed.
- Yes, wonderful.
I was wondering
if I could borrow her
just for a day or two.
- Jane is not mine to lend you.
She is highly capable,
and you're welcome
to hire her for the day.
- You pay her?
- Yes, once a month
plus room and board.
- Oh.
I see.
- Thank you for calling.
- Good day.
[loud clatter]
- You all right?
I heard the crash.
- Oh, its,
I misstepped and dropped
the water bucket, that's all.
- It's all right.
Emma,
why ain't any of Joseph's
other wives here with you?
- I sent them home,
as I prefer this house
to be run
with far less giggling.
Flour, please.
[grunts]
You're thinking.
I can hear it
loud as the parlor clock.
- Not my business.
- It's bothering you
just the same.
- Don't you feel responsible?
- Why?
They're women grown.
- They look up to you.
- Wouldn't be the first time
their trust was misplaced.
How is a woman like me
supposed to find any joy
in a house full of
pretty young things
like the Partridges?
No.
Joseph is gone,
and so are they.
- Here.
- [grunts]
Thank you.
- It late.
You have to do that now?
- I have to keep moving.
Helps me stay awake.
- I'll watch over him.
You need to sleep some.
- It's fine.
I'm fine.
[hand thuds, Emma gasps]
- Oh, here.
Let me see.
You need to rest.
- I need to work.
- I got it. You just sit.
You ain't gotta wash this.
Ain't no use for it.
- I know.
- Oh.
- Let me have a look at it.
Come upstairs.
I think I left
the sewing box there.
You'd probably like
to do it yourself,
but I'm no slouch
with a needle.
- I know you ain't.
- Jane, what's this?
May I?
- Mm-hmm.
You can't hurt it.
- [gasps]
How did this happen?
- This morning,
riding back from Iowa.
I stopped for water,
and a man was there,
asked for my free papers.
- How dare he?
You've never been a slave.
- He took Sergeant.
I'm sorry.
I know Brother Joseph
loved that horse.
- No, the horse
is of no consequence.
It's you I'm worried about.
Has anyone been told?
- No.
- I know.
We'll write up
a charge
and have it printed
in the paper.
- It don't matter, Emma.
- He threatened you.
- Emma.
- He took something
that was dear to you.
- Emma,
a horse ain't the worst
that ever got took from me.
He was a white minister.
First time he asked,
I said,
"I ain't got nothing to give."
He took it anyway.
Rest of the times
he ain't asked no more.
One day his wife said,
"Jane, you look sick.
Go home to your mama,
and don't come back
till you're better."
Oh, I gave birth to Sylvester.
I had to leave him with Mama
so's I could go back to work.
[knock at door]
Afternoon.
Can I help you?
- Is Brother Joseph at home?
He and I have a bit of business
to discuss.
- He's at the temple block.
Are you Brother Petty?
- Yes.
- He told me to expect you.
Won't you come in?
He'll be here
any minute now.
Can I get you anything?
- That temple is a marvel.
To live within
walking distance
of a true house of God,
imagine.
- Mm.
It'll be a sight to see.
I ain't been so excited
since I was baptized.
- You've been baptized?
- Yes.
- Well, that can't be so.
- I remember clear as anything.
It was very wet and very cold.
- But you're a child of Cain,
cast out since
the beginning of time.
- I'm a child of God,
just like you.
I heard his voice,
and I felt his spirit.
No man can keep me
from where God calls me in.
- I'm sure Brother Joseph
would say that it's--
- What would I say,
Nathaniel?
I'm curious to know.
- Well, I--
- The negro has been
enslaved, beaten, and murdered
for no reason
but the color of his skin.
You assume that by looking
at our Sister Jane
that we are somehow superior.
In what way, I do not know.
If you were to exchange places
with a black man,
I mean completely--
your upbringing,
your employment,
even the clothes
off your back--
he'd be like you
and you like him.
No one would see any difference
between the two of you.
Negroes have souls
and are subjects of salvation.
They are not just
children of Abraham.
They are children of God.
To curse the negro
is to tempt damnation.
You have something for me,
don't you?
Good day to you, brother.
- Good day then.
- That shouldn't have happened.
I'm sorry.
- Every road seems to end
before I can get
where I need to go.
- [sighs]
When that temple is built,
Emma and I
will take you in ourselves.
You'll have every blessing
numbered to you from God.
You'll be with Him forever.
[faint clattering]
- Did you hear that?
- Oh, likely the wind.
Big storm coming,
air heavy with it.
- Are you sure? I thought--
- Someone there?
- I could have sworn.
[footsteps]
- [sighs]
- Brother Law did this?
- Together with the Fosters
and the Higbys.
But Law is the one
they've chosen
to be church president.
- In my place.
- He says he's not a prophet,
only the president.
He's calling for a separation
of church and state.
- No!
[sighs]
Sister Jane.
Was there
something you needed?
- I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to disturb you.
- I'd gladly rip out a tree
stump right now if I could.
- What happened?
- Our enemies have branched out
from speaking vile things
about us to printing them.
1,000 copies of slander
litter our streets.
The city council will meet
about it tomorrow,
but we need
to do something sooner.
This--this is a nuisance.
- But you can't stop
it's being printed.
That's illegal.
- I can and I will,
if it means
protecting our people.
I'll destroy the press
if I have to.
Get the marshal.
Sister Jane,
where are you going?
- I didn't mean
to tell you like this.
You've got bigger things
to worry over.
My sister and me are going
to Iowa to look for work.
- Ah.
- I think it's time.
- May I offer you a blessing
before you go?
Sister Jane
Elizabeth Manning...
the Lord
has heard thy petitions.
He has witnessed thy trials.
Thy life has been preserved
for a wise purpose.
Put thy trust in Him
who died for thy sake,
and He shall make thee
equal unto every task.
Thy days shall be prolonged
until thou art satisfied.
All shall be well with thee
both here and hereafter.
In Jesus' name...
Amen.
- Amen.
Thank you for everything.
You've always been
so kind to me.
- Why don't you take
old Sergeant?
- Oh, I--I couldn't.
- I insist.
He'll get you there before dark
safe and sound.
Sister Jane?
How I look forward
to seeing you again soon.
- Brother Joseph,
you be careful.
- It's my duty to protect
the Saints no matter the cost.
- They were gonna get him
one way or another.
I have an idea.
[sighs]
It's beautiful.
- [inhales deeply]
- Guide us,
O Thou great Jehovah
- Saints upon
the promised land
Saints upon
the promised land
- We are weak,
but Thou art able
- Hold us
with Thy pow'rful hand
Hold us
with Thy pow'rful hand
- The Holy Spirit
Feed us till
the Savior comes
The Savior comes
- Yes, Lord!
- The Holy Spirit
Feed us till
the Savior comes
all: The Savior comes
- Why don't you go see Isaac?
- Already seen him.
- I know, but--
- I'll see him again
soon enough.
- So you've been
thinking about him?
- Yes...
and no.
- He did propose, didn't he?
- Last month,
before I went away.
- I knew he would.
But you don't look
the least bit excited.
I thought--
You refused him.
- The moment I was baptized,
I knew the Lord wanted me
to be with His people.
I just knew it,
like I know my mama's voice,
and it brought me here.
But Isaac, he always
talking about going out West.
- West? What for?
- He says
a man gon' be treated
like a man out West;
that being colored
don't matter.
- That may be the case for him,
but you're still a woman.
- I been working all my life,
earning a place
for me and my son.
But I look at Isaac,
and I wonder do--
Do he want
the same things as me?
- I thought marrying Joseph
would be like marrying
any other churchman;
we'd be respected and admired;
people would ask him
to bless babies
and perform weddings.
What a life I should have led
as a pastor's wife.
But it was never that simple
or that sweet.
God touched him,
and our lives turned to chaos.
- But you stayed with him.
- My life would have been
incomplete without him.
- Sisters,
two years ago
Apostle John Taylor
suggested that we should
model our relief society
after several impressive
ladies' groups back east,
but we do not meet to talk
about being kind over tea.
We strive to be kind,
kind to strangers
and to each other.
I have many faults which
the Lord must take to the forge
and hammer out of me,
but He knows my heart.
He hears me pray daily
to live and work in tandem
with my husband.
It has not been an easy road.
But when God places us
in a predicament,
it is God who will
lead us out of it.
It takes faith to know that,
and I don't always have enough.
- How's Sister Emma?
- [sighs]
She need to sleep
a good long while.
For the world to be different
when she wake.
- Hmm.
Yeah.
It's different already.
- Yeah.
- How long you staying?
- Don't know.
After the funeral, maybe.
Angeline is waiting for me
in Burlington.
- Mm.
Is the work good?
- Yeah, it good.
But I miss--
I miss church.
- [chuckles]
Well, if I could have
talked you into
staying in the first place--
- We need the work.
- Now, we all do.
I'm just saying...
Maybe
someday you and me
can share the load.
- Maybe.
- Well, what--
what's stopping it?
If ever there was two people
belonged together,
Jane Elizabeth,
it's you and me.
- Isaac,
I know you got
good intentions,
real good heart,
but I got to think
of my family, my son.
My son ain't got no father,
but he's--
- He's a part of you.
That's good enough for me.
- I ain't ashamed of him,
not at all.
He's smart,
and he's so thoughtful,
such a sweet little man.
- I can be a father
to Sylvester
if you'll let me.
- You gon' keep waiting,
ain't you?
- Till you say yes.
- Brother Hewlett there
is looking to teach us
this afternoon,
brothers and sisters.
When you climb a ladder,
you must begin at the bottom
and ascend step by step
until you arrive at the top.
So it is with the principles
of the gospel.
God himself
was once as we are now.
That is the great secret.
If the veil were rent today
and the great God who holds
the world in its orbit
was to make Himself visible,
you would see Him
like you see yourselves
in person, image, and form.
How do we become like God
and inherit all the Father has,
becoming one grand
and eternal family?
The sealing power,
brothers and sisters,
it is a gift
from our heavenly Father.
If we consent to live
by the tenets of the gospel,
we may enter His holy temple
and be connected
to our children
and our dead
and our God
forever.
- Know then that every soul
is free
To choose his life
and what he'll be
For this eternal truth
is given
both: That God will force
no man to heaven.
- Jane, are you happy here
with us?
- Mm-hmm.
- Joseph and I
have been talking,
and we--
we want to adopt you.
- Adopt me?
Into your family?
- If you are sealed to us,
your place in God's kingdom
will be assured.
- Brother Joseph's told me
so many things about
blessings in the hereafter,
but this?
- You've become so dear to us,
to me.
I can't imagine
not having you near.
You'd be part
of our family forever.
- Forever?
I got people too.
I got parents who love me,
my brothers and sisters,
and Sylvester, my boy.
- Yeah.
- If I say yes,
I'll be leaving them
all behind,
ain't I?
It's a blessing I can't share.
- I don't rightly know.
- I can't do that to them.
It ain't fair.
Emma, all this is still
so new to me.
I don't--I don't understand it.
- It's a lot to take in.
You should take some time
to think about it.
- I will.
I think I should
say no for now.
- I'd hoped you were different.
- Different?
- Everyone is always trying
for a minute alone with him,
not thinking every minute
you spend with him
is a minute I lose.
- I ain't never took
nothing from you.
- Even now that
he lies there cold,
you still demand
that I share him!
- What was I supposed to do?
- Take my side!
- Like you took my side
so many times?
[thunder rumbles]
- I tried to.
I want to.
- Not enough.
So many Saints
have come through your house
shocked to know
that I ain't no slave.
You know what I thought
would be different?
This place, Nauvoo.
I thought,
"The Lord wants me here.
Gathering to Zion gonna
change me for the better,"
but the Saints
ain't as different
from the rest of the world
as they think they is.
- That's why you left.
- Mm-hmm.
I had to get out.
I had to clear my mind.
I was hurting so much,
I couldn't even hear
the Lord's voice no more.
- I know what that's like.
- Yeah, you do.
- Why didn't you tell me?
You should have told me.
- You don't see me
the way Joseph sees me.
- I wanted us to be sealed,
to be family!
I wanted you to be
my sister forever,
and you left with barely
a word, without a goodbye!
- I'm your sister till someone
thinks I'm your girl.
Look.
You earned
the right to grieve.
Ain't no one can take it
from you.
But you can't let
your pain blind you.
- What do you know
about my pain?
- You married a man of God,
and you're surprised
others might need him too?
- You don't know what it's like
to love a man so completely
only to have
everyone else love him too.
- He ain't just your husband.
He's the Lord's prophet.
- They are one and the same!
- No.
No, they ain't.
Between the Lord
and His prophet,
I found hope to carry on
from day to day.
Joseph saw fit to treat me
like a sister,
and now he gone.
[thunder rumbles]
Gone.
If you of all people
can't tell where Joseph starts
and the church ends,
you can't fault no one
for loving him.
Go to bed, Emma.
[thunder rumbles]
- [sniffles]
[sobs]
[hyperventilating]
[thunder crashes]
[moans]
Joseph.
[thunder crashing]
- Oh, Lord,
why is this
happening to me?
I don't understand
what you want from me.
I don't.
I've been trying so hard.
I'd like to believe
that this is right,
that I'm where
you want me to be,
that this is your church
and I am your child,
'cause it's too much pain,
Lord,
too much suffering.
It blots out any joy,
leaving me hollow.
I don't know
what you want from me!
Where am I supposed to be?
Is there no blessing for me?
[thunder cracks]
[eerie music]
[wind whispering]
- You have a dream?
- I think I gotta go back.
Nauvoo is our home now.
- Why did you come back?
- You're a visionary, then.
- The Lord
done sent that dream,
and it brought me here.
- Jane!
- Emma.
[thunder crashing]
Emma!
[thunder crashes, wind howls]
Emma?
Emma!
[thunder crashes]
Emma!
Emma!
- Joseph!
[thunder crashing]
- Emma?
Emma!
- Joseph!
[gunshot, both scream]
No!
Joseph!
- What are you trying to do?
- He will come back to me.
- Emma, he won't!
- He will!
- He won't!
He dead!
- Jane.
No!
[wailing]
- Let it out.
- He's gone!
- Yeah, he's gone,
but you're still here.
And you gon' be fine.
I'ma make sure of it.
- [sobbing]
- There, there, now.
- [sobbing]
- You gon' see him again.
[thunder rumbles]
[gentle music]
"There is no charm equal
to tenderness of heart,"
said she afterwards to herself.
"There is nothing
to be compared to it."
"I desire a fruitful,
active mind
that I may be able to
comprehend the designs of God.
I desire that whatever may be
my lot through life--"
both: I may be--
- Enabled to acknowledge
the hand of God in all things.
- Did you write this?
- Yes, I wrote it.
- Did he tell it to you?
- Joseph?
No, he--
No.
I asked him for a blessing,
but the governor called
for him to go to Carthage,
and there wasn't time.
He told me to write up
the finest blessing
I could think of,
and he would sign it
when he came home, but he--
- He never came back.
- Because of me.
- It ain't your fault.
- I called him back.
- No.
God wanted him home,
and God called him back.
Think on all those times
Joseph could have died
and didn't, all those times
he never came home,
and you wondered
if he'd got hisself killed
only to see him
stumble through the door
the next morning.
Acknowledge the hand of God
in all things.
- God called him back.
- Yeah.
Try and sleep.
[birds chirping]
- Have you been here all night?
You didn't need to.
- I wanted to.
- Thank you.
- You don't have to be afraid
anymore.
- Yes,
but at what price?
- I'll start some breakfast.
- I've already started it.
It'll be ready
in a few minutes.
We should enjoy the quiet
while we can.
Soon enough the whole town
will descend upon us
to see.
Such a day.
- Oh, you beautiful man.
Goodbye.
- I've missed Sylvester.
- He sure do love
playing with your boys.
- Oh, the boys.
Oh,
my boys.
If I were to tell you--
Jane, I--
- What is it?
- I'm expecting.
- [sighs]
It's a gift,
a little piece of Joseph
to keep you company.
- [sighs]
- [chuckles]
- When do you go back
to Burlington?
- If that room is still free,
maybe I'll stay,
if you don't mind.
- I don't mind, not at all.
Jane,
the offer still stands.
We should all be sealed
together as a family,
you and Sylvester, all of us.
- We will be.
- It won't be easy.
I won't have much say
in anything,
not anymore.
- You made the offer.
That's enough.
- But certain folks won't see
you the way Joseph saw you.
- As a sister?
- My sister.
My dear friend.
[distant chatter]
- Ready?
[soulful choral music]
- Yes, yes
[choral music continues]
We have pain
We have pain, Lord
[choral music continues]
Sorrow
- When I'm strong enough
to cry unforgettable
Have faith enough to try
the impossible tells me
I am a child of God
- And I can feel the Spirit
burning within me
Lighting the way
every time that I say
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
- Say you'll never leave,
I'll follow where you go
You can take the lead
I can see the road and be
Be a child of God
- I'll be brave enough
to jump
Wise enough to pray
Be a worthy son
with every breath I take
And be
And be a child of God
- And I can feel the Spirit
burning within me
Lighting the way
every time that I say
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
And I can hear Him say,
"I'm with you every day
Wipe your tears away."
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
I
I am a child of God
A child of God
[delicate music]
- We all have trials, oh
We all have pain
We have pain
We have pain, Lord
We all have trials
We have pain
We all have sorrow
We all have pain
We all have pain
But in the end,
there's hope
Hope, hope
Hope for a better day
Yes, yes, Lord
I've seen the end, Lord
I've seen
I've seen the day, ooh
I've seen the end, Lord
I've seen the end, Lord
I've seen the day
I've seen the day
Stay by my side, Lord
I need you every day
I need you every day, Lord
That's 'cause in the end
there's hope
Hope, hope
Hope for a better day
Oh, Lord
Ooh, Lord