U.S. History Overview of The Early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the early 19th century, America was transformed by a wave of religious revival known as the Second Great Awakening. This video explores how a new religious landscape gave birth to dozens of new denominations—including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Through charismatic preaching, passionate revivals, and a fervent search for religious meaning, Americans began reshaping their spiritual lives. We trace the journey of Joseph Smith, from his First Vision and the translation of the Book of Mormon, to the founding of the church and the persecution that followed.

Viewers will learn about the early challenges the Latter-day Saints faced, their forced migrations, and how their story became a defining part of American religious history.

This video is about religion and reform in 19th-century America—perfect for students learning about the intersection of faith, freedom, and identity in the growing United States.

This video features commentary from Ben E. Park, professor of history at Sam Houston State University and author of American Zion. His insights help provide historical context and depth to the story of early Latter-day Saint history and its broader impact on American society.

Clip excerpts come from the following sources:   

The Second Great Awakening - NBC News Learns

God in America - PBS

American Prophet - BBC

Unresolvable Mormon Exodus - Religious Diplomacy

Background music during the text segments and closing section is "Come, Come, Ye Saints" performed by Steven Sharp Nelson