THE WORK AND THE GLORY: AMERICAN ZION — ** 1/2 — Eric Johnson, Sam Hennings, Jonathan Scarfe; rated PG-13 (violence, torture).

Like its predecessor, "The Work and the Glory: American Zion" has some strong melodramatic elements and almost plays out like an LDS-themed TV soap opera.

In fact, there is even a quick plot recap at the start and a cliffhanger-style ending.

This second film adapted from LDS General Authority Gerald N. Lund's best-selling novels is more intense and dark and more quickly paced than the first film. And in several respects the storytelling is better.

There's been a slight change in character focus, and those who receive the spotlight this time around are more interesting and compelling. But the technical aspects of the filmmaking aren't quite as good, and this follow-up betrays its modest to low budget more than the original.

As a result, it feels a little less than epic, though overall it is an improvement.

"American Zion" finds the Steed family in turmoil. Nathan (Alexander Carroll) has finally married longtime love Lydia McBride (Sera Bastian, replacing the first film's Tiffany Dupont). Naturally, her former suitor, Nathan's older brother Joshua (Eric Johnson), is jealous.

So Joshua flees New York and settles in Missouri, where he finds love with Jessica Roundy (Emily Podleski). But he's still harboring hard feelings against Nathan and the new Mormon faith he believes has cost him both Lydia and his own family.

Steed family patriarch Ben (Sam Hennings) is having similar misgivings when his wife, Mary-Ann (Brenda Strong), and their children follow Joseph Smith (Jonathan Scarfe) to Kirtland, Ohio, where church members are building their first temple.

Smith and the others are also hoping to find an eventual home in Missouri, but, as was the case in New York, persecution follows them. And, of course, Joshua is one of those leading the anti-Mormon forces.

Some of the family squabbles are not as compelling as they could be, particularly the bickering between Nathan and Joshua (Johnson does try to make it convincing, but Carroll is still a little stiff).

And director Sterling Van Wagenen does make a couple of odd choices, including throwing in a fiery denouement that appears to have come from some other action film.

But the emergence of Joseph Smith as a major character is a good thing. Scarfe is still the best thing the movies have going for them; he has a natural charisma that commands attention. And in support, Andrew Bowen manages to steal a couple of scenes as Brigham Young, bringing some much-needed humor to the proceedings.

"The Work and the Glory: American Zion" is rated PG-13 for violence (beatings, some gunplay and some brief violence against women) as well as a brief scene of torture. Running time: 100 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com