One of the returning cast members is DeSean Terry, who reprises his role as an LDS missionary named Banks. "Fortunately, I was able to get the same writer, producer and director to come back, and I got him fairly cheaply," Dutcher said with a laugh, referring, of course, to himself.

"States of Grace" was shot in Southern California — specifically, the Santa Monica area — for a budget of less than $1 million. Dutcher said he enjoyed being back in the area, where he was living when he made the first "God's Army." And in fact, while he was there, he also shot another film, "Falling," which he's even more tight-lipped about. "I'm really not sure how it will be accepted when it's released but it's something that I can really be proud of." (He was equally tight-lipped about the film's release schedule.)

Another badge of honor for Dutcher is his role as the father, or perhaps even godfather, of modern Mormon cinema. The success of "God's Army" has led to a slew of LDS-themed films, including "The Singles Ward," "The Other Side of Heaven" and "Saints and Soldiers."

However, Dutcher cautions local filmmakers about becoming complacent and less creative. "We can never be too pleased with ourselves, and always need to be pushing the envelope."

One of the ways he would like to do that is by reviving "The Prophet." "If I could, I'd start work on it right now. I'd even like to have Val play him, but the clock is ticking. Let's face it, none of us (is) getting any younger."

Dutcher's is not the only film project on Joseph Smith. The "Work and the Glory" movies feature Smith as a central character (played by Jonathan Scarfe), and Gary Cook and T.C. Christensen's "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" has been produced for the LDS Church and will open in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Dec. 23 — the 200th anniversary of Smith's birth.

Still, Dutcher believes his version could be the definitive one. "I'd like to be the one to climb Everest. I know I could do his story justice."

---

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com