Tom Berenger Charlton Heston and James Coburn star in this exciting western adventure which traces the troubled Utah settlement of the early Mormon church. In the 1800's thousands of Mormons set out on a treacherous trail for the promised land of Utah. Among them was young Miles Utley (Berenger) one of controversial prophet Brigham Young's (Heston) loyal followers and trained protectors. But when sharpshooter Miles averts an assassination attempt on Young instead of gratitude by the congregation he is beaten and left for dead. Rescued by a church elder's unhappy wife he learns of a conspiracy against Young. As the pieces come together Miles finds himself caught up in a bizarre series of events involving blackmail hypocrisy and possibly his lifelong mentor Porter Rockwell (Coburn). The story explodes into action as secrets are shattered and lives are destroyed in this searing unforgettable film.