Jody Renstrom, owner and director of the Valley Center Playhouse in Lindon, thinks she found the perfect actor to play the lead role of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith in the theater's current production of "The Brothers."

That, naturally, would be Joseph Smith.

Of Provo.

"Isn't that ironicfi" said Renstrom. "Joseph Smith playing Joseph Smith."

"The Brothers" recounts three stages in the lives of Smith, the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his brother Hyrum, including the pair's martyrdom on June 27, 1844, at Carthage Jail, Ill.

The play begins with Joseph and Hyrum fleeing from mobs of unruly men. As they watch and wait, they recollect their childhood together. The first act of the play involves these recollections of their lives. The remainder of the play reflects events from their adulthood.

The play was written by local playwright and poet Christie Lund Coles, who died in the late 1980s. Much of Coles's work was published by the Ensign, an LDS Church magazine published monthly. She wrote "The Brothers" in 1976 and passed it on to Renstrom.

Renstrom said Coles's play is an accurate account of the Smith brothers, a relationship the cast is striving to bring to life on stage.

"The cast is doing a superb job in becoming the people they are portraying," Renstrom said. "They really have a deep seriousness in their hearts to do this appropriately."

The modern-day Smith said this role is the most difficult of any in his career.

"People come in and expect a certain character," Smith said. "You want people to actually think you are Joseph Smith when they watch you."

Accuracy may be easier for this Smith, who happens, in real life, to be dating the woman playing Emma Smith. However, Smith had never met Thom Neil, who plays Hyrum, before "The Brothers," but already feels a closeness to him.

"He reminds me a lot of my older brother," Smith said. "He's very caring, just like Hyrum was."

"The Brothers" is an exception to the usual lighthearted comedies common at the Valley Center Playhouse.

Smith said it requires a lot more emotion and feeling than other plays.

"There really is a reverence that goes with the show," Renstrom said. "There's so much history. Usually we do a lot of comedy, so people can come and relax, and get away from their troubles."

Renstrom said "The Brothers" is more educational than other plays.

"I'm sure that everyone will come away with something that they did not know before," she said.

Besides the historical aspects, the prevailing feeling of "The Brothers" is a spiritual one. Renstrom said solos of "O My Father," and "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief," are very powerful in the play. Moreover, the martyrdom evokes strong emotion.

"The martyrdom scene is done right on stage, which really leaves you with a feeling of the reality of their suffering," Renstrom said.

Smith said his role as the Prophet Joseph has been a spiritual experience for him as well.

"I feel like, spiritually, I have to feel closer to Joseph and the gospel," he said. "It's impossible to not have the spirit with you and play this part."

This is the third time the Valley Center Playhouse has produced "The Brothers" in its 31 years of operation.

Renstrom, who wrote and performed her own one-woman play about Emma Smith in the 1970s, feels a special connection to this play.

"I love the part of Emma in 'The Brothers,' " she said. "Emma is only in two scenes, but you really feel her struggle and get a glimpse into their love life. They were so happy despite all their struggles."

If You Go

"The Brothers"

Where: Valley Center Playhouse, 780 N. 200 East, Lindon

When: Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays at 7:30 p.m. through Aug. 7, doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets: $6 general, $5 students, children and seniors, $25 family (no children under 5, please), purchase 1/2 hour before showtime

Info: 785-1186