diff --git a/ledger-tool/src/ledger_utils.rs b/ledger-tool/src/ledger_utils.rs
index 77051c9734..db63057b54 100644
--- a/ledger-tool/src/ledger_utils.rs
+++ b/ledger-tool/src/ledger_utils.rs
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ pub fn get_shred_storage_type(ledger_path: &Path, message: &str) -> ShredStorage
     }
 }
 
-pub fn load_bank_forks(
+pub fn load_and_process_ledger(
     arg_matches: &ArgMatches,
     genesis_config: &GenesisConfig,
     blockstore: Arc<Blockstore>,
@@ -111,6 +111,8 @@ pub fn load_bank_forks(
         })
     };
 
+    let start_slot_msg = "The starting slot will be the latest snapshot slot, or genesis if \
+        the --no-snapshot flag is specified or if no snapshots are found.";
     match process_options.halt_at_slot {
         // Skip the following checks for sentinel values of Some(0) and None.
         // For Some(0), no slots will be be replayed after starting_slot.
@@ -119,15 +121,17 @@ pub fn load_bank_forks(
         Some(halt_slot) => {
             if halt_slot < starting_slot {
                 eprintln!(
-                "Unable to load bank forks at slot {halt_slot} because it is less than the starting slot {starting_slot}. \
-                The starting slot will be the latest snapshot slot, or genesis if the --no-snapshot flag is specified or if no snapshots are found."
-            );
+                    "Unable to process blockstore from starting slot {starting_slot} to \
+                    {halt_slot}; the ending slot is less than the starting slot. {start_slot_msg}"
+                );
                 exit(1);
             }
             // Check if we have the slot data necessary to replay from starting_slot to >= halt_slot.
             if !blockstore.slot_range_connected(starting_slot, halt_slot) {
                 eprintln!(
-                    "Unable to load bank forks at slot {halt_slot} due to disconnected blocks.",
+                    "Unable to process blockstore from starting slot {starting_slot} to \
+                    {halt_slot}; the blockstore does not contain a replayable chain between these \
+                    slots. {start_slot_msg}"
                 );
                 exit(1);
             }
diff --git a/ledger-tool/src/main.rs b/ledger-tool/src/main.rs
index a0e901732d..c92b7c6767 100644
--- a/ledger-tool/src/main.rs
+++ b/ledger-tool/src/main.rs
@@ -2201,7 +2201,7 @@ fn main() {
                     wal_recovery_mode,
                     force_update_to_open,
                 );
-                match load_bank_forks(
+                match load_and_process_ledger(
                     arg_matches,
                     &genesis_config,
                     Arc::new(blockstore),
@@ -2293,7 +2293,7 @@ fn main() {
                     wal_recovery_mode,
                     force_update_to_open,
                 );
-                match load_bank_forks(
+                match load_and_process_ledger(
                     arg_matches,
                     &genesis_config,
                     Arc::new(blockstore),
@@ -2531,7 +2531,7 @@ fn main() {
                     wal_recovery_mode,
                     force_update_to_open,
                 );
-                let (bank_forks, ..) = load_bank_forks(
+                let (bank_forks, ..) = load_and_process_ledger(
                     arg_matches,
                     &genesis_config,
                     Arc::new(blockstore),
@@ -2575,7 +2575,7 @@ fn main() {
                     wal_recovery_mode,
                     force_update_to_open,
                 );
-                match load_bank_forks(
+                match load_and_process_ledger(
                     arg_matches,
                     &open_genesis_config_by(&ledger_path, arg_matches),
                     Arc::new(blockstore),
@@ -2745,7 +2745,7 @@ fn main() {
                     output_directory.display()
                 );
 
-                match load_bank_forks(
+                match load_and_process_ledger(
                     arg_matches,
                     &genesis_config,
                     blockstore.clone(),
@@ -3116,7 +3116,7 @@ fn main() {
                     wal_recovery_mode,
                     force_update_to_open,
                 );
-                let (bank_forks, ..) = load_bank_forks(
+                let (bank_forks, ..) = load_and_process_ledger(
                     arg_matches,
                     &genesis_config,
                     Arc::new(blockstore),
@@ -3205,7 +3205,7 @@ fn main() {
                     wal_recovery_mode,
                     force_update_to_open,
                 );
-                match load_bank_forks(
+                match load_and_process_ledger(
                     arg_matches,
                     &genesis_config,
                     Arc::new(blockstore),
diff --git a/ledger-tool/src/program.rs b/ledger-tool/src/program.rs
index 26234373d2..99587c8117 100644
--- a/ledger-tool/src/program.rs
+++ b/ledger-tool/src/program.rs
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ fn load_blockstore(ledger_path: &Path, arg_matches: &ArgMatches<'_>) -> Arc<Bank
         wal_recovery_mode,
         force_update_to_open,
     );
-    let (bank_forks, ..) = load_bank_forks(
+    let (bank_forks, ..) = load_and_process_ledger(
         arg_matches,
         &genesis_config,
         Arc::new(blockstore),