Nick Newman, a reporter for Brigham Young University’s newspaper, The Daily Universe, had posted a few comments and links in my blog post The Mormons: A Documentary. In covering the film he's been able to preview it and has even talked with the producer, Helen Whitney. Nick has written two excellent articles about the film: "Viewpoint: Mormons to be Enjoyed, Not Feared" and "PBS Documentary Explores LDS Church"
In his second comment Newman states, "This is probably the best the Church has ever looked in a film. It is critical, but one comes away with a feeling that the rest of the nation will actually be able to understand us finally." Nick has done a good job explaining the film and one of the quotes I liked best, from his Viewpoint article, was the following:
In his second comment Newman states, "This is probably the best the Church has ever looked in a film. It is critical, but one comes away with a feeling that the rest of the nation will actually be able to understand us finally." Nick has done a good job explaining the film and one of the quotes I liked best, from his Viewpoint article, was the following:
"Here's my point: In Isaiah, 3 Nephi and two places in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says, 'No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.' It's a true point. No matter what is thrown against it, this church will prosper, eventually. It is this knowledge that should make us want to see this film despite those who think the film could be controversial. Watch the documentary and you will realize, as I already have, that this has more to teach others about ourselves than we can express in our own words."So if you're unsure about seeing "The Mormons: A Documentary" (or would just like to learn more about it) I would highly recommend reading both of Nick's informative articles.
Certainly, I’ll view this documentary – and invite my non-member friends to tune in, too. I expect the overall result will be a positive for the church. Still, with things Mormon, I am uncomfortable with the very idea of “fair and balanced.” In many cases, “balanced” just can’t be “fair.”
For example, the Nazis exterminated six million Jews. On the other hand, Nazis viewed the Jews as the root cause of most of Germany’s problems. That’s “balanced” reporting — but grossly unfair. Reporting on a few thousand weirdoes who degrade women in polygamous sects might appear to “balance” the 13 Million monogamous members of the church, but it’s patently unfair. It’s equally unfair to grant a platform to pseudo-scholars like Bagley, whose theories just don’t hold water with most serious historians.
Larry Lawton, Cape May NJ
Why is Mountain Meadow even mentioned in a documentary on the Church besides sensationalism? I am a 36 year convert to the Church and never even heard of this event until about 5 years ago in an anti-Mormon documentary (on PBS, ironically). It has nothing to do with me or my being a member of the Church. I would guess that a great portion of church members world wide have no relationship to it, if they even know about it, and it has NO bearing on their being a member of the Church.
It would be like someone doing a documentary on my life and a portion of the documentary going into specific details about my great-great grandfather who fought in the Civil War, including interviews with descendants of Civil War soldiers who fought on the “other side”. I would be upset that time from my documentary was spent on someone else, and would certainly know the motive for choosing my 2nd great grandfather from thousands of my documented ancestors. Biased sensationalism.
I think this documentary is good so far, but the only downfall is that some of the information is wrong. but other than that its pretty good. I’m LDS and I do think some stuff is critical but not really. Good job.
The mormons still believe in pologamy after they die so this should show that they are not that far removed from the practice.
A comment above asks:
“Why is Mountain Meadow even mentioned in a documentary on the Church besides sensationalism?”
I’m not surprised that as a convert to the church you weren’t told about that. Not exactly their most shining moment! It’s in the documentary because it happened. You can’t rewrite history, despite what Monson et al would have you believe.
It’s not “sensationalist” to report that your church *massacred* people. It’s FACT. I know that the Mountain Meadow Massacre is true, unlike the church itself!
I finally left!!! It took months and months of reading the church’s website and old discourses from past profits. The only answers I would get to things such as the Adam God belief and Eloheim living on Kolab etc… was that this was all just theories from old prophets…. WHAT???? Why do these corrupt men say they’ve been told by God to do and say these things? Slitting throats/bowels, secret names, ugh… I’m done.
Sad sad…. However, the above comments from blind members are just about exactly what I would have said too a year ago before I OPENED my mind and sought out knowledge. Hey, it’s all on your own church’s website.