Tell us what you think.
Selected submissions will be posted here, so check back regularly.

12/24/03
Caroline
Salt Lake City, Utah

I am a convert of 28 years from England. My husband is the missionary who converted me from Catholic to Mormon. I was 18 at the time and looking for a church that was more family oriented, with a more logically based belief system. We are currently active in the Church and serve in Church callings, but that is about to change. We wanted you to know that we enjoyed the documentary very much and felt that it showed missionaries and missionary work in a very honest way. Nicely done!

As a couple, we are going through a period of spiritual enlightenment ourselves. We are rethinking everything. We feel that any religion that insists that there are penalties and punishments for not "following the Prophet", has to be wrong, especially if we believe in "free agency" and an all loving, all caring God. Isn't the point of life to come to earth to learn and grow spiritually and then return back to God? If we believe that God loves us all, no matter what, then He will take us all back to Him. Good, bad or ind ifferent.

And will wearing "different" underwear really make us better people in the sight of God? An absurd notion at best!! We think that the fear and guilt instilled in Church members from an early age, is what motivates most into staying faithful, or at least, subscribing to the "fire insurance" just incase!

The Church is starting to sound an awful lot like the "muli-level marketing" schemes that are so prevelant in this culture. Like a quick way to make a buck, it's the sure-fire way to the Celestial Kingdom, with many strings attached!

12/24/03
David
Riverton UT

What a disappointment this film was! There was a nearly complete absence of balance. From a pool of hundreds of thousands of returned missionaries, the filmmaker chose to interview four men who left the LDS church. What? Was the filmmaker unable find anyone who had a positive experience and is still a practicing member of the LDS faith? Hardly. The obvious conclusion is that Ms. du Plessis chose not to talk to them. She reached her own conclusions long before she made this film and in doing so has abandoned any chance for credibility. PBS's reputation for "fairness" is only further eroded by this film.

12/24/03
Jennifer
Muscatine

A mission is not a "right a of passage" as this "documentary puts it. It is a growing experience. An experience to come closer to your Heavenly Father. It is supposed to strengthen bonds with the church, not break them. I've seen so many lives changed for the better after they serve a mission, both men and women.

Further more, While the women isn't encouraged not to go, it is still her decision to go on a mission and they are certainly never told not to go. Women in the churh want to marry a return missionary because they know what the world is like and when they marry a return missionary they know that he has the background to run their family in a way pleasing to God.

12/24/03
Jennifer
Muscatine

A mission is not a "right a of passage" as this "documentary puts it. It is a growing experience. An experience to come closer to your Heavenly Father. It is supposed to strengthen bonds with the church, not break them. I've seen so many lives changed for the better after they serve a mission, both men and women.

Further more, While the women isn't encouraged not to go, it is still her decision to go on a mission and they are certainly never told not to go. Women in the churh want to marry a return missionary because they know what the world is like and when they marry a return missionary they know that he has the background to run their family in a way pleasing to God.

12/24/03
Emily Squire
Chandler, Arizona

I would definitely have to give this film a failing grade. I was disappointed by it's narrow minded views, it's inaccurate protrayel, and it's doubtful under tone. I feel Nancy du plessis really had no clue what the LDS is truely about and should have done a bit more research before she set out to make a documentry. I would be embarrassed to put my name on something so far off base.

12/24/03
Preston Bissell
Eau Claire, WI

Unlike some of the people who have commented on this film, I actually watched it. As a lifelong Mormon, now disengaged from that church, I found it to be a fairly accurate portrayal of missionary life, and the emotions young missionaries go through. Like one of the former missionaries interviewed, I have to agree that the mission experience was very important in my life, and very important in helping me be the person that I am today. I also agree that there will always be a part of me that is Mormon.

One thing that came through very clearly in this film is the emphasis on obedience and following leaders. That pretty much sums up the Mormon church today. I think that one of the former missionaries said it best when he said that the LDS church is like a large corporation, and that it is run like a large corporation, and "at its heart, there is no heart."

12/24/03
Reuel
Philadelphia, PA

I saw the program and think it was overall very kind to the church of LDS. It presented views from both sides in sufficient detail, but most airtime and most sympathy were given to the three conforming missionaries. They go to Germany innocent, clueless and ignorant. They seem to come back no less innocent, and quite a bit more clueless and ignorant than they were before the trip.

I find the complaints of some viewers about the selection of former missionaries for the program not persuasive. After all, most of the film was about three clean cut and well meaning missionaries who completed their task and remained faithful members of the church of LDS. This program is a significant victory for the church's propaganda efforts.

I must decry the relatively small attention the film gives to the gay missionary, and to the relentless cruel war that the church of LDS wages against its gay members. While many religious sects are homophobic, the church of LDS is rabidly hostile, and it persecutes and haunts gay members with unusual energy, vindictiveness, and venom. Anybody who is close to the mission enterprise knows of this ugly fact (which is also reflected in the controversy surrounding the Boy Scouts, an organization with strong historical and administrative ties to the church). Yet the program barely touched the issue, depriving the readers of critical insight into the true doctrine and practices of the church.

12/24/03

I can't believe you would choose to show this. I have always enjoyed watching your station, but this was too much. I have never seen you air a show that was so one-sided and negative about any person or religion. This was very upsetting to a lot of viewers. In this "so-called documentary" they view that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints forces their members to believe the things they teach. That I know is not true. In this film SHE is FORCING the viewers to believe in HER opinion of the church. And the fact that you are showing this film for a second time...right after it went off is terrible. Why don't you try showing more uplifting shows. I have always supported PBS...I'm not anymore. Not until you stop showing rediculous, one-sided films like this one. Please don't air it anymore!

12/24/03

12/24/03
Nashville, Tennessee

This film was one of the more balanced perspectives I've seen on LDS subjects. I very much appreciated that this film was more independent in scope, and not bankrolled by LDS faithful as was the previous Joseph Smith documentary on PBS.

I have often thought that the LDS missionary training effort was far more about indoctrination of the missionaries than about their prosletying of others, and this film generally seemed to support that hypothesis. Missionaries are not sent to areas where they would have the greatest impact. Rather, they are sent to areas where they will be the most isolated from home, where they can barely speak the language.

Thank you for your work in pulling this together. This is certainly not a film that the Latter Day Saints would necessarily agree with because it states various points of view, both ones affirming their organization as well as ones they would find inappropriate. For me, however, that is precisely what makes the film more believeable.

12/24/03
steve
Katy, TX

These kids needs to stop this self righteous proselytizing! Instead they should read and be exposed to a variety of different points of view! Particularly of the folks they're preaching to.

They set back the rest of us americans who must work in these countries!

The older folks leading these kids into this proselytizing nonsense should be prosecuted for child abuse!

The american indians are really from Israel?! They came over to the north american continent around 600 BC?! And the proof for all this is ... well, it's not really needed... PLEEASE!!

These older folks leading these kids astray need to see an army of psychiatrists and have charges brought against them!

12/24/03
Wesley Sine
Ithaca NY

This film really did not capture the nature of the missionary experience and I am not really sure that was its intent, despite repeated claims to the contrary by the film maker. Instead, it seems that the purpose of this film was to send a particular message, largely negative, about mormonism, missionaries, and Utah culture. One does not represent (or adequately examine) a phenomenon by weighting the sample with observations from the tails of the distribution. This film seemed more propaganda than art and not worthy of PBS. I have seen well done documentaries on Islam, Judaism, and other religions on PBS and this film is very substandard in comparison.

12/24/03

These kids would help god more if they spent their time learning the varied and different philosophies, and needs, of the very folks they're proselytizing to.

It cheapens and demeans their cause to engage in the narrow minded pursuit of trying to convert people to their way of thinking so they can buy their own acre of heaven. These kids need to live before they can even hope to begin to mention, let alone spread, some old fart's philosophy.

Please, on behalf of americans who must work in the countries you decide to proselytize to: don't give the rest of us americans a bad name!

12/24/03
Springvale, Maine

Calling this program a "documentary" is a disgrace to PBS. Mixing true life missionary experiences with disgruntle ex-members of the church is not the structure of a true documentary. It is not the first and will not be the last time the L.D.S. church has been wrongfully depicted; however, it saddens me that a public broadcast station would agree to participate in this obvious anti-Mormon film. I can’t wait to see PBS’s “documentary” next year on life in High School where only students that were drop-outs or disgruntle because they didn’t make the basketball team or cheerleading squad are interviewed.

12/24/03

It seems Nancy du Plessis' film was just what it said it was - a film about young men and women on a mission. She was not "there", the camera was. She recorded their experiences and some of their thoughts. The time given to the "other" missionaries was not equal time because they were not the point, they just made comments. Good work, Nancy.

12/24/03
Larry Clark
Tempe, AZ

I applaud the portrait of the 3 missionaries. However, the ex-missionaries seemed to be making a statement that such missionary service inevitably leads to the rejection of their religion. The film maker clearly seems to have an anti-religion bias. Does PBS plan on running other anti-religion programs in the future?.

12/24/03
Jim White
Waukesha WI

I watched the program thinking that it was a documentary but was disappointed as it progressed and the message became apparent. It appeared to me to present a very negative slant on the missionary service of these dedicated mormon volunteers. I did not approve of PBS supporting a program that attempts to make a statement for or against any religion. This will most likely impact my willingness to contribute to PBS in the future.

12/24/03
Courtney Clark

I would just like to say how nauseating and dissapointing this documentary was to me. I am seventeen years old and have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints my whole life. Nancy du Plessis claims that "I made a film about young people who went through this experience and came to different conclusions", but all of the people she interviewed came to the same conclusion: this church is wrong. I find it very upsetting that the only people shown had such negative outlooks on the church. Every person I have met that went on a mission considered it the best two years of their lives. They came to love their church and the people they taught. They truly believed in what they were teaching and it filled their hearts with joy. I wish the film maker would have shown some people who looked back on their missions with fondness and faith, really believing that what hey taught was the truth. The amount of negativity really upset me, especially since I have such faith in my religion.

12/24/03
Lin and Larry Clark

I'm appalled that PBS aired an Anti Mormon Video. I thought PBS was above that kind of behavior. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I will no longer support the funding or watch PBS. Your take on the Mormon religion would lead me to believe that you would feel it all right to interview Nazi who persecuted Jews as part of a story on the Jewish Religion. What you did by airing this "documentary" was wrong.

12/24/03
Marni

First, I wanted to comment on the earlier "feedback from someone saying that "each time he went to the temple he had to promise to give his life and had to act HOw". I have been to the temple and at no time was it ever mentioned that I had to give my life up in a physical sense. That is absurd. I, at one point grew tired of the church. I felt it was overbearing. I went without it for years. After a while, I began to research things for myself,sometimes because I questioned things or someone else did. Everytime I researched what I needed an answer for, I found my answer, either by study, prayer, or discussion. I started to feel the Lord's love. The more I researched for myself the more I realized that the church is true. The ex-member, ex-missionaries interviewed have issues and anger that they have not dealt with. I feel bad for them for not dealing with those issues and letting their anger hold them back. I have not been forced to do anything in my life. The church offers instructions to help gui de us, the same as I offer instructions to help my children. The Lord is offering instruction to us and the missionaries are the mouth. If the filmmaker wanted to make an unbias story then why did she close almost completely with the overwhelming negative views of the ex-member ex-missionaires. Not once at the end did she ask the missionaries she followed to give their feelings on the testimonies and feelings of the church, especially once they returned home. The reason why people like to hire return missionaries is that two years of hard work makes a man considerably more mature. Do the missionaries featured in this show know the context that the show is presented? It totally undermines everything that they did. There are so many misconceptions and untruths out there about the church and this just fed that. After being out the church so long made me realize how much it helped me and how much the Lord loved me. That is why I am happy to be part of it. In the movie, the long-haired ex-missionary said the church was a corporation and it has no heart. This church is run by so much volunteerism. The tithing is put back into the church to assist members and others. The church sends a lot of humanitarian aide (recently to Africa). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a welfare program like no other to help those in need. I am open minded as all people should be in any religion or aspect of life.

12/24/03
lisa
Bridgeport,Ill

I just watched the show , and all I can say is now I know the Church is true. Only something that is real can cause such extreme emotions. I never see any anti-Methodist shows on TV , but I sure see all kinds of anti-Mormon stuff -books, web-sites,etc. The other churches don't represent any threat so there is no need for all the opposition. True disciples of Christ have always been attacked, and it's no different today. All the controversy only makes the believers stronger!

12/24/03
Aaron deOliveira
Houston, TX

My feelings about this film run with the comments of Jason Manning.

I am proud of your work for two reasons. First, that you are willing to show other views, if not in the film itself, at least prominantly displayed on your website where people can find them. Secondly, I am proud of you that you do not see other views of your work as an attack. I like your quote, "[the video is] intended to ... begin a dialogue about the issues involved." I hope that this film results in further dialoge for yourself and the audiences you reach.

Members of the Church often deal with people who don't walk in their shoes. My life as a member of the Church is highly focused on what I see as important and I feel that I am good at it. I feel that I am a good member of the Church. I see this as similar to people who focus on business or sports or whatever is deeply important to them. Almost every part of their lives are influenced by it. To really understand what it feels like to go to the Superbowl, you'd have to have trained with those players and played in those games to really taste that feeling. To understand why a business person does something, you'd have to spend the days and weeks and months looking at spreadsheets, talking to customers, and designing products.

So to understand the life of a member of the Church, missionary or not, you'd have to be there with them, not as an observer, but as a participant. You'd have to serve a mission to truly see inside it. We watch the Superbowl every year and we cheer with the winning teams, but do we ever really know how they feel? Not until you've done it.

Sincerely,

Aaron deOliveira

12/23/03
E. Ruess
Richmond, VA

I have religously (no pun intended) donated money to PBS for 22 years . . .. however, I have decided to withhold my contribution indefinately. Why?

The Get The Fire Documentary is clearly unworthy of the PBS legacy and PBS does a disservice to itself for broadcasting such a blantantly unbalanced and flavorless piece of work.

While I am not a Mormon, I have had met LDS Missionaries and know several Members of the LDS Church. I have worked with them and I have employed them. I have even listened to the missionary message on several occasions. My experieces thus far have been both positive and negative. Oddly enough, equal to that of pretty much every other human being I have come into contact with.

Despite the fact that I choose not to live the life as taught w/in the LDS community, I can clearly, say without a doubt, that this "Documentary" is without merit, talent, or any sincere balance whatsoever.

Specific content aside, as documentaries go, this piece is purely juvenile and it saddens me think that Nancy du Plessis's efforts could be considered anything but the lazy, one-sided, self-serving agenda laden piece that it is.

I would like to hope that I can continue to respect other people's beliefs, as I know many Mormons have done for my own. It is clear that Nancy du Plessis has done none of this. Worse still, she shows a total disrespect for her own artistic integrity and only demonstrates how to propagandize art for art's sake. Truly sad.

So for now, PBS will get no more support from me, until it can distinguish between the lopsided dribble of 'Get The Fire' and the informative, educational works I apparently have taken for granted.

12/23/03
Rebecca Charlton Ontario, CA

I served a mission. It taught me who I was and what God expected of me.

I came home early. No one judged or called me a failure.

I struggled with my beliefs... And found them strengthened as God, my parents, and church members lifted me through the bad times.

Then I told someone at work I was a member of the Church... And she stopped speaking to me.

In my experience, it isn't within the church that I have faced the greatest pressure--it's from those who don't respect my choices to live within a framework that rejects the "let-loose" philosophy of 20th Century America. I was disappointed to see this film encourage such bigoted, anti-religion behavior.

It was all too obvious that Nancy du Plessis had no intention of being unbiased in her representation. Are there not thousands of content, thriving ex-missionaries around the world? My brothers, sister, myself, many of my closest friends, my mission companions (many of whom were native dominicans), my father, my cousins, the majority of my ward group in Ontario--any of us would gladly tell the untold story of the joy that comes from mission experiences--even if they are unpleasant stories like mine.

By the way, if you want information about the religion, don't ask a filmmaker. Log on to www.lds.org and find real information. Then develop a relationship with God and find your place within his plan whether that leads to an acceptance of "mormonism" or not.

Oh--and I'm 27, unmarried, with a strong background in academia. I go to church every Sunday. I don't feel like I was EVER pressured to marry young and breed or to reject my position as a scientist. The Church (aka God) encourages young women to meet their potential. We have an active charitable organization that I have seen work miracles. We have leaders from every walk of life. I feel respected as a woman within the Church regardless of my marital status. Once again, this film and website should not be mistaken for fact.

12/23/03
Las Vegas, NV

I viewed the film and was impressed with it as unbiased and presenting separate conclusions made by individuals who traveled similar paths. While I understand the importance of "focus", the mere fact that these young people cannot have family contact except on two given occasions (Mother's day and Christmas) clearly serves to unduly isolate and indoctrinate them. One of the other posts stated "that being Christian means that Jesus Christ was the one who saved the world from their sins." There is more to it than that. The death of Jesus Christ gives me the opportunity to accept Him as my personal savior, have a personal relationship with Him, and ultimately be gracefully granted a single eternal life with God. While the sincerity of the Mormon missionary's belief is admirable, and not in question, I do not believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a representative of Christianity. The Mormon lifestyle can be deceiving. For those who follow the teachings of the LDS church, sadly, works and good deeds will not guarantee them an eternal life. Hopefully, those who have questions will continue to search. The God I know encourages questioning. The truth is in the Bible.

12/23/03
Mike Goimarac
Sedona Arizona

I am an active member of the LDS Church and served a mission in Los Angeles California. After viewing your documentary, I can see how it would be easy for a viewer to conclude that LDS missionaries are nieve brainwashed teenagers who are merely out there because of purported social pressures foisted on them by a domineering religious heirarchy. My own missionary experience was certainly not consistent with this conclusion. All missionaries serve at their own expense. They are essentially put in the middle of a new culture with an equally unsophisticated peer and instructed to converse with people of all religions and walks of life about their personal religious beliefs. In my own experience, my beliefs were challenged on a daily basis and there was no opportunity to ignore the facts. As a result, I examined and compared every aspect of my faith including my own motivations for sacrificing two years of my life. I asked myself if my mission was not just a clever method of self conversion; tell others enough times something is true and maybe you will begin believing it yourself. I was given anti-mormon literature to read and read it. I don't think my experience was unique among LDS missionaries. It is unfortunate that every religion does not allow and even promote such self analysis and testing of ones convictions. If they did perhaps there would be more people filling up churches rather than searching for the next materialistic thrill.

I went on a mission with a somewhat naieve conviction of my beliefs and came back with a stronger one. The skeptics, will say (like the ex-mormons in your documentary)that I merely brainwashed myself and was duped by a sophisticated religious machine. I just don't see it that way. I see instead that my beliefs were challenged on every front, and because of spiritual confirmations and experiences that cannot be understood or articulated in a 60 minute television program, they withstood the test. Let's face it. The LDS missionary experience presents an interesting paradox. Who would ever think that the way to grow a religious instituion would be to ask unsophisticated 19 year old "boys" to go out and try to convince others of their own beliefs. Don't require a degree in theology and don't pay them anything for their efforts. It just doesn't square with the known and accepted formulas for organizational growth. This is the formula behind one of the fastest growing religions in the world. A religion that by the way was started by a 14 year old boy who made the bold claim that he was visited by God and Jesus Christ. With this sort of basis and consequent success people like Nancy du Plessis are naturally constrained to find any alternative explanation besides the possibility that perhaps there is some truth to the message of the LDS Faith for its success as a viable thriving world (not just Utah) religion.

My advice to those curious about the LDS religion is to be skeptical of the skeptics. Look at their motivations and biases. The LDS Faith and its underlying philosophy of a loving personal Father-like God is seen by some as a threat to the accepted creed-based forms of Christianity that espouse a formless God who creates and then predestines humans to either heaven or eternal hell. And while we present a unique option to traditional Christianity, you will never see the LDS Church going out of its way to condemn the beliefs of other religions or cast them in a false light.

12/23/03
Lydia Anderson

In watching this film, I obtained a great deal of appreciation for it. I am not a member, however, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but a very dear friend of mine left for his mission three months ago. His letters are usually in broad terms and are often filled wtih questions of home, and to see this documentary was a breath of fresh air. Despite what opinions may arise about this particular religion, i am proud of my friend and his dedication to his mission. A great majority of this film was portrayed with an objective connotation, and that made it much simpler and much easier to learn. I suppose that this is a simple thank you for providing some insight into the life of a Mormon missionary. I enjoyed this documentary a great deal, and I am glad i got to see it.

12/23/03
Michael
Los Angeles

Every person that goes on a mission, experiences something different. I myself served in Spain. Did I enjoy everyday of my mission, absolutely not! But I enjoyed my experience as an overall part of my life. I truly became closer to God. Everytime I help an elderly lady with her shopping..., everytime I taught people about what Christ did for me..., everytime I played soccer with kids on the street..., everytime I comforted someone..., everytime I let someone know that I loved them and God loves everyone..., I felt closer to my fellow human beings and closer to my God. I think that some missionaries forget why they are on a mission (answer: to share with the world that God loves them and that the teachings of Christ brings happiness!)

Sure there are descrepancies in the church, what organization, church, or person is perfect? For me and a growing number of people, it fits. I love the teachings, I love the values, and most of all, I love God and like the way that love makes me treat others (with rep ect and compassion)! For some it doesn't fit, and that is fine. We all have our free agency to choose how to live our lives. I respect the ex-member mormons, they choose a different life and that is fine. Whether they are in the church or not, God still loves them, and of course they are welcome back whenever they want!

As far as the "documentary", I thought that it was poorly done. Fifty-seven minutes to encapsulate two years of someone's life? While the ex-mormons added some balance to the event. It also took away from the character development of the three young men. In a good documentary, we are given facts and then we as the viewers are to draw our own conclusions. The ex-mormons seemed to negate the impact of what the young men were learning or going through. Of course, this is just my opinion.

12/23/03
Amanda Olsen
Boise, Idaho

I am absolutely disgusted with what I just saw on television and what I have just read on this website. Nancy, you should be ashamed of yourself. I am a video editor and I cannot believe the blatant use of one-sided editing that went on during your so-called documentary. I would have been more impressed if you had called your film Mormon Missions: Views of the Anti-mormon missionary.

You say you are not telling a story about the Mormon church yet all over your Q&A page you give your opinions as to what you think Mormons believe. One thing that offended me personally was your comment of young women of the church not being encouraged to go on missions but rather "get married young and bear children." I don't think I have ever heard anyone tell me, or in any other way suggest to me, that I should marry young and bear children.

Also, there is no inequality amongst the males and females of the church. We are all equal in the eyes of God. Yes, females don't hold the priesthood but that doesn't make us unequal or less favorable in the sight of God or in each other. Also, I have never heard of anyone being excommunicated from the church for supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. And since you say you had just "heard" about Sonia Johnson you must not know her personally or know the whole story. Our church is totally supportive and excited by the rights of women today. President Hinckley speaks often about how happy and grateful he is by the oportunities out there for women these days.

Also, you say you made the film to explore the experience of a missionary and what they conclude at the end of their mission. Well, where are the conclusions from the 3 missionaries that you followed? They weren't shown and it is obvious to me now why they weren't. The only conclusions shown were the ones from the ex-Mormons. I was also surprised when you said you chose to follow three missionaries just to be safe and you were surprised that all three finished their missions. I think if you had really done your homework you wouldn't have been surprised at all.

Next time you chose a subject to document in film, please chose one you are not prejudiced against so that you won't be tempted (a second time) to tell an untrue story.

12/23/03
Joe Crapo
jrjjvegas@aol.com
Las Vegas, NV

12/23/03
Nathan Robite
Farr West, Utah

12/23/03
peder arntsen
bishop ca

i cant really answer the first question beacause i didnt go on my mission because i was not worthy to go. im sorry about it but now i now that it was right thats not were my father in heaven wanted me. i think that its okay to share relgion around the world why should people only be subject to one religion. on the third quistion it was just one sided because she favored the ex missionaries sides i think that they should of not gone a mission because you are suppsed to have a testimony before you go on a mission and you also need to be worthy. it seemed like that these ex missionaires were not worthy to begin with some of them were talking about being homosexueals after there misssions it seems that they had something eles on there mind besides there testimony and there faith. one other thing if you think its about numbers and baptisms you should have not been on a mission. if you want a good example of a good missionary look a jesus christ he was the best example for everyone of the world then and forever.

if you need some one to bad mouth look at your self and to the lady that made this film she should have take a little more time to get both sides of the story and it would help if she was not antimormon.

12/23/03
Sally English

By making a movie about Mormon missionaries, Nancy du Plessis is making a movie about the Mormon Church. The two are inextricably connected. Ms. du Plessis did a thorough job of interviewing young men who were no longer practicing members of the Mormon Church. However, she failed to interview young men who went through this experience and came back home with greater faith in and knowledge of Jesus Christ. These men are the vast majority. As such, her film was unbalanced and inaccurate in its portrayal of returned missionaries.

12/23/03
Troy
Chandler, AZ

Shame on you PBS for airing a documentary that was so one-sided. Didn't your Mother ever say, "If you can't say anything nice about somebody, don't say anything at all?" Did anyone from PBS preview the show before airing it? While I was once a faithful supporter and contributor to PBS programming and fundraising, that ends today. To me, PBS is now an acronym for Primarily Biased Shows.

Why not focus on the good that comes from missionary work.? All the thousands and thousands of service hours rendered. What about all the humanitarian efforts done by the LDS church? Find me another religion, regardless of the size, that does more and donates more than the LDS church. Obviously the four ex-missionaires are very unhappy. What you need to realize PBS and Ms. du Plessis, is that these four men are the minority and would probably represent less than 1% of returned missionaires. Why weren't the three missionaries featured in the documentary interviewed post-mission as part of the show? From reading the website comments, sounds like all three would do it over again and had a good experience. Play fair PBS. Hopefully you'll learn from this and clean up your programming.

12/23/03
JD Packer
Brigham City, Utah

Unfortunately, this "independent documentary" cannot be classified as such. Generally, a documentary is an unbiased look at a certain subject matter. Ms. Plessis insists that this is not a documentary about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fine, that is a fair and accurate declaration. She did intend to show what affect a mission would have on individuals. Her choice of material consisted of recommended missionaries from the Church and former missionaries. However, her subjects for post mission commentary were all anti-LDS with seeming personal vendettas against the Church. Ms. Plessis’ depiction of the attitudes of former LDS missionaries is inaccurate. Certainly some decide to leave the Church, which is their choice. However, the strong majority continues in the faith for the balance of their lives. Such inflammatory comments made by the anti-LDS gentlemen as: the Church is controlling or we have no free will of choice is absolute rubbish. The Church is one that encourages personal choice. If one chooses to do contrary to the doctrines and teachings of the Church, then there may be consequences of varying degrees (up to excommunication), but I would contend that one who did not wish to follow the doctrines, probably is not that interested in being aligned with the Church.

This documentary should have contained interviews with former missionaries who are still strong in the faith and hence, balance ans a true "independent" view. It seems that the anti-LDS gentlemen were infusing every experience that the current missionaries had with counter commentary - this casts an anti-LDS light on the entire documentary.

12/23/03
Jon Erekson
Houston, Texas

12/23/03
Jim
Alabama

Not another Anti-Mormon movie. Seems people only want to sell hate. People love the LIE more than truth. I noticed the sources given like MRM, ULM(Tanners), etc are the main resources. Well hate does sell. And this flick just goes to prove how low people will sink to make a buck. I am surprised that PBS is in on the HATE Group wagon. Christian Identity movement supports violence and hate. PBS let this either slip by them or they support it. It is so sad that PBS has come to this.

12/23/03
tom blodgett

typical pbs documentary. one sided and negative. the minimal 5% of disgruntled ex-missionaries who have left the church for reasons no one but them honestly and truly will admit, dominate the conversations. why display their comments as the mainstream, when they are clearly the very extreme fringe of those who have served missions. the ex-missionaries who have left the chuch are not taken out of context, but left to finnish several of their thoughts, and made to appear so "very intellectual". this film maker is truly another typical, so predictible, "know it all" story-teller. could pbs ever produce something wholesome, value centered, and in an honest light. the greatness of a church, its christian acts and aid throughout the earth, and it's volunteer, missionary young people will never be understood by the valueless and dishonest producers of pbs and this film-maker. after 26 months with such magnificient young men and leaders, she still doesn't get it. what a disappointment in the lack of character and honesty, and the ability to be courageous and stand for something worthy and inspiring in such a troubled world.

12/23/03
Melanie
Spokane, Washington

Nancy, nice try, but knowing what I know about the LDS church, it seems you may have wasted 2 years of "observing and filming" to produce this misrepresenting documentary of your "rite of passage" idea of the mormon missionary. I can't fault the idea, but you really did "drop the ball" on creating an accurate portrayal of an LDS missionary.

Correction, the portrayal was good, but it is very clear that you got your nose "bent out of shape" by not being allowed to film and document the way you would have liked. As a result, all interviews with former missionaries turned out to be with disgruntled, former missionaries, and your slanted view of how the LDS church truly works came out loud and clear. A happy returned missionary is more than easy to find among any LDS population (I'm not speaking of those in Utah). And the people whom they taught and helped baptize will only share their feelings of gratitude for their time spent with the missionaries. What a wasted opportunity to not have included any of these types of people in your project.

If you had hoped to be able to voice your opinion about the LDS church through this documentary, you succeeded. Congratulations. But, to improve any future projects, maybe you should stick to the truth of what you actually observe, and leave out the commentary from those not actually active in the church anymore. This whole program was confusing. Was this a documentary? What I saw tonight was not.

12/23/03
Las Vegas, NV

I am an ex-member of the church. I became an ex-member by actual reading and studying church history. And not only "church approved" history, but other history as well. I was angered and in disbelief by some of the things I read. I don't think that "unapproved church material" is anti-mormon, afterall who would want members to know the facts of some of the early history(ex. The many different variations of the First Vision, The stone and the hat Joseph used to translate and find The Book of Mormon, Murders, Polygamy that was practiced by Joseph and others yet kept a secret from Members, Mountain Meadow Massacre), and the list goes on and on and on. They will tell you of all the suffering Saints (which is sad) endured but will not tell you how they tried to take over land and govern everyone to believe the way they believed (which is also sad). They even created armies and money!! I believe that any man even considering serving 2 years of their life should do so only after much research and finding things out for themselves intellectually!! Too many people embrace the church by "feelings" and lack common sense. My heart has lied to me a thousand times, but my brain never has. They take everything for face value, or as they are instructed by leaders. The church is also based on fear. They keep you fearing so that you won't leave. You'll go to hell for this and that. I'm sure that many of them think that I'm just some apostate, (instead of a person), who's going to go to hell for my input on this message board. It's taken me awhile to get over that. After being brain washed for my whole life on fear it's hard to let go, but anyone with common sense knows that's not true. They also believe that once you leave the church your world will be filled with unhappiness. Let me say that I have a very happy life. I can LIVE now that I don't have to watch every step I take to make sure I'm as perfect as possible. I think that this program was fair. It represented some who have left the church and others who are still active. People need to see both sides. Believe me, the church definetly seems appealing, but you need to look at other sides as well. What's the saying, "If it's too good to be true, it probobly is".

12/23/03
Garrett Reed
Houston, Texas

For the past 13 years I've done quite a bit of travelling and living, mostly in LAtin America and have run into Mormon Missionaries all over the place. At first I didn't have much of an opinion or really care about what they were doing. I took them at face value and never thought too deeply about them. About four years ago I met a woman in Santo Domingo who is now my wife. My wife is from one of the poorest neighborhoods in Santo Domingo; no running water, spordic eletricity, sewage running in the streets etc.... NOt to far from her home in this magnificent Mormon temple (I think thats the word)topped by a golden angel. I passed it by many many times. Each time I passed it and an anger rose up in me that grew and grew.... I thought about the incredible suffering of the people of Santo DOmingo...hunger, humiliation by a government that despises the poor, and religous institutions (not only the Mormons by any means)that convince their poor congregrants to build huge expensive edifices. Why? One would have to be completely disconnected with reality to not see the disgusting contradiction in it. It's gross over-indulgence. My question is: Why did such a huge, elaborate and obviously expensive structure need to be built? Can God be worshiped just as passionatly in a more humble edifice? I'd become a MOrmon in a second if they converted this huge building into dwellings for the thousands of homeless in S.D. and redirected the millions they collect from the people and worked to build a community water works, power station and hospital..none of which the government or any other institution seems to be interested in doing.

Another point: I really can't blame these young men and women who volunteer for these missions. And I know that these young people believe they're doing something good for people and don't have evil intent. But really how much does a 19,20, or 21 year old know about the world? IAbout life? Isn't it a bit presumptuous for a young person who hasn't lived to go about presenting him or herself as a messenger of God? Or someone who has gone on a real spiritual journey? When I seek spiritual advice I always go to a person who has "hit his/her knees" in life, meaning a person who has been humbled hard and come out with a stronger faith. I always like to end on a positive note: What I do believe to be a good about the 2 year mission is the valuable experience of a young person leaving home and going to a foreign place. I did this at 21 not to minister to others but to minister to my own soul or rather to begin the journey within. It was an invaluable experience and it's one thing I could say we share in common. peace, garret reed

12/23/03
Liz
Norman, OK

I love when the church receives good recognition, and for this reason. I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I know that anyone who truely understands in their hearts and is worthy cannot deny this truth. I know the work on this documentary took much time and effort. Your talent is present in this film. Although, I did not feel the true presence of what a mission is all about. It is not young men going around "selling" the church. If that is the mind set of any missionaries, they are there for the wrong reasons. It is all about SHARING. And for me, sharing what has been a part of my life that brings me TRUE joy! It's about SERVICE. Our church does not look for numbers. We just want to share what has been a blessing in our lives with as many people as we can(namely those we love). I am deeply sorry if others feel another way. The film was a little unsettling to me, because I do not feel it represented things the way they really are. Most things, as an artist, you have to feel to portray. I did not get that from this film. My feelings could go on, but I will keep it short. All of these things, in my heart, are sacred. I hope that those that want to know more about the church will look at those books and articles that are written by those who believe in the church. If you wanted to learn about Astrology, would you read a book written by someone who didn't believe in space?

12/23/03
Sandy Leon
Indiana

12/23/03
Boise ID

Dear Independentlens producers, I am very upset at the 'show' you put on PBS tonight. Not only did it make me cry, it also made my brother, Clay Allred, who just returned a month ago from his mission, very upset. Obviously you have gotten people who are no longer members of our church to talk about it, and you followed missionaries who were trying to work. There are many people who would be more than happy to talk about the LDS church positivly!

This was NOT a documentary, this was a 'Mormon Bashing' session. Those who are members don't have earrings or long hair... so who was the man you had speaking for our so called, 'corporation?' I am a member of this church and I know people who have been baptized. They know what they are doing before hand and they know how they feel. If you did want to get the real information on the church wouldn't you ask someone who actually went to church and was a member? Is the person who made the show a Mormon hater? If I didn't know anything about this religion, that show would have made me cautious of "The Mormons" or at least weary.

I am very upset to know that one of my favorite stations, that I grew up watching, would let a 'show' bash on my religion. Does your station or show only favor certain groups or religions? I will be sure to not watch ANY other of your 'documentaries' on religions because you cannot follow them well enough to get the facts. I looked at the online website of feedback on this, and there are so many people upset! Don‚t you have any regrets doing this? Do you even know what your doing? I am just so sad that you could not show The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints positively. I just want to know why this was done, and why it had nothing very positive and uplifting in it. If you had just spoken to any active members it would have been better. Many missionaries are more than happy to be serving! You made it look like they were doing this horrible service in the church. It was also obvious you cut parts where members were saying good or nice words about our religion.

I thought it might do some good to give you some feedback. I kept waiting for something good to be said but it didn‚t happen. My brother was very hurt by this also. I‚m glad the rest of my family was NOT awake to watch this. So ouch, no thanks, and I‚m only thankful you showed it at 10:00p.m. so others who were sleeping didn‚t see it.

Sincerely, April Allred 16 yrs old, Boise, ID. My brother is Clay Allred 21 yrs old