Join the Discussion

What are your thoughts concerning this film on the history and beliefs of Mormonism? Did it broaden your understanding of this very American religion?

 

I was hoping that you would publish the full text of the transcripts of the people that you interviewed for this work. You have some of them on the web site, but I do not see Elder Dallin Oaks of the LDS Church. I believe that you took his remarks out of context, but I'm not sure. Is it possible to get a copy of the transcript of your interview with this Apostle?

Marc Roddin
Mountain View, California

Our editors respond: Unfortunately, due to limitations of time and resources, all the interviews conducted for this program could not be published here on "The Mormons" site. However, the LDS Church had also recorded the interviews of Elder Oaks and Elder Packer when they were conducted, and the church has published the transcripts, edited for clarity and length, on their own Web site. Here is the link to read the interviews.

 

I was disappointed and frustrated with this series. As an active member of the LDS church, I was interested to see how our religion would be portrayed. I feel that there were so many things that were left out and so much time focused on things that bear little importance to the modern Mormon religion. The tragedy of the Mormon Meadows Massacre and the interviews with polygamist families that do not even belong to our church should have been given far less time than they were. I definitely believe that time should have been given to unbiased historians and objective sociologists, but to have musicians, authors, "historians" as experts without even defining the extent of their qualifications is just irresponsible. By the time that many of these people stated that they were former members and were unhappy with the church, they had already offered their opinion as fact. This show should have not been presented as a news report unless you were willing to truly give responsible and objective reporting.

M P
Las Vegas, Nevada

Our editors respond: This discussion area has received to date more than 3,100 letters and while we are unable to respond to all the many points raised in them, we would like to call attention to three concerns about the film that were cited by many viewers. Many viewers complained that the program did not have many Mormon scholars and church members and leaders in it, and they also were disappointed that we didn't identify who was or wasn't a LDS member.There were several church leaders in the film, as well as many Mormon scholars and writers. We refer you to the "Interviews" section of this Web site where you can read the extended interviews of some of them. We decided not to label a person's religious affiliation, just as we didn't label who was or wasn't a Catholic in filmmaker Helen Whitney's previous program on Pope John Paul II. There was a concern that people would automatically make judgments, without listening carefully and respectfully, had we labeled whether they were or were not members of the LDS church. We want to point out, however, that the religious affiliation of most of them generally surfaces early in their comments in the program, and certainly it is clear in the extended interviews published on the Web site. Many viewers faulted the program for spending so much time on polygamy and on the Mountain Meadows massacre. Here is filmmaker Helen Whitney's response, taken from her live chat on Washingtonpost.com the day after the series concluded: "I spent considerable time on these two areas because they are important in Mormon history and theology. Most people know very little about polygamy. They assume it was not social practice, but are unaware that it was a spiritual principle of utmost importance to Mormons. It was essential to salvation, and as Mormon scholar Kathleen Flake points out, polygamy was as important to the Mormons as baptism was/is to Christians. The Mountain Meadows massacre is a dark chapter in Mormon history. It has been generally treated in a sensational manner. We tried to provide the historical context -- the years of persecution preceding the massacre, the Utah war, the fact that President Buchanan had sent an army to Utah to remove Brigham Young as governor. All these events created an inflamed atmosphere and paranoia that is essential to understanding, though of course not excusing, this terrible event." Finally, there were hundreds of viewers who complained that we left out some essential topics in the history, culture and theology of the LDS church or didn't go deeper into those topics we did cover. Unfortunately, four hours was not enough to fully explore this rich and complex story, but we believe that what was presented did offer a thoughtful and valuable perspective on the Mormons' story and we invite you to read the LDS church's statement about the film that was published on lds.org the day after broadcast.

 

I am suspicious as to the timing for the rebroadcast of The Mormons the week following Super-Tuesday. Can you blame skeptics like me for assuming that PBS expected Mitt Romney to be a still viable candidate at this point, and timed the rebroadcast of a program about his faith that does indeed concentrate out of proportions on two issues that could arguably deepen the widespread skepticism about Mormons in the United States, as a way to influence the campaign?

Guedy Kadosh
Atlanta, GA

 

I'm amazed so many Mormons are commenting here about the misrepresentation they feel their religion has suffered from in this documentary, since to my eyes it is quite clear that this film is biased towards them and presents the history of the Mormons with a relatively uncritical eye and an obvious slant in their favor.

Your decision not to distinguish which scholars were Mormon and which were not seemed only to blur the line even more and left the appearance that almost every scholar was either Mormon or viewed the Mormons in a positive light. The fact that one of the scholars was allowed to say that modern plural marriage has immense areas of gray without any comment from those who have been the victims of polygamy or those who know the devastating damage it can cause to the women and children involved seems careless at best and grossly negligent at worst. Stories about the excommunication of intellectuals were followed by church apologists saying "well, you're only hearing one half of the story," as if that was the last word, leaving the viewer with a contrary impression.

There is no doubt that the institution of the the Church of Latter Day Saints is an archaic, arrogant, and, yes, dangerous group with an alarming amount of power, something which was completely ignored in this documentary. If a viewer didn't know better, they might come away with the impression that Mormonism is nothing but a beautiful, if quirky, religion, woefully misunderstood by the masses and long overdue for a publicity makeover.

I look to Frontline to offer exposes of issues and groups that are important to the understanding of our history and society today. With the sympathetic portrayal given the Mormons here, I feel Frontline has abandoned its investigative mission.

Nicole Raymond
Chicago, IL

 

I just finished watching the broadcast for the second time and I wanted to say thanks for a wonderful program.

I was raised in a very staunch LDS family and up until my mid-30's was also a very active Mormon. Your program has helped me in as I strive to put my LDS experience in perspective and to reconcile those parts of me that believe, with those parts of me that can't accept aspects of the doctrine or culture.

Overall, this program I thought was well-balanced, and thought-provoking. I find that I am neither pro or anti Mormon; I have a tendency to defend the church against those who would seek to discredit it wholesale, yet I cringe at the rigidity and the demand for wholesale acceptence within the culture of the church and their internal belief that the doctrine and leaders are beyond reproach.

My personal journey has been both liberating and isolating, but hearing all the myriad voices in your program has been comforting on so many levels.

Thank you for investing the time and effort to do this.

Sacramento, California

 

It is unfortunate that the series, in my judgment, did not adequately discuss the significant theological differences between the LDS church and the three branches of orthodox Christianity. While there are many differences between Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Reformation and post-Reformation churches loosely called Protestants, these churches are united in certain beliefs that are spelled out in the historic creeds. Even those Christians who do not subscribe to creeds can accept the statements of faith in the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds (LDS members would be particularly interested in the Athanasian Creed, which sets out very clearly the orthodox Christian view of the Trinity).

Every member of the LDS church that I have ever met has proven to be a very fine person; the issue of whether a person is a Christian has nothing to do with one's goodness. However, the reasons why many Christian bodies consider this faith to be outside of Christianity are very clear.

Robert Cooper
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

I find the Mormon tenet of baptizing the dead to be deeply offensive. There is something perverse to me about the Mormon conviction that all souls that ever lived must be retroactively made Mormon so that those Mormons who carry this out can get some eternal benefit from it. I am Jewish, but I oppose this practice for any dead person who, by definition, cannot consent to it.

Austin, TX

 

I'm an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Japan. I served my mission at Sapporo, Japan. I graduated from BYU-H.This program is very negative constructed purposely, that made me disappointed. Hope you will research more and bring the truth about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I often wonder why many people gives more attention to the Church.But hope and pray that the people will pay attention to what we preach. May the Lord's special blessing be with you and your family. Listen to the fine young men who are serving their mission so that you will know all about us.I'm very happy what I am. I know the Church is true and the Book of Mormon is the words of God. Thank you!

Seiko Tanner
Peoria, AZ

 

I thought the program was very informative. I have always been fascinated by the Mormon religion and their beliefs. The religion is too strict for me, but I can see how people are drawn to it. The close knit community, family values, their generosity to the poor is wonderful. If I were not such a feminist, the religion would appeal to me. Thank you PBS for shedding some light on the LDS church.

Julie DeLorenzo
Lewisburg, WV

 

This is the third time that I have seen the documentary, and I still feel that it is eminently fair, accurate, sympathetic, and even moving. As a non-LDS graduate student who studies Mormons, I was pleased to see many different sides of Mormon experience portrayed--including the faithful struggles of active Mormons and the faithful transgressions of those who have left, but are still interacting with their Mormon identity. Of course, not all viewers will be pleased with the film's complexity. Additionally, all who study Mormon history and culture will have complaints about what was left out (such as why all but ignore the Community of Christ, a liberal 250,000 member denomination with roots in Joseph Smith's movement?). Still, in my opinion, Whitney's work stands as the best film to date on this eminently American, now international faith community.

David Howlett
Iowa City, IA

 

Well, I suppose you can take the man out of mormonism, but you cannot take the mormonism out of the man. I found the program fondly interesting; even nostalgic. I was born and bred as a mormon but took Paul's advice and decided to put away childish things long ago. Believe me, the release from the confines, once the glass became clearer, was benignly liberating and exhilarating. I love my mormon experience and all of my mormon brothers and sisters. I, in my way, will always be a mormon. I also love not having to believe and conform as so many do (to some extent). I view the world through my mormon skewed eyes, yet have developed the recognition of that. Thank you PBS for tossing some light on me and my 'peculiar' family.

Mike Callahan
Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

The term Mormon Fundamentalists was often used throughout the first half of the program. Let is be known to all that Mormon Fundamentalists are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and should not be reguarded as such, just as Protestants should not be reguarded as catholics. Mormon Fundamentalists and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are two completely different churches.

Remmington Campbell
Palmer, AK

 

It should be noted that most Christian religions do not consider Mormonism as part of the Christian Faith.

A purely American invention, Mormonism is flawed in its theological assertions, i.e., the Trinity, Christology, eschatology, the afterlife, baptism, scriptures. I understand that such a documentary could not be a nexus of historical and theological nuances, and overall, I found it to be balanced, I would have found it to be even more so, if these theological concepts were discussed both by Mormons and nonMormon scholars.

The effort and the courage to produce such a piece is commendable even if it exposes the producers to the diatribe from all sides.

Thank you.

Los Angeles, CA

 

I understand better now the tenants of the Mormon faith but still find their faith difficult to reconcile in our modern culture. Like so many other religions, the film demonstrated how family is the backbone of the religion. What the film didn't make clear is that non-Mormon family members are excluded from Mormon rituals and events. They don't belong. My brother converted to Mormonism and after two failed marriages, finally was allowed to be married "for all eternity" in the Mormon Temple in Bellevue Washington. My wife and I received what we thought was an invitation to the wedding. Not so. It was only an announcement of the wedding. Because we aren't Mormon, we were not allowed to attend my own brother's wedding. The insinuation was that because we were not Mormon we weren't pure enough to attend. It was the first time in my life I had ever been excluded from attending a wedding essentially because of my faith or lack of Mormon faith. That was and still is troubling to me.

Jeff Larsen
Seattle, WA

 

I am a convert to the church for a little over two years now and I have never been happier and healthier in my life. Before I had the church in my life I smoked, drank, did drugs and of course drank coffee. the church has totally changed my life for the better and I have never once been judged. There is now so much peace in my life and with my family, and I could have never changed without the strenght of my Heavenly Father and I am so greatfull for this. After watching this program I came away satisfied at the positive words and feelings of our church. I love being a part of this faith, family, and culture. I seen my own family in so many other peoples families that were on the show. There were some negative thoughts and expressions on this program but I did not find myself getting angry or upset with anything that was said only sorrow that there are my fellow brethern and sisters that have so many negative thoughts about the church and our views. The Priesthood is ment to be with the men and that is how it was in biblical times. The mother's job has always been the nurtuier for the children, I love having the great opportunity to be able to be at home with my children and my family and to take care of my home and also being able to cook wonderful meals for my family. My husband and I view each other as EQUAL and that the man is not above the woman, and that is what the church does teach all of us. I LOVED the segment on the Temples and all the many great blessings that we can get from going to the Temple. And my only question is that if our church is so bad thaen why does it continue to rapidly grow?

Angie Timpson
Aurora, Colorado

 

This was blatantly one of the most glossed-over presentations of the LDS church I have ever seen. Mormons are most certainly NOT Christians--not by any stretch of the imagination. Mormons are, by definition, polytheists. They claim the existence of a multiplicity of Gods, and that a man can "progress" to "godhood". This is diametrically-opposed to Christianity, which is patently monotheistic. And for a Christian to state that he can become a "god" someday is blasphemy. Anyone who can read Genesis chapter 1 can find out who the author is of the doctrine that man can become a "god"---that would be the Prince of Darkness. There is no rectifying this--there is no bridge to that theological chasm that will forever separate Orhtodox Christianity and Mormonism. And from a theological standpoint, that is only the tip of the iceberg. I understand that you did not have all the time to explore the theological aspects of the subject--but this is paramount to any discussion of the Mormon faith.Even worse, you did not even begin to discuss the archaeological aspects of the discussion. We can read the Bible and know that the peoples that existed (the Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, Corinthians, the 12 various tribes of Israel, etc), and the events that took place (the crucifixion of Christ, etc) can be independently verified by scientific archaeological evidence and the testimonial record of unbiased witnesses (such as Josephus) to corroborate the veracity of the basic elements of the Bible. Never mind "faith"--we're talking just the factual basics here. In contrast, even the basic archaeological aspects and elements of the Mormon faith have been utterly dismissed by historians, archaeologists and scientists as fallacial and entirely fabricated, and not even remotely within the purventure of known, recorded human history. Caucasoid peoples living on the North American continent 2400 years before Columbus? Yeah. A great battle involving 130,000 men that were all killed off to a man in 3 days and not one ax, battle implement, wagon, chariot or body has ever been found? Yeah. An entire tribe of Israel that sailed 3/4 of the way around the globe? Believe that. If you'd had any real objectivity in this story, or moral courage, for that matter, you'd have covered these aspects of the story---as they are as central to the story as any---instead of the "fluff" that comprised 90% of the whole show. I rather doubt you folks will even have the courage to post this entire entry without editing it, if at all. That would be too controversial, I suppose.

Rob Aguilar
Sacramento, CA