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

Why do Mormons so want to be considered as Christians when they do their best to convert Christians to their belief system? Just doesn't seem logical to me.

Sam Yu
Austin, TX

 

I found the conflict between Church and State to be particularly interesting. I was amazed to learn that this conflict has existed from the very beginning as evidenced by Joseph Smith's reluctance to repay his legal debts and his claim that Jackson County, Missouri was land intended for his purposes. I wondered how he was able to reconcile these actions with the New Testament admonition to "give unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar."

The ultimate winner of this Church/State conflict appears to be the State. The U.S. government forced Mormons to rescind a pillar of their faith established by Joseph Smith, plural marriage, in exchange for admission into the Union. More recently, Utah raised its statutory rape ages from 14 to 16 just before the Olympics were held in Salt Lake City. "We the People" still rule and other religions in America should take note that "religious tolerance" has its limits. Seventh Day Adventists, for example, have been forced by court order to allow medical care for their children.

Andrew Bell
San Diego, CA

 

When the section of the building of temple played, I could relate to it. I have had an experience where I have seen the light of God. It occurred during Midnight Mass 2003 in Los Angeles. I saw God's light pass through the ceiling, through Cardinal Mahoney, fill the table, engulf the entire cathedral and pass into me. It was quite an experience.

Though I am not a Catholic or Christian, I have Christs blessing. I have seen God's light in people that came out to me. Religion can proffer such but it truly is something between you and God. No religion required.

Los AngelesI , CA

 

I'm a lifelong, temple recommend holding member of the LDS faith. I thought the program was reasonably balanced.

For me the beauty of our religion is just what Joseph Smith told Brigham Young: If we will listen, God will inspire and direct each of us, no matter our calling or station in life. Personal revelation is available to all who seek it. No one need depend on PBS, current, or former members of the church to know the truth. He or she can read the Book of Mormon and ask God directly whether it is what it claims to be.

Tina Rosenlof
Parker, CO

 

Overall a wonderful program - balanced and honest. But, with a total of 4 hours of program, spending almost 20 minutes on the Mountain Meadows Massacre may be a little much.

Cottonwood Heights, Utah

 

Having lived in Salt Lake and studying under Sandra Tanner, I was surprised at the free pass Frontline gave the LDS for this first show.

Frontline usually gives a more rigorous and comprehensive analysis of subjects. This seemed like a recruiting program for the LDS.

Where was the comparison of the LDS to historic Christianity? Where was the fact that no evidence has ever been discovered to document all the North American war that the LDS claims? Where was the fact that Smith falsely said that Egyptian Hieroglyphics were a message from God but were later found to be a routine Egyptian message? Why were all the speakers LDS people? Where were non-LDS scholars?

Never thought Frontline would get tangled up in a snow job.

Ron Heginbotham
Edgewood, KY

 

The Book of Mormon should not be overlooked or underestimated when considering the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. It is a great sieve, which sent thousands of immigrants who never knew or heard the Prophet Joseph Smith, across an ocean and a continent to find unity with fellow believers.

An understanding of its message is an understanding of a faith which this documentary so painstakingly seeks, yet fails to fully reveal. For the message is not to be found in facts or history, in the failings or successes of church members or leaders. Nor is it found in the opinions of the protagonists and antagonists of the church.

No one can rightly explain this message in so few words for it must be experienced to be understood. Consequently, this program may still leave viewers partially unsatisfied regarding the rise and success of the church and its world-wide appeal.

Matt Sorensen
Burnsville, MN

 

Having lived for a time in Nauvoo, IL, and having ancestors who were murdered at the Haun's Mill Massacre, and also watching my father on the steps of the Missouri capitol as they finally rescinded Gov. Boggs' Extermination Order in 1976, I feel your quick, glossed-over portrayal of the dire, difficult, and bloody times of the Saints in the early 1800s demeans their sacrifices, even the giving of their lives, for the close-held beliefs, rather than renounce their faith in God. This same faith I have today, because their sacrifices live in me today. I still know what I know.

Murray, UT

 

I was at first excited to see that a credited informative program was doing an extensive look at the origins and development of our church. I knew that different views would be expressed: however overall I was disapointed that distorted opinions dominated over truth and our beliefs and history were once again twisted into a malformation of supposed intelectuals who have studied Mormonism in an objective way. How do you dispell ignorance of something when you present information that has been tainted by personal definition. Perhaps we will never be rid of those who want to default or detroy something that goes beyond mere intellect.

Elizabeth Bell
Poolville, TX

 

A cursory view of the topics presented can be disturbing to some who live the Mormon faith. However I challenge all to take the time to research deeper many of the questions that will inevitably arise. If you do you will have a clear and understandable answer that does not conflict with the teachings of Mormanism. I commend PBS for bringing forth historical facts and challenge those who want enlightenment to research all the history, and then come to an informed judjment.

Kevin Jackson
Afton, Wyoming

 

Wow I was impressed with this documentary. It presented info from both sides, however all the history of the church that gets mulled over by the church has been presented accurately in this film. All the history that I've researched was presented in a way that agreed with the evidence.

This is the way the mormons really came about, glad I could watch this in Utah and that it wasn't Censored.

I suggest those that say this didn't accurately portray the mormon's history, need to look at their own documented past. I would recomend this to anyone that wanted to get to know the mormons.

Jeff Mckay
Salt Lake City, Utah

 

GREAT JOB PBS! Mormons want all things about their church to sound fantastic and fairytale-like. Once a Mormon, the church sounded oh so good to me, but once I started to think for myself, I was able to see the larger picture and truly understand what the church was really about. This documentary showed the real Joseph Smith and the REAL mythical believings of the church. Mormons do not want to believe these true statements from historians, archaeologists and theologists, but you cannot hide from straight facts. You want the Mormon church to be disproven? A little advice, it has already been accomplished.

The way Mormons are taught is to not only believe and rely on every word the present-day prophet teaches, but to live it to an extreme where you can no longer decide what you want to believe. Dallin Oaks said himself in this documentary that it's basically unethical to criticize church leaders, even if the information provided is proven to be true. PBS did a great job of getting the real truth out to the Mormons. Hopefully Mormons will begin to think for themselves.

Shaina Pierro
Las Cruces, New Mexico

 

I recently watched documentaries on PBS dealing with the religion "the People's Temple" and an American Experience episode on "The Summer of Love" or the "hippie" movement. In both documentaries, the majority of the people interviewed were believers and participants. I wish this documentary would have done the same. If I wanted to know about the Catholic religion, I would ask an active Catholic or a priest, not my ex-Catholic neighbor down the street who hasn't been to church in 15 years and thinks the Pope is a fraud. There was not nearly enough airtime given to faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Liz Dibble
Layton, Utah

 

I was disappointed with the section on plural marriage. I feel there we some fundamental points of this priciple that were not perresented well. First of all the aspect of "Plural Marriage" versus "Celestial Marriage". These are not the same thing. A Celestial Marriage is any marriage that begins in the Temple of the Lord and is then worked at by both partners to make it celestial. Simply marrying multiple partners will most definitely not assure your place in God's Kingdom.

Did anyone else notice that the "fundamentalists" appeared to be drinking a glass of wine with their dinner. I just think it interesting that these "fundamentalists" follow polygamy, a most un-fundamental priciple, but don't live the Word of Wisdom, which is most definitely a fundamental priciple of the church.

Matt Roberts
Fenton, Missouri

 

I am surprised at how many "black and white" comments there are about this program. Seeing something as absolutely right or absolutely wrong is simply irrational. There is far more to the depth of this subject than "holiness" or "heresy." I hope everyone will see the positive things the Mormon faith offers the world and not focus on the things they disagree with.

David Crest
Provo, UT