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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?

The Mormons did expand my thinking about why I am a Mormon and why we are a controversial religion. It is interesting to be part of a faith that is so controversial. Christianity was also controversial, so much so that they crucified its leader. Joseph Smith was the leader of the Mormons and he too was killed.

Why as human beings are we capable of such horrific acts on good, honest, and great men? How can we justify being so critical of each other's religion? No one's history is defensible without faith. I was challenged by "The Mormons" and at first it left me feeling discouraged, but after watching it again I realized that mormons are a wonderful phenomenon of the latter days - a marvelous work and a wonder that has had a tremendous impact for good on millions of people.

Darell Rogers
Albuquerque, NM

 

I was extremely impressed with both the historical account of the Mormons, about which I knew a bare minimum, and the sensitivity with which the producer captured the complexities of the church. I found myself envying the strong bonds between the Mormon families and finding remarkable the eauty that some of the excommunicated former believers missed about being part of the faith, even though to have remained in it would have been a disservice ultimately to their spiritual well-being. The family with 11 children, one of whom is terminally ill, was a powerful example of what must be very good about the Mormon faith and community.

While I personally would not be happy and could not find it possible to believe in any absolutist faith, I found that even the people who had to leave the church conveyed very positive impressions along with the issues that drove them away.

So, the film was very successful in showing this dichotomy within the religion.

I don't think, as some have commented, that the film was about what or who is "right." Rather, it shows the religion's complexities.

Bravo! I'm not surprised that this is from the same producer as "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero," which is the best documentary that I have possibly ever seen (and which I bought).

Bronya Feldmann
Berkeley, CA

 

I was only able to watch the first part online. I do have to say, that for the most part, it was very un-biased, which I was very surprised to find. Most programs or documentaries are very biased when it comes to mormons. So, bravo! There were a few biased comments made by the people being interviewed, but other than that it's great, good job! I really want to see the second part however, you say it's on this website, but I can't find it. I only found the first part, can you please tell me where I can watch the second part.

RaTray Garten
Alamosa, Colorado

Our editors respond: In the "View" section you will see two headers Part One and next to it Part Two. Click on Part Two and it reveals the chapters.

 

As a convert of the church and having seen this broadcast, all I have to say is W.W.J.D (What Would Jesus Do) and CTR (Choose The Right). As long as you have a strong Testimony in JESUS CHRIST as your personal savior and redeemer. Who cares what other people think!

Steven Gohn
Butte , Mt

 

Thanks for airing "The Mormons". I enjoyed the program very much, and learned a few more things I did not previously know about. However, my wife of 25-years did not share the same feelings. She left the room during one of the negative comments about our religion. And when you offend my wife you offend me.

Personally, I thought the majority of the program had a negative bias, but I understand being required to show both sides of the story. Many good and wonderful truths were consistent with what I know and believe about the Mormon Church, however the anti-Mormon speakers out weighed most of what was good about the documentary.

Stephen Gentry
Auburn, Washington

 

As a former Latter-day Saint and former missionary, I watched both parts of the program with the same thought that caused me to leave the church. This is that Mormons are in the main good, conscientious people operating under a delusion that I am not willing to adopt no matter how much comfort it gives.

My heart went out to some of the people interviewed in the program, notably the family whose 23-year-old daughter is dying and the filmmaker whose wife died giving birth in her 40s. But I believe that they, like most conventionally religious people, are clutching at straws when they affirm their "knowledge" that they will meet their loved ones after death. We just have no evidence that this is so, and I for one am not willing to believe fantastic stories just to ease my fear of death -- my own and that of people I love.

Dave Clemens
West Chester, PA

 

This was very well done. It seems to have hit the middle ground. It allowed the feeling of both Mormon's and non-Mormon's. I felt saddened by those who were on the program that were once Mormon's. They seemed so hurt. I think that they loved the church and yet was not able to find a way to fit in the way they would have liked.

Often the most bitter attacks against an organization are of those where at one time so connected but then for one reason or another found themselves on the outside. I hope that they can resolve their bitterness. The Mormons are good people who are trying to live the straight and narrow way that Jesus Christ showed. The problmes lie in that they are human beings. Any of the faiths have their dark moments in history. I appreciate them for their many positve contributions and efforts toward living a Christ Centered life.

Rigby, ID

 

As an non-Mormon, I thought the show was very informative and well done. I missed the 2nd night and very much want to see it. Will it be posted online or rebroadcasted?

Christine Barrett
Malvern, PA

Our editors respond: The full four hours can be viewed here on this Web site.

 

WOW!!! I couldn't have ever imagined that this show would have turned out so well. In fact, it was so well done, no side could groan much about a biased view! They showed the TRUTH and I was verrrry impressed. I sat on my couch the whole time shaking my head, wondering how they could have nailed it down so well. They had a couple of the twelve apostles of the LDS church. They had a true history behind polygamists. They had Mormons converts, and ex-cummunicated mormons. They even had an equal amount of historians for both sides! I had to rewatch it on-line just to make sure I caught it all.

I'm bying it when available! Bravo!

Jacob Hammon
Las Vegas, Nevada

 

I went though and looked all everything the site had to offer and watched the four hour program. I was very pleased with all the information that is presented. There were points that I didn't agree with in the doumentry but other than that it was very well presented.

Reading the diiscusion board I was amazed to see the difference in opions not just between believers and non-believers but between the two groups in themselfs. That is not common with things like this most of the believers think it protryed us well and the most the non belivers think it did a poor job of it or vice versa. So people should look and say well maybe it was an unbiased oppion if there is this much division in it.

To those of you out there that say that Mormons can't think for themselfs. Tell me why we have all sorts of people in leadership positions and as doctors and scholars and on and on. Also tell me why we have talks telling us to take everything we hear and ponder it and pray about it and investigate it and find out for ourselfs if it is true. We will not baptize people before they are ready. It took me like a year and a half to be baptized after first investigating the church. Thank you PBS for this opportunity to learn more about the church and let my friends have a better understanding of me.

Laura McMullin
Bremerton, Washington

 

As a member of the Church since the age of 20 (now 47), I was dissapointed in the apparent attempt at a "balanced" presentation. Presenting a principal or concept from the point of view of a Church member or General Authority, followed by the disputations from someone who is not, is simply a zero-sum game.

A truly balanced approach should go a step further by taking the two opposing views and analyzing them with critical thinking and logic, which most people will hopefully do. But for those who simply hear the "last word" spoken will end up with a skewed point of view rather than a view that has been truly balanced by a robust analysis, debate and discussion. Simply providing both sides of the story only places the subject (and the show) in the middle of the street, vulnerable to being hit from both sides. Why not truly investigate the facts and reveal the truth, rather than leave the audiance confused? Please, enough of the "sound bites".

Thank you for the helpful web links to authoritative Church sites, which could help resolve the confusion.

David Roberts
Danville, IN

 

I understand, of course, that there are many people who do not consider members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be Christians. However, not everyone outside of The Church is in this camp. The program often compares "Mormonism" with "Christianity" or "Mormons" with "Christians". This creates a little confusion seeing as how "Mormons" consider themselves to be Christians. In the last editors' note posted, you quote Helen Whitney referring to an instance in the film where polygamy (for "Mormons") was likened in importance to baptism (for Christians). Just for the sake of clarification, baptism is just as important to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as it is to others who are considered to be Christians. I know the speaker was not implying otherwise; but, just in case anyone was wondering . . .

Rebecca Black
Orem, UT

Our editors respond: LDS Church president Gordon B. Hinckley speaks to this issue in his interview published on this web site. There is also more about the topic in the FAQS section of this site.

 

I have been a member all my life. I enjoyed watching the History of my Religion. I think you should do more things about my Religion. I hope alot of people who watched this will know more about Mormons. I love being a Mormon and I encourage everyone to talk to the Missionaries

Cody Wells
Longview, WA

 

The PBS was very fair and balanced, but lacked detail. There are a lot of information on the Internet to fill in the details that time constrants did not allow in the program. You might want to a add a list links to web sites that provide more detailed information. Thanks for producing a well done introduction to the Mormons.

Marty Francom
Bremerton, Wa

Our editors respond: Readings and Links section of this web site offers links to further information, as does the large "FAQS" section of this site.

 

Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful program about the LDS Church. Unfortunately I missed the first evening, but enjoyed watching the second program.

As a former High Priest and Bishopric Member who lived 9 years in Utah,16 years in Alberta,15 years in Switzerland and now Nova Scotia, I have seen the church close up in many different areas. Unfortunately, after 40 years of membership, I was forced to leave the church because am gay.

I was happy to see excommunication was touched. For those of us who have endured this expiriance the thoughts expressed by those on your program touched my heart. Also, when you showed the closeness of LDS families.... I leaned over to my spouse with a tear in my eye and said, "See how difficult it is for a young gay people to leave their family and faith behind when it is everything to them? It is all they have known,love and cherish."

It was most appropriate that you showed how the church left out black people... and how they still leave out gays, feminists, and intelectuals. I feel that we are the scape goats of the faith.

At the same time I loved to see how the church helps the needy everywhere. They helped me when my young wife was dieing of cancer and I was left alone with a two small children. I saw how the church changed the life of a black convert and her family. My life too was changed dramatically for the better when I joined the church, alone, at the age of 16. I enjoyed seeing the segment on missionary work.... I too was a missionary.

The happiest years of my life have been in the church.... but I watched the program with a touch of sadness. Your program, which brought back warm rememberances of past days, dangled an unobtainable carrot in front of me. Thank you for your effort of frank observations.

Dean Snelling
Middleton, , Nova Scotia - Canada