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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?

I received this site from a friend of mine in Utah. Here in New Zealand we have yet to see this documentary, I do not know if television here will ever screen it. I am a convert to the Church and after watching this documentary I found it to be quite interesting and informative. There were different subjects that was touched on briefly and felt that there could of been more indepth to these. But overall, I was rather impressed. I will be sharing this documentary with my friends here in New Zealand and passing this web link to many more of my friends. Thank you

John Waters
New Plymouth, New Zealand

Our editors respond: The writer is referring to the fact that the full program, "The Mormons, " can be watched directly on this Web site, in Windows Media streaming or QuickTime streaming.

 

Never having been either a Christian or an atheist,I have long observed the LDS Church externally.

It's interesting to see the comments here that call the documentary offensively pro-Mormon,or offensively anti-Mormon,or balanced...it looks like the producers struck a good balance,though it will satisfy neither those who regard the Church as diabolical or those who regard saying it is true as the test of being worth listening to as to whether it is true.

There were two key omissions from my viewpoint.The most provocative quote from Boyd K. Packer's noted anti-intellectual speech,"Sometimes the truth is not very useful"...he urged missionaries to resist the impulse to admit embarrassing facts about the church.This should have been mentioned.Also,the Church (founded by young men) has developed into one of the purest gerontocracies on Earth.President Hinckley is 96,one of four Church Presidents in 40 years to pass age 94.Elder Oaks will be 75 this year,and is set to become President once six older men have all died...only for a year and a half of the last 75 years has the President been under 75.

Perhaps there will be time for a further exploration?

Louis Epstein
Carmel, New York

 

As a practicing Mormon, I couldn't wait to see "The Mormons." The 4 hours on PBS promised respect, thoroughness, and balance. You delivered on all of those, and yet I have a bitter aftertaste. Why?

I think I can liken my feelings to those of one of Jesus's disciples who, following the Savior's death and resurrection, watched a 4-hr documentary on Christianity on Roman TV. He watched the interviews with Peter, Paul and Mary interrupted by interviews with various Pharisees, Sadducees, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Judas (OK, he was dead), and the many disciples who had ceased following the Lord. It was balanced, but did not reflect the life-changing message of Christianity.

That's the ultimate shortcoming of "The Mormons"--with the exception of an ex-con single mother and one family with 11 kids, we never saw the life-transforming power of Mormon Christianity.

Duane Hampton
Kalamazoo, Michigan

 

After the program my Methodist mother asked where the gold plates are today, that it would be much easier to accept if people could see and touch them. I reminded her that even Christ's miracles, with many eye witnesses, did not convert others. It's an internal matter of faith, not outward evidence alone.

However, in the front of every Book of Mormon is a statement by eleven respected men who did see or handle the gold plates. Although some later left the church, or became critical of Joseph Smith, none ever denied what they had seen, even on their deathbeds.

In a court of law one or two witnesses is a clincher, but eleven, is overwhelming evidence!

Lynn Hughes
Knoxville, TN

 

I agree that the show was well done, yet the most compelling reasons were missing that explain why we Mormons act as we do. To properly understand Mormons, one must understand our unique beliefs in who we are and why we are here, and I don't think this was adequately presented in the show.

Joseph Smith, as a mortal man, was an imperfect midwife for the restored gospel. This gospel says that all of us, Mormons and non-Mormons alike, share a premortal heritage as spiritual siblings, who chose to come to Earth to be tempted and tested, and thus to grow. Families are indeed central, because as we learn to be good parents, we partake of an eternal purpose.

Mormons balk at descriptions of "our religion", because we view it as the full truth that explains why every single one of us is here, regardless of whether others share our beliefs. We balk at the words "our church", because we believe this is the true church of Jesus Christ. Missionary work is not done "to convert people" per se, but rather to remind people of their spiritual heritage, and their purpose here on Earth. Missionaries extend an invitation to listen and to pray, then it is up to individuals to decide for themselves whether to accept this invitation.

Mormons have an expression: we are "in the world, but not of the world". We believe in our reason for being here. This explains why we keep Sunday free from worldly preoccupations, why we pay tithing to help the Lord's church operate, why we keep our bodies clean from harmful intakes, why we stay chaste and true, and why we perform temple work. Those who fall short in their efforts do not invalidate these things, but prove only that life is a difficult test.

Because we believe in God as our literal father in heaven, the rest follows naturally. We probably treat God as less of a mystery than do other religions. We believe that He communicates with us, His children, on an ongoing basis. Why should it be otherwise?

If people understand the above perspective, it should be quite easy to understand Mormons, and why we do things as we do, and there should be no need to ever speak of us with trepidation or ill will.

Folsom, California

 

Good job! I had NO idea who/what The Mormons were, truth be told. I think your programme did an excellent job as a starting point for those who wish to explore this faith more fully. Obvisouly four hours cannot cover all the issues and answer all the questions, but it was very informative.

Antony Brookings

 

I think it would be wonderful and enlightening if Helen would do a special program on women in the church that might include, their history, their great faith, their struggles, and their modern day issues. I think that many women in the church do have similiar questions to those that were posed by Margaret Toscano, but they are affraid to ask them.

Margaret's research that was presented in the program was interesting, and I think some of the discoveries that she discussed in her articles, such as her finding of Joseph Smith's intensions to give women the priesthood in 1843, and Joseph's vision of the heavenly mother, is largley unknown to many women in the church. I would be intereted to learn more about these topics, and I think many women in the church would be interesed also.

Salt Lake City , Utah

 

Thank you PBS, Helen Whitney, Jane Barnes and everyone who help create one of the most fascinating documentaries I have ever watched. I accidentally stumbled across The Mormons while flipping channels and became absorbed by the film and its eloquent players--both past and present.

M. A Giorgio
Redondo Beach , ca

 

This film did a fine job at showing the world how a non-mormon views Mormonism. It did very little to portray the way members feel about their church and why they believe what they do.

It made us to appear as if we are mindless sheep who follow without thought. That couldn't be further from the truth. Not a hatchet job, but overall a subtle undertone of biased individuals who cloaked their hatred of the church in intellectualism was given far too much weight.

Troy Whittle
Sunnyside, WA

 

I was utterly fascinated by "The Mormans". Raised in the Catholic church, and later a "survivor" of a messianic cult in the 70's led by a charismatic leader who claimed to be the mouthpiece of God's Truth for the new kingdom by way of his "special" revelations and visions , I was astounded by this story. To see the evolution of the LDS church and it's adaptations to the social and political environment which have shaped it, is to see the early beginnings of many religious beliefs with similar attributes.

Promises of immortality, claims of special knowledge of the truth, secrecy and infalability tempered by persecution , has always been a powerful formula. If it provides comfort and order in an otherwise chaotic universe, all the better. This American home grown religion has to be understood within the context of it's social origins. It was planted at the right time in this emerging nation of immigrants and has flourished in part because of expansionism and adversity.

What role will it play in the coming decades as the "West" collides with Islam? Does it matter if it is built on a dubious foundation or are the positive effects of strong family values and social altruism enough? The PBS presentation was balanced and thoughtful, provoking questions that go to the origins and essence of any faith and organized religion.

Kevin Corbett
Marshfield, Ma

 

As a life-long member of the LDS Church, I've always wondered what it would be like to view the church from the outside in. I watched this program because I felt it would be a great opportunity to do that. Most stories are heavily influenced from either the inside or the outside and so it's tough to get a true perspective. I felt that this program did an excellent job of presenting a clear view from many different angles. Thank you for a great presentation.

Debra Cross
Saint George, Utah

 

My wife and I watched all four hours of the program. We, as most practicing LDS probably did, felt some apprehension about how or religion would be represented. Consider the history of the Mormon people, as documented in the program, and it is easy to see why we would wonder how such a program would treat us. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised.

This was not a program produced by the LDS Church, which was obvious, but I was happy to note that the Church leaders did not shy away from any topic, regardless of its controversial nature (polygamy, Mountain Meadows, etc.). I likewise understand why these controversial topics were covered - they are a part of Mormon history - but I hope that those who know little about us recognize that they are just that, history. One of Mormons most important beliefs is that every person should have the right to worship "how, where, or what" they choose (Article of Faith 11). We wish that for everyone, including ourselves. We are happy to explain our beliefs to anyone (as demonstrated by Church leaders with this program), and we hope for such opportunities.

There will always be disagreement, both from within and without the Church, but the debate can remain civil and productive (which has not been the case toward the Church in the past, as was well represented). This program gave that opportunity. Moreover, this website, particularly the FAQ link, does that as well. For that, I am grateful.

Dennis McDaniel
Hartsville, South Carolina

 

I have a question-What are the undergarments that Mormons wear and what is the meaning and significance of them ? Thanks very much for an informative program.

Bobbie Wyman
huntington Beach, california

Our editors respond: Please see the FAQS section of this site for some answers on this.

 

On my mother's side of the family we decended from the Knights who help support Joesph while he worked on the Book of Mormon. On my father's side they knew Joesph also. I feel that the show was well done. It gives enough of a view that one has a basic understanding of the religion.

I quit the church at 18 to study yoga. At one point after I left the church my mother requested that I go to a 'court' and I was excommunicated for apostacy.I have a large extended family who are all LDS and yetI have chosen a different path.For me following and understanding a religion cannot be simply be about being born in a religion. There is a tremedous emphasis in the LDS church on the truthfulnes of the gospel. This emphasis I believe creates in many members a compulsion to believe. Out of maybe a thousand relatives in my family I stand alone in my decision to follow a different religon. This I am sure is unthinkable to most mormons. Even though I am most comfortable with my decsion to 'not believe in a totalitarian way' I feel I can appreciate the qualities of the church.

This show gave an overview of the religion without attacking it. The Mormon Church's history from the begining of its foundation up to the present is entwined with the history of my family. In the show I even saw pictures on some of my family. So I appreciate the broad view of the church.

Sherwin Stradlilng
Avondale, AZ

 

I looked forward to "The Mormoms" with great anticipation. I am a Roman Catholic who is very active in my Church as are my wife and children, parents, and in-laws. I have dialoqued with Mormom missionaries and studied the history of my own Church and other faiths during my education. I have a daughter who has a dear friend who is Mormom and has considered Mormomism herself. I found "The Mormoms" educational, balanced and timely.

However, I feel that the series was at least 2 hours too short. Many aspects of Mormom practice and doctrine were not mentioned or quickly mentioned without examination such as: Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible; the LDS relationship to and interpretation of the Bible; or the LDS business interests and role in the current Utah economy. I also found that "The Mormoms" concentrated on the facts of Mormomism but failed to communicate the experience of faith it must be to be a Mormom. In my experience, faith is not sustained by the knowledge of one's religion alone but by your own experience of your God and your faith community.

Christopher Lindsay
Niskayuna, New York