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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 was only able to part of the series. However, as a member of the LDS church all my life, overall I thought the program was well done. However, there were some things that I thought should not have been included out of respect for our beliefs, primarily the inclusion of exactly what happens in the ordinances of the temple. They are kept secret because they are sacred, and I don't think that words from prayers or other specifics on the ceremonies should have been broadcasted on national television when we specifically wish for them to be kept private.

I also had a problem with the fact that the opinions of ex-members were portrayed as fact, when in fact some of them did not understand what they were talking about at all. Don't get me wrong. Many of those interviews were very informative and accurate, but a few seemed only to be ex-members venting anger.

Apart from those two problems, I very much enjoyed the program. Most of the information on the LDS doctrine was accurate and fairly portrayed. I especially liked that the beliefs of the family as being the fundamental unit of the church and family relationships being eternal was emphasized. That's an extremely important doctrine of the church and one often misunderstood or missed entirely by people of other faiths.

There's one very important thing about baptisms for the dead that was unfortunately missed. We as a church believe that all people have agency to make choices, good or bad, and accept the consequences. This agency holds just as much force after we die as it does during mortality. What this means in the end is that if someone is baptized after they die, they have the agency to choose whether or not they accept that ordinance. If they don't accept the ordinance, he/she is not a member of the church, even though the work has been done for them. No one is forced to accept the gospel, in this life or in the next.

Rexburg, Idaho

 

I enjoyed this movie. Nothing in it was unfamiliar to me. It points out that God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith. I know that that happened. It said that the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith and told him to get and transelate The Book of Mormon. I know that that happended. I know that anyone who will read The Book of Mormon cover to cover, and will get on their knees and pray about it, will know for themselves that it is a true book.

Matthew Granger Williams
Marysville, Washington

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. My maternal grandmother joined the LDS church ~1865 when she was in her early 20's while living in Illinois. Her family promptly disowned her. She and my grandfather, who converted prior to coming to America from Denmark, eventually settled in Utah. They both passed away when my mother was young but she relayed how difficult their lives were and how strong their faith was.

This documentary enabled me to understand more about them, their resolve and their character. Most of their descendants are active, dedicated members of the LDS church. Thank you, PBS, for airing this show. If one thing is learned, it should be that practicing a religion of our choice is so easy today as compared to the times of the early members.

Judith Sartore
Boise, ID

 

I have just finished watching all 4 hours of "The Mormons" and found it to be quite enlightening. I was raised as a Catholic but for personal reasons (i.e. my own beliefs) I joined the Mormon church when I was 23 years old. Nothing I saw in your program offended me, in fact, I believe your program shows that we "Mormons" are just as human as anyone else. While we believe the word of God to be perfect, we most certainly are not. We struggle in our lives just the same as any member of any religion struggles. In the Bible, we are told to ,"be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect." Yet we know that this is not possible in this lifetime. We are all, individually and collectively, human and subject to human frailties which include bad decisions, intolerance, being judgmental of others, and so on ad infinitum. We have a history that is not always clean and bright and shiny, just as any other group of people has. We have those who have left our church in bitterness and those who have joined us in joy. We have our detractors and critics, but we have our friends and supporters, too. We do not seek to "convert the world" but we will not be ashamed to share our beliefs with anyone who is interested. There may have been those who have been offended by an overzealous young missionary, but please forgive that messenger when it is the message that he brings that is important. Above all, thank you for pointing out that we are human. We are pretty much the same as any group of people. We seek to raise our families in peace and to provide them with a better life than we had. We work to educate our children to give them increased knowledge. We go to our jobs each day, earn a living, and return home at night. We do tend to be centered on the family and that is not a bad thing in any society!

William Cotter
Murray, Utah

 

All in all, I found the documentary to be very well made in an artistic sense. It was as moving and thought provoking a production as I think I've seen on PBS. However, I do not think they were as objective as they could've been. If I'd taken a stop watch and counted the seconds they gave to former mormons vs. current mormons, especially in Part II's discussion of dissention and excommunication, I'm sure I'd find an interesting discrepancy.

Although, in the end, I'm glad they didn't put in Jeffrey R. Holland's fantastic response on the subject of excommunication, or Daniel Peterson's rebuttal against the purported lack of archaelogical evidence for the Book of Mormon. The balance came, I think, with the realistic treatise of family life and the communal perception of the plan of salvation. A large part of me wanted an equal share on the controversial issues, but the church's main power has, an always will, lie in it's humanistic elements, which I feel were treated in all fairness.

Kyler Rasmussen
Raymond, AB, Canada

 

Who underwrote this program?

I am not Morman, but really enjoy the history of the west. It is certainly an interesting part of US history.

S Strachan
Missoula, MT

Our editors respond: Funding support for this series is listed on the homepage of this site, at the bottom.

 

Overall, I thought the series was good. I was a little hasty in my judgements after seeing Part I. I thought the historical data presented lacked in really explaining the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the founding of the Mormon Church. Part II seemed to wrap it all up and tried to present more of what Mormonism is and does for the world today...and what it means to the members of the Church. I guess the big question is: Can the Mormom Church really lead it's followers to salvation and eternal life? That's a question every person should seek an honest answer to.

Kaysville, Utah

 

I am a member of the LDS church. I have looked into many aspects of the church. The history of the church is a complex, controversial history, not unlike the majority of other Christian-based religions. Ignorance is prevelant both within and outside of the church in regards to "Mormons."

Those who truly understand the gospel and it's history can come to their own conclusions, mine is one of full faith. Not everyone may believe the way I do and that is their right, It is not my place to judge, only to love.

Wheatridge, Colorado

 

I have lived in Utah my entire life and as a non-Mormon, I didn't see anything earth-shattering, deluded, or incorrect as I could tell. I thought the entire program was done very artfully and intelligently. I watched the 2nd half with my daughter who is a member of the LDS church, and we both found it both interesting and thought-provoking. With every organization or issue, there are a number of sides and opinions expressed. Listening, learning, and understanding what others and ourselves believe, completes a circle of understanding that seems to be lacking in a lot of the general discourse today. Good job Frontline.

Steven Daniels
Murray, Utah

 

The documentary was very objective and the opinions expressed by Mormons, non-Mormons and ex-Mormons really gave me a new perspective into my own religion. I think that the ideas were very honest and detailed. As somebody else before me said, "It showed Mormonism, warts and all".

I do not feel it was a misrepresentation of our beliefs at all. On the contrary, I found it to be very complimentary and hopefully, it will open the eyes and minds of the rest of America to Mormonism. My respect and congratulations to Ms. Whitney.

Jose Bernardo Fanjul
Salt Lake City , Utah

 

As an LDS convert I had very mixed emotions watching this program unfold. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't a hatchet job, but disgusted by the subtle biases, starting right away with the Alpha and Omega comment about Joseph Smith. Having studied much Mormon history I felt as if so much richness was omitted so that a few topics could be dwelt on heavily. But even those few topics had glaring omissions, or presented much debated topics with one sided slant.

On the other hand it thrilled me to see good people open their souls to the world as they shared their personal understanding and testimonies. Having detractors participate is fair enough, after all that is part of the universe that has come into being in response to our church. But somehow in the end, it felt like the detractors dominated. I might recommend the show to someone who wanted to know what are the latest petty squabbles taking place around the fringes, but I would have to advise the next viewer that they will pick up some details, but it really won't help them understand me or my fellow Mormons.

James Bailey
Knoxville, TN

 

I am surprised that the program was so balanced in the whitewashing of the views from both sides. Neither point of view came close to the real truth about the LDS beliefs. Let's just say that they believe that they are the one and only true church and they are the only ones that will attain Heaven, or at least the highest level. With limited time and space for such a complicated discussion, the critical question becomes; Do you know what you believe and can you defend it or explain why you believe what you do? LDS cannot stand close scruntiny on so many levels if you get below the official PR.

All we can do is love them as a neighbor and feed them if they are hungry and pray for the wisdom and strength to get through this world........bruce

Bruce Cocke
Jonesborough, TN

 

While this documentary did a commendable job in many ways, it left untouched the basis of the growth of the church. We saw young men practically chase people down a busy street, but we did not see them teaching those willing to listen. The convert included did a beautiful job of beginning the process with her introduction of "a white boy, a dead angel and some gold plates." The crucial missing element, however, is the experiential quality of conversion: no one is convinced of anything. People are asked to listen and then to pray about the truth of what is being taught. Confirmation comes to those who seek to know sincerely. That feeling, whether startling or subtle, transcends intellectual explanation.

I enjoyed watching The Mormons on many levels. With a testimony based on experience and strengthened by study, I found that the insights of members, former members, and informed non-members increased my understanding and appreciation of both history and practice.

Mary Ann Taylor
Duncanville, Tx

 

I became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints almost 20 years ago as a young adult. I have since received the ordinances of the temple, served a mission, and am now married with four children. I currently serve as a Bishop of a ward in North Texas and consider myself fairly well informed on the Church, its culture, values, and practices.

We live in such comfortable and secure times today, as opposed to those of the early Saints, and it is easy to be critical of their eccenticities, errors, and shortcomings. What happened at Mountain Meadows was awful and totally contradictory to the values of the Church. However, I cannot help but consider the memory that must have been fresh in the minds of those involved, of the cold-blooded mob murders of Mormon men, women, and children at Hauns Mill, where a young boy, attemting to hide under the bellows in the blacksmiths shop, was dragged out by the boots and shot in the face and killed. The early Saints were human, and not beyond anger, and a desire for retribution.

I appreciate those who have contributed to this series, and PBS for broadcasting it. Admittedly, I am uncomfortable with those who so freely discuss the sacred ordinances and covenants of the temple, and wish they would not do so. However, it does present Latter Day Saints with the opportunity to reflect on their beliefs, history, and what they stand for. And perhaps others as well.

Nick Krueger
Justin, Texas

 

I really enjoyed watching this documentary, good job Helen! I am LDS. A family member of mine is currently going through church discipline because he supports gay rights. I really have a problem with church policy that tries to silence people instead of love, respect, and educate them. Through this experience I have felt lied to and have more fully realized the humanity of our leaders.

I cringe when people teach that our leaders are perfect and guaranteed exaltation, suggesting they won't be judged by God and saved by the grace of Jesus Christ (which we believe is what will happen). Yet I believe this is God's church, not President Hinckley's. God's work is the true work, and exists in this church. I hope and pray that revelation will continue to come and that doctrine can be established soon to give hope to homosexual, single, and divorced children of God, because they are part of our human family too and will be saved. The only reason I am writing this is because I don't feel safe talking about this with my church, family, or friends. I hope this opens a door to greater communication and understanding.

Delta, UT