Reader responses regarding "The Mormons" PBS series

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 3, 2007

Here are Deseret Morning News reader responses regarding "The Mormons" PBS series. In messages where only an e-mail address was available and the message itself did not identify the writer, "no name" is noted.

I personally felt that the documentary was mediocre at best. It was not represented fairly in many areas, why didn't they interview a disfellowshipped and refellowshipped guy, why didn't they include someone who was ex'ed and refellowshipped again? They made it out like we were horrible, yet on the other hand they did represent some things VERY WELL. Why didn't they call the "Authors" what they were, "Anti-Mormons" or "LDS Authors".

Some of the things were very accurate, and some of the things were fuzzy. Joseph Smith being called a man with a huge sexual appetite with many promiscuities. Why didn't they name those he had affairs with? It's the same old story with the "Anti's" as always, accusations without facts. Scale of 1-10, about a 3.5! -- Keith Wilson

I was inspired...As a mostly inactive member in the church, yet believing member. Somewhat focused on to much on controversy, would have liked to see all the positive. -- Mel Shepherd

I thought it shed some good light on the church, however, I also thought there was too much time given to that bitter woman who was excommunicated. -- no name

Considering the program: They left out the greatest proof of the Book of Mormon; the references to the "other sheep" found in John 10:16 and 3rd Nephi 15:21-24. As a missionary, we always showed these to people searching after the truth. -- Ryder C. Waring, Holladay, Utah

As an active member of the "Mormon" church my feelings after watching the 4 hour segment is one of disappointment and sadness mixed with anger. Mostly of what has been omitted - the goodness of most church members - the fact that our Heavenly Father thru Jesus Christ is directing his work here on the earth - that thru the priesthood members can be blessed from Him according to their needs and faith - that many senior couples are using their retirement time and funds to further this work and help people of all nations and religions without expecting anything in return; and in many countries without mentioning religion - the mention of General Conferences twice yearly that encourage all that is good and can strengthen our lives - the hard work of young elders was negative and did not report any wonderful results of their labors except leaving doubts about everything connected with our "restored" church and its beauty. Having dissidents expressing their own unhappiness with the church - temple recommends and leaving the feeling that acquiring one is expecting too much of a member. This documentary only made me feel that the scriptures stating that the last days will be full of good vs. evil has certainly arrived. -- Pat Dymock , Orem, Ut.

1. It was a dark presentation. Joseph spoke of light. The director didn't get it.

2. The 3 and 8 witnesses to the B of M were not mentioned. Why? Very important.

3. The Nauvoo Temple & the urgency those members felt to receive their endowments before the trek west, and the spiritual strength it gave them was not mentioned. No understanding!

4. The Mtn. Meadows Massacre was a terrible thing, but so was Haun's Mill. There is a great parallel therein, but no concern shown over the Missourians having to live with their atrocity. Only the Mormons. Why?

5. Pres. Hinckley stated "There is no such thing as a 'Fundamentalist Mormon'." The writers still used that term in the very next segment. My opinion is that more people will now believe polygamy is a part of the church. Note the response you had from Pat LoGiudice in the paper this morning.

6. I was a bishop both in & out of Utah for some 9 years and then served in a Stake Presidency. The piece left the impression that I must have spent most of my time in church courts (disciplinary councils). Not true. I did hold a few over the years and participated in a few others. Unlike the lady who disdained the offered hand shake, I have been there when the offered hand was accepted with many grateful tears. "Courts" are really for healing and for the repentant. It's a shame she didn't heal and isn't repentant. She has gained a little freedom, as she would suppose; now; But, she has lost much more. Ask her family.

7. Things of the spirit cannot be discerned intellectually. The gospel is all about the spirit. The documentary thought is was intellectual. The church will never be understood in that way. I am grateful to have the spirit & the truth in my life. -- Eddie M. Peterson, Murray, UT

The New York Times said the second half of this documentary wasn't as strong as the first, but for me the reverse would be true. In fact, for some reason the second installment just emotionally blew me away. I found it absolutely riveting and so well done. In fact, I got a little weepy--I don't remember the last time something discombobulated me emotionally so much. Very powerful and beautifully executed--while the documentary is certainly not perfect, it's remarkable that an outsider went to this much trouble and succeeded so well in understanding and fairly portraying us.