Reader responses regarding "The Mormons" PBS series

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

30 For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall harken unto these things.

Jacob 1: 28-30

There are many people that are descendents of plural marriage in the LDS Church, including many apostles and prophets. Jesus Christ is a descendent of plural Marriage. See the book of the generation of Jesus Christ the son of David and the son of Abraham, The Holy Bible; Matthew; Chapter 1

You should read the entire chapter, but I am giving only verse 6:

6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias

The documentary did portray the Mountain Meadow incident, and John Lee was arrested and executed. A trial was held for a few leaders of the mob that killed Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith, and this is what The United States Secretary of State John Hay wrote about it, 25 years later:

There was not a man on the jury, in the court, in the country that did not know the defendants had done murder. But it was not proven, and the verdict of 'not guilty' was right in law. "24 Hours to Martyrdom;" Reed Blake; Bookcraft Inc.; 1973; page 150. -- Dennis Mason, Sandy, Utah

I was saddened by 'The Mormons' documentary because as an active Mormon I felt that it poorly represented the church and its leaders. So much of what was said was taken out of context. Too many of the speakers were obviously excommunicated or inactive people with an "ax to grind". They certainly were not going to be objective, which is what I thought a documentary was supposed to be. I felt that it did not capture at all the essence of my faith. I am so sad that some people will see this documentary and think they know what Mormonism is all about, when that would be so far from the truth. I'm surprised that Helen Whitney did such a poor job, except when I consider who she surrounded herself with. One of the speakers, who supposedly was "positive" about the Book of Mormon, is my neighbor who has had nothing to do with the church or his ward for many, many years. Small wonder that it did not represent the church well. -- no name

As a born into the church Mormon, this documentary help me understand better, why so many Mormons are offended by hearing anything that questions their unquestioning faith. I am still trying to understand how facts are valueless when presented against faith. This species (homosapiens) is a very difficult species to understand and the unquestioning obedience found in the Mormon faithful reinforces that difficulty. This documentary was helpful. -- Mike Beard

I think the documentary was mostly fair and balanced. The interview segments with different people were especially enjoyable and touching. Having been a church member all my life and married to a convert of not so many years, I understand the point of view from both sides and appreciated people's courage in sharing things so personal to them.

Even though there were a few segments that made me a little uneasy, but I realize that there will always be parts of church history that were not "perfect" because the church is full of "imperfect" people who make "irrational" choices at times which will always affect the "whole" church image. But then, it just proved the point that "if the gospel wasn't true, the imperfect people (myself included) in the church would have messed it up a long time ago!" -- Grace Chen, Bountiful, Utah