The Mormons - PBS Special

I'm not sure if everyone was able to watch this PBS special, but we did and we also taped it (in case anyone would want it - but it is also available online @ http://www.pbs.org/mormons/view/).

I definitely liked the second night better than the first, but I would say that overall the series was positive for the Church. But as I watched it I knew that many members of the Church would not find it positive at all - and in fact many would feel quite uncomfortable and even angry. In fact, the program actually touched upon the reason why this would happen, though to a much larger extreme. I felt that this program was definitely marketed toward and was based upon the opinions of older generations. As I watched it I told Tevia I would be curious to see a program based more on GenX or GenY. Many of the things they mentioned might be true (or perhaps a better term would be "common") for things mentioned, but for the younger generations I don't think it is as big of a deal. A couple of examples would be excommunication and homosexuality. They had several examples of members who were shunned due to their excommunication or same-sex attraction. Though certainly this occurs today, I do think it is much more rare. I certainly don't shun any of the people I know in that situation. In fact, I would love them even more. Anybody who would shun someone in that situation does not listen to the current prophet who has made it quite clear on numerous occasions of the error to act in such a way. Indeed, it wouldn't be Christ-like either. And yes, we are Christians.

I also think that many members do suffer from paranoia or fear of history. Perhaps the Church has helped support this, but there is nothing wrong with questioning. There is nothing wrong with learning that a prophet of God is not perfect. They certainly were not in the Bible! The key to the Church is a testimony that is given by the Holy Ghost; not in evidence from Mayan culture or Brigham's thoughts on blacks. In fact, the program aired one of the great talks of Pres. Hinckley over the past few years where he emphatically states the one thing our religion hinges upon. Either the Book of Mormon is true and hence this religion is exactly what it asserts or it is false and the entire religion is a farce. It is so simple. As missionaries we pound this into our investigators and hopefully we have taken the time ourselves to find out the veracity of the book and the prophet Joseph. But if I know it is true (which I do!) knowing that Joseph Smith liked to dig for gold will not shake my testimony. In fact, nothing should. Of course, our testimonies will grow and shrink over our lifetime. But Mormons should not fear history or lack of scientific evidence, etc. On the program the one man put it perfect when he said it is merely a question of time. All religions are built upon unbelievable and miraculous happenings. The Exodus is respected (by many) because it happened thousands of years ago. Mormonism is so "new" and close that it is more difficult to believe due solely to that fact. Had Joseph lived in 1000 AD I don't think most critics or even members would think twice.

I do feel the program spent a little too much time on polygamy and the Mountain Meadow Massacre. Not sure why they needed an entire hour for those two topics. Some of the people on the show made me laugh. Sarah Gordon made me chuckle every time she came on with her crazy hair and way of speaking; though she also seemed very positive toward the Church. Most impressive to me was Terryl Givens (wrote "By the Hand of Mormon" - great read by the way - thanks to Jake for that) who throughout the whole show I thought was Mormon until I figured out who he was. Marlin Jensen did fantastic and actually got the most airtime, which I thought was generous of Helen Whitney who produced the show. I did think that unfortunately Elder Packer came off a little on the rough side (though he only had 20 seconds or so of time) with his response to his quote on gays and scholars.

Most impressive I thought was the ending. It was ended on a very positive note AND a very unique thought. The guy they quote (and I have forgotten who it was) mentioned that all religions were created to defy the inevitable death. He then states that no religion defies and flat out denies death more than the Mormons. I would agree. We truly are unique in our belief of a plan of salvation and an infinite existence. More so than any religion I know of I would also agree we have overcome the fear of death and actually embraced it as almost a reward. It was a great point I had never thought of before.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. As mentioned, I don't think many others will feel as positive about it (though the Church itself did in their press release here).

I thought it was a great tool to talk about the Church with others. For some good blogs, check out this site in the Washington Post.