PBS The Mormons

How can I not comment on this one? Not from the pulpit, but certainly in our meetings, many times during the month prior to the broadcasting of the PBS show "The Mormons," people announced it's showing. The overall vibe was excitement that for once, our religion was going to be portrayed in a reasonable light rather than twisted and demonized as we've all encountered all our lives. I just wish we could have been warned that it was more like anti-Mormon propaganda we've all heard before and to avoid watching it.

I'm not even going to touch all the inaccuracies, misrepresentations, and completely off-base "facts" from all the excommunicated, disfellowshipped, inactive, or otherwise self-proclaimed experts. (I had made notes during the show so I could rant in my journal, but I decided to just let it go; we've always been cautioned not to argue using scriptures as a weapon (aka Bible-bash) and I know what I know and don't need to rehash all the falsehoods.) But I will quote a comment posted on someone else's blog on the subject that I thought quite fitting: "After watching this "documentary" it made me wonder if PBS were to produce a similar documentary on Blacks, would they ask the KKK to research and present their history. It's amazing to me that after all this time that Mormons are still persecuted." (Yes, if someone wants to know something, they go to the source, not to it's enemies!)

There was definitely a lack of spirit, or rather a dark spirit, in my home while I watched the documentary. Afterwards, I read my scriptures to invite peace back into my heart. I also read the interviews that PBS actually had on their website from LDS General Authorities. It was reassuring that PBS actually had reliable sources, even if they chose not to use them.

Of course, the next Sunday, the show was the topic of conversation all around church and everyone was more than disappointed, especially if they had recommended non-member friends or relatives to watch it. I've heard some members say that it was a well-balanced representation of what we believed, a good eye-opener to how others see us. In my opinion, I thought it only reinforced all the myths I've already heard other people say about Mormons and was sad to think that non-LDS people who didn't know anything about our religion would learn so many lies and half-truths and distortions. I thought surely, any member of the Church who was questioning their faith, or any non-member who was investigating or simply curious about it, would be driven away from the LDS church by this program. As most people these days believe everything in the media, it would be accepted as fact. However, someone else on that same blog commented "I have no idea what the average non-Mormon thought. Almost anyone who seems to have watched the show has been A) Reporters, B)Mormons and C)former or disgruntled Mormons." Maybe non-Mormons couldn't care less, although having been a target of Mean Girl aggression in my youth with the excuse of being a Mormon, I think people do care. I also know specific churches here and elsewhere that are taught to shun Mormons.

However, one man at church said that we need to remember that the program was sensationalized because that's what sells. What we have is free; but prime time TV must be bought. (Unfortunately, that makes me wonder about the credibility of other documentaries aired on PBS....)

What I do know is what I believe. And this very sinister show only reinforced how grateful I am for the gift of the Holy Ghost that manifests the truth of things. If someone really wanted to know if the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was true, all he would need to do would be to read it and pray about it and the Spirit would tell him in his heart whether it was true.

I know that the Book of Mormon really was translated by Joseph Smith, whom God chose to restore his Church that existed when Christ lived on the earth. In fact, I have always before been somewhat critical about the reverence and attention we as a church give Joseph Smith, but this most debasing portrayal of him actually helped me overcome that cynicism and realize that he was much like Job in all that he had to face. I doubt any other man on the face of the earth could have done the work the Lord asked of him. I used to wonder why we seemed to almost worship this man but somehow this program put in perspective all that he really did to bring to pass this marvelous work and a wonder. We do not worship Joseph Smith but honor him for doing what no other man could have done, what no other man would want to do. I am so incredibly grateful to him because of the knowledge and blessings I have been given.

I know that God lives and loves me. I know that Jesus Christ died and was resurrected that we may live again too, in the flesh, with God. He suffered and atoned for our sins so that it is possible to repent and be clean to be worthy to live with our Heavenly parents again. It is incredible power to know that Christ would have gone through all that he did even if it was for me alone. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is God's true church and that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are His words, spoken through His prophets. Gorden B. Hinkley is His prophet today and I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has not left us alone without a light in these modern days.