| Viewpoing: "Mormons' to be Enjoyed, Not Feared" | ||
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By Nick Newman BYU NewsNet | ||
Whenever a film comes out about the LDS church, it's as though someone just yelled, "FIRE!!!" in a crowded building. For members of the LDS faith, the church being in the media can be an uncomfortable occurrence. Just read the newspaper articles that have come out recently. The LDS Church has posted notices on its Web site and has basically given a disclaimer through the newspapers that they played no part in the making of the upcoming PBS documentary, "The Mormons." The article cites unnamed scholars who have seen the film. The article says 'The Mormons" will cause controversy because it focuses a disproportionate amount of time on polygamy and inaccurately portrays Brigham Young in the debacle at Mountain Meadows. Having seen the first two hours of the documentary, thanks to PBS, who allowed me to preview the film, there is nothing to fear. I don't understand what has people in Salt Lake - or wherever those unnamed scholars who saw the film are from - so nervous. Nobody needs to worry. This film exceeds expectations. What impressed me most about it is the amazing objectivity that is present in the film. It doesn't matter whether the dialogue is about Joseph, the Saints, persecution, the westward exodus, Mountain Meadows or polygamy, you will hear both sides of the story-viewpoints of anti-Mormons and other historians give a critical look at the church, while LDS historians and leaders balance out the discussion. Both sides have an equal say on each topic and give the film great historical perspective. Actually, the church might be more understood because of this film. Contrary to the unnamed scholars in the LDS church news release, the overall feeling of the film is moving, yet objective. No part of what I viewed overshadows another. Balance is the key word here. Of course, one should expect some highly critical remarks that might ruffle feathers, but producer Helen Whitney masterfully weaves powerful, poignant answers from LDS leaders, historians and, surprisingly, even some non-member scholars to counterbalance the criticism. The effect is a harmonious dialogue of fact, feelings and opinion. Then the roller-coaster begins: an intense, emotional ride at Mountain Meadows, with historian Will Bagley trying to grind his axe against Brigham Young while the other scholars on the film, Mormon and non-Mormon alike, point to John D. Lee as the one who ordered the attack. The backdrop of the whole massacre is set up to make sure people understand what events occurred prior to the violence. Brigham Young's name is brought up routinely, and scholars on both sides generally say while Mormons were definitely at fault, Brigham Young neither ordered it nor condoned it. Nowhere does the church get a PR black eye. It comes out of that fire criticized but understood. This portion of the documentary ends discussing polygamy. Just like Mountain Meadows, the 18 minutes (hardly a disproportionate amount of time) devoted to the church's practice of polygamy are emotional, semi-critical but understanding. Here's my point: In Isaiah, 3 Nephi and two places in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." It's a true point. No matter what is thrown against it, this church will prosper, eventually. It is this knowledge that should make us want to see this film despite those who think the film could be controversial. Watch the documentary and you will realize, as I already have, that this has more to teach others about ourselves than we can express in our own words. For example, Sarah Barringer Gordon, a historian of another faith, approaches the topic of persecution as follows: "Mormons have a very complex relationship with their own sense of persecution. It is unfair to say that they courted persecution; on the other hand it is fair to say that it brought them exhilaration and conviction that what they were doing was the right thing because God's prophets have never been welcome in their own lands. Persecution both identified them as special and seared into them the pain of what being a peculiar people means." Never before have I heard such an accurate portrayal of my own beliefs coming out of the mouth of a nonbeliever. This happens on more than one occasion in the film, and with all the different perspectives placed in the film, some will ruffle your feathers, some will attempt to enrage you; yet others will melt your heart. This film is a breath of fresh air, in a genre filled with misunderstanding. Everyone should breathe deeply. | ||
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nn.byu.edu Originally published April 17, 2007 | ||
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