DiscussMormonism.com

PBS has produced two thought-provoking programs about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Aspects of the faith covered in the programs were broad and diverse, and the broadcasts are resulting in an equally diverse range of opinions and responses from viewers.

As she has done in similar documentaries, producer Helen Whitney probes at both the center and the edges of Church history, belief, and personal experience. Members, former members, scholars and Church leaders all presented their perspectives. Those interviewed in the program — even though they hold different points of view — were articulate and measured in their comments, giving serious thought and consideration to the topic.

But even four hours and numerous interviews can’t cover everything. No doubt, some Church members will feel essentials were left out (the restoration of priesthood authority and a fuller description of women’s experience in the faith) and non-essentials left in (polygamist Warren Jeffs, for example). In a similar way, the historic practice of plural marriage and the tragedy of Mountain Meadows are far from the whole story of Church history or the experience and faith of members today. (The entire interviews of Church leaders are available on the PBS website at http://www.pbs.org/Mormons/interviews/.)

But addressing these and other topics in a forthright way seems to have allowed viewers less familiar with the Church to see a new and broader dimension of the Church, shorn, perhaps, of one-sided stereotypes and caricatures.

At a time when significant media and public attention is being turned to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and when news media is so often accused of superficiality in its coverage of religion, this serious treatment of a serious subject is a welcome change.

The four-hour documentary “The Mormons,” produced by Frontline and American Experience and aired on PBS in the United States, is generating substantial discussion, with lively debate on Internet blogs about what it means to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The documentary has led to a 10-fold increase in daily traffic to the Church’s Newsroom Web site. Last night, a Church response was posted in the “Commentary column” on the site calling Helen Whitney’s work “thought-provoking” and “broad and diverse,” yet recognizing that “four hours and numerous interviews can’t cover everything” about the Church.

Polygamy Porter wrote:They know there will be losses, ...

truth dancer wrote:All I know is that if I were at the helm and recognized the problems going on in the LDS church I would...

1. "Commission" an LDS scholar to write a book about Joseph Smith giving just enough of the truth to have it out there, right along with the apologetic spin. You know.... as any PR department would do when there are problems, be the first to admit a touch of the truth, and give the excuses.

2. Have an "independent" source share some information that would get the problematic issues out on the table so no one in the church would have to admit there were problems, (hence no need for any sort of apology) and focus on the good of the church so the difficulties would be overlooked and ignored.

3. Have smart and respectable folks demonstrate how the "issues" are not a problem for them... have them admit the truth but in a way that it just doesn't matter at all. In other words, go with the.... "if these smart folks believe then I should too."

I think this is PR 100.....

Makes you wonder if someone in the church didn't give a hefty donation to PBS? :-)

“Funding for FRONTLINE and American Experience is provided through the support of PBS viewers. Additional funding for FRONTLINE is provided by The Park Foundation. Additional funding for "The Mormons" is provided by Edward D. Smith, Steven J. and Kalleen Lund, Mr. and Mrs. Blake M. Roney, and others. A complete list is available from PBS.” [See www.pbs.org/Mormons.]

So exactly who are these additional “impartial” donors to the PBS program? A cursory Internet search shows the following:

Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Smith apparently are/were active Mormons who have given to such causes as “BYU Broadcasting” in the past.

Steven J. and Kalleen Lund apparently established a charitable foundation located in Provo, Utah and in some way is associated with NuSkin Enterprises. One Internet source states that they have given primarily to the Mormon Church and other church-related causes such as FARMS. Note: Edward Smith and Steven Lund both appear to have served contemporaneously as mission presidents in Georgia from 2003 to 2006 and probably know each other from that experience.

Blake M. Roney: Chairman, NuSkin Enterprises.

The Nehor wrote:So you're saying you're against balanced reporting?

moksha wrote:Obviously it didn't condemn Mormons sufficiently for your tastes.

“On balance, very favorably,” Elder Jensen told KUED. “How can you be displeased when you been the subject of a nationwide TV program structuring over four hour for 2 evenings?”

Jensen also said, “An in-depth treatment has been given. In general we are very pleased."