Did anyone see Part II of PBS special on Mormons?

Question

What do you think?

I have a problem with secrecy and never questioning a leader if what you hear about him or the church is true. I kept hearing commandment to the church, church demands everything, church has been restored, can't talk about the Temple and what goes on, ancient Israelites coming to the Americas, excommunication and the whole family losing its salvation. Where is God in all of this? I see a lot of man-made goings on.

Answer 1

The historian who made this documentary was told by PBS that it was not "controversial enough" and she had to redo some things. Instead of talking about our basic beliefs and doctrines, they muster up as much controversial items as possible and God and Jesus get nixed out of the picture. I watched a few minutes of it. I wasn't surprised by anything I saw, there is history there but what the church is all about seems to be obscured by bringing up controversy after controversy.

Answer 2

I haven't yet seen this documentary, but I am Mormon, and so maybe I can help answer your questions.
Yes, we believe that Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet of God. As such, he receives revelation and guidance for the Church.
James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, is a Democrat. Wait a second, I thought all Mormons are Republicans! We receive guidance from Church leaders, but many people question the politics of Church leaders.
Church demands everything? What? Huh? Sure, we pay a 10% tithe on our income, but that comes from Malachi 3:8-10 : "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Yes, the Church has been restored. Are you Protestant? If you are, you obviously believe that the Catholic Church deviated from Christ's teachings somewhere along the line, and so it was changed. Well, we believe that a complete restoration was needed, and we believe that Joseph Smith was called of God to restore the true gospel.
Can't talk about the Temple? Look at Wikipedia! Most of what goes on in the temples (there are 124 operating temples, 6 under construction, and 5 announced but not yet under construction) is posted there. You could also (preferably) go to http://www.mormon.org and see what the Church has to say about the Temples.
Yes, we believe ancient Israelites came to the Americas. However, the Church has no official position on whether or not ancient Israelites were the ancestors of all Native Americans. I personally think that there were other people here when the Nephites came to Mesoamerica, but I could be wrong.
Excommunication: you have to be REALLY bad to be excommunicated, just like you have to be REALLY bad to be excommunicated from Catholicism.
Whole family losing its salvation: No, salvation is determined on an individual basis based on your works and deeds in life.

I hope this helps clear up some misconceptions. A lot of the people interviewed on this PBS documentary have the unfortunate inevitable bias against the LDS Church - there is no such thing as an unbiased person. If you think, you have some degree of bias.

Answer 3

From what I saw of the special, it made thigns very dramatic and absolute that were not. Anyone can go to an LDS temple. You simply have to be worthy and believe in the teachings of the church, this means be baptised. It is no secret, it is just sacred. Just think for a moment what the teachings of the LDS church mean if they are true. It truly is sacred. The excommunication and the family losing salvation is the dramatic part. Those who are worthy will receive their blessing while those who break their covenants with God will not receive their blessing.

We also do not follow the prophet blindly. We believe that we can all receive a witness through the Holy Ghost of the truthfulness of his calling and all that he says. Prayer and personal revelation are key to the LDS church and its teachings.

Answer 4

I am not a Mormon, but this was worse than I expected from the anti religious bigots over at PBS. I think Jack Chick was the executive producer on this one.

Frontline always presents anti American, anti religious socialist agitprop but I thought this hit piece spent more time on feminist and gay propaganda than they did on the religion and those who practice it.

Non Mormons and banished former Mormons were more prominent throughout the two days than members and leaders of the church.

PBS - Pathetic Broadcasting Socialists or Pathetic BS

Answer 5

I saw it and agree with you. Truth is not behind closed doors ( in their temple). Truth is out in the open, in the light! They even do a hand slitting motion to their throat to secrecy when they enter their temple. And they baptise the dead (not literally)? If the truth is not in the light and in Jesus who is the light, then it is a cult. This special revealed this. Also, The Bible says we will not be married in Heaven, yet they believe they will continue their vows and family lives as is, but better in heaven. Yes, it will be better and we will recognize our families, but it will not be the same as here re: marriage. Lots of man-made goings on ---hmmmm, made by a man, Joseph Smith. Anything that is contrary to God's Word just isn't so. God bless

Answer 6

I'm a former mormon, and I'll tell ya about everything in the temple...

I watched the special and found it to be very balanced and accurate in it's presentation of mormonism.

I was born into mormonism, fifth generation. Married in the temple, etc. I now only believe in spirituality in terms of Einsteinian concepts. Go to my 360 and let me know what you'd like to find out about... Remember from the special... they don't like intellectuals... lol

Answer 7

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed" (2 Peter 2:1-2).

"Now I am afraid that, as the serpent in his cunning seduced Eve, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may lose your single hearted devotion to Christ. For if some newcomer proclaims another Jesus . . . or a gospel different from the gospel you have already accepted, you put up with that well enough" (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Revised English Version).

Answer 8

You should always question things. How else will you know for yourself if things are true or not?
Why should people talk freely of things they consider sacred?
God is our loving Father. I am an LDS person, and I did not watch the documentary, as I do not have cable. I know what we believe in. I do not feel in any way repressed, or trapped. People are going to see what they want to see in anything. If you want to know about the LDS church, or any church for that matter, look at all possibilities and sources, pray, and ask for guidance.

Answer 9

why didn' t the documentary include; the secret underwear Mormons wear?

the mandatory tithing you must pay it even before your bills...even if you are indigent requirement

the fact women cannot ascend into heaven unless their husband vouches for them.

the fact that they chant to themselves; "I know the book of Mormon is true I know the book of Mormon is true".

the fact that they are dragging all of those already poor
non white people into a cult that was not designed to embrace, empower or support them

the Black woman convert seemed like she was not gifted with the ability to make good decisions or to discern. She certainly did not appear to have high self esteem, poor thing.

Answer 10

i taped both parts..but didnt watch them yet.
its going to be interesting because my wife was brought up mormon[she is not a practicing one],but her mom is. i am a big time christian,fully involved with my church.so we have some pretty interesting conversations...im not judging..but i am amazed that her congregation cant answer too many biblical questions..but can quote the book of mormon like the back of their hands.
if it aint in the bible,i dont believe it!