From Deseret News archives:

A documentarian looks at 'The Mormons'

Filmmaker walks a fine line: She tries to neither promote nor detract

Published: Friday, April 27, 2007 12:27 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Additional information:

After you watch ...

   » Tell us what you thought about the PBS documentary "The Mormons." Send an e-mail to respond@desnews.com.

If you watch ...

   » What: "The Mormons," a two-part, four-hour documentary

   » When: Monday and Tuesday, 8-10 p.m.

   » Channels: KUED-Ch. 7 and KBYU-Ch. 11

   » Also: KUED and KBYU will air a local discussion of "The Mormons" during a special edition of "Utah NOW," May 4, 8 p.m.

Anyone who's planning to use the two-part, four-hour PBS documentary "The Mormons" in Sunday School at their local ward is going to be sorely disappointed.

Story continues below

But then so is anyone who's planning to hang copies of the program on doorknobs to convince members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to abandon their faith.

"The Mormons" is not a faith-promoting missionary tool. Although it might turn out to be that for some.

Neither is it an anti-Mormon diatribe. Though some people might see it that way at times.

"The Mormons" is a documentary. Award-winning filmmaker Helen Whitney doesn't take an advocacy position — she neither promotes nor rails against the LDS Church.

She brought great enthusiasm to the project — she did spend more than three years working on it, after all. In an interview with the Deseret Morning News, Whitney's voice rose in delight as she talked about subjects ranging from "Joseph Smith with all of his boundless optimism" to the LDS Church's lay ministry.

"Your next-door-neighbor could be the bishop and you, who are the CEO of American Express, could be playing piano for the choir," she said. "I mean, I love that part of it."

Recent comments

please say where and/or when this documentary can be purchased. r.a....

raben | Feb. 18, 2008 at 6:07 p.m.

I would like to know if this documentary is on DVD? I live in New...

Rob McKay | Oct. 3, 2007 at 4:29 p.m.

Image
Photos provided by Time Life Pictures, Shearer Images, Museum of Church History and Art/Deseret Morning News photo illustration

"The Mormons" explores many aspects of the LDS Church, including missionary work, temples and founder Joseph Smith. The LDS Church cooperated with the filmmaker but had no input on final product.

previousnext

Latest comments

Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...

I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...

Price injured; Miles has cast removed

hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...

Jazz blow big lead, hang on

play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...

I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...

Thousands protest health bill

That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...

What exactly were Nephite interpreters?

I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...

I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...

U. hopes to keep clicking

BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...

NFL: Midseason grades

i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

Advertisements
Advertisement