Reader responses regarding "The Mormons" PBS series

Now, again, I want to stress that Ms. Whitney was extremely gracious in talking by phone with me, and I was left with the impression that I would like her personally. But she also spoke with disdain about FARMS (the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies) at BYU, saying that though the professors themselves are kindly in person, she finds their work "mean." (I could not disagree more about the work/research done by FARMS.) She also seemed positively shocked when, at the end of the interview, she attempted to find common ground with me by mentioning what an awful disappointment it was that Pres. Bush had been re-elected in 2004. "I voted for him," I noted. She very clearly equated functioning human intelligence with "Democrat."

Anyway, she got in touch with me later, wanting to do more interviews, but I begged off. I did not at all have high hopes for the documentary, but all in all I thought it went all right. Parts of it were maddening, but other parts were deeply moving and favorable to the church (i.e., accurate).

Best regards, — Ken Kuykendall, Draper, Utah (formerly of Atlanta)

I felt the documentary featured too many non-members and descendants explaining how the church originated and why they do not believe in it.

I felt far too much time and emphasis was spent on polygamy and the Mountain Meadow Massacre.

I think it was inappropriate to insert the information about Warren Jeffs and his church (who is not affiliated with the church in any way - but implying that they are somehow connected) into a documentary about "The Mormons".

I give the film two stars out of five. — Joseph Hall, Sandy, Utah

It was a disappointment to hear comments without knowing about the person making the comment; e.g., several participants were identified as "Historian" but their qualification to speak about "The Mormons" was not identified. It was impossible to assess the speaker's bias without knowing more about them so I am left without a basis from which to form an opinion. Given my lack of ability assess the speakers bias my overall impression was that the Monday presentation was more of a "hit piece" than it was a "documentary;" the Tuesday presentation appeared to more balanced. — Ogal Claspell, Muncie, Indiana

It would have been more relevant to include the positive aspects that have come about, especially in the lives of converts to the Gospel--those who have lived as members of the church who can contrast that with non-Mormon life. It was like critical neighbors describing your family life inside your home, when all they see is you rolling out your trash barrel to the curb each week. — Rose Marie, Park City

I felt that the film concentrated too much on the negative, and not enough on the positive aspects of the church. Thank you — Mrs B. Lowder Meridian Idaho

Having non-members, apostates and pseudo intellectuals trying to define the church is like Catholicism being defined by "The Godfather", "The Da Vinci Code" and pedophile Priests. — no name