Reader responses regarding "The Mormons" PBS series

Why were so many pictures of Monument Valley and the interior of the Great Basin (at dusk) shown to represent what the pioneers encountered when they reached Utah? This was misleading. Some scenes and music appeared quite eerie and mystical, which may not be an accurate interpretation. Some disturbing comments were made by ex-church members on church history, polygamy, and Joseph's sexuality. How much of this can be substantiated? Too much time spent on Mountain Meadows massacre and polygamy. Generally, the human interest, religious, missionary, and welfare aspects of the church shown in the second segment were quite good. — George

Donald White, life-time member educated in Utah, living in Florida. Served 30-month Finnish mission, married, Manti Temple, 1965. I closely watch what is said about the church. While I am not a triumphalist, what I saw an overt attempt to erode the truth. Monday night was an absolute distortion and not done well. It was better Tuesday: welfare, humanitarian aid, missionaries, disaster relief, genealogy, temples. But it was the most disjointed weird show I have ever seen. It hit on some positives, but emphasized negatives too much to be balanced. Balance would have given Mountain Meadow Massacre 2 minutes, not 20. — Donald White

It was interesting, but not as factual as I would have liked. It lacked the real spirit of the LDS Church. I felt there was too much of the anti-Mormon faction. There were quite a few statements that were really not correct. — no name

This documentary was stillborn. What great potential. What a greater letdown. The producers suffered from macular degeneration. In the first segment, why, spend so much time on modern-day polygamy and Mountain Meadow massacre — issues that are aberrations of Mormon culture? It is a bit like making a documentary on Christianity and spending most of the time detailing the Holocaust. The second segment was not much better. We were exposed to a host of anti-Mormon commentators, as they defended themselves. We listened at length to a gay artist and an excommunicated classical literature teacher and other dissidents; a twisted dialog on modern church policy, grossly distorting facts, including the process of excommunication. Summing up the two evenings, it left the impression that Mormons are reactionary, bigoted, racist, terrorists who are taught to blindly follow their prophets to doomsday. The totality of the documentary was like throwing mud on a beautiful painting. I was left with the impression of black holes clouding the vision of all things that could have been virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy and I feel sad for those who really wanted to know more about The Mormons. —Glendon Gee, Richland, WA

I thought the Monday night broadcast was very bias and inaccurate but the Tue. night broadcast was more accurate. In general I think that the shows was not good for the church. — Roy Roberts, Tupelo, Miss.

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