From Deseret News archives:

Reader responses regarding "The Mormons" PBS series

Published: Thursday, May 3, 2007 12:10 a.m. MDT
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The program failed to discuss the preface to the Book of Mormon. The fact that mortal man in this dispensation actually saw and witnessed an Angel and saw and handled the Gold plates and that the voice of the Lord commanded them that they should bear record of it. These things were omitted. These are the things that I prayed about following our visit with the missionaries many years ago; that I prayed and received a witness that these things are true. Many important items were omitted. The temple experience is NOT SECRET, but sacred. The word sacred was not emphasized. A clip from President Hinckley, but no interview, an interview from Elder Dallin Oaks that was of course was positive. No interview though with a Regional Rep. such as Elder John Anderson following the Katrina tragedy, no interview with a seasoned Stake President( such as Douglas B. Carter ) or with a seasoned bishop ( such as Richard J. Sampson ), or a seasoned Mission President ( President Farnsworth )nor a temple president ( such as Blaine W. Johnson ). An interview with any of these individuals I believe would have made a tremendous difference in presenting amore positive view.

The ' program ' may be of some assistance however, to our missionaries in the Field if many of their contacts did view it, then the Elders and Sisters may be able to clarify what was and or what was not said.

Thank you for asking. — Richard Clay, Crystal River, Fla.

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Those not of our faith are not able, as hard as they may try, to tell our story. Only a Latter-day Saint can tell our story, only we know this story. The problem with typical journalism today is they must present a "balanced" account, so they go dig up dirt, talk to excommunicated members, anti-Mormon leaders and scholars, and present that as what the church is and what it believes. This is blatantly dishonest, not factual, and misrepresents what the church is and what it believes. PBS totally misrepresented the origins of polygamy, for example, and did not tell the facts, but quoted non-members and excommunicated members for the origins of this doctrine. The segment about the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor printing press was also not put in context, and slanted to make Joseph Smith look like a complete tyrant. It's these kinds of misrepresentations that offend us, when someone outside the church attempts to tell our story--they simply cannot do it. — Rex Jensen

A winner! As Dorothy Kilgallen used to say" "There's no such thing as bad publicity. Just be sure to spell my name right." — Lowell Farley, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

I was disappointed in the documentary — particularly because it ignored the work by FARMS and others regarding the historicity of the Book of Mormon and the uneven balance of "anti"- versus "pro"- time given to the speakers. Its point-for point format substituted personal vignette time for substantive response time. I also think it failed in its purpose to clarify mis-understandings. Which stereotypes does Helen Whitney think she has now successfully vanquished? She fed into many of them. — Cynthia Nielsen

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