This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Joseph Smith Jr. once said, famously, "No man knows my history." Something like that might be said today of many Americans' knowledge not only of Smith but of the faith he founded, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Most Americans don't know its history, and they don't know much more of what the church is about today. Much of what they think they know is wrong. Many, for example, believe that Mormons still practice polygamy, secretly or otherwise, even though the LDS Church abandoned plural marriage a century ago.
Helen Whitney set out to answer some basic questions about the history and contemporary life of the LDS Church with her documentary "The Mormons," which aired on Public Broadcasting Service stations Monday and Tuesday. While it is impossible to encapsule a culture and a faith in four hours, this work does about as good a job as is possible.
It's not the final word. There is much that was not addressed. But it's a fine introduction, and it covers many controversial subjects thoughtfully and frankly, with an even, respectful hand.
The film is timely, what with Mitt Romney's bid for the Republican presidential nomination and Harry Reid's rise to majority leader of the U.S. Senate. Many Americans are asking themselves whether they would vote for a Mormon candidate for president.
Some critics of "The Mormons," particularly faithful Latter-day Saints, have attacked it in comments to the PBS Web site as dwelling too much on polygamy and the Mountain Meadows massacre. We can understand that point of view; it had occurred to us as well. But we also understand that polygamy is the one thing that many non-Mormons identify with the LDS Church, and that a full explanation of its history within the faith was necessary. Likewise with Haun's Mill and Mountain Meadows.
On the whole, however, we were struck by the breadth of the film, the many important issues and events it explained, and the diverse, articulate perspectives it brought to bear, from church officials, historians and academics, members and former members. These are the product of careful research, wide-ranging interviews and brilliant editing.
We also appreciated the thoughtful, frank tone. Utahns on opposite sides of the religious divide can learn from this example.
It's not the final word. There is much that was not addressed. But it's a fine introduction.