Comments on: The PBS Follow Up http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/ Mormon women blogging about the peculiar and the treasured Tue, 22 May 2012 23:05:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Rubia http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-11442 Rubia Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:29:10 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-11442 Just a quick (very late) thought on the MMM....the main things that bugged me about the coverage of it were the following: 1)They failed to give equal attention to both sides, 2)They made it seem as though it is gospel truth that BY ordered it and that is NOT a fact, and 3)They GREATLY failed on giving accurate history as to why the Saints were in such a state to begin with - all the murders and rapes and pillaging by mobs and the ultimate extermination order from a government official. I can't imagine living through Haun's Mill and other such atrocities without coming out the other side being a scared trigger-happy lunatic. For a very long time the Saints only had themselves to depend on and no matter the injustices there was no aid, support, or protection from the government. Was the MMM horrific and tragic? YES. Was it ridiculous to spend that much time on it in the documentary - OF COURSE. It was not well covered at all. Perspective and balance are EVERYTHING. The creepy pic of the "angel" was just eery - where did they get such an awful thing? The portrait of JS was just poorly done as well - very one-sided and made him out to be a loon. Very sad that Christ was not part of the equation here. That is why the documentary didn't remotely do justice to the faith in my view. I am a member who served a mission, moved to Utah, struggled with infertility for many many years, and appreciate the questions that I have concerning the Gospel and the Church - and BTW, I feel totally at liberty to ask them. I believe any question can be asked if it is done in the right spirit. I am trying hard not to be a "Utah Mormon" and I struggle with the tradition of the culture here rather than the focus of the Gospel sometimes. I'm in YW and I try very diligently to teach about being a daughter of God and a follower/friend of the Savior - not all of us will be blessed with husbands and children and it can be devastating when there is so much focus there. That is my soap-box. Just a quick (very late) thought on the MMM….the main things that bugged me about the coverage of it were the following: 1)They failed to give equal attention to both sides, 2)They made it seem as though it is gospel truth that BY ordered it and that is NOT a fact, and 3)They GREATLY failed on giving accurate history as to why the Saints were in such a state to begin with – all the murders and rapes and pillaging by mobs and the ultimate extermination order from a government official. I can’t imagine living through Haun’s Mill and other such atrocities without coming out the other side being a scared trigger-happy lunatic. For a very long time the Saints only had themselves to depend on and no matter the injustices there was no aid, support, or protection from the government. Was the MMM horrific and tragic? YES. Was it ridiculous to spend that much time on it in the documentary – OF COURSE. It was not well covered at all. Perspective and balance are EVERYTHING.

The creepy pic of the “angel” was just eery – where did they get such an awful thing? The portrait of JS was just poorly done as well – very one-sided and made him out to be a loon.

Very sad that Christ was not part of the equation here. That is why the documentary didn’t remotely do justice to the faith in my view.

I am a member who served a mission, moved to Utah, struggled with infertility for many many years, and appreciate the questions that I have concerning the Gospel and the Church – and BTW, I feel totally at liberty to ask them. I believe any question can be asked if it is done in the right spirit. I am trying hard not to be a “Utah Mormon” and I struggle with the tradition of the culture here rather than the focus of the Gospel sometimes. I’m in YW and I try very diligently to teach about being a daughter of God and a follower/friend of the Savior – not all of us will be blessed with husbands and children and it can be devastating when there is so much focus there. That is my soap-box.

]]> By: cardine http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8930 cardine Wed, 09 May 2007 23:31:00 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8930 I am sorry for those who were shocked by hearing about the Mountain Meadow Massacre or other historical events for the first time on the program. I, for one, am VERY happy that those historical events aren't preached or taught in church meetings. The reason is because they aren't the gospel. They are historical events, which are different than the gospel. The events of the Mountain Meadow Massacre don't effect my salvation, even if I were descended from one of the participants. Another reason that I am happy about it is because there is so much disagreement and speculation about the event to adequately address actual facts in a classroom setting. But, if you want to learn more about it, I would suggest visiting the monument or reading some of the hundreds of books that have been written about it. And, I thought that Elder Oaks' comments about it were very good. Also, #35. brittney c.: Regarding the writing of our senators about same-sex marriage - I was almost mortified when that happened. Fortunately I have a very patient and trusted friend with whom I could discuss my hesitencies and feelings. I struggled with it for about a week, searched for church statements online, read opinions about the issue from both sides online, and finally came to what I believe is a better understanding with why it was being asked of me. Anyway, just wanted let you know that you weren't alone in being shocked by that request. I am sorry for those who were shocked by hearing about the Mountain Meadow Massacre or other historical events for the first time on the program.

I, for one, am VERY happy that those historical events aren’t preached or taught in church meetings. The reason is because they aren’t the gospel. They are historical events, which are different than the gospel. The events of the Mountain Meadow Massacre don’t effect my salvation, even if I were descended from one of the participants. Another reason that I am happy about it is because there is so much disagreement and speculation about the event to adequately address actual facts in a classroom setting.

But, if you want to learn more about it, I would suggest visiting the monument or reading some of the hundreds of books that have been written about it.

And, I thought that Elder Oaks’ comments about it were very good.

Also, #35. brittney c.: Regarding the writing of our senators about same-sex marriage – I was almost mortified when that happened. Fortunately I have a very patient and trusted friend with whom I could discuss my hesitencies and feelings. I struggled with it for about a week, searched for church statements online, read opinions about the issue from both sides online, and finally came to what I believe is a better understanding with why it was being asked of me. Anyway, just wanted let you know that you weren’t alone in being shocked by that request.

]]> By: Forgiven http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8838 Forgiven Tue, 08 May 2007 19:42:11 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8838 Why does everyone always put polygamy in the same sentence with bad? If God commanded it then how can it be "bad". I have never practiced polygamy, nor do I really wish to. But at one point in my life I had a dear friend who was not blessed to have a companion, eternal or otherwise, whom I loved so much that I pondered and even considered the fact that if Heavenly Father commanded my husband to take another wife I could in fact be happy for my friend to share a god-ordained marriage with my husband, and to also have a loving marriage the way I have with my husband. I think it was a turning point in my life. To look at my husband as more than "my" posession and to become less selfish. Sadly though now having said that I don't believe I nurtured that idea of charity, and am not sure I would automatically feel the same today. But, having had that enlightening experience, I would hope that if HF commanded that of me I would be able to overcome the obstacles that might prevent me from embracing the commandment. I am afraid I often take the words of the Prophets as suggestions rather than commandments. Our leader's "council" is not meant to limit us, but rather to bless our lives and increase the blessings that we are entitled to for obedience to that council. Since joining the church 25 years ago I have had numberous occasions of exposure to opposition of my religious beliefs. My experience has been that the oppostion is always a catalyst to study more and find out the answers to the opposition's statements or questions, and has always brought me closer to the truth, and my testimony has grown stronger. I beleive that inviting the spirit in these searches has been extremely important to that result. I have some bad history myself, hence my moniker, and unfortunatly continue to make bad history (not the kind that requires visits to the bishop or stake president, although I wish it did, then maybe I would take more seriously my mounding debt because of my compulsion to hoard all things pretty). I struggle with being imperfect, as I am sure our current leaders do, and as did our early leaders. I have to wonder myself if this documentary had been made during the time of Noah or Moses or Peter and Paul if there would have been dirt to report on the likes of these men that we revere as prophets and the perhaps sketchy dealings of God's people in those earliest of times. Critics continually try to discredit the validity of our Savior and his mission. I put this "show" in the same category, trying to tear down rather than build up. People are like crabs. If you have ever been crabbing you know that you keep crabs alive until you are ready to eat them and the first crab you catch will climb right out of the container unless you keep it covered tightly. Once you have more than one crab you never have to cover the container again. Every time a crab tries to climb out the other crab or crabs will pull him back down. The purpose of the gospel is to help you up and take you to a better place, here and in the eternities. Unfortunately people, even people within the church, fall prey to this base desire to hold others down just like crabs do. This program was quite crabby, with little doses of good to make it palatable. Why does everyone always put polygamy in the same sentence with bad? If God commanded it then how can it be “bad”. I have never practiced polygamy, nor do I really wish to. But at one point in my life I had a dear friend who was not blessed to have a companion, eternal or otherwise, whom I loved so much that I pondered and even considered the fact that if Heavenly Father commanded my husband to take another wife I could in fact be happy for my friend to share a god-ordained marriage with my husband, and to also have a loving marriage the way I have with my husband. I think it was a turning point in my life. To look at my husband as more than “my” posession and to become less selfish.

Sadly though now having said that I don’t believe I nurtured that idea of charity, and am not sure I would automatically feel the same today. But, having had that enlightening experience, I would hope that if HF commanded that of me I would be able to overcome the obstacles that might prevent me from embracing the commandment. I am afraid I often take the words of the Prophets as suggestions rather than commandments. Our leader’s “council” is not meant to limit us, but rather to bless our lives and increase the blessings that we are entitled to for obedience to that council.

Since joining the church 25 years ago I have had numberous occasions of exposure to opposition of my religious beliefs. My experience has been that the oppostion is always a catalyst to study more and find out the answers to the opposition’s statements or questions, and has always brought me closer to the truth, and my testimony has grown stronger. I beleive that inviting the spirit in these searches has been extremely important to that result.

I have some bad history myself, hence my moniker, and unfortunatly continue to make bad history (not the kind that requires visits to the bishop or stake president, although I wish it did, then maybe I would take more seriously my mounding debt because of my compulsion to hoard all things pretty). I struggle with being imperfect, as I am sure our current leaders do, and as did our early leaders.

I have to wonder myself if this documentary had been made during the time of Noah or Moses or Peter and Paul if there would have been dirt to report on the likes of these men that we revere as prophets and the perhaps sketchy dealings of God’s people in those earliest of times. Critics continually try to discredit the validity of our Savior and his mission. I put this “show” in the same category, trying to tear down rather than build up.

People are like crabs. If you have ever been crabbing you know that you keep crabs alive until you are ready to eat them and the first crab you catch will climb right out of the container unless you keep it covered tightly. Once you have more than one crab you never have to cover the container again. Every time a crab tries to climb out the other crab or crabs will pull him back down. The purpose of the gospel is to help you up and take you to a better place, here and in the eternities. Unfortunately people, even people within the church, fall prey to this base desire to hold others down just like crabs do. This program was quite crabby, with little doses of good to make it palatable.

]]> By: Ana http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8796 Ana Mon, 07 May 2007 20:34:24 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8796 By the way, you can watch the entire documentary online at pbs.org. That's how I saw it. By the way, you can watch the entire documentary online at pbs.org. That’s how I saw it.

]]> By: Ana http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8795 Ana Mon, 07 May 2007 20:33:50 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8795 I'm the kinda Mormon who watched that documentary and thought, "Woo, that (polygamy, Mountain Meadows, the way we handle homosexuality, etc.) is a mess. MY mess. My people. You wanna make something of it?" I'm a Mormon who is so grateful for the idea that changes have come in the past and will come again. I don't pretend to know what they are and I have realized it's not my place to suggest what they might be, although it is a thrill for anyone to be the first to teach a new idea. That thrill is for the ivory tower, not for Zion. They are two very different worlds. I think now is the first time in my life I'm realizing that. I’m the kinda Mormon who watched that documentary and thought, “Woo, that (polygamy, Mountain Meadows, the way we handle homosexuality, etc.) is a mess. MY mess. My people. You wanna make something of it?”

I’m a Mormon who is so grateful for the idea that changes have come in the past and will come again. I don’t pretend to know what they are and I have realized it’s not my place to suggest what they might be, although it is a thrill for anyone to be the first to teach a new idea. That thrill is for the ivory tower, not for Zion. They are two very different worlds. I think now is the first time in my life I’m realizing that.

]]> By: aunt lisa http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8660 aunt lisa Fri, 04 May 2007 23:14:20 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8660 cjane and friends, I have really enjoyed reading all of your insites and feelings about the church and the gospel. I didn't see all of the PBS program, but I have it taped to do so. I agree that we should teach our children MORE about early church history. I did not do that, really, because I learned most of what I know from reading a lot. My 17 year old son watched the part about Mountain Meadow Massacre with me, though, and it gave me a chance to talk to him about it. So, this program has opened up a lot of dialogue in and out of the church, which is great. And its great that Courtney is encouraging MORE dialogue with her blog. I was heartsick when I learned about The Mountain Meadow Massacre at age 18, so I know that it is something very difficult to bring up and talk about with children. My mother did a presentation about it for a women's literary group. I do not understand polygamy and I know from my reading that it caused much heartache for many women, including Emma. When I read, EMMA, in college it really affected me. But, it also made me love and respect Emma and those women even more. I think Emma has been portrayed unfairly by a lot of historians, and I wish people knew more about her. A book that helps to explain her situation when the members left Nauvoo, is LeGrande Baker's new book about Joseph Smith, and the book called, Emma and Joseph, written by their descendent, Gracia Jones.(I hope that's the last name). Gracia was the first direct descendent to be baptized. Through much pondering and prayer, I have been able to feel comfortable with the fact that we will never understand many things during our mortal lives and that Heavenly Father will have answers for us in the next life. I have felt that by learning more about our history...good and bad, it has caused me to pray more and that it has strengthened my love for the Savior and my Father in Heaven. Most people have no idea how much the church members suffered at the hands of those who hated, mobbed, and forced them out of Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois. They don't know anything about the fact that women were raped, and that members were tortured and/or killed. We don't dwell on that as a church; when we could. But it is charitable not to dwell on it and to forgive. The atmosphere of the country at that time influenced non-members and also contributed to some of the church's policies and commandments. The members of the church abhorred slavery, loved their country, and wanted the freedom to worship their God and to live in peace with their families. It is so ironic that local leaders, governers, and presidents of the United States did nothing to help the members of our church, when the constitution was founded on the premise of religious freedom. I was a teenager on vacation with my family in California when we learned of President Kimball's revelation regarding giving the priesthood to all worthy men. My family was thrilled and so grateful. I know that President Kimball prayed fervently for that blessing. We don't know why it happened the way that it did, why it took so long to happen, or why it was not allowed in the beginning. But, God knows. I am an active Mormon and an aunt to cjane! :) I feel blessed to have had faith all of my life and I know that I must never take that for granted. I love God and my Savior with all of my heart. I have a strong testimony of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the church. I love serving in the church, being a mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, and grandma. I am a Mormon who has always felt a lot of compassion for people who are suffering; including people who are gay and conflicted about the church. I have long felt that sexuality is most likely a result of the hormones, chemicals, etc. that we are exposed to and carry, in the womb. I don't think it is something that can "just be changed" in a lot of cases. (my opinion). And so, I think it is a particularly difficult challenge for a member of the church. Being "single" and living the commandments can be as difficult a challenge. I am a Mormon who thinks it is awesome that we have a woman, an African American, and a Mormon running for president. And I like all three of them. One of MY soapboxes: People like Sean Hannity, a Christian, who is extremely cruel about and to people who don't share his beliefs. cjane and friends,
I have really enjoyed reading all of your insites and feelings about the church and the gospel. I didn’t see all of the PBS program, but I have it taped to do so. I agree that we should teach our children MORE about early church history. I did not do that, really, because I learned most of what I know from reading a lot. My 17 year old son watched the part about Mountain Meadow Massacre with me, though, and it gave me a chance to talk to him about it. So, this program has opened up a lot of dialogue in and out of the church, which is great. And its great that Courtney is encouraging MORE dialogue with her blog. I was heartsick when I learned about The Mountain Meadow Massacre at age 18, so I know that it is something very difficult to bring up and talk about with children. My mother did a presentation about it for a women’s literary group. I do not understand polygamy and I know from my reading that it caused much heartache for many women, including Emma. When I read, EMMA, in college it really affected me. But, it also made me love and respect Emma and those women even more. I think Emma has been portrayed unfairly by a lot of historians, and I wish people knew more about her. A book that helps to explain her situation when the members left Nauvoo, is LeGrande Baker’s new book about Joseph Smith, and the book called, Emma and Joseph, written by their descendent, Gracia Jones.(I hope that’s the last name). Gracia was the first direct descendent to be baptized. Through much pondering and prayer, I have been able to feel comfortable with the fact that we will never understand many things during our mortal lives and that Heavenly Father will have answers for us in the next life. I have felt that by learning more about our history…good and bad, it has caused me to pray more and that it has strengthened my love for the Savior and my Father in Heaven.
Most people have no idea how much the church members suffered at the hands of those who hated, mobbed, and forced them out of Missouri, Ohio, and Illinois. They don’t know anything about the fact that women were raped, and that members were tortured and/or killed. We don’t dwell on that as a church; when we could. But it is charitable not to dwell on it and to forgive. The atmosphere of the country at that time influenced non-members and also contributed to some of the church’s policies and commandments. The members of the church abhorred slavery, loved their country, and wanted the freedom to worship their God and to live in peace with their families. It is so ironic that local leaders, governers, and presidents of the United States did nothing to help the members of our church, when the constitution was founded on the premise of religious freedom.
I was a teenager on vacation with my family in California when we learned of President Kimball’s revelation regarding giving the priesthood to all worthy men. My family was thrilled and so grateful. I know that President Kimball prayed fervently for that blessing. We don’t know why it happened the way that it did, why it took so long to happen, or why it was not allowed in the beginning. But, God knows.
I am an active Mormon and an aunt to cjane! :) I feel blessed to have had faith all of my life and I know that I must never take that for granted.
I love God and my Savior with all of my heart. I have a strong testimony of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and the church. I love serving in the church, being a mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, aunt, and grandma. I am a Mormon who has always felt a lot of compassion for people who are suffering; including people who are gay and conflicted about the church. I have long felt that sexuality is most likely a result of the hormones, chemicals, etc. that we are exposed to and carry, in the womb. I don’t think it is something that can “just be changed” in a lot of cases. (my opinion). And so, I think it is a particularly difficult challenge for a member of the church. Being “single” and living the commandments can be as difficult a challenge.
I am a Mormon who thinks it is awesome that we have a woman, an African American, and a Mormon running for president. And I like all three of them.

One of MY soapboxes: People like Sean Hannity, a Christian, who is extremely cruel about and to people who don’t share his beliefs.

]]> By: Emily M. http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8616 Emily M. Fri, 04 May 2007 03:58:00 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8616 I have it recorded but have not had a chance to watch it yet, except for a smidge of the Katrina stuff, which I loved. Thoughts on this excellent thread: 1-I love what the councilwoman said. The beauty of the Restored Christianity is a fuller, more complete understanding of redemption through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It's not some PR move. If anything, it's an attempt to help others, and ourselves, understand our own doctrine more fully. 2-Since I "discovered" sticky issues in Church history, particularly polygamy, I've wished we could be more open about it. There are some powerful stories out there that we do not tell because they have too much polygamy in them. I want to know more about how the women fared while their husbands were running from the polygamy hunters... the years before the Manifesto, what little I've read of them, are so interesting to me. I think there's a great deal of dedication and faith we're missing out on. The pioneers didn't lose their devotion once they arrived in Utah. But because they were so often polygamists, we don't get much in the way of official stories. It's sad. But I also see why. I don't think it's always that we are glossing over hard issues. I think they are focusing on the core issues of the gospel. Mara, I agree: where is the middle ground, between not knowing about hard issues at all and obsessing over them? What I want, even more, is a proud ground! I am descended from polygamists on both sides of my family and grateful for that heritage. I am grateful that my ancestors obeyed the counsel they were given, and took extra wives. Do I understand it? Heck no. Do I want to live it myself? HECK no (and that's the kind of Mormon I am. My swearing is "heck" in all caps.). I'm also a descendant of John D. Lee, of Mountain Meadows infamy. Not so proud of that. But he's still a part of my story. I want to know about it too. I've been thinking as I do the dishes about what kind of Mormon I am. I don't know. Can I say who I am by where I've come from? I have come from polygamists, from a man who led a massacre, from one of Joseph Smith's bodyguards, from a Mormon Batallion soldier, from a woman who buried her new baby at sea as she traveled to Zion. I don't know their stories as well as I want to, but they are still part of me. I am not so full of questions as I used to be, not because I have answers, but because I am at peace with letting the questions just be. I am more judgmental than I should be, and also trying to develop the charity to see clearly and judge righteously. Like all of you (we are sisters in the community of saints together) I love the Lord, and His restored gospel of grace. I have it recorded but have not had a chance to watch it yet, except for a smidge of the Katrina stuff, which I loved.

Thoughts on this excellent thread:
1-I love what the councilwoman said. The beauty of the Restored Christianity is a fuller, more complete understanding of redemption through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It’s not some PR move. If anything, it’s an attempt to help others, and ourselves, understand our own doctrine more fully.

2-Since I “discovered” sticky issues in Church history, particularly polygamy, I’ve wished we could be more open about it. There are some powerful stories out there that we do not tell because they have too much polygamy in them. I want to know more about how the women fared while their husbands were running from the polygamy hunters… the years before the Manifesto, what little I’ve read of them, are so interesting to me. I think there’s a great deal of dedication and faith we’re missing out on. The pioneers didn’t lose their devotion once they arrived in Utah. But because they were so often polygamists, we don’t get much in the way of official stories. It’s sad.

But I also see why. I don’t think it’s always that we are glossing over hard issues. I think they are focusing on the core issues of the gospel. Mara, I agree: where is the middle ground, between not knowing about hard issues at all and obsessing over them?

What I want, even more, is a proud ground! I am descended from polygamists on both sides of my family and grateful for that heritage. I am grateful that my ancestors obeyed the counsel they were given, and took extra wives. Do I understand it? Heck no. Do I want to live it myself? HECK no (and that’s the kind of Mormon I am. My swearing is “heck” in all caps.). I’m also a descendant of John D. Lee, of Mountain Meadows infamy. Not so proud of that. But he’s still a part of my story. I want to know about it too.

I’ve been thinking as I do the dishes about what kind of Mormon I am. I don’t know. Can I say who I am by where I’ve come from? I have come from polygamists, from a man who led a massacre, from one of Joseph Smith’s bodyguards, from a Mormon Batallion soldier, from a woman who buried her new baby at sea as she traveled to Zion. I don’t know their stories as well as I want to, but they are still part of me.

I am not so full of questions as I used to be, not because I have answers, but because I am at peace with letting the questions just be. I am more judgmental than I should be, and also trying to develop the charity to see clearly and judge righteously. Like all of you (we are sisters in the community of saints together) I love the Lord, and His restored gospel of grace.

]]> By: maralise http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8613 maralise Fri, 04 May 2007 02:56:07 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8613 Melissa (#31) I agree. I was lucky to have a mother who loved reading church history (the good and the bad) and cautiously introduced me to Juanita Brooks and other subaltern mormon writers (as well the litany of "approved" historical sources). However, I wish that history was not seen as a "bad" word in faithful church circles, that these disturbing events that happened (polygamy, MMM) could be discussed more openly. My bishop/Stake President when I was growing up was a church historian and I felt he was an excellent example of faithfulness in spite of and because of the realities of church history. It feels to me that brushing these events aside only perpetuates their mystery and possible misunderstanding. But, as I have seen, obsessing over their contradictions is just as damaging. Where's the middle ground? Melissa (#31)

I agree. I was lucky to have a mother who loved reading church history (the good and the bad) and cautiously introduced me to Juanita Brooks and other subaltern mormon writers (as well the litany of “approved” historical sources). However, I wish that history was not seen as a “bad” word in faithful church circles, that these disturbing events that happened (polygamy, MMM) could be discussed more openly.

My bishop/Stake President when I was growing up was a church historian and I felt he was an excellent example of faithfulness in spite of and because of the realities of church history.

It feels to me that brushing these events aside only perpetuates their mystery and possible misunderstanding. But, as I have seen, obsessing over their contradictions is just as damaging. Where’s the middle ground?

]]> By: Katie (Creole Wisdom) http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8607 Katie (Creole Wisdom) Fri, 04 May 2007 01:45:24 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8607 Okay, well I'm commenting again because I actually had a chance to watch it. The PBS link has a watch online version is anyone does not have time for TV, etc... I think the emphasis on missionary work is great. I loved that they talked about the intensity of the work, and about the MTC. It was interesting. As an African-American I knew about the priesthood issue before. I probably will never *get* it, and that's okay. I'm not out to understand everything. For me, at this point, I know that the church fits, and that it is not only good, but true. No religion is perfect, and although part of the documentary was negative and did not even touch really on Christ (as the councilwoman noted), I think it does a better job than most. Okay, well I’m commenting again because I actually had a chance to watch it. The PBS link has a watch online version is anyone does not have time for TV, etc…

I think the emphasis on missionary work is great. I loved that they talked about the intensity of the work, and about the MTC. It was interesting.

As an African-American I knew about the priesthood issue before. I probably will never *get* it, and that’s okay. I’m not out to understand everything.

For me, at this point, I know that the church fits, and that it is not only good, but true.

No religion is perfect, and although part of the documentary was negative and did not even touch really on Christ (as the councilwoman noted), I think it does a better job than most.

]]> By: Carrie http://segullah.org/cjane-speaks/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8605 Carrie Fri, 04 May 2007 01:26:34 +0000 http://segullah.org/blog/segullah-article-discussions/the-pbs-follow-up/#comment-8605 Michelle, thanks for giving the link to Elder Holland's interview. Thank you. Michelle, thanks for giving the link to Elder Holland’s interview. Thank you.

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