|
Brigham Young: Architect of Faith
This biography on Brigham Young really isn't a "critical" film, unless one considers the facts of history critical. This 50-minute biography, hosted by Jack Perkins, does not shy away from talking about the genuine conflicts Young had with the US government, his public practice of polygamy (the primary cause of these conflicts), and the Mountain Meadows massacre. But having said that, I really don't think most LDS will be particularly bothered by this video. It could have been a lot more critical with these subjects, and it did fail to mention Young's view of Adam as our Father God who came to earth with his celestial body and one of his wives (e.g., Journal of Discourses 1:50), as well as Young's racism (cf. my Racism in Mormonism), and even his extremist doctrine of blood atonement (Journal of Discourses 3:247; 4:53-54; and 4:219-20).
Consequently, this may be a good video for non-LDS to watch with their LDS family and friends in order to get some discussion going. But regardless of whether discussion results or not, this is a nice introductory video to the life of one of the more important figures of the American West.
R. M. Sivulka
Vista, CA
March 2, 2006
|
