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Rating:  - The Mormon Jesus
The Mormon Jesus:
1. The literal son of god and his goddess wife begotten in the pre-existence.
2. The brother of all spirits born in heaven in the premortal existence.
3. One of 3 gods in the godhead.
4. The Trinity is three separate gods.
5. First one to receive a spirit body.
6. Atoned for sin on the cross and in the garden of Gethsemane.
The Christian Jesus:
1. Not the literal son of god and his goddess wife.
2. Not the brother of all spirits born in heaven in a premortal existence.
3. Not one of 3 gods in the godhead.
4. The Trinity is 3 persons in one God.
5. Was always spirit from eternity.
6. Atoned for sin on the cross alone
Mormon Prophet Admits He Believes in Another Christ
Paris, France - In a surprising admission during last month's three nation European speaking trip, Mormon president Gordon B. Hinckley stated that the Christ he believes in is not the same Christ as the one followed by those outside the LDS Church.
It is interesting that Hinckley states that the beliefs of traditional Christians were so different than that of Latter-day Saints, that their traditional Jesus "is not the Christ of whom I speak." It is not just some different information about the same Jesus but a completely different Jesus.
Christians should ask, "Which Christ?" The Bible warns of false teachers who promote "another Jesus whom we have not preached" (2 Corinthians 11:4)
Polygamy:
Under threat of exile to Mexico the Mormon church officially abolished polygamy in the earthly realm in 1890. However, by virtue of secret temple ceremonies Mormon males like Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, as well as contemporary Mormon leaders remain sealed to multiple wives in the heavenly realm. Thus, the practice of polygamy promoted by Smith - who, by the way, had 27 plural wives, and Young, who had 55 wives and 57 children - was merely transferred to the Celestial Kingdom.
By relegating polygamy to the eternal realm Mormon leaders managed to comply externally with societal norms while still maintaining an eschatological basis for the subjugation of women. Such spiritual sanctioning of polygamy was not only an affront to the value and dignity of women, but stands in direct opposition to Jesus' teaching that at the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage.
The Mormon practice of polygamy finds its genesis in the teachings and practices of Joseph Smith who, in 1843, received an eternally binding revelation. According to Smith, apart from the practice of polygamy there was no hope of attaining to godhood. The everlasting commandment of polygamy revealed to Smith was considered so binding that Brigham Young ominously declared "If any deny the plurality of wives and continue to do so, I promise you that you will be damned."
And, of course, the Old Testament clearly reveals the strife and temptations that accompany the practice. Solomon, of course, is the quintessential example of one whose legacy of faithfulness was compromised because of his polygamous behavior. Despite world-renowned wisdom Solomon's peaceful and prosperous rule ended in idolatrous strife, scandal and in civil strife as well because the Bible tells us his wives turned his heart after other gods. There is, therefore, absolutely no biblical support for the Mormon practice of polygamy either in this life or the next.
Mormonism and the Claim to Restoration:
In response to this teaching, we should ask Mormons exactly how the church could manage to glorify God "throughout all generations" -- as the Apostle Paul clearly wrote in Ephesians 3:21 -- if they fell into total apostasy. We should also point out that Ephesians 4:11-16 talks about the church growing spiritually mature, not spiritually degenerate. The Bible does affirm that there will be apostates, but according to 1 Timothy 4:1 only "some [not all] will abandon the faith." This passage alone is enough to prove that Mormonism is wrong about the church falling away altogether.
Smith and other Mormons need to realize that they're teaching the exact opposite of what Jesus Christ of Nazareth proclaimed in Matthew 16:18 -- namely, that not even the gates of hell would prevail against the church of God. Furthermore, Hebrews 12:28 states that God's kingdom is unshakable, while Daniel 2:44 refers to it as indestructible. There can be no doubt that Mormonism contradicts what the Bible says about the perseverance of God's people -- the living church of God. Remember, it was Joseph Smith who attacked Christianity. He said that all their sects were wrong, their creeds an abomination, and their professors corrupt.
Rating:  - What a propaganda piece!
I bought this DVD because I remember seeing the movie on TV when I was a kid back in the '60s. I wanted to see if it was what I remembered. And yes, it was...a great piece of propaganda for the Mormon (LDS) church.
I was a member of that cult in the 1970s. So I know what I'm talking about.
I have an Australian friend whose mother-in-law points to the seagulls "saving" the crops as a miracle, since Utah is nowhere near the coast. Well, I live in Idaho. We're nowhere near the coast, either. But seagulls are here scavanging newly turned fields every year. It's no miracle. These birds adapted to an inland environment after the "Salt Lake Sea" receded.
Buy this if you want. But remember that it is just propaganda.
Rating:  - Even Atheist Can Enjoy
Okay, Im an atheist. A fire breathing Objectivist. And I loved this movie. Its so well done that a tiny bit of me converts, I swear to god, at least for the duration of the flick. Explains a lot about what I like about Mormons!
Its also a great adventurous tale of pioneering in the olden days when men were men.... The special effects are quite good. Tyrone Power, great as always, and the the woman who plays Zina is hard to forget and very convincing. But maybe I just go in for this sort of somewhat cheesy American individualist against the elements, Oregon Trail, thing.
Terrific for late night drinking and rainy afternoons and to inspire that long lost American Pioneer in you. I'm serious!
Enjoy.
Rating:  - tyrone powell as brigham young
the story is a testimony to the latter day saints and the flight to salt lake city utah. how they struggled , but persued on to their goal
A+++++
Rating: - Definitely worth watching, but not all true to the facts
Considering that this movie was made in 1939 and 1940 it is an amazing achievement. The special effects are quite impressive for the time: The birds-eye view of the wagons leaving Nauvoo with the temple in center screen, Crossing the Missouri frozen river, Nauvoo homes and temple burning in the background across the river, all of the wagons and oxen crossing plains, rivers, climbing mountains, etc. But especially the near-final scene of the locusts and the seagulls (which were mostly all real).
Dean Jagger does a remarkable job as Brigham Young. He resembles him closely and even has a similar voice, according to a crew-member who was hired for coaching because he knew Brigham personally, and was around 16 when Brigham died in 1877 (50 years before filming this picture). Interesting trivia note: Dean Jagger was not LDS when he made this film but later married a Mormon woman and subsequently joined the church.
Vincent Price respected Joseph Smith greatly and had great reverence and admiration for him while playing the role of the prophet. His screentime is minimal but he does a fine job (in spite of being 10 years older than the man he was portraying).
The LDS first presidency approved the script, even though it veered from the truth on many points. They did this because they agreed that it helped make the picture more dramatic and exciting. Personally, I would prefer historical accuracy over romance or excitement, but that's how it was back then. Successful movies had a sort of recipe, and they wanted this one to follow that recipe as close as it could.
But all-in-all it paints an accurate picture of America in the 1840's and 50's and the trek of the early Mormon pioneers.
I recommend it, but if you can, watch the excellent commentary afterwards. It clears up fact from fiction and is very enlightening.
Film: 3 stars
DVD extras: 4 stars
Weighted average score: 4 stars
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