According to Mormon author and diplomat Mark Paredes, Mormons have a natural affinity for Jews. According to Paredes, who authored the blog Jews and Mormons "We believe, as a people, we are modern-day Israelites who build temples, have the priesthood, are led by prophets, believe in Elijah's second coming, claim the blessings of the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants." This designation - "modern-Day Israelites" or "America's Israelites" - is a perfect description of America's only idgienous faith The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or the "Mormons."
This five session course chronicles the history and struggles of the Mormons, also known as the LDS (Latter-Day Saints). It begins at the conception of the faith with the revelations attributed to Joseph Smith, takes the viewer through the church’s early development in New York State and throughout the Midwest to its final destination in the Great Salt Valley of Utah. The course analyzes the development of the LDS church from its earliest beginnings to the present. It does through the lenses of different videographers beginning with PBS and the Frontline /American Experience producers of "The Mormons," proceeding through two films that were produced in cooperation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and finshing with an historical look at the settlement of Utah produced by the state-funded University of Utah, narrated by Professor Dean May and sponsored by the Utah Endowment for the Humanities.
The reasons for studying the history and faith the Mormons is multifold. First it should be understood because it is a great American saga of persitence and determination in the face of enormous hardships. Secondly, the Mormon story is theologically important because it has become an enormously large and influential faith worldwide. Thirdly, leaders withing the Mormon faith are asserting themselves in American politics and for that reason are stimulating an interest in better understanding Mormonism. Finally understanding the Mormon story is important to combat predjudice and bigotry that still exists relative to Mormon adherents and communities.
However, perhaps the best reason for non-Mormon Christians to study the Mormon story is to gain a perspective on their own faith and beliefs by comparing the Mormon religious experience to their own. Such a comparison not only demonstrates significant ares of theological confluence and agreement but yields an appreciation for Mormon faith, family, culture and values that correlate with with values and practices embraced by Protestants and Catholics alike.
It is for these reasons that interested people from many faith experiences would do well to become familiar with America's Israelites - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: The Mormons.
