What Mormons are not saying about "The Passion"

Erika Dyson

March 6, 2004

Over the last few months, it seems anyone who has ever heard of the Galilean carpenter named Jesus has been expected to offer up their two-cents on Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," preferably to a reporter.

Leading up to the movie's Ash Wednesday release, experts of all kinds were pressed for analysis of the film's worth as object lesson or entertainment by the eager media. Authoritative pronouncements issued forth from denominational headquarters, church pulpits, university podiums, and the mouths of the chosen, those specially invited to preview the movie in private screenings. Even the agnostic were forced to take a position.

Noticeably absent from this proliferation of opinions, however, are definitive declarations from one of America's largest groups of self-described Christians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has absented itself from the Tower of Babel that Mel built, and shows no signs of chiming in any time soon. It is not that they aren't being asked. Spokesmen for the Church across the country repeatedly are quoted as having nothing to say on the subject to inquiring reporters. Nor has the Church leadership officially instructed Mormons, as members of the Church are known, to avoid or attend the film.

"I haven't heard anything about President Hinkley saying not to go," Nikki Purdy, 26, remarked, referring to the senior leader of the Church, Gordon B. Hinkley. "I think he views this as a judgement call on each person -- whatever they feel is best and right for them."

Purdy, an employee of Morgan Stanley in Manhattan and a life-long member of the Church, may have to go alone when she sees the movie next week.

"Most of my friends are torn -- I think a lot of LDS are apprehensive about seeing it because it is rated R and they don't generally go to rated R movies, including myself," she explained. "It's a very sensitive subject, I mean, we're talking about the crucifixion. I'm interested in seeing how Mel Gibson filmed it."

Looking to Mormon publications to see if the Saints discuss "The Passion" amongst themselves, it is clear that Mormons do have plenty to say on the subject, even if they have not made up their minds about seeing the film.

A poll conducted by the Church's Meridian magazine showed three quarters of respondents evenly split between thinking the movie "worth seeing," "still thinking about it," or not seeing it because it is rated R. The remainder claimed they may not go see the movie in the theater for a variety of reasons, including wanting to "wait until it is edited for television."

In the absence of direction from senior Church leaders, film-maker Kieth Miller claims that he has been "bombarded" with emails from Meridian readers, who ask for his advice on seeing the film. Merrill, a Latter-day Saint and a 1973 Academy Award winner for his documentary feature "An American Cowboy," regularly writes about film for Meridian. He also made his own film about Jesus Christ in 1999, called "The Testaments," commissioned by the Church and now showing exclusively in Temple Square, Salt Lake City.

"If you are browsing this article in search of a 'notable quote' from Kieth Merrill on which you can hang your decision -- or abrogate your personal responsibility -- here it is. I can neither encourage nor discourage anyone from seeing "The Passion of The Christ," he wrote in his review article "Passionate Choice."

That said, Merrill went on to give his two-cents about why his readers may want to see the film. He praised Gibson's craft and "personal passion" in bringing Christ's death to the screen, and he expressed his admiration for the film, both as art and inspiration.

"The graphic nature of the images notwithstanding, nothing I saw deprived me of the spirit of the Lord. To the contrary, seeing the Savior through the eyes of his mother touched the deepest part of my soul," he wrote.

Another Meridian reviewer doubted that Mormons would admire Gibson's "Passion." Steve Farrell, a convert to the Church and an author of several books on religion and public life, expressed frustration at the "darkness" of the movie and lack of attention to Christ's teachings.

"I question whether this particular film will produce even a short burst of faith. It's over-emphasis on the negative, the fantastic, and the physical suffering of Christ, rather than the positive, the simple, and the spiritual issues which tore at his and our souls, made the movie a disappointment."

Farrell's disappointment points to a common sentiment among the Church's faithful, that "The Passion," by focussing on Jesus' death, misses what is significant about his story.

"We focus on the resurrection in our Church," explained David Olsen, a former lay leader in his Oklahoma ward, "We don't have crosses in any of our churches. We celebrate Christ's atoning sacrifice for our sins. This is the foundation for our belief in responsibility and personal change," he stated.

For those who share this preference for the resurrection, the Meridian, recommends Merrill's "The Testaments" for the Latter-day take on Jesus Christ.
Based on Mormon scripture, "The Testaments" sets its version of Christian history on the North American continent, including an appearance by Christ following his resurrection in 33 CE. Mormons believe this event marked this continent as sacred, the future sight of Christ's millennial kingdom.

The life, crucifixion and; resurrection of Jesus as told in the Old and New Testaments still occupy a central position in this narrative. However, the narrative also reflects the modifications to Christian history which Mormons believe were revealed to their prophets since the 1830's, and recorded in their three books of sacred scripture. Starting with their first prophet Joseph Smith, Jr., Mormons hold that each church president, including the current president Gordon B. Hinkley, has been a prophet.

This why internal discussions among the Saints frequently come back to the Church's injunction against seeing R rated movies. Merrill himself, although he thought much could be gained by seeing the movie, did not believe he had the last word on the subject.

"Obedience is better than sacrifice. I encourage no one to do anything inconsistent with their faith. I believe in the following of the prophet. In 1986, President [Ezra Taft] Benson told the Aaronic Priesthood [the young men's division of the Church], 'We counsel ... don't see R-rate movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive, or pornographic.' Every prophet since has reiterated that inspired advice."

"This issue will be challenging for many in our church," Olsen agreed. "Our church teaches us to seek after the best things, and this means, for some, not seeing R-rated movies."

In the end, after the media hubbub has died down and everyone's two-cents has been collected, the Saints will still probably not have produced an "official Mormon word" on Gibson's "Passion." Nor, most likely, will Church leaders make the decision to pay ten bucks see the movie a test of faith.

"In terms of our culture, it is like how our leadership wants us to treat politics," explained Olsen. "We should be active in the process, but to base our opinions on being informed." Or as Merrill stated more simply, "You must know thyself in facing the decision."

(Updated April 10, 2004)