"The Mormons: Part 2" is the second part of this well made but incomplete discussion of the Church of Latter Day Saints. This episode discusses the impact of Mormons on America and politics, black membership, missionary work, dissent within the church and baptism for the dead. My complaints for this film are mostly the ones that I have for part one. While I would agree that "The Mormons" is very well made, I found the films a bit frustrating as well. That's because it's hard to imagine but some VERY basic things about the Church of Latter Day Saints are never really explored in part 1 or part 2. What, exactly do church members believe? And, if some say that Mormons are NOT Christians....why? What makes the Mormon church different from mainstream Christian churches? You sure would think this would be in this four-hour film...but it isn't. How could a film discuss the Mormons without discussing their basic theology?! Allusions occur here and there and there is a lengthy discussion of dissent and those within the church who question official church policies and doctrine.
As a result of the incompleteness of the films, I give it a score of 7--despite the film's high quality of the production. It's well made but is frustrating to Mormons and non-Mormons as it's pretty shallow in regard to basic doctrine. Instead it focuses on so many issues that are not the fundamental precepts of the church but are still interesting. It does, oddly, however, talk about dissent within the church and how they deal with dissent--but exactly WHAT the dissent is isn't always clear. It also gives a wide variety of opinions about the religion--as well as how the official church history is, at times, at variance with church and non-church records. Interesting and important stuff...but again, where is the discussion of doctrine? As it was, it only discussed a bit of doctrine here and there--teasing glimpses only.