I'll admit that when I heard there was a new official church-produced documentary being released called 'Meet The Mormons' I was a little skeptical. I mean, the lives of six Mormons are being broadcast as examples of what we members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are all like, and yet we are all so different in many ways. I especially consider myself quite different from the 'Standard Utah Mormon'.
But at a young adult convention in Perth about 6 months ago we watched it together one night on a huge movie screen under the stars, and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. In fact, halfway through I forgot I was watching a documentary about Mormons at all, and just felt I was watching a documentary about inspiring people.
You see, the people they chose for this documentary are hardly 'standard' at all, which seems to emphasise the diversity of the people, languages and cultures within the church, yet they have all embraced the same gospel and teachings. Even the woman presented as the cliche classic of 'missionary mum' has a surprisingly unconventional story to tell.
I really loved the segment of the Nepalese guy who chose to come back with his family after getting an education abroad so that he could help his own poverty-stricken community. His love for his people and his culture is beautiful to see, and he so humbly desires just to make life better for those around him and was able to establish a school so they could also receive the gift of education without travelling far. He travels to other remote communities using his Engineering knowledge to build schools, roads and water systems for them.
I watched it again recently in Melbourne, and this time I was really touched by the 'Candy Bomber', an elderly man who, back when he was a young pilot in the US air force, decided to add to his official duties of providing humanitarian food drops to East Germany by dropping lollies and sweets from his plane, each with a little parachute attached to ensure a smooth landing into the hands of a child in need of cheering up. War times are never pleasant, but sometimes there are little things that we can do to lift others and this man chose to do just that, risking dismissal if he got caught. News of his candy bombing spread fast and he indeed was found out by his superiors...but thankfully they recognised the good he was doing and encouraged him to keep going, and many people around the world began sending candy rations to be used for this regular act of kindness. It's just really touching to see a man so humbly think of the needs of others and then putting those thoughts into action. I hope I can be like him.
If you've momentarily forgotten I was talking about Mormons then you know what I mean - it's just a documentary about inspiring people who are also Mormons, and are trying to become better each day. As Mormons we strive for constant self-improvement based on the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, and while we aren't always great at achieving that goal, we know we need to keep trying. All of us in this world have the potential to do good and change the lives of others, whether in our families and communities or across the world.
'Meet The Mormons' originally aired in mainstream cinemas, but it's now available on Netflicks and as a DVD. I really encourage you to watch it if you get the chance - I'm confident that you will feel inspired to be a better person.
All the net proceeds from cinema screenings in the United States, a total of US $1.8 million, were donated to the American Red Cross.
I'll finish up with the music clip 'Glorious' sung by David Archuleta - I really listened to the words for the first time today and found it very touching and inspiring. We all really do have great potential and have an important part to play in the symphony of life.
I really loved the segment of the Nepalese guy who chose to come back with his family after getting an education abroad so that he could help his own poverty-stricken community. His love for his people and his culture is beautiful to see, and he so humbly desires just to make life better for those around him and was able to establish a school so they could also receive the gift of education without travelling far. He travels to other remote communities using his Engineering knowledge to build schools, roads and water systems for them.
I watched it again recently in Melbourne, and this time I was really touched by the 'Candy Bomber', an elderly man who, back when he was a young pilot in the US air force, decided to add to his official duties of providing humanitarian food drops to East Germany by dropping lollies and sweets from his plane, each with a little parachute attached to ensure a smooth landing into the hands of a child in need of cheering up. War times are never pleasant, but sometimes there are little things that we can do to lift others and this man chose to do just that, risking dismissal if he got caught. News of his candy bombing spread fast and he indeed was found out by his superiors...but thankfully they recognised the good he was doing and encouraged him to keep going, and many people around the world began sending candy rations to be used for this regular act of kindness. It's just really touching to see a man so humbly think of the needs of others and then putting those thoughts into action. I hope I can be like him.
If you've momentarily forgotten I was talking about Mormons then you know what I mean - it's just a documentary about inspiring people who are also Mormons, and are trying to become better each day. As Mormons we strive for constant self-improvement based on the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, and while we aren't always great at achieving that goal, we know we need to keep trying. All of us in this world have the potential to do good and change the lives of others, whether in our families and communities or across the world.
'Meet The Mormons' originally aired in mainstream cinemas, but it's now available on Netflicks and as a DVD. I really encourage you to watch it if you get the chance - I'm confident that you will feel inspired to be a better person.
All the net proceeds from cinema screenings in the United States, a total of US $1.8 million, were donated to the American Red Cross.
I'll finish up with the music clip 'Glorious' sung by David Archuleta - I really listened to the words for the first time today and found it very touching and inspiring. We all really do have great potential and have an important part to play in the symphony of life.
(The music video features clips of the people in the documentary)
