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What are the responsibilities of filmmakers determined to make the stories from the Book of Mormon into movies? How can they avoid skating on thin ice? Read Part 1 and Part 2.
I called the Church to get the official position – if they had one -- regarding the plans to produce Book of Mormon movies for commercial theaters. Bruce Olsen, managing director of public communications for the Church, took my query to the public communications council and called me to report, “The Church has no position now.”
I sensed that “now” was the operative word. Based on that impression, I do not think that we can rule out the possibility that in the future the Church may take a more active stance in guiding or even safeguarding the interests of the Church – and its standard works -- in such ventures.
What is the right and responsibility of filmmakers determined to tell the stories from this sacred book in feature motion pictures?
It is not forbidden ground. The church itself has produced many marvelous films and videos depicting characters and stories from the Book of Mormon. They were of great value to us as reference in making The Testaments. LDS audiovisual deserves high praise for these excellent but not often well-known films.
There is a major difference of course. Films produced by LDS Audio Visual are created by the Church and governed by a policy that holds the text of scripture sacrosanct. They cautiously avoid “artistic license” per se’ and take great care to be doctrinally accurate and complete when it comes to putting sacred writ on film.
Telling the story of Lehi and his family as a commercial movie demands considerable “artistic license.” This inevitable reality is in some ways the core consideration.
I have concluded that the single most important consideration in producing a motion picture based on the Book of Mormon is remaining faithful to the eternal purpose of the book.
A former mission president told me, “The story of the Book of Mormon is about faith in Jesus Christ. It is not about Nephi, Lehi, Mosiah or Abinidi. These great men of the Book of Mormon would be the first to say, “This isn’t my story”. It is the story about the Savior.”
The title page of the Book of Mormon is familiar to most Latter Day Saints. The purpose of the book is clearly stated.
To show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they might know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever – And also to the convincing of the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.
Stephen B. Allen was a filmmaker long before he became managing director of the worldwide missionary department for the church. Steve and I have worked together on movies. We have been friends for a long time. Many of you commented on the potential of the proposed Book of Mormon movies as “wonderful missionary tools.” It seemed appropriate to invite Steve’s comments -- as an LDS filmmaker on the one hand and a man with direct responsible to achieve a fundamental mission of the church: Proclaim the Gospel on the other.
Brother Allen told me: “If we create a motion picture based on the Book of Mormon, at the end of the day we must bring it to life in a way that builds people’s faith. Ultimately, we must get them to read the book. From the book they can find faith in Jesus Christ, which allows them to repent, get baptized and be brought unto Christ. Everything has to be about faith in the Savior.”
We talked for over an hour. His insights were marvelous. He suggested,
“ Any film maker who is determined to produce a movie about the Book of Mormon needs three things.
“First, they must understand and be honest about their own motivations.
“Second, they must have a clear understanding of why they are making the film and their own expectations.
“Third, they need to understand the principle of councils and importance of counsel.”
Motivation
Motivation is a significant consideration. Ultimately we are judged by what is in our hearts. In my interviews with the filmmakers, I have heard sincere expressions of intent. I have no reason to question them. Only the filmmakers themselves – now and in the future - can govern and gauge their true motives.
One of you expressed it this way:
"The scriptures are more than "motivational stories" or "feel good" screenplays. Somehow, in my mind, the sacredness of those writings is lost when shared for profit and entertainment value…I would ask the filmmakers to examine their true motivation and desire and prayerfully try to ascertain whether their efforts will produce the results desired."
Everyone understands that a commercial venture must make money. Making money from these movies is essential to repay investors and feed families. On the other hand, if making money is the motive – or even a substantial criteria of the incentives -- then making THESE movie may be a walk up a slippery slope.
Another added this emphasis.
“Satan is also very interested and will do what he does best, subtly work into the hearts of those involved trying to undermine even the best of their intentions.”
Councils and Counsels
The principles of councils and being counseled are ones that I had never considered in movie making. In the early days of making The Testaments, President Faust called me into his office. I had run off to Mexico to scout locations without consultation and no notice to the producer for the church. Accustomed as I was to the power and control of a DGA director in the real world of movie making, it never occurred to me that I ought.
In his inimitable way, President Faust taught me what I should have known. The order of the church is councils. He reminded me that I had seasoned colleagues, Gary Cook and Scott Swofford standing beside me. President Faust suggested that I learn and rely on the principle of councils and the wisdom of seeking counsel. I did and it changed the way The Testaments was made. In council we combined the power of many. In receiving counsel we compounded our capacities. Councils and counsel resulted in a better film than any of us could have made alone.
Brother Allen offered this advice to filmmakers of the church, “If you want to make great films do not attempt to be a one man show. Nobody has all the talent and all the wisdom.”
The principle of councils as it exists in the church is a concept quite foreign to the way that movies are made. In making movies “in the world” there are departments within departments of talented people required to assemble the pieces and fit them together. Ultimately the “collaboration” is a coordination of individual efforts to give the director what he wants. It is mostly about pleasing. It is very rarely about giving counsel. (Being a director is really rather wonderful because of this well established standard.)
Perhaps indeed, would-be producers of Book of Mormon movies need to think differently. Perhaps they should benefit by implementing the principle of councils to the production process.
“I wish the producers would consult with the Church on these projects.” Brother Allen told me. “When you look at the missionary and audio visual departments of the Church, there are a few of us who have extensive film background and experience. I believe we could give valuable help. I believe that if LDS film makers, embarking on these sensitive and important projects, had the courage -- or the wisdom -- to consult with the missionary department it would have a positive impact on the end result.” Brother Allen recognized of course that the filmmakers would make the ultimate creative choices.
My memorable tutoring by President Faust taught me that in the creative process anyone unwilling to listen to council is doomed by his or her own pride and weaknesses. No one has all the gifts. It becomes critical to know your strength and weakness and where to turn for help.
Having worked closely with the First Presidency in the making of The Testaments, it is hard for me to imagine producing a Book of Mormon movie without seeking their blessing. To me it would seem presumptuous to undertake the journey without their input.
One of you put it this way.
“With the blessing of the First Presidency you could make a Ten Commandments. Without it, the guy who charges off on his own is on thin ice.”
I asked the filmmakers about the responsibility to keep the sacred purpose of the Book of Mormon foremost in their efforts.
Peter Johnson [Voice from the Dust: Journey to the Promised Land] said, “This isn't our movie. Our job is to make a movie true to the ancient text, a movie that will inspire members as well as those of other faiths, a movie that will testify of our Lord and Savior and complement (not replace) the sacred scripture's purpose to bring souls to Christ.”
Peter continued:
“The objective is to be true to the spirit, text, and message of the Book of Mormon. When audiences see the film, they will judge if we succeed. It starts with the screenplay, of course, and we believe we have achieved a remarkable screenplay that has had peer review along with evaluation by highly respected notables in the Church to assure accuracy and validity to the work. With well over two years of writing on the screenplay and research in Yemen to see the actual land of Lehi's journey, we are confident that our approach will reflect an accuracy unparalleled in it's scholarship and authenticity. Combine that with our commitment to create a spiritual continuity between the text and the motion picture, and we feel this will be an achievement worthy of the subject”
Gary Rogers [Book of Mormon Movie, Vol.1] responded:
“The purpose of the record is to bring people to Christ. That is the entire purpose of the record, clear to any viewer of the movie. In each of the struggles in the story, the struggle ends up with doctrinal points. These are not doctrinal points that are exclusive to the Mormons, but are universal. We are up to the challenge. If we weren’t we wouldn’t be doing the movie. I have extraordinary confidence – been in production business for many years.”
In summarizing our long chat, Steve Allen said, “The Book of Mormon is sacred writing. Many people gave their lives to bring it to us and endured enormous persecution. I suspect in my heart that our Heavenly Father will be less than supportive for people who try to tamper with something so sacred or do anything less than use the finest possible spiritual sensitivity and production value in creating a film. Even Joseph Smith was warned very clearly and many times that if he ever tried to use this scripture for his own gain, the Lord would not permit that. That’s the type of protection that hangs over this book.”
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