SUGGESTION FOR A CHURCH HISTORY ON VIDEOTAPE The Films Department of BYU has created a number of impressive films on various doctrinal subjects, i.e. The First Vision, Tithing, Man's Search for Happiness, The Three Witnesses, etc. The time may have come to produce an integrated series of films on Church History. Not Church History simply since the Restoration, but reaching back to the founding of the Church by Jesus. We need the story of the Founding and Organization of the Primitive Church, the struggle of the Apostolic Fathers to maintain doctrinal purity, the role of the Roman Emperors and the Greek Schools of Philosophy in advancing the Great Apostasy, the Dark Ages, and the contribution of the Great Reformers to the eventual Restoration, correctly told. Indeed, it might not be too ambitious later on to think of adding films on the Pre-mortal Existence, the Creation of the Earth and the Garden of Eden, the Fall, the Building of the Tower, Enoch's City, Abraham's experiences with his father Terah and the migration to Egypt, and, briefly, something on Melchizedek, Moses, and the Lost Tribes -- the whole LDS panorama of History and the Plan of Salvation. But for starters, we should certainly have something starting with Christ, leading through the spread of the Primitive Church, the Apostasy, the Reformation, and the Restoration. This would give a seeking world something to anchor to: a meaningful view of where mankind has been and where it is going. And a comprehension of the significance of the LDS role in history. As far back as Greek times it was known that a dramatic presentation of historical events, with costumes, action, color, dialogue, and music, reinforces memory and influences belief more than any other mode of learning. This was also understood in Elizabethan times, when the plays of Shakespeare and other great dramatists were of great force in establishing Tudor legitimacy. We have today in color television the most powerful educational tool the world has ever known. Entire religious networks exist. And even with their sterile preaching and emotional appeals for money, the television ministries are reaching and impressing millions of dissatisfied souls. History is also being taught on television with effects never before experienced. We've seen portrayals of the American Revolution, the Civil War, the founding of modern Israel, the fur trappers and their settlement of Colorado, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Great Depression, and major episodes of the Second World War. Regrettably, much of what is seen on TV is not actual history, but docu-drama -- history falsified to make it more dramatic. Thus children often grow up unable to distinguish true historical events from the imaginary flights of the TV dramatist's imagination. The LDS Church is behind the power-curve in making use of the powerful medium. We have a story to tell: an effective and interesting story. The most important story in the history of mankind. One which should have much more appeal than that of even the best of the radio preachers or Talk Show hosts. The drama and power of the LDS view of history, if presented in costume, color, and moving dialogue, should grab and hold millions. A late night, relatively inexpensive presentation of these films in series should appear not only to the "religious", but to all interested in a good story, distant places, or another view of history. At a rough estimate, at least $184 million is spent by LDS missionaries and their parents on missionary work per year. When general Church mission expenditures are added (transportation, mission president expenses, other overhead) gross mission costs must approach $250 million a year. A successful television series would generate tens of thousands of requests for more information. If past experience is a guideline, such self-generated requests should result in a far higher than normal rate of baptisms, thus substantially increasing the cost effectiveness of missionary work. In home video cassette form, a well-produced LDS History series would provide a powerful-reinforcing teaching tool for missionaries (who could carry copies in their briefcases); for family home evenings (perhaps shared by non-member neighbors and friends); and for teen firesides. Existing Church films could readily be edited into this coherent series. And if such a coherent series of Church videos were available, they could be used by missionaries in the homes of investigators, or Church firesides with invited investigators, or even on late night TV to take advantage of the large numbers of people who watch religious programs, most of which are the empty appeals of radio preachers for money. Such LDS films could teach the truth with powerful dramatic impact. Instead of asking for money at the end of the program, we could show a toll-free telephone number to call for more information, including if desired a visit by missionaries. As starters, one could consider the following one hour films: 1. Christ's calling of the Twelve and organization of the First Church. Peter and Paul's missionary labors and the spread of the Church, Prophecies of apostasy. 2. The Great Apostasy. The adoption of Roman Court dress, titles, and organization after the order of the Roman state to appeal to the masses. Changes of doctrine to accommodate the attraction of Greek philosophy. The Dark Ages, effects of false doctrine and excesses when Church and State combined forces to oppress the people -- including episodes of the Inquisition. 3. The Reformation. Costumed Reformers, e.g. Luther, Zwingli, Huss, Roger Williams could be shown asserting that they had no authority, but were doing their best until such time as angels might again be sent to set the church in order (as quoted in a panel series in the Salt Lake Temple Square Visitors Center). When investigators (or TV viewers) see the founders of their own denomination saying these words in costume and living color, it should be more effective than merely hearing LDS missionaries make similar assertions. 4. The Restoration. The First Vision film may be entirely adequate for this episode. The Three Witnesses film could be added as a second episode, or edited to make one film. 5. The Reestablishment of the Church. A condenses episode (may require two -- one for the first hundred years, a second for the contemporary church), showing the first LDS missionaries (with parallels to the first missionaries sent out by Christ -- persecutions, miracles, willing hearers. Something of the work of the Apostles in England, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Italy -- to appeal to Europeans; visits to Chile, the Pacific Island, India, China -- to appeal to the rest of the world). The building of Nauvoo, the flight to the West (possibly edited from the movie Brigham Young. The founding of 300 cities in the West, Church emphasis on schools, the founding of industries. A few well-known LDS historical figures should be introduced: e.g. Brigham Young, Maude Adams; Utah being first U.S. Territory to introduce women's suffrage (two years before Wyoming, though Wyoming had the first election and generally gets credit for this innovation). Segue to air view of some of the town founded by Mormons as they are today: Las Vegas, Reno, San Bernardino, San Diego, SLC. End with views of some LDS today: U of U Medical School people and other leading educators, LDS Astronauts, LDS military officers (General Lasater, General Scocroft, Admiral Bruce ??), some LDS Senators, Congressmen, and Governors and previous White House Officials (including some non-U.S. high government officials), Governors, well-known entertainers, a couple of LDS ambassadors. In short, end with a solid PR push like a fraternity rush program, naming all the big names we can to give people a psychological push to want to join. The Catholic Church always goes after big names and uses them to their advantage when they hold press conferences to announce their conversions. I realize we rightfully avoid this, but in presenting a historical series, it fits in -- as it did when interviews with a number of converts were included in the Washington Temple publicity film. So there is precedent..