March 20, 2000
LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley has spearheaded a new film project for the church, one that is supposed to underscore Mormon beliefs.
Religion Specialist Carole Mikita explains what it's about.
It is the story of Jesus Christ, as told in the Bible. But it also is about the inhabitants of the American continent and their anticipation of his coming to visit them, as told in the Book of Mormon.
President Hinckley says he wants people of other faiths, particularly other Christians, to understand the connection.
The film is titled "The Testaments: Of one fold and one Shepherd." It is the story of the ministry, cruxifiction and resurrection of Jesus Christ as written in the New Testament of the Bible.
But it also has a story line of fictional characters based on The Book of Mormon, showing Christ visiting the American continent following his resurrection.
The idea came from LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.
Elder Neil L. Anderson, Quorum of the Seventy: "HE FELT IT WAS TIME THAT THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST MAKE A FILM THAT PRESENTS THE SAVIOR IN A WAY THAT WE BELIEVE HIM TO BE... AS THE SON OF GOD, AS THE CENTRAL FIGURE IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY."
Filmmaker Kieth Merrill says President Hinckley also wants to clear up misunderstandings that other Christians have about LDS church theology.
Kieth Merrill, writer.director "The Testaments": PRESIDENT HINCKLEY VERY SPECIFICIALLY SAID THAT JOB ONE IS TO PRESENT A FILM THAT LETS THE CHRISTIAN WORLD KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST IS HE, WHOM WE WORSHIP... BUT TELL IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF OTHER TESTAMENT, VIS-A-VIS, 'THE BOOK OF MORMON'."
It took more than two years to make, shot in Utah, California and Hawaii and it will replace the current film shown at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building called "Legacy."
Kieth Merrill: "WHAT I HOPE THAT NON-LDS PEOPLE WILL EXPERIECE IS THAT TREMENDOUS AFFECTION FOR THE SAVIOR AND THOSE WARM FEELINGS OF WORSHIP AS THEY SEE THE SCENES DEPICTED FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT AND THEN FIND COMFORT WHEN THAT VERY CHRIST APPEARS TO HIS PEOPLE, AS HE PROMISED THAT HE WOULD, IN THE NEW WORLD."
Public screenings begin this Friday, March 24th, at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. For free tickets call 240-4383.
During the week of General Conference, ticketing priority will be given to out-of-town visitors.
For More Information:
LDS Church Press Release
