I have faith in God, as well as His miracles, but more like every-day ones like the astounding growth, and birth, of babies, and the splendor of his many creations. Nevertheless, at the same time, knowing the difference between real Christianity and well-organized cults, like the well meaning, but off the script, Mormonism, the disclaimer that should be put in large font in the first frame of this gentle film is "For the enjoyment and edification of LDS (Latter Day Saints) only" For that is about the only folks who are going to be able to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy this myth-enhanced story.

Let's make this clear, on the one hand, a bunch of naive, zealous, newly-convicted Mormons did actually wend their under-prepared way across the US territories with only two wheeled HAND CARTS to reach their refuge, their 'Zion', in the Salt Lake valley of Utah Territory. The fact that any living person back in the early 1800's made it to their destination from this poorly funded, poorly planned, poorly led misadventure is, in my opinion, a genuine miracle. It is.

On the other hand, this amateurish production just stretches all credibility related to the alleged 'miracles', and the veracity of the entire myth/history around the pull-cart pioneers of Utah. Any Christian scholar worth his/her credits knows that the Age Of Miracles had long passed since shortly after Jesus' death, and the martyrdom of His twelve disciples and the brilliant follower and missionary, Saul/Paul of Tarsus and Rome. This doesn't mean that God isn't paying attention, or constantly intervening with a loving hand in our pitiful little lives in the past 2,300 years or so, but the era of showy miracles to shake us boneheads up about the reality of a higher, supernatural power, is past - because the Big Miracle already is completed: Jesus came alive, after being brutally and assuredly murdered, and three days later defeated death for good. "It is finished" He stated.

All that is needed at this point in mankind's tenuous hold on peace, love, and hope for humanity is a strong, dedicated faith and study of God's word, much humble prayer, and sincere daily practice of Yawyeh's basic laws; until Jesus comes back to reclaim His kingdom. There's no 'other' testament of Jesus Christ, there's no new organized religions to help mankind finally get it together.

Therefore, the fictional chicken-pot-pie that just shows up, complete in aluminum baking pan (Aluminum wasn't even invented yet) out in the middle of the desert wasteland, to two starving women; or an angry husband staring straight at his runaway wife and two kids and not recognizing ANY of them, is not only not believable, but belittle's the viewers' intelligence and definitely weakens the credibility of the Mormon organization. We have to give this wholesome film at least one star just for the privilege of reviewing. I give it three more stars just in gratitude for it not being crammed full of gratuitous violence and sex. It's just too darn bad such efforts on proselytizing are spent on a secondary track to a dead end, and missing the actual train that gets us somewhere.

10FEB2020 {1/10 stars F}Recommend? No; This movie is about the non-Christian religious cult Mormonism aka The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, members are known as Mormons. I watched, recommend and reviewed the 9 episodes of Cults and Extreme Belief.

Mormons are not Christians. Some places online are marketing this as a Christian movie and that is false advertising. Although Mormons, Jehovah's Witness and Catholics claim to be Christian none of them hold the basic beliefs shared by historic Christianity. Most are good people with good intentions, just misled. They do not realize the significance of the doctrinal differences between what they believe and Christianity, nor the repercussions.

Christians believe that God sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect and sinless life and die for the sins of every person who places their faith in Him. The true gospel of Jesus is that ANYONE can have salvation without having to do "good works" like Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses or Catholics teach. Run away FAST from the darkness of false teachers to the light of true salvation in Jesus! John 3:16-21

Mormonism was founded quite recently in history by a man named Joseph Smith. Smith was a well known liar, thief, deviant who had relations with a 14 year old girl after he "married" her, he had relations with the wives of other Mormon men and was "married" to their wives.

Due to government pressure the Mormon church renounced polygamy. Mormons who refused to sign an oath renouncing polygamy were excommunicated. This is when members became divided and many splinter groups formed. There are many Mormon or LDS splinter groups, some of the groups are not easily identifiable as Mormon by their name. Do a web search for "(Active) Mormon (or LDS) splinter groups" and "FLDS splinter groups" you will find much to read.

Mormons are taught to lie to each other and non-Mormons about what they believe. Some official Mormon beliefs: 1) Jesus & Lucifer are brothers. 2) Jesus is one god of MANY gods. 3) When a Mormon man/woman die they can become gods, receive a planet where they have continual relations making spirit babies who become real babies in the womb of women on that planet and this is how Earth is populated. 4) No hell, 3 levels of heaven. Best Mormons get to the 3rd level of heaven. 5) Some Mormons become missionaries and all Mormons do "good works" hoping for 3rd level of heaven.

6) Jesus didn't die for all sin. Occasionally man must spill his own blood for sin. 7) Mormons baptize the dead. They also baptize a Mormon on behalf of their recently deceased non-Mormon family member. 8) If they suspect a member is not giving 10% of their income, or you refuse you may be harassed, intimidated and required to show proof. Decades ago some were killed for not giving 10%. 9) Only Mormons can attend weddings held in a Mormon building. 10) Mormons attending non-Mormon schools/colleges are encouraged to date or marry non-Mormons to convert them.

When a Mormon quits or leaves the faith they are: shunned, ostracized, hear gossip/rumors about them self and possibly harassed. All Mormon family and friends are strongly encouraged to cut ties with ex-Mormons physically and emotionally. This leaves a huge void and sorrow that people don't know how to deal with and may turn to suicide to end their pain. People who don't want to endure all of that stay quiet, attend services and play the part of a good Mormon.

Children in cults get used to being lied to. This is dangerous when children or adults leave cults because they don't know what is true and what is a lie. So they ignore everything they were taught, and frequently live reckless lives endangering their health and safety. This makes suicide, alcohol/drug use and other reckless behavior common for people who leave cults.

If you do a web search about this cult be cautious to not be deceived while reading official cult sources of information. The goal of a cult is to attract members and they are not going to reveal their secrets and ugly truths to an outsider. They will do everything they can to make their ideas look and sound good.

Stay objective, or neutral, with the information you learn about a cult. For every official cult website you visit, visit two websites with information shared by ex-members. Most ex-members of a cult are not afraid to speak their mind and will have a lot of information to share saving you the pain of travelling the same road.

The key to talking with Mormons is knowing they have assigned different definitions and meanings to Christian words and terms. The first and most important question, "What is the Mormon definition of Jesus?" Don't believe the lies of what any Mormon says, it isn't the definition of Protestant Christianity. iamexmormon on Youtube, Exmormon. org 4mormon. org Websearch exmormon or "Mormon brainwashing" and you will find much to read. The true gospel of Jesus is that ANYONE can have salvation without having to do "good works" like Mormons and other false teachers preach. Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16-21; Jude 1:3-4 GotQuestions. org ExploreGod. com

You can leave or quit a cult anytime for any reason. You don't owe a cult anything or any loyalty, even if you signed a contract, made a pact, swore an oath or were baptized with the cult. Members may say nasty hurtful things or guilt trip you when they find out you are leaving. Remind yourself why you are leaving the cult and that everything will be better without the cult. The world is a great place, filled with great loving people that will help you start over.

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I think the most interesting part of this movie is trying to figure out just how many miracles there were and what they were. I think there were more than 17.

A miracle to me is any event that cannot be explained by our 5 senses even with technology that would enhance those 5 senses. I'm not a great fan of coincidents, although somebody like Philip Yancy would argue those are the best pieces of evidence that you have for a miracle.

Given my definition however, here are a few of my choices.

1. the two girls going through the field with the rattle snakes.

2. The mother not being recognized by her abusive husband.

3. The courage and well being of the dwarf and the fact that he made it as far as he did. His complete acceptance of his fate in my mind was a miracle. He had much to be bitter about. OK I know that is not to be judged by the 5 senses definition. Sue me.

4. The fact that any of them survived given the stupidity of the leadership. I know, there was little choice in going on, but the main leader should have listened to Eli who knew what was involved. The trip could have been planned differently so the men could work.

5. The miracle of the jerky in the cave.

6. The survival of the love that Sarah exemplified. No bitterness there although a lot of sorrow.

In all, this was pretty well handled. Spiritual movies are very hard to make, and I think on the whole this one was successful.