American Experience · SEASON 19
The Mormons (1): History
Episode 13 · 2007-04-30

- Documentary
Episode overview
Historian Sarah Barringer Gordon says of the LDS Church "that from the moment of its birth, Mormons were under a kleig light." This insightful documentary explores the religion's roots, from prophet Joseph Smith's 1827 discovery of the golden plates that formed the Book of Mormon to the cycle of persecution and exodus that followed the religion's adherents for much of the 19th century. Included: a look at the practice of plural marriage; comments from church elders and scholars.
55 minutes
Season 19 episodes
1. Eyes on the Prize (1 & 2): Awakenings 1954-1956 / Fighting Back 1957-19622006-10-02
2. Eyes on the Prize (3 & 4): Ain't Scared of Your Jails 1960-1961/No Easy Walk 1961-19632006-10-09
3. Eyes on the Prize (5 & 6): Is This America? 1963-1964 / Bridge to Freedom 19652006-10-16
4. Test Tube Babies2006-10-23
5. The Great Fever2006-10-30
6. The Gold Rush2006-11-06
7. The Berlin Airlift2007-01-29
8. The Living Weapon2007-02-05
9. New Orleans (1 & 2)2007-02-12
10. Sister Aimee2007-04-02
11. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple2007-04-09
12. Summer of Love2007-04-23
13. The Mormons (1): History2007-04-30
14. The Mormons (2): Church and State2007-05-01
15. Alexander Hamilton2007-05-14