Hi, I'm Mormon! (2011)

PLEASE STOP EDITING THE NAME OF MY TORRENT IT IS NOT IN VIOLATION OF ANY RULES...THANKS. (or it will be my last upload here and all previous uploads will be removed) Those are the names of the Director's- hence why they are INSIDE the brackets...they are NOT part of the film's name.)

Hi, I'm Mormon! (M. Mitrofan & I. Prodan, 2011)-aNaRCHo

ENGLISH & ROMANIAN SUBTITLES INCLUDED AS SUB + IDX

Well, my first impression of this doc was the shaky camerawork and choppy editing. But, in the end, it does redeem itself (pun intended). It turns out to be both a fun and informative film.

This documentary basically looks at a group of young people have that dedicated themselves to the Mormon Faith to the point that they become missionaries- sent abroad to promote the religion and lure in new recruits.

The film begins by interviewing a number of these young missionaries who are hitting the streets in Romania in attempt to spread the Mormon faith (oddly, you only realize they are in Romania about 11 mins in when they all start speaking Romanian). They are asked what they are trying to do, why they are trying to do it, and what they hope to achieve from going on this "2 year Mission" that all Mormon youth must embark on before becoming sfull initiate into the Mormon Faith.

[[Reflecting on a personal note: I have an excommunicated Mormon friend whose brother is an intiate that actually went on a mission to Romania. So I've heard first hand stories from these experiences...while not revealed in the film I think it is interesting to point out that many of the Missionaries (especially older established members carrying out administrative roles) also double as spies for various US intelligence services.]]

The documentary starts to get interesting at about the 15 minute point, when they interview a Romanian man the Missionaries had introduced to Mormonism- a man considered to be a prophet; a man that claims he has the ability to tune into God like a radio would a frequency.

This segment is followed by a humourous animated clip from a Mormon cartoon that is used to introduce the young to Mormon Beliefs. Brace yourself...

The He-Man like animation describes how Mormon's believe that there are thousands of planets in space inhabited by God-like beings that rule over their own celestial spheres.

These spiritual beings are all apparently under the rule of "Elohim" who resides on a planet near a star known as "Kolob" where he has numerous wives which he has "endless celestial sex" with, in order to produce a legion of "spirit children".

To decide the fate of these "spirit children"- the heads of the divine Mormon realm held a council. Here it was decided that Earth would be created so that the "spirit children" could be given "mortal bodies" and sent to learn "good from evil". At this council Lucifer put forth the idea that all the children should become Gods, whereas Jesus put forth a counter argument that "men should be given the choice of what planet they should end up residing on". The council sided with Jesus- who became the Savior of Earth- while Lucifer- whose argument was rejected- convinced one third of the spirits destined for earth to join him in revolt.

What is revealed here, is that the heart of Mormonism is actually eerily similar to the Sci-fi themes that are central to Scientology. In fact, i't seems obvious that Ron L Hubbard was greatly influenced by the Book of Mormon when developing Scientology.

But there is another twist. The "demons" who sided with Lucifer are sent to Earth, but denied "flesh and bone bodies". Those who remained "neutral" and did not pick sides before being sent to earth, were "turned black"- "an explanation for the Negro Race". While those who sided with Jesus became "white and delightsome" and, as such, were placed into Mormon families on earth.

If that isn't ridiculous enough for you. Adam and Eve were apparently "Elohim and one of his goddess wives" who came to earth to "start the human race" before returning to his planet. Oh yea, and the virgin Mary was impregnated by Elohim upon his subsequent return- to provide Jesus with a physical body, of course.

According to Mormons, while on Earth, Jesus took three wives (Mary, Martha and Mary Magdalene) whom would go on to bare his children. As such, Joseph Smith is apparently of direct decent to the lineage of Jesus based on one of these 3 bloodlines.

Oh, and after Jesus was crucified...he apparently resurrected in America where he came into contact with Native American Indians- who Mormons believe are actually Israelites- and established the Mormon Faith/Church.

The Natives (known as Leiphites) apparently waged war against White men (known as Neiphites)- wiping all out, but one man- Moroni.

Moroni apparently took the Neiphite records (written on golden slabs) and buried them. These slabs being the ones Joseph Smith- a man "known for his tall tales" (*lol*)- would discover 1400 years later in what is now Upstate New York.

Smith- a self styled prophet- would use this "discovery" to organize what is now the Mormon Church, because he felt that "all other Christian faiths are an abomination".

Smith's doctrines preach that those who submit themselves to the Mormon Faith have a chance to, themselves, become Gods.

All will, apparently, face the judgement of Elohim, "Mormon Jesus" and Joseph Smith upon their deaths. Those who pass this judgement and have "sealed themselves in marriage" will become polygamous Gods, rule over their own planet, and spawn God-like families.

In conclusion, the animation teaches us that Joseph Smith is to be revered as having done more for humanity than any other man- including Jesus- as he is the "martyr that shed his blood for us, so that we too could become Gods". [Note: I'm by no means a christian...and I know I only saw the clips included in the film...but any logical person would say...that even by that cartoon's standards...isn't that exactly what Lucifer wanted? Perhaps the doctrine addresses this seemingly hypocritical paradox...I don't know...they sure talk about Jesus alot... anyways...]

After the animation, the film cuts back to interviews with young Missionaries who begin to describe how - via prophecy- polygamy became reviled by the Mormon Church. This provides an excellent contrast: as the irony behind rejecting a tenet so central to their faith is obvious, and seemingly absurd.

You find you'll be asking yourself...so how do Mormons justify this and still "keep the faith"?

Interestingly, the filmmakers do not address this question, but rather show images of the young missionaries out on the streets looking for new recruits. They first question the young men about how and why the Book of Mormon has affected them so deeply and then follow them as they try and push their religion upon the unsuspecting Romanian public. The clips in this segment reveal how culturally/religiously ignorant the young missionaries really are (they do not even know that Judaism is practiced by the majority of Israeli's when asked, for instance).

The remainder of the film documents a number of conversations that the young missionaries have with the local Romanians from a variety of faiths. These interactions are interesting because they are usually confronting people who are much more knowledgeable about worldly faiths and religions. These interactions yield humourous results as they, more often than not, end up with the missionaries being demeaned, subtly made fun of, or outrightly rejected.

In conclusion, the filmmakers ask some of the young missionaries what their message is for the people of Iasi (the town in Romania). Ironically, they all respond that it is for people to "open up their minds" (by which they mean...to the book of Mormon)...something which the film reveals they clearly have not achieved themselves.

"Hi, I'm Mormon!" starts off poorly but ends up being an interesting and informative portrait about the type of people that are drawn into becoming dedicated initates of the Mormon faith. It seems, that the basic premise of this film is to reveal Mormon youth as the incredibly nerdy, uniformed, closed minded, delusionally positive individuals they really are. It's worth a watch for the animation alone. 6 out of 10.

Thanks to Josico83 for uploading the DVDR!

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