Three years ago I finally became an aunt. And as I watch my nephews grow and learn, I am amazed at the way a child looks at the world. They learn quickly and absorb everything around them. They mimic the examples of those they interact with. And they love freely.

The Savior said that we should be as little children. In Matthew 18:3 we read, “Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” I think the Savior was highlighting that children are innocent, humble, and quick to learn. They do not yet have all the callouses of life and are not judgmental of each other. They are confident and secure in who they are. But as we grow up all that seems to change. We start to worry about whether we are wearing the right clothes. We compare ourselves to our peers and a sort of clique system emerges. Little children are open and loving without judgment or reservation. How much better would the world be if we were more like we used to be when we were children?

Perhaps we would be less hurtful to one another. We would be more forgiving, more open to hear what someone has to say, and more quick to reach out a helping hand. We would be more optimistic and maybe closer to the spirit and to the Lord. There’s a new DVD I recently saw called “Little Voices: The Life of Jesus Christ.” Children tell stories from the life of the Savior while showing pictures they have drawn of the story they are telling. It is not only cute, but touching. Their understanding is different than ours, but amazingly profound as well. Jesus loved the little children and set them before us as an example. Maybe the next time you get to spend time with a child, take a moment and watch them and you may learn just as much from their example as they do from yours.

In Alma 37:6-7 we read, “…by small and simple things are great things brought to pass…and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.” Nowhere is the concept more clearly illustrated than in the story of Napoleon Dzombe in The Blessings Hospital Miracle.

Napoleon Dzombe was a humble man, who from childhood was aware of the plight of those around him, including his own family. Malawi, Africa is plagued by draught, starvation and AIDS. With two years left to complete his schooling, Napoleon dropped out to help his family. He was always a dreamer and had many ideas on how to grow better crops and help his people. He created several programs including an agricultural incentives program to help local farmers, found ways to get food from aid organizations and built a hospital to help provide health care for his people. He always believed that one man can make a difference and the abundant fruits of his labor prove it.

During the drought of 2001-2002, which was one of the worst Malawi had ever seen, Napoleon’s efforts saved more than 20,000 people. He has helped more that 35,000 farmers with his incentive program, giving them clothing for following his agricultural principles. He found ways to help them use their fields productively during the dry season. More than 40,000 patients have been treated at Blessings Hospital and it now supplies 56 other medical facilities in Malawi. Because of this one man, 33,000 orphans are receiving Vitameals and will have shelter in a village that he is building.

Filmmaker Martin Andersen went to Malawi, Africa along with Director of Photography TC Christensen to put this remarkable story on film. Add to that the music of Sam Cardon, and the inspiring portrayal of this remarkable man brings tears to your eyes. In the “making of” special feature, the filmmakers share some of the trials and touching experiences they had on location too.

As I watched this film, sitting in my air conditioned living room, with food filling my cabinets and refrigerator, I noted the differences in his circumstances and mine. If this man who started with so little can accomplish so much, what can I (who has been blessed with so much) do? Who can I help today? What difference can I make? What can you do?

To see the film for yourself, click here for the DVD.

I saw a commercial the other day for a movie that’s coming out soon – Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. It looks exciting with loads of special effects. It’s about a prince who teams up with a princess and with the use of a magical dagger, they travel through time in an effort to save his kingdom from the bad guys. It got me thinking about all the hero movies and shows out there these days. The big comic book companies now have a whole host of films based off of their comic book heroes and villains. There’s Iron Man, The Hulk, Batman, Captain America, Thor – the list goes on. Television is no exception. With shows like Heroes where seemingly ordinary people have extraordinary abilities it makes us wonder at the possibilities.

What all these heroes have in common is extraordinary abilities or powers used for good, used to protect those who cannot help themselves against the powers of evil who would destroy them. We have our own hero. And He is as real as you and I. He willingly came to earth with the sole purpose of saving His kingdom from the ultimate villain. He had the powers of Godhood and did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He is known by many names, Savior, Redeemer, Lord of Lords, The Prince of Peace. He is Jesus Christ.

The Savior saved us both physically and spiritually. He made it possible for us to return and live with Him and Heavenly Father again. Because of Him, our families can be together forever. Because of Him, we have no need to fear what comes next. Because of Him, we have the chance to choose for ourselves, to learn and grow throughout our lives. The list goes on. More amazing than a special suit man can build, or supernatural powers of mutation, or the ability to turn green when you’re angry, are the powers Jesus Christ has. His powers far out-do any movie superhero’s. And His love for us makes Him the best hero and example we have.

It seems like lately not a week goes by that we don’t hear about another major earthquake somewhere in the world. Add to it the Icelandic volcano and it’s enough to make you wonder if the end is near. Hollywood has long shown us its version of the end of the world with endless disaster movies. I was looking through a catalog the other day and almost every new movie they had was a disaster film.

With all the natural disasters occurring, it makes you wonder if what movies have shown us for years is about to become all too frighteningly real. Recently in the movie 2012, the roads and buildings seemed to disintegrate around the people running for their lives. Other films blame a specific natural phenomenon for the destruction such as a volcano, earthquake, flood, and of course the ever popular meteor or asteroid about to hit earth. There was even a TV mini-series last year about an asteroid hitting the moon and breaking off a chunk of it which resulted in all kinds of problems on Earth.

Prophets and apostles have told us for years, decades even, to prepare for what may come. Their vision of the future is far more optimistic than Hollywood would have us believe. We have a prime example in 3rd Nephi. The earth shook and there was massive destruction. Darkness covered the land for several days. And then there was a soft comforting voice. Those who had survived came out of their hiding places and had a marvelous experience with the Savior. I like this vision a lot better.

We are told that if we are prepared we will have nothing to be afraid of. What that means is we need to listen to our leaders and follow their council. Get our food storage and other emergency preparedness items in order. Have a plan with our families as to what we’ll do and where we will go if disaster should strike. And then, go forward with faith. Live our lives as best we can according to what Heavenly Father would have us do. And then if and when the big one strikes there will be no fear, no regrets. Instead there will be the peace the Nephites felt when they heard the soft voice of the Lord.

I recently previewed Discovering Emma, and found myself surprisingly educated. I’m not a history buff; I’ve heard insinuations that Emma Smith and Brigham Young didn’t get along, and that’s about it. So in watching this, I was amazed at what I learned.

I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but the interviews with the historians and scholars (Susan Easton Black, Gracia Jones, and Paul Smith) brought up information like how Joseph and Emma found they’d been betrayed, which led to the martyrdom. Now many of you probably knew this already, but again, I’ve never delved into the history behind the restoration beyond what was directly connected to the gospel. So think about it: if you’d been betrayed and your husband killed, would you really want to travel out west, possibly with others who mean you harm?

I did always think it was odd that Emma didn’t go west. But the perspective given by these scholars made me see a lot of reasons why she didn’t and why she might have if circumstances had been different. It answers questions about why the RLDS Church was started—and while the scholars assume you know a little bit about it, I was still able to fill in the blanks and understand why that church came about, and learn about Emma’s association with it.

There is Emma’s second marriage to Lewis Bidamon, and the scholars again brought up information that I’d never heard about—some of it answering controversy that I’m sure exists if you’re in the historian circle. I think what I got the most from this DVD was that you can never know and judge a person until you’ve walked in his or her shoes. And Emma walked far, with lots of trials that would break most people. I admire the respect with which each scholar addressed the questions and the respect they each have for Emma. Please share your thoughts as well once you’ve seen Discovering Emma.

In 2000, God’s Army was released, bringing a new awareness among members of the Church to movies for and about Latter-day Saints.  Several other films followed soon after, touching on various genres, including comedies, missionary films, dramas, mockumentaries, etc.  Some were good, others not so much.  And just as suddenly as these movies seemed to appear, the interest disappeared, or at least greatly diminished.

In the early days of LDS film, movies would come to theaters and then be released on DVD, selling over 100,000 copies in a relatively short period of time.  Some sold as much as 400,000 copies, but with the release of each new film, that number diminished.  Today, a successful DVD sells around 50,000 copies, and even that can be difficult to achieve.

As a result of the economics of making movies for a small niche market in a declining DVD market, fewer and fewer LDS movies are being made, which brings up the question, “What’s the future of Mormon cinema?”  (more…)

LDS Film Festival Turns 9

It’s nothing like the Sundance Film Festival–celebrity sightings, exclusive parties and button-pushing, boundary-breaking films don’t really jive with the LDS mindset.  But Utah’s other notable film festival kicks off this weekend.  And if you’re big into LDS movies and films made by LDS filmmakers, the LDS Film Festival–now celebrating its ninth year–is the place for you.

In past years, audiences attending the festival were the first to see such films as The Best Two Years, The Errand of Angels, Forever Strong and Emma Smith: My Story.  The festival doesn’t just show LDS-specific fare; films made by LDS filmmakers or films that are LDS-friendly make the cut as well.

This year’s crop of premieres and screenings looks promising.  Below are trailers for some features screening at the LDS Film Festival.  Which ones are you excited for?  If you attend the festival, post your comments on the ones you saw!

Sundance Skippy – An Orem, UT native has a way with Hollywood celebrities.

The Yankles – A washed up former major leaguer coaches an orthodox Jewish baseball team

Melted Hearts – A returned missionary leaves his home in Mexico to pursue his former companion’s sister who lives in Provo.

Humble Pie – When he decides to pursue a career in acting, a socially awkward loner finds opposition from his friends and family.

You’re So Cupid – Cupid got married and had twin daughters.  Any surprise that they’ve turned out to be expert matchmakers?