Mormon Apostle Jeffery Holland was ambushed by BBC

by sherlock Mar 2012

The church was clearly very unhappy with the BBC documentary 'The Mormon Candidate', hand delivering a letter of complaint to the BBC, which mentioned that Elder Holland had been ambushed and then putting up the defensive on Facebook.

So as far as I can recall, these were some of the key approximate questions Holland was asked by John Sweeney:

* the book of Abaraham papyri don't correspond with Joseph Smith's translation. How do you explain that?
* does the strengthening church members committee still exist? What is its purpose? What is its secondary purpose?
* does/did the church do throat slitting in the temple? So would Mitt Romney have done this and sworn secrecy to it?
* does the church shun members who leave?
* is the church a cult?

While the throat slitting question would probably make for uncomfortable viewing for any TBM old enough to have gone through the temple pre-90, the questions as a whole were perfectly reasonable and valid.

If Holland found these intrusive, difficult or sensitive, then perhaps he needs to look more closely at the religion he purports is headed by JC.

He floundered on a couple of questions, did ok on some others, but overall I think that any neutral observer would think that these were good pertinent questions to ask and that he came across as a smartly dressed and well fed corporate suit, but not at all an apostle as he claims.

I also think he could have been asked some other equally challenging and embarrassing questions like City Creek, JS polygamy and polyandry etc.

Church PR will no doubt be in overdrive to inoculate the flock and claim how unfair this portrayal was. I say that the chickens are finally coming home to roost and the church doesn't like it one little bit.

brigantia
I don't live in Salt Lake City but I do know that it has got to be impossible to ambush an apostle of church
Given the security etc. This interview was arranged, planned and Holland was up and ready for it, dressed in his best corporate gear, office immaculate (perhaps it always is) and there was no following around with cameras asking awkward questions of someone who was trying to escape, like Sweeney did with the scientologists. That kind of questioning could be called an 'ambush'.

Did Holland really believe that Sweeney would only ask comfy faith promoting questions? What kind of bubble does he live in I wonder?

The mind boggles, it really does.

Briggy

Lucky
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Elder Holland was ambushed ?

Well he can be damn glad that he did nt get the full pre 1990 throat slashing treatment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CiyrZd-kB0

honestone
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Love the fact these questions were asked. Will check the links when I have time. I say expose it all!!!!
Stray Mutt
What happened to the belief that...
...the Lord would put the correct words in the mouths of His Worthy Anointed Messengers? It should be impossible to trip up an Apostle of the Lord, right? I mean, Sweeney should have been struck mute by the power of Holland's words. Unless Holland is just your average executive with no direct line to God. What would the odds of that be? (sarcasm alert)
brigantia
Maybe he was speaking as a man this time Stray. You do have a point....
If the church is so perfect then why all the filibustering and shifty body language. Holland came across as a bit creepy and arrogant.

Briggy

baura
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
"We wish all disciples to know that Jesus was ambushed by the Pharisees. He was not given the questions ahead of time and the questioners were anti-Jesus and disrespectful. In the future interviewers must submit all questions in writing prior to any further interviews with Jesus."

ronas
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
I think the lds church is used to being handled with kids gloves by US media and got caught with it's pants down.

archytas
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
The "I'm a mormon" campaign probably cost millions.

Old fashioned hard-hitting journalism: priceless.

archytas
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Agreed. Thank you Brits.
Stumbling
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
So, an investigative journalist from the BBC who has previously made a programme exposing the reality of Scientology calls to arrange an appointment. He explains that the interview will be filmed and the subjects he is likely to ask about.

Hmm...not a very well hidden ambush...

At one point Holland claimed he wasn't a 'dodo'. Sorry Jeff, but that's exactly what you are. Let's remember those other dodo moments...
Holding up Hyrum's actual Book of Mormon.
The explanation of when the continents parted to let the flood waters recede.

kmackie
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
I watched and was fascinated,know nothing about Sweeney but he was good,Holland looked so uncomfortable,was he the best they could roll out,had no viable answers,did'nt know that the press in the States could'nt interview and report on TSSC honestly,best hours telly I've watched in a while and managed to control myself when Holland was so obviously lying.Well Done good old BBC.

Glo
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Groupthink and isolation from reality.

People like Holland are surrounded by yes-men and the morg suppresses all dissenting voices within the ranks.

That is why it comes as such a shock to morg leaders when reporters ask the hard questions.

Holland probably expected a soft and respectful interview a la Larry King.
Perhaps he also expected to be protected and guided by the spirit.

Magical thinking won't help the morg when a presidential election is being fought.

cludgie
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
We could all write him letters of consolation:

Elder Holland,

So sorry you crashed and burned on the BBC presentation. I know how embarrassing that must be. Please accept my sincerest condolences. We are all thinking of you.

Incidentally, I would be happy to meet with one of the members of your Strengthening the Members Committee. If it is quite convenient, my address and phone numbers are as follows:

Hotel California
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
The sad thing is, no matter how damning this interview is in our eyes, it will likely have little affect on the general mo-population.

Most members won't hear about it (too busy and self-involved), those who do hear about it won't watch it (afraid of listening to apostates), and those who do watch it won't believe it (because they don't know their own history).

There might be a handful who know the documentary is factual, but they won't care. If they don't mind ole' Joe marrying minors, blood oaths, lizard letters, racism, changing doctrine, mega malls, DNA, and much more then a little interview is no big deal.

lydia
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Lost for words at the comments of church members on facebook etc. Seriously think that they were not watching the same programme as me. They may not like the questioning, but they are valid questions, based on valid doctrinal points. Why should they not be asked if the church had nothing to hide? If they as memebers had been asked these questions how would they have answered - with a lie? I could scream!
Glo
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Hmmmm... these little "problems" here and there do add up eventually.

Very few members are fully secure in their Mormon faith, on some level they all know their house of faith is built on sand.
I'd say there is a tipping point for everyone.

Moreover, all these exposures can help prevent other people from being sucked into the Mormon cult.

ablmu65
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
This was nothing but a well played brush fire set up by the church so they can say when these same questions come up for Mittens to answer he can say that they were all addressed already and that we really need to stick with the issues at hand and not dwell on old news.

They know what questions Mittens is going to be asked, they troll the blogs and the other web sites. Get this stuff out there early and then tell people to not worry about it.

Emma's Flaming Sword
Don't get discouraged. All these little embarrassing moments add up.
Just like the PBS series on the Mormons forced me to look up a quote. Reading the racist quote from John Taylor really pushed me along my exit path.

It may not bring down the church all at once but it will certainly help a few people who are already questioning to keep questioning.

CA girl
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Could NOT have happened to a more appropriate apostle. Because I've thought for some time that Holland is teetering on the edge of a complete breakdown regarding the church. Oh, he probably won't go postal, flip out and come clean about the church but he looks like he's right there, living on the edge of crazy. Unlike some of the other big 15, who look like they have no clue and no conscience.

Bless the media - I've always had more faith in the media than in the church to do the right thing. The church is probably scrambling behind the scenes with the realization that they are rapidly losing control over the information. Of course we realize they lost control a while ago but it's probably just becoming clear to them. And it's got to be frightening them.

That being said, I agree that most Mormons will have no clue about the program or even about similar exposes that might come out. They are too trapped in their own little world. But there will be a few here, a few there that escape and, more importantly, think of all the people who are not Mormon now and never will be Mormon because of what they heard. Think of them telling their friends. You can't always save everyone in a burning building but you can keep those who are outside the disaster from running into the building to join them, simply by pointing out the building is on fire. And that is something.

guynoirprivateeye
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
crocodile tears for Holland & the rest.
they've been peddaling lies for so long they just can't understand why people Demand the Truth.

Sooner or later, someone's going to 'ambush' the Q guys about HOW the black (and woman) prohibitions could last so long without being 'divinely' directed, alongside BYs racism.

2+2 = ? in Morland.

CA girl
baura - ROFL ! 

Hotel California
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
True, I just wish my family could see sense enough to get out of the burning building. I wonder if there is a tipping point for some TBMs?

lillium
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Yes, thank you! I love it!

Dent
There is no way he was ambushed
He is a prophet and knows everything that is going to happen. He knows the future so he can't be surprised or ambushed.

EssexExMo
Re: i guess only the people in the UK can watch
same reason we brits cant watch TV shows that are free to view (for US viewers) on US TV websites

EssexExMo
Re: i guess only the people in the UK can watch
there is a website called (IIRC) Tunnelbear where a person can go via a proxy to watch US shows from the UK or Vice versa.

Not saying I recommend it - because I have my own methods for watching US TV shows form the UK - but I have heard that other people use it without problem.

guynoirprivateeye
Re: There is no way he was ambushed
precisely, +100
caedmon
Re: Don't get discouraged. All these little embarrassing moments add up.
And it will further erode missionary efforts. When the mishies knock on the door of anyone who watched, they will get a quick 'I know everything I need to know about your cult'.
movingon29
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Did anyone catch Holland's flib when he said "Osama" instead of "Obama"?
EssexExMo
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
I wondered if that was deliberate

honestly, I sorta imagined the cameraman saying "hey Jeff, wanna do over?" and him replying "Nah man, let it ride"

lillium
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Ooooh, slick!
imalive
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Absolutely. I love the Brits for this documentary. :-D

canadianfriend
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Like when Hinckley said "Jesus Smith"

canadianfriend
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
Mormons can't have it both ways. If they want to believe in their whacked out fantasy then they'd better keep a low profile. Putting a Mormon up for president is not going to bring honor and glory to their crazy cult. All it does is turn up the heat.

DeeDee
Re: Maybe he was speaking as a man this time Stray. You do have a point....
Man, I get the CRRREEEEpIEST feeling whenever I see a photo of Monson. That guy creeps me out more than Charles Manson...Thomas Monson/Charles Manson.....Wow, I just sensed this similarity. SPOOOOKEEEEE!

Stumbling
Re: Elder Holland was ambushed
I believe initially the Church was worried that Romney and Huntsmen could bring embarrassment on the Church.

Oh the irony...

DeeDee
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