Original subtitles

Miller Harris will be trained by

Elder Stales [clapping]

Meet the Mormons. Young missionaries whose job is

to convert us to their particular brand of Christianity.

[knocking]

[choir singing]

Run from Salt Lake City in Utah,

it's an empire spanning 185 countries

including the UK. The world leader

is Thomas S. Monson.

Revered and saluted by thousands of church members, his appointment here

was broadcast online to the 15 million Mormons

around the world.

To them he's a living prophet who receives revelations directly from God

Mormons adhere to his every word.

I speak of missionary work.

Two young men are becoming elders are repeat with prophets of long time

that every worthy, able young man

should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is

a priesthood duty. An obligation.

I wanted to make a film about the young missionaries who are expected

to give up two years of their lives for the church

They call them ambassadors of God.

Talk to everyone. Absolutely everyone.

You alright?

It promises that you will know that it's real. We're Mormons

I was given unprecedented access because

the church wanted me to make a film about their faith.

But there's also much they'd like to keep secret and people find odd.

Mormons perform baptisms for dead people

and wear special underwear which they believe protects them

from temptation and evil. Fundamentally,

they believe Jesus went to America after his crucifiction

I'm soon to realize this is a church anxious

about its public image.

We are from the church of latter day saints.

Oh no thank you [shuts door]

[music]

Filming began in a car park

on the outskirts of Coventry.

Hello! This is Josh Field. The young man the church said I could film.

Josh is 20 from Sussex

and is about to serve two years as a missionary in Leeds.

Tonight he's going out with a friend

to a Mormon dance. But someone else is here

too. There's a representative from the church's public relations

department. He's going to be present for all the filming.

Listening to everything I say to Josh and everything Josh says

back to me. It was strange

not being able to talk to Josh on my own.

What are the rules

Standard Mormon rules that just like

don't drink,

don't smoke. Can't make friends. The music how is it managed.

Well it's just normal music that you hear if the DJs any good he'll

like dump out all the bad words and stuff. What sort of stuff

that you can't hear then? All sort of stuff. Just anything that's offensive.

Anything that's like sexually vulgar, or anything like that.

Anything that drops swear words or be sexually suggestive.

If you wouldn't play it in front of your mom, don't play it at the dance, maybe. I don't know.

[Spice Girls music background]

Thousands of young Mormons

attend dances like these most weekends.

They grow up following a set of rules which means they don't smoke, drink alcohol

or even drink tea or coffee, because they believe God

commanded them not to. But perhaps hardest of all

is the church's strict rule of chastity.

Let me tell you something, I would advocate celibacy until marriage because,

it will deepen the relationship.

I went on a date with this girl, and we went to go watch a movie.

And let me tell you, that was as fun as any form of sexual

relationship could be. Interviewer: You haven't had sex before?

Morgon: No, I haven't , but the thing is, I know

the chemical equations of it, so I can guess.

Immediately I found myself in trouble with the church official Dez, he didn't like my

questions or conversation about sex.

Any kind of talk about sexual experience is really out of bounds.

Because it's too personal, and I'm not really comfortable without lying.

We didn't know whether he had or he hadn't.

[choir singing]

Mormons are often accused of secrecy.

Partly because their temples are closed to anyone who isn't a Mormon.

Lectures here are secret

and though the church released this footage as a way of being more open,

no one will talk about what goes on here in any detail.

But Mormons claim to have the authority to conduct baptisms for

dead people, whatever their religion might have been.

And they perform ceremonies called ceilings, where they promise husbands

and wives they'll be together even after they're dead.

Inside the temple all clothing has to be white.

On Sundays Mormons attend their local chapels

Josh has been immersed in Mormon life since birth.

The eldest of six children his mother Mandy brought them all up as Mormon.

Children are taught

from an early age that they are different from other Christians.

While they follow Jesus Christ, they revere a man

called Joseph Smith. He lived in upstate New York

200 years ago. An American who

Mormons believe had a series of visions.

He saw a beautiful bright light all around him. He saw heavenly father.

And Jesus Christ standing above him in the air.

Heavenly Father pointed to Jesus and said this is my beloved son.

Hear him. Joseph asked Jesus

which church he should join. Jesus told Joseph not to join

any of the churches because they were all wrong.

None of them was His church. Mormons believe Joseph Smith

was commanded by God to set up a new church,

because other Christians had gone astray. They claimed theirs is the one.

[Child singing]

[knocking]

Hi. How are you doing?

How are you? Come on in.

For the last seven months

Josh has been living with church members Lesley and David. They've been helping him

prepare for his mission.

Interviewer: What do you think the public perception is of Mormons

David: Well, Mormons are a strange lot. Lesley: Oh yeah, with the children I've had lots of

things people have asked me. Do Mormons eat sandwiches?

You know, and all that sort of thing. People just don't know. Do Mormons eat?

Richard I just you say to introduce properly.

Is Richard around? Yeah he's hiding around the corner. He's made himself so scarce

Come say hello, Richard.

The church representative today is Richard.

He wants to stay close enough to hear everything said, but at the same time

to keep out of the way. Richard: If you need me, I'll just be over here.

Want to have a drink, Richard?

What would you like? Milk?

Just want to ask you a couple things. I suppose the main question is what are you doing here?

Good question. Interviewer: I mean, what

instructions have the church given you? Richard: I think it's

just to facilitate. To, um,

reassure? Just the fact that everything's okay.

And there's someone there who

is there to

um, that everything is above board.

Questions about being celibate had already gotten me in trouble.

But I hadn't yet asked Josh about how he hoped

with the rules governing sex and masturbation.

That to be joined by church official, Richard. He'd been told to listen

to all of the conversations in the home, including in 20 year old Josh's

bedroom. Josh: Why do you want me? Interviewer: Where's Richard gone?

Richard said he's going to stand at the door. Interviewer: Sorry? Josh: He says he's standing at the door. Out of the

Chastity is keeping yourself

sexually clean. It basically means

no sexual contact with yourself or anyone

else until you're married to someone then

obviously, you may [laughs]

Have sex. For me, self control

it just hasn't been a problem whatsover. Like literally,

sex drive just gone. Anything that was ever there just gone.

So for another two years it's just not going to be a problem.

What I want to do is serve the mission. Find people and teach people.

Once I've done that,

I'll come back and then I look for. So I really don't care.

If it was 5 years, I don't care. My self control is fine.

So I'm good. So I won't that on the back burner.

That time will come when I'm married.

In a world that's full of temptation, it can be challenging to stay virtuous, but it's worth it. When you obey

God's commandments to be sexually pure, you prepare yourself to make and keep

sacred covenants in the temple.

Josh had proved himself to be a good Mormon and worthy of serving a mission.

Tonight he's invited me to film the moment he becomes a missionary.

It's called "Setting Apart". He'll leave behind

his previous life and submit to a new and even

stricter set of rules. For the next two years,

he won't be able to use his first name. He'll be known

as Elder Field. A similar grace with the opposite sex

will be banned. And he won't be allowed to see any of his friends

or family for the entire two years.

Joshua

Levy Field

By the authority of the Markiseduk Priesthood

which we by birth hold, and in the name

of our savior, Jesus Christ,

we set you apart to be a full time missionary

of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

To serve in the England, Leeds missionary.

For a period of 24 months.

The Mormons, a church run from America, and one of the

fastest growing religions in the world.

In Britain,

there are about 200,000 Mormons and I've been invited to

film about one of them. He's coming to this training center in Lankershim

to learn how to be a missionary. Every year

a thousand young Mormons attend from around the world.

For a Mormon family, its a right of passage which involves

saying goodbye for two years.

Elder Fields, previously known as Josh,

Has been sent here by his church leader, the man Mormons believe

is a living prophet: Thomas S. Monson.

Stand on the threshold of your missionary opportunity.

And I would add this thought: missionaries

are not salesmen with ware to peddle, they are servants

of the most high God, with testimonies to bare

with truth to teach and souls to save.

The work is diffiuclt.

It is demanding. But I would like bare witness young men

that our heavenly father who calls you, and remember

you're work comes from a prophet of God. He will be with you

for this is his work. And you are on his errand.

And he will bless you. For he has promised

Thank you for your trust.

As well as the ban from seeing family and friends

missionaries are only allowed to phone home twice a year.

Can only send a letter once a week. The idea

is that they focus entirely on their mission.

Church representatives are still insisting on following

all the filming. They want to make sure that it's all clear.

Mormons believe in the Bible, but they also

have their Book of Mormon which tells the story of how Jesus went

to America after his resurrection. Church founder Joseph Smith

claimed he was lead to the book by an angel.

The angel told Joseph about a book. The book was about

people who had lived in the Americas long ago. Jesus Christ had

come to these people and taught them his gospel.

The angel said the book was written on gold pages called plates. It was written in

a language that is unknown to us today. Mormons believe Joseph Smith

was miraculously able to translate the ancient script into

English. The book is called The Book of Mormon. It tells about

people who lived in American many years ago. It also tells about

Jesus Christ, the son of God.

By others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored Gospel

through faith in Jesus Christ and his attonements.

Repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost.

and enduring to the end. You just recited your purpose

brothers and sisters and for the next two years or 18 months

that's exactly what your life is going to be about. And I bare testimony that by keeping the

rules of the white handbook, you'll experience this more in your missionary work, okay?

And so, in order to have this spirit, we need to be obedient

and it all starts here with the white handbook. Where? Where does the white handbook come from?

Who created this?

The first presidency of the Church. And who gave it

to the first presidency of the Church to know what rules

what things to put in here? The Holy Ghost. And

when did that come from? It came from the lord, okay?

So this has come from the lord. He's given

these rules, these words to protect you.

Okay? So follow them.

90 pages have instructions cover everything from socks to wear

for deodorant, to a ban on swimming.

Don't just live it but learn to love it. Learn to love the guidelines that the lord

has set for you, okay. And I promise you, as you do that, that you

will exceed in everything that your meant to be doing as a missionary, okay?

To do with everyone they meet, is someone in need of the gospel

Almost every person has something that is either good

or bad happening in their life. Right now, when you go out

and meet people you may find people who are dealing with a difficult

disease or a cancer. You may find people who have had a random baby

or just have moved to a brand new home and a brand new town. And are looking for friends

and comfort and help. You may find people who are just looking for

a religion. You may find people who are unemployed.

Who have difficult economic circumstances. People who struggle with addictions.

Maybe it's people who are struggling with marital problems or divorce.

Whatever is happening in their life,

how do you have the spirit to help prepare them. And so we can almost assume when we're with somebody

that something will be happening in their life. The heavenly father

uses to help give them the spirit to prepare them

[music]

[singing]

It's five days since Elder Field left home.

A packed schedule meant it had been difficult to talk to him.

I wondered how he was doing. Josh: I'm surprised by

how much I do miss people from home.

I think it might be cause

we can see the road just there. I mean, it's just down the road, really.

For the moment it's been

my mom, my brothers and my sister,

David and Lesley.

And there's people I just really

over six months who I just really love.

The whole point of a mission is

a sacrifice. You know, it's

you're giving up two years and you are showing your faith.

Dedication and...it's hard.

A few hours later and I realize

is that Elder Field had been crying.

Interviewer: Are you sad? Josh: Yeah, a little bit.

It's more just um..

just worrying for my family, really.

You just realize

you won't see them for two years and it's tough.

Makes it hard.

Josh is feeling - sorry - Elder Field, is feeling pretty sad.

Yes, he's just going through the worse

It's a normal period of adjustment.

Could he be a good missionary and still be in touch with his mom.

[laugh] I think part of the difficulty is that sometimes

a contact can actually be worse than no contact.

If you're a long, long way away from mom, and you're in constant contact

with them, you can be dependent upon that contact, and it makes

being away harder. On a practical basis,

I'm a counselor. I've been a therapist. I taught him some

quite mind techniques. Because very often turmoil in our mind

is caused by running thoughts, that turn into

running emotions, that then sort of

cause chaos in the mind. And I just taught him a few techniques

to quite the mind.

Do you mind if we talk to you. Josh: Yes, fine.

For the next two days, President Durkin continued to help Elder Field

quiet his mind. But he'd had no contact with his family or friends

for a week. He was completely isolated from anyone outside

the training center apart from me.

Just sad. Interviewer: Would you like me to give you a hug?

I am so happy to be here, but it's just at the same time

it's hard 'cause

you giving up what you love for two years, so

it's just difficult.

Just a part of it.

I mean my mom is probably is fine.

We trying to share the gospel with everyone

absolutely everyone. Right now the heavenly fathers

preparing people to receive you and your message.

It was hard to understand why Elder Field would stay

when he seemed so unhappy. But all young Mormon men

grew up knowing the expects them to serve a mission.

It was a question of faith.

You're walking through the street, and you see this lady

and you want to stop and you want to talk to her about how

the gospel will bless her and her family.

She's walking right there. Ready?

[practicing]

I hope that you will remember today that you are the

representatives of Jesus Christ. You're literally ambassadors for him and know what you are doing.

Is the work the heavenly father wants you to do right now at this stage in your life.

Elder Field has finished his training and is ready to start

his mission. Missionaries get sent all over the world.

He's been sent to Leeds.

Church official Richard has come along, too.

Elder Field. Nice to have you. President Linley is in charge

of the 250 missionaries in the north east of England.

Come in and maybe we could kneel down and have a prayer as we begin if that's alright.

Yeah, of course.

Perhaps I could offer that prayer. Our father in heaven

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to welcome Elder Field into

the mission on his first day. Pray that thigh spirit would be with

him throughout his mission. That he will directive

and prompted by the spirit to accomplish his purpose as a missionary

to invite other people to come under Christ. Tell me Elder Field

how do you feel about Jesus Christ and about his

atonement. Field: Um...

there comes no greater honor

when you can wear a badge with your name on it and

Jesus Christ's name on it. We're glad to have you here. Thank you.

I hope you don't mind me giving you hug because

I love the missionaries and want hug them and welcome them here.

Thank you.

[Singing]

I have often said one of the greatest

the secrets of missionary work is work.

Missionary work is the spirit. And he has the spirit, he will teach the spirt. And if he teaches

the spirit, he will offer this to the people, and he will be happy.

There will be no home sickness. No worrying about families.

Now we are sent to work in the ministry. Work, work, work.

There's no satisfactory substitute. Especially missionary work.

Now is the exciting time, the time that we all wait for.

Missionaries work in pairs. The new arrivals are about

to find out who their companions will be.

Elder Burrows will be trained by Elder Donaldson.

[clapping]

The next missionary is Elder Field.

From Sussex, England, his ancestors

were British. And Elder Field will be trained by

Elder Bowman in Leaf One [clapping]

Elder Bowman, previously known as Argon, is 22 and Swiss.

He's a Senior Missionary, and will be Elder Field's

constant companion. [singing]

Straight away, they were out on the streets.

I pray tonight that we may be able to

work with the spirit and be able to find the people who are ready to hear

How can I help you? Bowman: Hey, I'm Elder Bowman, this is my friend

Elder Field we're missionaries. We sharing the message about Jesus Christ.

Do have beliefs for yourself?

Yeah, I'm a Sikh. Bowman: You're a sikh! Alright.

I've met a few sikhs, but I don't know what you believe in, actually.

There's a God, like anyone. Bowman: That's amazing. Do you have like

10 minutes we share a message about God? Sikh: I'm busy at the moment to be honest. Bowman: Alright.

No problem. Do you know, do you have another time when we can come?

I'm not really interested. Sorry. Bowman: Next one's yours.

Field: This one? Bowman: Yeah.

[dog barking]

Hi. Field: How are you? Woman: Fine. Field: We were

from the Church of Latter Day Saints. We were just hoping that maybe we could share

a few minutes with you. Woman: I'm not interested, thank you. Field: Oh, okay.

Do you know any other neighbors who would be interested? Woman: No.

Field: Do you have any beliefs in God yourself? Woman: No.

Thanks. Field: Thank you. Bowman: Have a good night.

Hi there, we're from the church of latter day saints.

We're missionaries. We're here to share a message.

Do you have any beliefs in God or anything like that?

Woman: Um, no, not really. Man: It don't interest me. It really don't.

[music]

Elder Field is sharing a small flat with Elder Bowman and two other missionaries.

And of course, Richard is here, too.

Morning. Morning.

Interviewer: How you doing? Field: Good. how are you?

And then all the missionaries in the flat will gather around this couch and sing.

After that we study.

Let's sing 1-3.

[Singing]

You want to pray?

Missionaries are required to be with their literally at all times.

They must always be in the same room together.

And the only time they can be apart is when they go to the bathroom.

This way they can keep an eye on each other. In case

they attempted to stray.

They always sleep in the same room.

And get up and go to bed at exactly the same time as each other, because they must

never even try to be alone.

I'm guessing does this feed one or two? I guess it feeds

two. Each missionary is given just 29 pounds a week.

To cover food and haircuts.

They work unpaid, and they are expected to contribute

6000 pounds to the overall costs.

This is my bed.

A bit different from one from home.

Yeah, there's not a lot

We only really sleep in here. Interviewer: Elder Bowman, are you there?

I could hear your phone, that was all. Bowman: Okay.

Interviewer: Do you need to stand?

Bowman: I usually just wander around. Interviewer: What's the rule?

Bowman: We usually stay within sight and sound of each other.

Interviewer: Yeah, okay.

This is quite unusual set of circumstances. Field: Yes, I bet it is a little bit.

Interviewer: How are you feeling?

Field: Pretty Tired [chuckles]

I feel okay.

It's just difficult getting used to

this. It's just

hard at the moment, but

it will get better.

I am a bit down. But it's the grieving process.

It takes awhile to adjust to missing people.

Interviewer: If you were on your own.

having a person here a few feet away. I mean,

do you think you'd still be here?

Field: Probably not. I think if I was here on my own, I probably would've

just gone I can't do it, I can't do it.

Hi we're missionaries. Woman: Sorry, I've got somewhere go.

Mormon missionaries have to work 365 days

a year. So for two years they never get a whole day off.

Field: Hi you two, how are you doing? You're having a good day?

They set goals. In the first year, their target is to recruit four new

converts. Bowman: Have you heard about the book of Mormon before?

Probably not. To become a Mormon you're expected to

pay 10% of your income to the church. Field: ...about Jesus Christ

Woman: Oh, no, I'm sorry. I'm very happy without him.

And as full members of the church, you would

also be expected to wear special underwear.

Bowman: We have to wear certain kind of underwear. Interviewer: What sort of underwear?

What does it look like? I mean, for men and woman?

Bowman: I'm quite comfortable discussing my underwear on tv.

Interviewer: um...

what can you say about them.

You can't say what they look like?

Field: No, because it's sacred to us. You wouldn't walk up

to a random person in the street and ask what underwear they are wearing. You just wouldn't.

It's personal. And the underwear we wear is

simply a way of showing our love

There's nothing weird about it. In fact, I think you'd be very disappointed when you saw it.

It's not weird at all.

It's just a way of showing our love and commitment.

Field: Hello? How are you? Woman: Thank you, but no thank you.

Do you know where we're from?

Woman: No thank you. Okay? Bowman: Is there anything we can do for you?

Woman: No, not at all. Bowman: We'd like to offer you more happiness

to you life. Woman: I don't think so. I'm quite happy with the faith that I have.

And where we worship. The Church of England. It has nothing to do with Mormons.

Bowman: Would you like a copy of our book. Woman: No.

Field: Okay, is there anything we could ever do for you? Anything you need done?

Woman: No, no.

For the last 18 days

Elder Field has been constantly in his companion's presence.

He hasn't been allowed to speak to any of his friends or family.

He's forbid on reading books and newspapers.

Listening to the radio. watching television. going on the internet.

Going to the cinema, theater, and really

every other cultural activity.

[praying] We thank thee, for thee

good night you've given us. Thank you for the time

we've had to regain our strength and prepare

for today. We ask you to help us

as we study.

I was concerned with how Elder Field was coping. I wanted

a moment with him, to check if he was okay. Do you have a moment?

Field: Yeah, sure. We can talk here.

Interviewer: In your room?

Field: Well Elder Bowman will be there anyway. Bowman: Yeah. I can just sit on the couch if you like.

Is there any way we can have a

more private talk?

Companionship. It's really not against anything, but we're like, we stick

together. It's not I want to talk, I'm not gonna

talk for him or something, but we need to be together.

Kind of easier just to be together.

Interviewer: You were previously happy to talk in your bedroom. Field: Yeah, I just find

Bowman: We can sit there. Field: Yeah, we can sit in the bedroom if you want.

Interviewer: What both of you?[gasps]

You were in corner last time, you need to be..?

Bowman: It's just wahat we do. Bowman: Nothing against you. I will not answer any

thing for him. Field: I think it's just in case last time

I just felt like I should have a companion here. We do everything together.

Interviewer: But now you need

to be in the room by his side as well. That's what you feel?

Field: Just to have be in the room,

I just feel more comfortable. Bowman: Look we have been for weeks

We're good friends. I know loads about him. He knows loads about me.

I think it's...with the camera there, it's still

not as

Wherever you

want to go. Interviewer: Couch. Field: It's the best.

Field: Do you want a chair? Interviewer: Yeah, thank you.

Interviewer: How is it, the two of you? I mean you have

no privacy now.

Field: I actually think it's

not that odd really. I mean,

you shower in privacy and everything else. Bowman: Quite clear.

Luckily. I mean, this is like

I mean, you might be lucky enough with your mate and have

your own room.

Don't know. I couldn't imagine not having

a companion like on a mission. I definitely couldn't imagine

not having a companion. I think it's very helpful.

Who get who you really are. It's great.

Living with a pal. And working with a pal. It's great.

I really like it. Interviewer: I mean some people

would interpret it quite differently. Field: In what way?

Interviewer: Well, uh, you know there's someone there who isn't

minding you. Bowman: Always behind him.

Field: It's more than that.

Bowman: As he said we're...I'm the same as

he is. We're just missionaries. And as much as he's

my friend, I'm his friend. So as we do everything together we do this

thing together. I don't him to be alone and me alone over here.

Not knowing what do to.

Bowman: Have you heard of the book of Mormon?

Bowman: Just sharing a message about Jesus Christ.

Field: Nothing worth having is easy.

And I do feel like sometimes

I given up a lot. But

I'm not worried anymore. I just know that

I go back to a life that is perfectly

formed for me, because I've made the sacrifice. When people

think I'm crazy. But I know that after this

two years after I've worked hard, and I've brought happiness into

people's homes for the gospel and I'll be blessed by the holy father

doing something like this. Because it's a sacrifice and when we sacrifice we are

pure blessed. [music]

Field: You have a good day.

Me and my friend we share messages about the book of Mormon and Jesus Christ.

Do you yourself believe in anything? Man: I'm a Muslim.

Have you heard about the Book of Mormon?

It just takes a few seconds.

Okay, great hat, by the way.