Chch featured in Mormon film

Press, 21 November 1979, Page 7

Chch featured in Mormon film

Christchurch will be featured in a documentary )film on Mormons in New Zealand, as a result of a visit J by a film crew from Univer- ) sal Studios, Hollywood. The film was commissioned by the Latter-Day Saints Church in the United States. “Our filming is related to the rapid growth of the Church—it is the fastest growing Church in New Zealand,” said Mr T. Christensen, the film’s director. Thus local footage will include progress at the new Mormon chapel in Cashmere, under construction opposite the Princess Margaret Hospital. Bishop Te Maari, the Church’s public relations coordinator in Christchurch, said that the film would be I shown in the United States I and in New Zealand. “But we ) will try to direct it to people I away from the Church,” he |said. “The greatest resistance ■ we face is the fact that we still knock on doors, to let people know we have something we want to share,” he •said. “This film will try to

serve the same function without the resistance.” The project supervisor at the new chapel (Mr W. Anderson) said that there were about 2000 Mormons in the Christchurch area, and at least 300 in Cashmere alone. “Our greatest problem,” he said, “is to keep up with new facilities—which is a good problem.” Mr Anderson said that it was to be a teaching film, to try to break down any still lingering resistance to the Church. “But over all this resistance is breaking down,” he said. “In general, the world is a little more prepared to live and let live. The film should help here." The film crew will leave this week for Auckland where the Church’s prophet, Mr Spencer Kimball, will speak at an area meeting. Mr Christensen hoped that part of the speech could be included in his production. Upon completion, all film cutting will be assembled in Los Angeles, after which the documentary will be shotvn throughout the world.