The District – Episode 1
In the great tradition of Utah-Mormonism seeing something successful and then ripping off the idea (insert Mod-bod clothing, trampoline fun-houses, etc), we at rationalfaiths.com have decided to mimic The Mormon Expositor podcast’s weekly review of BYU Tv’s “The District”. We contacated the perfect person to do our weekly reviews, Camille Howe. Ooh you are going to love her.
Click here to watch Episode 1 on-line
“Go inside the life of LDS missionaries in an unscripted, actor-less documentary that follows eight Elders and Sisters serving in San Diego, California.”
My first thoughts as I read about the premise of this show centered on: Who thought this was a good idea!?!? But let us begin anyway… I will hope that the choice of setting for this show – San Diego, California, was chosen for ease of filming because of the temperate weather. However, it pains me that it’s not an accurate description of many missions. Missions are hard work. Missions take place in uncomfortable climates, homes – and
frequently in poverty conditions. They are HARD. To be fair, this is the first episode so perhaps that will change. Not that I’m wishing harm on this set of missionaries but seriously! Did I really just see scenes of surfing to open the show? I tried to find a “cast” list of the people on the show but they don’t have it on the website. It doesn’t seem to exist so I went back and wrote their names down and made a few notes:
- Elder Bott (Utah) – hard worker, eating hobby, likes the outdoors
- Elder Hepworth (Idaho) – funny, laughing, self-described as immature
- Elder Tuituu (Guam) – works hard, positive
- Elder Murray (Utah) – positive, excited
- Sister Voyles (Mississippi) – big hearted, loves everyone
- Sister Zadivar (Utah; born in Argentina) – compassionate, amazing
- Elder Christiansen (Florida) – knows how to listen, to focus in on the investigator and understand what they are saying
- Elder Moreno (Utah) – Bold, goofy, focused
How’s that for a “cast” list? Succinct, yes?
I’ll be upfront here and say I have been a member my entire life. I have sat through sets of discussions and had friends be baptized. I know that process well enough. The thing is – it’s SO personal. Your walk to your faith – whatever it may be – is a personal, raw, open experience. So as I’m watching these investigators I kept feeling the urge to put my hands over my face and watch the show through my fingers. I felt like an invader. I have 
termed this spiritual porn. I felt like I was somewhere I shouldn’t be during these parts of the show. AWKWARD. (You must say awkward in a sing song voice. It is my way. You must follow.) In the effort of full disclosure I am probably one of the most emotional creatures on the planet and I have serious issues with empathy. I’m always absorbing other people’s emotions so that may explain my reaction. But nonetheless! Spiritual Porn. I wish our day-to-day operations at church really felt as Christ-centered as the discussions do though. That would be so lovey.
While we may not be seeing any physical struggles these missionaries may or may not endure, at least we did hear some of the emotion struggles – in feeling like they are “successful” or not. I wish they didn’t feel the need to term it that way. If you’re out there, on a mission or living daily life, and you’re doing the best you can with what you have – you’re successful. I did really enjoy the bits where we learn about bits and pieces of the missionaries’ lives. I’m assuming we’ll get more of each missionary as time goes on. They focused a lot on Elder Christensen’s struggle to decide to serve a mission. His parents were very sweet and clearly love him. However, I was uncomfortable with the message that had he been in Florida two weeks longer and been a part of the successful rock band, it would have meant he had failed. We all walk our own paths and I don’t think that would have made him a failure. I’m happy for him that he’s enjoying his mission. From what I read, since this was filmed in 2009, later we will get to learn some about these missionaries’ current lives. I look forward to hearing what he’s doing with his life now and if he still feels at peace with his choices. I hope so! And Elder Christensen’s bald head story? Favorite.
Did you watch? Tell me what you thoughts!
I’m going to watch it today and come back to post something! Sounds awkward for sure!!!
Okay. So if I hit the blue reply it goes below. I didn’t want that. I’m trying the black one out. You’re my test subject….
Camille,
Yay. I got it. lol
Glad I can help!
Camille…excellent review…when is this show on? I must say first off that I am a Wyoming boy…love it there…lived there most of my life.
I think it is weird that we are commercializing to some extent the missionary experience with this show. Obviously i need to go and watch the show to make more in depth commentary. I’m glad they didnt follow missionaries around in my mission because there would have been a lot of crappy things that the viewers would have found out about tactics to “be more successful” as a missionary.
Garrett,
Thanks Garrett!
It comes on Sunday evenings at 6 MST
http://byutv.org/show/db6625a1-95a9-48d4-b8c7-62480b96e701/the-district – you can go there to watch the past episodes at your leisure though!
Paul Barker,
Yes do! I’m dying to know if I’m the only one that thinks that’s crazy awkward. lol
Does this show fly on the BYU channel? That’s the only way us “mission field” folks are going to be able to participate.
Ya it’s on the BYU channel on Sunday evenings. You can also click on the link in the blog post to watch episode one on your computer.
I think they are already on episode 6 for this Sunday; we are playing a bit of catch-up .
When Elder Christianson and Moreno were teaching the lady with the olive-colored complexion, I thought she had completely legitimate questions about what a prophet is and how one knows what he is saying is true.
Elder Moreno’s comments show how frustrated a young missionary can get when the message gets “off script”. It also shows how, ontologically, LDS members view a prophet differently than those outside the church. For “outsiders” a prophet does miracles as she brought up. For us LDS members, that isn’t necessarily how we view what a prophet is. So, there is a bit of a “language barrier” if you will.
Did anyone notice how a male missionary’s voice goes up in pitch at the end of a thought? Weird.
I loved Elder Christianson’s jacked-up hair cut at the end. Poor guy.
When is your next review coming out?
Michael Barker,
Patience Mister. :p
And I totally meant to comment on the “off script” thing. People need their random thoughts and questions answered too, eh?
We watched this as training videos in Thailand. I couldn’t ever relate because we never taught Christians. Also, I felt like it was weird to step into these investigators’ lives. Felt too… personal.
Hi Jacob – I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought that was too personal!
You’re in Cheyenne? How have we not met? Do you ever hang out on fMh?