PROVO, Utah — There are some stories that are so incredible they need to be told over and over again.
Take, for example, the story of Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the true gospel of Jesus Christ, said Susan Easton Black, a BYU professor who has spent much of her adult life studying the Prophet. It is a story that through its telling reaffirms testimonies of the first latter-day Church president and the importance of his work.
Now, through a six-part documentary, there is another opportunity to learn about Joseph Smith, including details many people haven't known before, said Sister Black.
The new production — produced by BYU Broadcasting in cooperation with BYU Religious Education — focuses on the life and works of Joseph Smith. Entitled Joseph, the series was produced in honor of the bicentennial celebration of the Prophet's birth in 1805.
Sister Black came up with the idea for the series several years ago, but admits that she soon realized the idea was bigger than herself. So she enlisted the help of BYU Church History and Doctrine professors, including Andrew C. Skinner, dean of BYU Religious Education. In all, more than 36 scholars contributed to the series.
With Brother Skinner, Sister Black is co-executive producer of the documentary; she also serves as the program's host. They worked with producer Michael Hunter, other BYU Broadcasting employees and dozens of BYU students.
The six-episode documentary — which began airing on KBYU in Utah and on BYU TV Sept. 25 — covers the Prophet's early years and First Vision, translation and publication of the Book of Mormon, organization of the Church, construction of the Kirtland Temple, the trek and subsequent expulsion to Missouri, and Joseph's martyrdom at Carthage Jail. Each episode not only includes current footage of the sites, but also between 100 and 150 pieces of art.
Rather than providing an exhaustive review of the early prophet's life, the producers of Joseph set out to cover events that "have lasting impact on those interested in the life of Joseph Smith, two centuries after his birth," said Brother Hunter.
In essence, said Jim Bell, manager of marketing and communications for BYU Television, the series takes Church scholarship — previously available only in written form — and makes it available to a general audience. Some viewers "may not want to read in-depth," he said, "but they will get a similar feel" by watching the series.
And although much has been written and produced about Joseph Smith, there is not much out there like this, added Diena Simmons, director of program services for BYU Broadcasting.
"There is only a finite group of people who can come to the BYU campus," said Brother Hunter. "Our goal is to take the scholarship at BYU to the world."
Sister Black said everyone involved in the project was thankful for the chance to tell people outside of the classroom that Joseph was a prophet of God. "It seemed like it was the time to tell the story of the man, the Prophet of the Restoration, and put it all together," she said.
The series will be available on DVD. For more information or a broadcast schedule, see www.byubroadcasting.org.
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