Murder Among the Mormons

Murder Among the Mormons is a compelling three-part docuseries launched on Netflix in 2021. It's a mystifying venture into the world of religious deception, historical falsification, and the ensuing violent reverberations within one of the most devout religious societies: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly known as the Mormons.

The docuseries captures a tragic chapter in Salt Lake City’s history - the October 1985 bombings that rocked the city's LDS community and resulted in the death of two people. Murder Among the Mormons portrays this chapter through myriad lenses, giving viewers an engrossing exploration of both crime and faith.

At the epicenter of the tale is Mark Hofmann, a prominent rare documents dealer who, with his uncanny knack for uncovering 'lost' Mormon artifacts, has ascended to high standing among LDS historians. The series paints a comprehensive portrait of Hofmann, from his early fascination with Mormon history to his burgeoning reputation as a veritable 'treasure hunter', instilling him with a sense of intrigue and credibility.

Through a tight-knit narrative, it presents Hofmann's groundbreaking "discovery" of the Salamander Letter, a document that threatened to rewrite key aspects of Mormon history and doctrine. A blend of interviews, court documents, and news clippings believably distills this complex story, as well as the subsequent wave of devastation that started detailing suspicions about the authenticity of these documents.

Candid, revealing interviews with key figures in the LDS church, as well as law enforcement officials, friends, survivors of the bombing incidents, and other rare document dealers make up the body of the docuseries. Across its episodes, the series smartly surfs the line between crime mystery and a deep exploration of the significant influence that historical documents can have on shaping faith, culture, and society at large. It touches on the profound questions of faith, truth, deception, and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect deeply held beliefs.

Directors Tyler Measom and Jared Hess possess an intuitive understanding of their subject matter and the stories they are telling, largely due to their familiarity with the backdrop of the narrative being LDS members themselves. Their connection with the LDS community lends the series a depth and credibility not easily found in outsider narratives. The duality of their connections and simultaneous distance from the church is brilliantly reflected through the series' neutral and balanced representation of the events.

The production value of Murder Among the Mormons is high, with beautiful cinematography that provides the atmospheric backdrop to this grim tale. The storytelling is finely paced, and the drama builds through each well-structured act, culminating in an intelligent and thoughtful third act, careful to never allow sensationalism to eclipse the seriousness of the events it covers.

The interviews are delicately handled and compassionate, never straying into exploitative territory. The interviewees’ emotions are palpable, which only makes the story even more gripping. Additionally, the use of archival footage and audio tapes, combined with atmospheric recreations, helps to set the time and place effectively and to follow the narrative with ease, despite the complex subject matter.

The score is a haunting complement to the unfolding narrative, and never overpowers the unfolding drama. Expertly woven into the timeline, the music isn't just used to fill silence, but also to guide viewers emotionally, prompting them to sit with the serious implications of the narrative.

Murder Among the Mormons is a well-crafted, deeply affecting exploration of faith, history, and the psyche of one of the most complicated figures in recent religious history. Despite the grim subject matter, the docuseries does an excellent job maintaining a level-toned narrative that always respects the victims and their stories.

It's a chilling watch that is fascinating, shocking, and heart-breaking in equal measure. Striking a fine balance between offering a complex investigation into the murkiest corners of faith and presenting a deeply human crime story, it is a masterclass of documentary film-making. It's a must-watch for true crime fans and history buffs alike. Its exploration of the depths humans can sink to in the name of belief and reputation is sure to leave viewers pondering long after the credits roll.