The rumor involving Latter-day Saints that producers of ‘The Chosen’ want to squash (2024)

Creators of the faith-based series “The Chosen” have denied rumors circulating on social media that the show is produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

What happened

Producers of “The Chosen” addressed the rumor in an April 26 Facebook post. The post included a photo that appeared to be an example of the social media speculation. The text with the photo said: “This is not an anti-Christian show produced by Mormons. Be very careful about this show.”

Then came the “The Chosen” team’s correction:

“They happen to be correct in the first sentence…we’re not anti-Christian, we’re not produced by Mormons,” “The Chosen’s” producers wrote. “But we’re going to go out on a limb and guess there was a typo; which wouldn’t be surprising, as most of our hate comments aren’t written by English majors. That said, go ahead and be very careful with us — that advice is solid.”

More than 3,200 people have commented on the social media post.

Latter-day Saint connections to ‘The Chosen’

“The Chosen” is distributed by partner Angel Studios, a streaming video company that was co-founded by brothers Neal and Jeffrey Harmon, who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Angel Studios raised millions through crowdfunding to fund the multi-season series about the life of Jesus Christ.

The church also allowed “The Chosen” to film scenes of Season 2 at its Jerusalem set near Goshen, Utah.

What ‘The Chosen’ creator Dallas Jenkins has said

Dallas Jenkins, the creator, writer, director and executive producer of “The Chosen” series, is an evangelical Christian.

Jenkins responded with a Facebook post of his own:

“Our lighthearted post turned into a headline ... even after several years, many people seem more interested in what I’m not than what I am,” he wrote. “A sad societal trend.”

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While speaking to an audience at Utah State University in March, Jenkins was asked when he would make an episode about Jesus coming to the Americas?

Latter-day Saints believe that Jesus Christ visited the Americas after his death and resurrection in Jerusalem.

“Not anytime soon,” Jenkins said, drawing laughter from the crowd. He was not offended by the question.

Jenkins said he didn’t have an agenda when he felt divine inspiration to begin creating “The Chosen,” but he has watched itbring people of different faiths and religions togetherin remarkable ways.

“To me, one of the joys of this project is seeing the religious walls that come down when we’re focused on Jesus himself,” he said. “It’s just been so beautiful to watch.”

Why Latter-day Saints love ‘The Chosen’

Many Latter-day Saints have become fans of the show because it’s true to New Testament accounts and reflects their love for the Bible and Christ.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ also appreciate the humanity portrayed by Jesus and other characters.

It took a few episodes to warm up to the series, but then his family was hooked, said Hank Smith, a BYU assistant professor in the Religious Studies Department and Latter-day Saint author.

“Thank you for taking on this project,” Smith wrote in an email to the Deseret News. “Thank you for doing something that we normally don’t see out of the television industry today — faith promoting, uplifting and inspiring content that leaves you wanting to be a better person. Most of all, thank you for making something my teenage children loved. My daughter felt like the show brought her closer to the Savior, which is my greatest hope as a father.”

Artist Liz Lemon Swindle, a Latter-day Saint, fell in love with ‘The Chosen’ and began painting powerful scenes from the show after watching the end of the first episode and feeling a personal connection to the character of Mary Magdalene, she told the Deseret News.

“It was like, oh my gosh, that’s me. I’ve been there so many times. I mean, I didn’t deal with demons, but we all have,” Swindle said. “I kept rewinding and watching it, thinking, ‘This is amazing.’”

She also thought Jonathan Roumie played a “believable Jesus.”

“I’ve painted him for 20 years and I’m kind of funny about the model who is going to play Jesus,” she said. “But he really resonated.”

The rumor involving Latter-day Saints that producers of ‘The Chosen’ want to squash (2024)

FAQs

The rumor involving Latter-day Saints that producers of ‘The Chosen’ want to squash? ›

They happen to be correct in the first sentence…we're not anti-Christian, we're not produced by Mormons. But we're going to go out on a limb and guess there was a typo; which wouldn't be surprising, as most of our hate comments aren't written by English majors.

Did the LDS church produce The Chosen? ›

They happen to be correct in the first sentence…we're not anti-Christian, we're not produced by Mormons. But we're going to go out on a limb and guess there was a typo; which wouldn't be surprising, as most of our hate comments aren't written by English majors.

Did the LDS church help fund The Chosen? ›

“The Chosen” is distributed by partner Angel Studios, a streaming video company that was co-founded by brothers Neal and Jeffrey Harmon, who are Latter-day Saints. Angel Studios raised millions through crowdfunding to fund the multiseason series about the life of Jesus Christ.

What church is behind The Chosen? ›

“The Chosen” is distributed by Angel Studios, which was co-founded by Latter-day Saint brothers Neal and Jeffrey Harmon. The show was allowed to film on the Church's recreated set of ancient Jerusalem for episodes and its Christmas special. Latter-day Saints are also on the crew.

Is The Chosen series biblically accurate? ›

The Chosen stays true to the details that are in the text of the New Testament. Each episode takes artistic license to fill in the many blanks where the text does not go into detail, but this artistic license is all feasible considering the details that are provided.

Is VidAngel a Mormon company? ›

Then of course, VidAngel's owned by 8,000 Americans of all different faiths. But the two founders, we are faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Does The Chosen follow the Book of Mormon? ›

Jenkins has denied recent claims that he used a line from the Book of Mormon in Season 3. Dallas Jenkins, creator, director and executive producer of “The Chosen” denied claims that he used a line from Latter-day Saint scripture in the show's upcoming Season 3.

Who gets excommunicated from the LDS Church? ›

"Transgression" is defined in the church's manual to include participating in abortion, rape, sexual abuse, adultery, hom*osexual relations and deliberate abandonment of family responsibility, among other things.

What is the LDS Church makes its biggest one time charitable donation ever? ›

Church officials put an emphasis on child nutrition, contributing $32 million to the United Nations World Food Program in what was the faith's largest one–time contribution to a humanitarian organization. “The church's historic $32 million grant this year to World Food Program USA ...

Where does money from the LDS Church go? ›

These funds are used to: Provide buildings or places of worship for members around the world. Provide education programs, including support for Church universities and seminary and institute programs. Support the Church's worldwide missionary program.

What is the difference between Mormon religion and Christianity? ›

With respect to scripture, Mormons differ from traditional Christian groups in that they accept extra books in their canon. In addition to the King James Version of the Bible, they add the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Do Mormons believe Jesus is God? ›

The Book of Mormon establishes clearly that “Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself to all nations” (Book of Mormon title page; 2 Nephi 26:12). At the heart of the doctrine restored through Joseph Smith is the doctrine of the Christ.

Is the LDS Church true? ›

The Church is a true and living church because the Lord guides us through living prophets and apostles.

Why not to watch The Chosen? ›

The Chosen represents a dangerous source of entertainment, which dramatically takes Jesus and his words out of context, and even allows for heresy to be brought in. Even discerning Christians are at risk watching a show like this, and the payoff of entertainment does not justify it.

Does The Chosen violate the second commandment? ›

Thus, on this first point, The Chosen is found to be lacking because it portrays, in visual form, a member of the Trinity. And it does so through created, human form. This is a clear violation of the 2nd Commandment as it substitutes a created human in place of the uncreated Christ.

What stock does the Mormon Church own? ›

The Mormon Church has a $673 million stake in Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) via Ensign Peak Advisors, as of the end of the third quarter of 2022. Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has gained about 61% over the past 12 months.

What company does the Mormon Church own? ›

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (More commonly known as the Mormon Church) does own and operate several companies. These include Brigham Young University (BYU), Deseret Management Corporation (DMC), and Welfare Services.

What is the Disney film about Mormons? ›

Watch Under the Banner of Heaven | Disney+

What part of the Bible is The Chosen based on? ›

Although The Chosen draws directly from the New Testament, it's become a global phenomenon largely because it doesn't treat the Gospels as, uh, gospel.

Does Jesus say I am the law in The Chosen? ›

In The Chosen, Jesus boldly declares the He is the law of Moses. But what is actually said in the Bible? “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

What religion is Jesus in The Chosen? ›

Portraying Jesus

As a self-proclaimed born-again Catholic, Jonathan is deeply touched to be playing the role of Jesus in The Chosen.

Why are so many LDS members leaving the church? ›

Most ex-Mormons leave Mormonism and the LDS Church because specific intellectual or spiritual reasons have led them to a conviction that the religion is false. The foremost reasons are disbelief both in Joseph Smith as a prophet and in the Book of Mormon as a religious and historical document.

Is Christina Aguilera LDS? ›

Christina Aguilera is a singer who was raised in an LDS home by parents who met at the church-owned university BYU and married in the Washington D.C. Temple, though, Aguilera has not self-identified as Mormon.

Is the LDS Church in decline? ›

While it reduced velocity during recent years and membership growth slowed to below the world growth rate in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022 the annual growth rate in membership was 1.17% resuming its outpacing of the lagging world population growth rate which was is currently below 1%.

How much of your salary does the Mormon church take? ›

The LDS Church today teaches that tithing is ten percent of one's annual income. It is left to each member to determine what constitutes "income".

Does the Mormon church own any hospitals? ›

The hospital was originally owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), but is now owned and operated by Intermountain Healthcare (IHC).
...
LDS Hospital
Intermountain Healthcare
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Geography
LocationSalt Lake City, Utah, United States
9 more rows

What percentage of Mormon missionaries leave the church? ›

While an estimated 40 percent of returned missionaries become inactive sometime after completing their mission, only 2 percent become apostates, meaning that they request to have their names removed from church rolls, or are formally excommunicated.

What is the wealthiest church in the world? ›

List of wealthiest religious organizations
OrganizationWorth (billion USD)Country
Greek Orthodox974.0Greece
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints100.0worldwide
Sree Venkateswara Swamy Temple30.0India
Catholic Church in Germany26.0Germany
10 more rows

Who is the whistleblower for the LDS Church finances? ›

Following an investigation into the church's investment practices sparked by the whistleblower, David Nielsen—a member of the church and former Ensign Peak investment manager — the church agreed to pay $1 million.

How much do Mormon bishops get paid? ›

The bishop is not paid for the time he devotes to his position. All local positions in the LDS Church operate as a lay ministry; members donate their time to perform the duties assigned with each calling. Each bishop serves with two counselors, who together form a bishopric.

What religion is similar to Mormon? ›

Similarities. Mormonism and Islam each believe in a life after death: belief in the Last Judgment and an Afterlife is one of the Six Articles of Belief of Islam; it also forms an essential element of the Mormon belief system.

Do Mormons view themselves as Christians? ›

Beliefs. Mormons consider themselves Christians, but many Christians don't recognize Mormonism as an official denomination. Mormons believe in the crucifixion, resurrection and divinity of Jesus Christ. Followers claim that God sent more prophets after Jesus's death.

What is the difference between LDS and Mormon? ›

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also called Mormonism, church that traces its origins to a religion founded by Joseph Smith in the United States in 1830.

Who is the producer of chosen? ›

Dallas Jenkins (born July 25, 1975) is an American film and television director, writer and film producer. He is best known as the creator, director and co-writer of The Chosen, the first multi-season series about the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Jenkins's career is focused on faith-based media.

Was The Chosen filmed in Utah? ›

The Chosen Season 1 Filming Location

Season 1 of The Chosen was filmed at Capernaum Studios, located just west of Fort Worth, Texas. It's a premiere location for TV shows and films set in the first century. Scenes from Season 1 were also filmed at the Jerusalem movie set located in Goshen, Utah.

Who wrote The Chosen book? ›

Chaim Potok (February 17, 1929 – July 23, 2002) was an American Jewish author and rabbi. Potok is most famous for his first book The Chosen (1967), which was listed on The New York Times' best seller list for 39 weeks and sold more than 3,400,000 copies.

Are the writers of The Chosen Catholic? ›

The series was conceived within an explicitly Christian framework with an approach that is intended to be ecumenical. Writer and director Dallas Jenkins is an Evangelical, but the actor who plays Jesus, Jonathan Roumie, is a Catholic.

What religion are The Chosen cast? ›

In the cast there are actors of Orthodox tradition and Christians of various denominations, from Jewish families or even agnostics. However, everyone points out that The Chosen has changed the way they look at Jesus and, especially, how they see him in their own lives.

Why did The Chosen move to Texas? ›

Eves said he travels between Texas and his home in Utah about once per week. The Chosen originally looked into Texas because two producers of the show were from the area, and the physical terrain, welcoming environment and costs fit what the show was looking for, Eves said. “I think it's the perfect fit for us here.

Is Chosen based on a true story? ›

Answer and Explanation: The Chosen by Chaim Potok is fiction and not a true story. In 1981, The novel became a movie, although there are differences between the two storylines. Even more than half a century later, the themes of this novel still apply today.

What religion is Danny in the book The Chosen? ›

His father wants him to be a mathematician when he grows up, but he desires to become a rabbi. Daniel (Danny) Saunders: a Hasidic Jew, who is also a teenager.

What book of the Bible is The Chosen based on? ›

Based on Luke 5.

Why is the book called The Chosen? ›

The novel's title refers to the idea that the Jews are God's chosen people and therefore hold special privileges and responsibilities. Both Danny and Reuven fulfill their duty by studying Jewish liturgy, and they derive great pleasure from Jewish traditions.

Does Jesus have a sibling? ›

The brothers of Jesus or the adelphoi (Greek: ἀδελφοί, translit. adelphoí, lit. "of the same womb") are named in the New Testament as James, Joses (a form of Joseph), Simon, Jude, and unnamed sisters are mentioned in Mark and Matthew.

Who is Catholic in the cast of The Chosen? ›

Jonathan Roumie is a devout Catholic actor best known for his role playing Jesus in the hit series “The Chosen.” The 48-year-old's popularity has spread like wildfire as the show has more than 450 million views worldwide.

What does the Catholic Church say about tattoos? ›

Paul makes it perfectly clear that the ceremonial law is no longer binding. I'll cut to the chase: There is nothing immoral about tattoos. Mother Church has never condemned them, and neither can I. It is one of those areas where a Catholic must follow his or her conscience.

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