Wednesday, December 2, 2015

343: ADVERTISING OUR MULTICULTURAL GLOBAL CHURCH:

The latest Christmas video that the LDS Church just released spotlights children from around the world. It is called A Savior is Born. It is beautifully produced and showcases an African girl and boy as well as other children from the Middle East, Asia, South America, and Europe.

 
 
The scriptures recited by the children about the birth of the Savior is wonderful and the video is moving. This video will help the Church get their message across that they are a Multicultural Global Church  (despite the centralized leadership only comprised of white successful businessmen from Utah.) Hopefully by hiring an advertising agency to produce a Christmas video/Church ad featuring beautiful children from all over the world and with a website link and Church logo at the very end will bring the true Spirit of Christmas to those who see it.

That being said....


To be honest, ( and I know I am being very critical that I most likely will need to repent of) the video reminded me of the Benetton ads that begin in the 1980's with their "United Colors"  ad campaign. Benetton was one of the first to use a multiracial advertisements designed to show that their company was accepted in all countries of the world. The ads were very successful especially since they featured these well dressed children with perfect smiles from every continent.

But is this really what the children look like around the world? All of the children in the Church video look they have been hand selected from the same modeling agency that Benetton used for their advertisements and/or look like they shop at City Creek Mall.  
 

 

 The reality is that too many children around the world live in poverty and don't dress or look as healthy as the models who are paid to be in a video or in an advertisement. Please watch the below video from the Liahona's Children Foundation.  
  
 
 
While both videos are touching, the last video is humbling to watch and reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving and striving to become one of His disciples as we celebrate His birth and His mission at this time of year. 

"And remember in all things the poor and the needy,
the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things,
the same is not my disciple."
 
.........................
 
 
 
 

3 comments:

Rob said...

The LDS church spends millions in annual advertising in the USA with little return by way of retained converts while turning away thousands seeking baptism in Africa. Think about that for a minute.

Rudolph said...

They've turned people away from baptism in Africa? Where'd you see this, and why would they? (Apart from the fact there not much tithing to generate)

LJn said...

I have never heard this (turning away thousands in Africa). I don't think it is true. Where did you get your information from?