Downton Abbey and Mormons: 7 Lessons from the Drama
Downton Abbey, the critically-acclaimed period British drama, has captured audiences both in the UK and abroad. The drama, intrigue, and quick wit of the many colorful characters delights audiences of all ages and backgrounds, including Mormons, or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Downton drama isn’t just entertaining. Mormons could also use many of the one-liners to teach important doctrine and beliefs. Below are seven Mormon lessons from Downton:
1. The Dowager Countess: “Vulgarity is no substitute for wit.”
Dame Maggie Smith’s character, the Dowager Countess, hits on one of the defining characteristics of Mormons: clean language. The pamphlet For the Strength of Youth, aimed at Mormon youth, has an entire section on using appropriate language. Mormons typically do not swear or use racial slurs, and are encouraged to speak with respect at all times, including avoiding gossip.
Mormons also love a good laugh. Mormons use humor widely, including in church talks and Sunday school. Mormons love to poke fun at our own unique culture, and we have numerous Mormon-themed jokes and movies playing on this theme.
2. Lady Mary: “It’s easy to be generous when you have nothing to lose.”
As Lady Mary points out, generosity is easier when you have nothing to lose. Mormons are strong believers in being generous, not only with our time, but with our talents and money as well–even when we do have something to lose. Mormons pay 10% of their income as tithing, which is then used to build new meetinghouses and temples, help fund missionary work, provide education, develop church curriculum (for Sunday school and other programs), and further temple and family history work. (http://comeuntochrist.org/faq/purpose-of-tithing).
Mormons also pay “fast offerings,” which are used to help those members in the congregation who are in need. We have been instructed to pay a “generous fast offering” where possible.
3. Anna: “I’d rather have the right man than the right wedding.”
As Anna so eloquently states, the right man–or woman–is infinitely more important than the right wedding. Mormons believe strongly in marriage, and are encouraged to marry for time and all eternity in the holy temple. And just like in Downton Abbey, marrying the right person is of paramount importance, especially since we will be married to him or her for eternity.
Bruce R. McConkie, late apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ, reminds each of us that “the most important single thing” we will do “in this world is to marry the right person, in the right place, by the right authority” (“Agency or Inspiration,” New Era Jan 1975, 38). Mormons place great emphasis on marrying a person who is right for them, in the holy temple, by the authority of the priesthood.
4. Lord Grantham: “I am a custodian, not an owner.”
Lord Grantham believes he is the custodian (guardian, caretaker, or steward), not the owner, of Downton. Mormons believe that we have stewardship, or responsibility, for certain things. Some of these include our families and our callings in the Church. Mormons believe that everything we have is a ultimately a gift from God, and that we have certain obligations to fulfill. We also believe that we will be accountable to God concerning these obligations, especially our family responsibilities. (See “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”)
5. Mr. Carson: “What would be the point of living if we didn’t let life change us?”
As Mr. Carson says to Mrs. Hughes, there would be no point to life if we didn’t let it change us. Mormons believe that our lives and experiences on earth are meant to change and refine us into better people. One purpose of life is for us to learn and grow from the people and events in our lives, even when those people or events are challenging or difficult.
James E. Faust, late apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ, emphasized the importance of change in our lives. He said, “Each one of us  has been given the power to change his or her life”  (“The Power to Change,” Ensign Oct 2007). Not only do Mormons believe in letting our life experiences change us, but we also believe that we can change ourselves and our lives for the better.
6. Lady Grantham: “You know what they say, my darling. Being tested only makes you stronger.”
Mormons strongly believe that Lady Grantham is right: being tested makes us stronger. We believe that our entire earthly experience is a test, and is designed to refine and mold us into the strong people God wants us to become. The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about empowerment.
But, like Lady Edith, many will despair, believing that their experiences are tearing them down instead of building them up.
Still, prophets encourage us to persevere when challenges arise, and let them mold us into better and more Christ-like people. Richard G. Scott, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ, said that one “reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord’s own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing” (“Trust in the Lord,” Ensign Nov. 1995). Scott’s words reaffirm the importance of letting life, and life’s experiences, change us for the better.
7. Lady Sybil: “It’s doing nothing that’s the enemy.”
Lady Sybil decides firmly against doing nothing when she becomes a nurse during WW I, determined to keep busy. Mormons believe in being “anxiously engaged in a good cause,” doing “many things of their own free will,” and bringing about “much righteousness” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27).
Mormons believe that we each have agency, and should use our agency to do good. We have also been instructed to “cease to be idle,” and instead spend our time wisely doing good (Doctrine and Covenants 88:124).
The award-winning and widely-loved period drama will be returning to the US for a 4th series on January 5, 2013.
To learn more about Mormons and our beliefs, please visit www.churchofjesuschrist.org or www.comeuntochrist.org.