At the premiere of the documentary Women in Christ, Angela Agnew shared her transformative journey, stating, “When I look back, I see how my life was guided to this point by women in Christ.” Raised in a challenging environment with an abusive mother, Agnew faced addiction and incarceration, yet she managed to find a spark of hope during her time in prison.
Agnew reflected on her incarceration with an unexpected sense of gratitude: “Just like a toddler who likes to explore and needs to be redirected to stay safe, I have been redirected by my Heavenly Father throughout my life.” Her experiences have instilled in her a perspective that emphasizes divine guidance and safety.
After serving her time, Agnew became an advocate for individuals entangled in the justice system. Her spiritual journey led her to join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints five years ago, inspired in part by Debra Bonner, who invited her to the film’s premiere.
Bonner not only appears in Women in Christ but also serves as its narrator. Renowned for her vocal talents, Bonner’s maternal essence ties together the narratives of five remarkable women featured in the film. Based on the book The Not-so-secret Lives of Real Mormon Wives, the documentary highlights the impactful stories of four other Latter-day Saint women: Kerry Owens, who founded a nonprofit focused on addressing child hunger; Esther Jackson-Stowell, who established a nonprofit with a Nigerian chieftain; entrepreneur Fernanda Bӧhme of the fashion brand Bӧhme; and Kimberly Dowdell, known for her advocacy and social media presence related to Down syndrome.
The film employs a bold hot pink theme that contrasts with its profound subject matter, addressing deep issues such as poverty, abuse, and health challenges. Bӧhme reflects on her upbringing, cleaning buildings with her family until midnight after immigrating to Utah. Bonner and her family faced displacement after moving west with only a hundred dollars, while Jackson-Stowell endured abusive situations across California before finding stability. Meanwhile, Owens tapped into her family’s savings to nourish children in New Zealand.
The film’s director, Daylen Pollard, expressed how the project has profoundly influenced him, declaring, “This film has changed my life. This isn’t a rebuttal to Hulu, reality TV, or other portrayals of Latter-day Saint women. It’s a movement to honor, empower, and properly represent the millions of disciples whose lives are defined by following Jesus Christ.” His commitment was sparked by local youth expressing embarrassment over their faith’s portrayal, motivating him and his wife, Kristiana, to create meaningful films.
Pollard emphasized that the focus of Women in Christ is not to shy away from the imperfections within the community but to highlight how faith can empower women through various life challenges. Unlike typical narratives surrounding the Latter-day Saints that often center on doubt and political issues, this documentary seeks to explore universal struggles like family conflicts, health challenges, and the search for purpose.
The stories featured in the film illustrate how overcoming adversity through faith can lead to healing. For example, Kimberly Dowdell initially struggled with despair upon learning of her son’s Down syndrome and severe health issues. However, inspired by other families, she sought to transform her grief into inspiration, allowing her son, Jack, to impact others positively through her social media outreach.
Agnew resonates with this message of transformation, as her faith shift has enabled her to assist others in their struggles, claiming, “I’m not proud of my past, but I’m no longer ashamed. My experiences have allowed me to become the awesome woman of Christ that I am today.” She is actively engaged in Bonner’s choir, featured in the closing segment of the documentary.
Bonner’s personal narrative offers a relatable perspective for those outside the Latter-day Saint faith. Her spiritual journey began in childhood, and her experience as a Baptist missionary in Africa laid the groundwork for her involvement in founding the Unity Gospel Choir, promoting traditional gospel music within the context of her church.
However, Women in Christ may face challenges in connecting with a general audience due to its focus on Latter-day Saint culture. While the filmmakers attempt to broaden the film’s appeal, the specificity of terms like “wards” and “bishops” might alienate viewers unfamiliar with these references.
Pollard has plans for a sequel but acknowledges financial constraints as an obstacle. This next film is intended to feature Ganel-Lyn Condie, a mental health advocate with a poignant story involving the loss of her sister to suicide and her own struggles with lupus. Condie’s experiences may resonate strongly with audiences seeking narratives on overcoming health adversities.
For those interested in Women in Christ, updates about streaming options and more information can be found at womeninchrist.com.
