
            A year after they have last seen each other, former Mormon mission companions RJ and Chris still have not worked out their relationship. RJ has moved to Portland, and Chris is still in Salt Lake City. He has obtained a divorce, has custody of his daughter, and is applying to law school. Chris flies up to Portland to see RJ, and at first their interaction is awkward and restrained. Back at RJ's house, they reconnect sexually and emotionally. Chris meets RJ's friends from Affirmation, a support group for gay Mormons. Chris indulges in alcohol, forbidden by their religion, and the two discuss their relationship in hypothetical terms without resolving anything. Although Chris flaunts the Mormon rules, he would like RJ to attend church with him, but RJ refuses.The next morning, Chris has a hangover. As RJ prepares breakfast, a news flash about the Mormon church comes over the Internet. The church announces a new policy that children of same sex marriages cannot be baptized. RJ becomes distraught over the news, as he has held out hopes for marrying Chris, which is now legal in every state. RJ angrily says he is done with the church. Chris, on the other hand, still considers himself a faithful Mormon. His father, Noah Merrill, is an important member of the church leadership, casting a long shadow on his son.Later that day, out on a hike, they attempt to discuss the issue again, and they begin arguing. RJ has a panic attack, and Chris comforts and supports him through it.Chris soon returns home with nothing resolved between the two. A few days later, RJ receives an email from his father, Tom, informing him that Chris's mother has died. RJ contacts Chris, who asks him to come to the funeral. RJ flies to Salt lake, joining his father at the service. RJ feels very uncomfortable, knowing that Chris's family does not accept him, even hates him, because of his sexuality. Upon seeing Chris's father, RJ has another panic attack, and Chris once again lovingly supports him through it, while Noah Merrill looks on.Noah Merrill requests a meeting that evening with RJ and his father, Tom. They have a dinner where Noah announces his disdain for same sex relationships. Chris's brother is also there, and quite hostile. Although Tom Smith has had a difficult time himself accepting RJ's sexuality, he defends his son.After the funeral, RJ returns to Portland. His relationship with Chris is still on hold due to the policies of the Mormon church. Meanwhile, Noah Merrill is doing some serious thinking. He has just lost his wife, and he has a new perspective of priorities. He saw his son comfort RJ through a panic attack, and he understands now that the love between the two men is the same love he and his wife shared. Reports on the news about hate crimes against gays deeply affect him. He decides to approach church leadership with his new perspective.RJ is back in Portland, not knowing what will happen with Chris. A night of dancing with his friend Ryan from Affirmation almost turns into sex, until RJ tells him no, they shouldn't ruin their friendship. Ryan is very tearful, telling RJ that he too hopes to find love, and that he wants a temple wedding. RJ encourages him to call his former missionary companion, Elder Peterson, with whom he had fallen in love and not spoken to since they were sent home in disgrace. Ryan calls Elder Peterson, and the two reconnect, expressing their love for each other.In Salt Lake, Chris is struggling to cope with the death of his mother. One day, he is teaching his 5 year old daughter, Kaylee, about heaven, where they will someday be reunited with grandma, and all the rest of the family. Kaylee asks if RJ will be there also, and he reassures her, yes, RJ will be there. Chris suddenly realizes that a little child comprehends and accepts the love he has been struggling with for so long. The realization sparks a self-acceptance.Noah Merrill confronts church authorities, advocating for the many faithful gay people in the church. They tell him they will not change their stance. In spite of this, Noah calls Chris to let him know that he has his blessing for a relationship with RJ.Chris returns to Portland where he has a joyous reunion with RJ. The two make passionate love. Chris has been admitted into law school in Utah, his father has accepted his sexuality, and there is much to celebrate. As Chris is preparing to return home, RJ tearfully asks him how things will be different now. The lovers are in 2 cities, hundreds of miles apart. Chris reassures him there will be vacations from school where they will see each other from time to time. RJ tells him that he is no longer interested in a halfway long distance relationship, it is too painful.Chris replies that he recently called RJ's father for permission to marry him. On one knee, he proposes, and RJ tearfully says yes.RJ Smith and Chris Merrill married for time and eternity in December 2016. Their families were there, and celebrated the joyous occasion with them. Soon thereafter, RJ moved to Salt lake City, where he found a job as an adjunct professor. As the film closes, Chris tells him that everything they went through was worth it, and he was right.
    

The Falls: Covenant of Grace


            RJ Smith is a young Mormon man who has grown up in a small town in Idaho, with the expectation of doing a 2 year church mission after high school. He is a devoted and faithful church member, as is his entire family. He has excelled in sports, especially wrestling, and has had a girlfriend for 3 years. The church forbids sexual relations outside of marriage, so he and his girlfriend have done nothing beyond a little kissing and touching. One day he accidentally witnesses sexual activity between men at a park, and discovers the true nature of his sexuality. Unfortunately, his church teaches that same sex attraction is a sin, dooming a gay person to outer darkness, and RJ sweeps the incident under the rug.RJ soon leaves for his missionary training in Utah. He is a naive and somewhat awkward young man. After completing his training, he is paired with a more experienced missionary companion, Chris Merrill. Chris's father is a church leader, highly placed in the hierarchy. They are assigned near Portland Oregon, and share a small apartment. Chris explains the strict missionary rules and schedule to RJ, but he seems friendly and supportive.Together with Chris, RJ embarks on sharing the LDS gospel with anyone who will listen. The encounters are often difficult, and the missionaries struggle to find converts. The church pressures them to provide weekly reports of their activities. They go to busy areas, and attempt to hand out Mormon scriptures. They travel through the city on bicycles, knocking on doors. A great deal of rejection is involved.One day, they knock on the door of a Marine veteran with PTSD, Rodney. Rodney enlisted in the service with his brother, and witnessed him being blown apart by a land mine. Although he is not very interested in religion, they convince him to accept a Book of Mormon.They are then invited for dinner to the home of a man who is supposedly investigating the church. After eating, they attempt to share the LDS gospel with him, but he ambushes them with his knowledge of controversial church history. He accuses their prophet of being a pedophile. Chris becomes angry, and the pair return home.After that incident, Chris loses interest in the mission. He no longer enforces the strict rules, and seems to be going through the motions.One evening soon after, while having dinner in a restaurant, RJ expresses concern that Chris is losing his desire to do missionary work. A drunken redneck with a grudge against the church sees their interaction, and accuses them of being homosexuals. Walking home, there is a confrontation, and RJ physically defends himself and his companion. Back at the apartment, the two joke about the incident, while Chris applies ice to RJ's bruised hand.That night, RJ looks at his sleeping companion with tenderness and love, but he is bound by his church's negative stance on homosexuality. To do otherwise is to risk losing everything.A few days later, the pair are walking home together in a remote area near railroad tracks, and Chris begins to ask RJ searching questions about doubt, confusion and temptation. RJ attempts several times to brush it off, but Chris approaches him for a passionate kiss. The two consummate their relationship in a grove of trees.At that point, the companions realize they are in love, and explore each other sexually. They greatly reduce their missionary work, but continue to meet with the Marine veteran, a lonely man who needs emotional support. Rodney introduces them to marijuana, and inspires them with his story of taking a 3 month road trip with his brother before his death.Before long, their missionary zone leader notices their lack of commitment and he becomes suspicious. Eventually he walks into their unlocked apartment, discovering them in bed together.RJ is quickly sent home in disgrace, a missionary who did not finish his mission. He faces his father, his former girlfriend, and church leaders, all of whom are angry with him for being gay. While he is not quite ready to give up the church, he is brave and defiant about his sexuality. He meets with the church leader, and tells him he is not sorry about what happened. He is determined to live honestly.Due to the influence of his father, Chris is able to finish his mission, and remains in contact with RJ by the US mail.As the film ends, a hopeful RJ is planning a 3 month road trip with Chris throughout the West.
    

The Falls


            Five years after their mission and subsequent road trip, Mormon missionaries RJ Smith and Chris Merrill who fell in love have had no further contact. Chris was forced into reparative therapy by his father, Noah, after returning home. He then married a woman, and had a daughter. He lives in Salt Lake City, and is a pharmaceutical rep. He is living an honorable life by LDS standards, and believes that repressing his true sexuality is necessary in order to have an eternal family in heaven.RJ has finished college, and is working in Seattle as a magazine editor. He is out of the closet, and has a long time significant other, Paul. He can not forget his faith, and he still prays and wears the sacred undergarments. But he drinks alcohol, and coffee, both forbidden, and does not attend church. Although he is now dating another man, he has published a book about his relationship with Chris, and clearly hasn't forgotten him. However, he has no idea that Chris has married a woman and has a child.One day at work, he receives a call from Gloria, Rodney's mother. Rodney is the veteran he met while serving his mission, and RJ has maintained contact with him. Rodney's mother informs RJ that he has passed away. RJ then makes plan to attend the funeral.Meanwhile, Chris has also decided to attend the service. They see each other at the graveside, but Chris makes no eye contact, and attempts to walk away without speaking to RJ. RJ pushes the issue, insisting they meet for closure. Chris reluctantly agrees.The meeting is awkward, with Chris appearing distinctly uncomfortable. He tells RJ that he is a practicing Mormon, with a family. RJ lets Chris know that he is dating Paul, and the two cannot resolve their differences. RJ is frustrated, returning home to Seattle, where a loving Paul is waiting for him with a home cooked dinner.Both RJ and Chris now have a lot on their minds. Old memories and passions have been stirred up. Although Paul recently met RJ's parents for the first time, soon RJ gently tells him that he cannot give him what he needs, terminating their relationship.At Chris's house in Salt Lake, his wife Emily is pleased with her success with a cosmetic company. She wants to make love that night, but after seeing RJ, Chris is suddenly unable to function with her. He creeps off into a bathroom in their large home, masturbating, while he looks at himself in the mirror with loathing.On impulse, RJ decides to return to Salt Lake to confront Chris about marrying a woman. He tells his boss he is writing a magazine article about the city. He still seeks closure as to why Chris cut him off all those years ago. When he shows up at Chris's front door, it is not a welcome surprise. Emily has no idea about Chris's past, and thinks RJ is just an old friend. She invites him in for dinner, and insists he spend the night.Chris slips a note under RJ's door that night, and they arrange to meet in a park the next day. They attempt to hash things out, but the conversation is strained. Chris seems to feel trapped, but unable to admit it to himself.At last the two meet in RJ's hotel room. Chris tells RJ the story of his reparative therapy. He is apologetic. RJ has the closure he sought, but it is not the answer he was hoping for. They hug as old friends, and say goodbye.The next evening, Chris and Emily have a Mormon couple over for dinner. After eating, the man, Aaron, asks the 2 women to go get ice cream so that he can discuss church matters with Chris. He reads a Bible passage about the love of Jesus, and he tells Chris that he knows what happened 5 years ago on the mission. He also struggles with same sex attraction, and he thinks they can help each other. Chris is furious and tells him to get out. The two women return, and while it is clear that there has been an argument, the men do not discuss it.The following night, Emily attends a ceremony with her company to celebrate her sales productivity. Late at night, on her way home, she drives past RJ's hotel, and sees Chris's car in the parking lot. The two men have finally given into their passion that evening. She pulls into the parking lot and sees them kissing intensely, as Chris is leaving.Emily angrily confronts Chris, and he calls a family meeting, asking RJ to attend. Only his father, a highly placed Mormon church leader, had previously known about Chris's sexuality. Chris tells everyone that he is gay, and that RJ is the one he truly loves. His father is disgusted, and his mother is incredulous. Chris's brother is livid, accusing RJ of leading Chris astray. He jumps up as if to deliver a physical blow, but his father tells him to sit down. Emily accuses RJ of being a home wrecker, and screams at him, tells him she hates him, ordering him to get out.RJ goes back to his hotel room, where he experiences a crisis of faith. He can't accept that he and Chris cannot be together because of their religion. He cries, prays, and trashes the hotel room. Finally, he cuts out the sacred symbols of his undergarments and throws the remainder in the trash. He is done with the Mormon religion, or so he thinks.Meanwhile, Noah Merrill calls Tom Smith, RJ's father. At first Tom is very deferential to Noah as a church leader, but soon they are arguing. Noah accuses Tom of allowing RJ to parade around like a pansy. Although Tom has struggled for years with accepting his son's sexuality, he defends RJ, and tells Noah that his son has undergone a long spiritual journey to accept himself.Later, when Chris and Emily attempt to discuss the issue, Emily says she refuses to be abandoned. Chris tells her that he has feelings for RJ that he could have for no woman.Chris's parents both speak with him privately. While his mother is very supportive, his father is still very angry. He demands that Chris write a letter to all their family and friends about his sin.Shortly thereafter, there is a family gathering for the Merrill's 25th wedding anniversary. Chris sings a religious song for the group, then RJ walks in and kisses him passionately in front of the horrified crowd.RJ returns to Seattle, and Chris continues to deal with the fall-out from his revelation. RJ is surprised to receive a letter from Chris, forgiving him for making a scene at the party.As the film ends, RJ's voice over lets us know that the relationship remains unresolved, but it is not over.
    

The Falls: Testament of Love


            
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