LDS Church's Response to Big Love
Tuesday March 14, 2006
Unfortunately there is a new television show on HBO called Big Love which is set in Salt Lake City and is about a man who practices polygamy. The LDS Church's Response from the Newsroom had three main points regarding the show and here are some quotes from the news release:
Learn more about polygamy and the LDS Church's Official Statement regarding this topic.
- Concern for abuse victims
"The Church has long been concerned about the illegal practice of polygamy in some communities, and in particular about persistent reports of emotional and physical child and wife abuse emanating from them."
- Confusion over the continued practice of polygamy
"The central characters of Big Love are not "Mormons," or, more properly termed, Latter-day Saints. HBO has said the script makes it clear that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don’t practice polygamy. Still, placing the series in Salt Lake City, the international headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is enough to blur the line between the modern Church and the program’s subject matter and to reinforce old and long-outdated stereotypes."
- Concern over the moral standards of television entertainment
"Big Love, like so much other television programming, is essentially lazy and indulgent entertainment that does nothing for our society and will never nourish great minds."
Learn more about polygamy and the LDS Church's Official Statement regarding this topic.
Rachel Woods:
“I of course agree with the LDS Church’s statement regarding this T.V. show and encourage all to read their entire response and not support or view this program.”
What would you rather people watch? American Idol?
Come on. Joseph Smith was a Polygamist as was Brigham Young; you know that.
The LDS Church:
“The Church has long been concerned about the illegal practice of polygamy in some communities, and in particular about persistent reports of emotional and physical child and wife abuse emanating from them.”
The Church only gave up polygamy in order to gain statehood; where was the concern for the “emotional and physical child and wife abuse” prior to 1890 or whenever it was “the Saints” sold their souls to Uncle Sam? Those who watch the show know that it addresses this concern.
As for the confusing Juniper Creek with the “official” LDS Church, only a dolt would be confused.
Michael Russell..you took the words right out of my mouth!
Its an amazing show, well written and funny. I’ve lived in SLC (and attended an LDS church for a while) and the show is pretty realistic when its not out for a cheep laugh – I’d say it will do more good than harm for the church’s image. In Big Love AND real life there are some Mormons who are sheltered and uptight – and some who are “active” but can enjoy the show anyhow. Good on them!
I agree. The line between FLDS and LDS is clearly made in the HBO series as in real life.
I have some LDS friends and found the representation of Mormons to be creepily right on. In my humble opinion, Mormons’ quest for perfection and innocence is emotionally detrimental.
I thought that Big Love was an interesting and thought provoking series which made me think about the purpose of marriage and ideals in society.
I think polygamy was a practical function 200 years ago when husbands and wives didn’t have to love one another. It prob. would have been a relief to think to didn’t have to sleep with a stranger every night. But today, the practice does not work and results is neglect for women and children.
Joseph Smith was NOT a polygamist.
And yes, the characters act very much like Mormons typically do, but the main point that is trying to be made is that Mormons are NOT polygamists- only the FLDS are- and any mormon who practices polygamy is excommunicated. It is insulting for people to stereotype mormons as polygamists.
If you want to make a tv show about polygamy- fine! It’s interesting and new- go for it- but DON’T tell lies about a group of people. Leave the mormons out of it!
Leanna,
Joseph Smith did indeed practice polygamy. This fact is a matter of historical record.
The new season started this week!!! What a great show.
“Big Love” does indeed draw a clear line between the religious practices of the protagonists (none of whom is valorized as a hero or unambiguously drawn) and the majority LDS society. It’s a nuanced and really good show, and there’s not much in it that an orthodox Mormon could complain about — any more than the average Italian American has much to complain about in “The Sopranos”.
To my mind, the portrayal of orthodox Mormonism is pretty sympathetic. There are bigoted, close-minded, and flawed characters, but there is also a great deal of truth in the characterizations. If anything, I think the show makes the religion’s background, beliefs, and nomenclature more accessible to the general public.
With or without the HBO program, the world will have its opinions of the LDS church. I personally tend to find Mormon doctrine utterly ludicrous and slightly creepy, but this is (a) a holdover from my religious upbringing, (b) a result of my unfortunately extensive historical education, and (c) my generally skeptical nature, certainly not because of “Big Love.”
When the Marriott stps showing porn movies in the Hotel rooms…then Mormons have room to complain about BIG LOVE
Hey, I grew up in the shadow of the SL temple, my very large family are all engaged in the “work”, and I can say,without exception, Big Love is dead-on in it’s portrayal of Mormons and the ‘others’. That is what makes the show so fascinating – it’s real! I went to school with kids from polygamous families. Their angstis real and portrayed well in the HBO show.
By the way, J Smith, in his own writing proclaims that a polygamous marriage is the highest exalted order. It’s there in black and white, my friends. The ONLY reason why they stopped is because the government made them stop. Excuse me, I meant that God told them to stop when the government was going to stop it for them.
You’ll also find, in church writings, that the state of this exalted marriage will again resume. So don’t buy the crap hard-core Mormons tell you. It’s a fundamental cornerstone in their religion. Don’t take my word for it – read JS’s writings.
True-to-life-escapee,
Nancy
In regards to the previous comments on Mormonism and poligamy, here is something to think about. True, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did practice polygamy for a time, however, there is more to it than meets the casual glancer’s eye. First of all, Joseph Smith never wanted to practice polygamy; he loved his wife Emma, and although he was commanded to take in others into his home, he never had a real relationship with anyone but Emma.
One of the reasons for the practice of polygamy, was to take care of those widows whose husbands had been killed during the early persecution.
As for the breaking away from polygamy, the church stopped practicing polygamy a while before Utah wanted to become a state, however, there were some that were (without the permission of the presidency) still practicing polygamic marriages. At this point, the church issued one of its infrequent declarations, which basically explained that the plural marriages going on were not in league with the LDS church, and that any that were practiced at that time, were done so wrongly. In that declaration, President Wilford Woodruff also stated that “as laws have been enacted by Congress forbidding plural marriages…I hereby declare my intention to submit to those laws.” He also stated that “There is nothing in my teachings to the Church…during the time specified, which can be reasonable construed to inculcate or encourage polygamy.”
So, to wrap things up, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, do not believe in polygamy; the church practiced it for a time, under the commandment of the Lord, and ended such practices in the church. Today, the Church denounces polygamy, and if you talk to any knowledgable, active member of the church, they will confirm this, and answer any other questions you might have, or lead you to someone who can.
-Aubri
Sources:
-Official Declaration 1 (LDS church, Doctrine & Covenants, page 291).
-http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/glossary/glossary-definition/polygamy
For more information, visit: http://www.mormon.org homepage, to ask live questions, etc.
Aubri-
Your sources come from mormon.org of COURSE they say these things. You should try finding a NON-BIASED source. It will help you understand more clearly.
I agree with many others who have commented previously that “Big Love” actually makes a very clear distinction between polygamist apostates and faithful LDS members, and neither portrays the former in a positive way nor the latter in a negative way simply based on their beliefs. In fact, I’m non-LDS and I have found that two of the most likable characters, from my perspective, are what many people would refer to as “true blue Mormons.” I believe that I’ve gained a better and more sympathetic understanding of the LDS people through watching this show, plus it’s motivated me to read LDS literature to increase my understanding.
Sorry Bob, I must diasagree, I’m a former newspaper reporter,and anyone in that line of work will tell you…GO to the source. Do you really want to learn heart surgery from a plumber? Non-biased doesn’t exist, everyone has an opinion and a belly button, but if you want to know what a catholic believes, ask the pope… of ALL people he should know. Want to know what mormons believe? Go to lds.org, it is the official site for the LDS church. I have been there and found it to be is the best source of accurrate and current information on Mormon beliefs, on the internet.
I LOVE .. Big Love I think it is one of the Best -besides DEADWOOD- series that HBO has done. I love the characters and the stories each week.. I really don’t care about what the members of the LDS church really think about it… Turn the channel and don’t watch it!!! that is why we have remote controls on the TV… I don’t like to watch programs like Wrestling … so I don’t watch it. Get a life Morman people this is life…… I can’t wait to see the episode you are all talking about…… This is what happens when you belong to a group .. you can’t have your own opinion! Thank you
If you are going to protest this here is what all you will need to protesting against!!!This is a list of everything that Time Warner owns besides HBO!!
Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) is the world’s third largest media and entertainment conglomerates by market capitalization (behind News Corporation and The Walt Disney Company), headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. (TimeWarner.com Fact Sheet Page) Formerly three separate companies (and owns the assets of a fourth, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., acquired by a pre-AOL merger TW in 1996): Warner Communications, Inc. and Time Inc. before the Time-Warner merger in 1990 and America Online, Inc. before its purchase of Time Warner in 2001 has created the current Time Warner , with major operations in film, television, publishing, Internet service and telecommunications. Among its subsidiaries are AOL, New Line Cinema, Time Inc., Time Warner Cable, HBO, Turner Broadcasting System, The CW Television Network, TheWB.com, UBU Productions, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Kids’ WB, The CW4Kids, Cartoon Network, CNN, DC Comics, and Mohawk Productions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Warner
religious freaks,your all going to hell
Bill Hendrickson, the fact that you say “hell” hints that you may be a so called religious freak. Many religions believe in hell. Are you a religious freak to?
Bob, the LDS church knows their own history and what they stand for, so it is probably wise to get it from them. Believe what you want! How could you trust any source or fully believe it anyways. It’s all up to the individual and what they want to believe in, whether it’s the bible, any religion, any aspect of life, etc. Everything is questionable, yes everything! I hope you can see that, even with the beliefs that we all have and seem to need. We have beliefs, but come on, do you really “know” anything or does anybody really know anything for that matter? Just think about it!
May you all be blessed no matter what your beliefs are in anything. Has anybody here been to space? Why do you believe in it if you do? It’s in books, and it’s on TV. I believe it’s their, but it does take faith. It can definitely be questioned? Do any of you believe we landed on the moon? Don’t many people believe that to be a fact? How many facts are questionable? The answer is “ALL FACTS” because everything is just a Belief in your mind.
I’m sorry Rachel doesn’t engage with the posters. I’m inactive LDS. I have great respect for most of the Church’s members; I have no respect for the Church’s leadership. Big Love, though flawed, is a great show. Talk to us Rachel!
Sorry Craig, I must disagree. If I want to know what a Catholic believes, and I ask a Catholic, the answer I receive will depend on which Catholic I ask. Nancy Pelosi and the Pope will probably give me different answers. Your logic is confused.
In a recent episode of “Big Love”, Bill stated that Joseph Smith had 32 wives. I don’t know if that’s an accurate number, but what I do know is that Joseph Smith took women (who were already married to living, breathing, available men) out into the woods for a secret wedding ceremony. This was done for the sole purpose of having sex with these women. When I questioned a church official as to the morality of such acts, he replied that not that many people in the church know what a sexual pervert Joseph Smith was, but that for those who do know, it doesn’t matter. Good grief!!!
As to polygamy, if the LDS church was truly against it, polygamists wouldn’t have the ability to live their lifestyle as openly as they do, which includes casting out young boys for the sake of lecherous old men. Too many LDS officials have polygamist ancestors, which leaves them sympathetic to those who continue this perverted lifestyle. The number of judges, District Attorneys, and County Sheriffs in Utah who aren’t members in good standing in the LDS church are probably few and far between. How good it would be if they would do their jobs and put these perverts behind bars. But throughout Utah everybody just looks the other way while this is going on right under their noses and the church continues to declare that they don’t approve or support it. Ha!!!
Today all I can say is “Thank you, God, for the internet, and the ability for so many to share their truths about this cult. I personally would have been spared a lot of anguish had I had access to the information prior to joining this church.”
The LDS church still believes in polygamy in Heaven. Why deny having nothing to do with polygamy? It is Mormonism!
SEE…http://www.utlm.org/onlineresources/ldsleadersbelievepolygamyinheaven.htm
The official LDS Church Handbook of Instruction says:
Living Women — A living woman may be sealed to only one husband. . . .
Living Men — If a husband and wife have been sealed and the wife dies, the man may have another woman sealed to him if she is not already sealed. (Church Handbook of Instruction, p.72)
EVEN (some) Mormon men of today believe thEy will have more they one wife. Look it up.
Dallin Oaks, and Harold B. Lee, Howard W. Hunter, Russell M. Nelson, all think they will have more than one wife wife in HEAVEN!
Come on now.
This is Mormonism …. D and C 132?
“Much to do about nothing”
-Shakespeare
Is this the only that Time Warner can boost its ratings by bashing a religion? The writers of the shows have a personal vandetta against the Church and obviously do not have any respect for the LDS religion. They promised they would not portray the Church in a negative manner but I guess this is their 15 minutes of fame. Ho Hum. I doubt that the writers have spent much time researaching the doctrines of the Church nor reading the Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants. Cheap thrills but no substance to their script. Ignorance is bliss.
Only the uneducated would not know about the differences they are trying to portray in the show. I think the show does more of a service to the Mormon religion then a disservice. It shows that these people are a very loving and caring people and they value family.
This show clearly draws a distinction between the wacked out FLDS culture and more modern Mormonism. The polygamy aspect may no longer be acceptable in the mainstream Mormon church, but I have an idea that it still exists even in some LDS families.