Category: TV Author : Duncan Riley Posted: March 10, 2009
Tags : endowment ceremony, endowment ceremony mormon, hbo, lds endowment ceremony, mormon endowment, mormon endowment ceremony, mormon temple rituals, mormons
Mormon church leaders are unhappy with HBO over plans to show a “Mormon endowment ceremony” in the drama Big Love Sunday.
Mormon church leaders said that the episode showed a clear indication of HBO’s insensitivity toward the church’s sacred practices. Members who are privy to such rituals take vows that the details of their activities outside the temple shall not be shared.
“Certainly church members are offended when their most sacred practices are misrepresented or presented without context or understanding,” a church statement said.
HBO said it did not intend to be disrespectful of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and apologized.
“Obviously, it was not our intention to do anything disrespectful to the church, but to those who may be offended, we offer our sincere apology,” a statement from HBO said, however the network would not be pulling the episode.
Mormon endowment ceremonies are held in Mormon temples for baptisms of the living and the dead. Mormon Apostle Bruce McConkie explained the endowment ceremony as “certain special, spiritual blessings given worthy and faithful saints in the temples…because in and through them the recipients are endowed with power from on high” (Mormon Doctrine, pg. 226-227).
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Mar 10, 2009
Key sentence: *Members* who are privy to such rituals take vows that the details of their activities outside the temple shall not be shared.
Non-members are under no such constraint. Since none of us have actually seen the episode in question, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and speculate that the depiction is probably going to be very respectful.
Mormons need to figure out that the rest of the country is not required to live by their rules. Sure, there are common principles of decency and fair play that we all share, regardless of religious affiliation. That said, is there any evidence that the producers of Big Love have crossed those lines? Or is this just another chance for the LDS to play the persecution card and convince themselves that the “world” is out to mock them? If so, the Mormon protests to that effect seem awfully premature. Couldn't they at least wait until the episode aired? For a group who claims to be so certain of their religious beliefs, there's an awful lot of insecurity on display.
Mar 11, 2009
Chino,
The LDS Church isn't asking the rest of the country to play by their rules. What they are asking is that they be treated with respect. If I know that showing a picture/painting of Mohammad offends my Muslim neighbor. Out of respect (not fear) for them, I won't display one. The same goes for Catholics, Jews, Buddhists, etc, etc…
And like paintings of Mohammad, there is no way to respectfully portray a Mormon temple ceremony. The very depiction of it outside of the temple is offensive. The producers of Big Love know this. They also know that hiring an ex-mormon as a consultant is doubling down.
No one is being forced to do anything here. The LDS Church and its members have every right to be upset. HBO also has the right to come out with a farce of an apology and air the show as is.
It's the American way.
Mar 11, 2009
Yes it is the american christian way to whine and cry . People need to harden the fuck up and realize that the world does not revolve around them.
Mar 11, 2009
There's obviously no right answer to give those affected by this controversy. There's no exploitation, no disrespect or anything of that nature…if you actually watch the show on HBO. I have a sneaking suspicion that hardly anyone who's raising issue has even ever watched the show….because if he/she did, they would know HBO treats this show with the utmost respect and they clearly draw the line behind fact and fiction.
Here's the full statement from HBO…which, obviously isn't pleasing anyone, but they have the decency to recognize the delicate nature of the subject:
“We know that the writers/producers of the series have gone to great lengths to be respectful and accurate in portraying the endowment ceremony. That ceremony is very much an important part of this year's storyline. Obviously, it was not our intention to do anything disrespectful to the church but to those who may be offended, we offer our sincere apology. It should also be noted that throughout the series' three-year run, the writer/producers have made abundantly clear the distinction between the LDS church and those extreme fringe groups who practice polygamy. “
Here's what the producers of Big Love had to say:
“In approaching the dramatization of the endowment ceremony, we knew we had a responsibility to be completely accurate and to show the ceremony in the proper context and with respect. We therefore took great pains to depict the ceremony with the dignity and reverence it is due. This approach is entirely evident in the scene portrayed in this episode and certainly reflected in Jeanne Tripplehorn's beautiful and moving performance as she faces losing the Church she loved so much. In order to assure the accuracy of the ceremony, it was thoroughly vetted by an adviser who is familiar with temple practices and rituals. This consultant was actually on the set throughout the filming of the scenes to make sure every detail was correct.”
Mar 11, 2009
There is a very simple solution to this. If it offends you, don't watch it. This very entertaining program does not claim to be a documentary, though I believe it is pretty accurate as to the depiction of the Mormon faith and the Fundamentalist Mormon Faith.
Mar 11, 2009
They don't like what HBO is doing and they're saying so. What do you expect them to do, sit down, shut up, and ask for another? You sure seem to know how to be the proper bitch.
Go back to making comments on YouTube.
Mar 11, 2009
See there's your problem Myrtle, it isn't an accurate depiction of the Mormon faith.
I have watched it, hell it's been the only thing on HBO worth watching the past couple years, and up until now I've enjoyed it despite the fact that it is nothing like the 25 or so years I spent living in Utah.
Like you suggest, I won't watch it, but I am curious to know if you are as dismissive when other groups are speak out against how they are portrayed in the media? The Catholics and Jews have entire organizations dedicated to calling stuff like this out.
Mar 12, 2009
Since faithful Mormons promise not to disclose details about the temple ceremonies, HBO's presentation could only be based on information from those who have broken this promise. By definition, these sources are undoubtedly untrustworthy and unethical. This alone should make them suspect.
Those of us who are temple going Mormons will neither supply, nor correct, the information HBO presents. HBO MUST rely on ex-Mormons, apostates and the disgruntled for its information — these are not reliable information sources in my opinion.
There is no way anyone who practices polygamy would be temple worthy or even allowed to retain membership in the L.D.S. (Mormon) Church.
The “authority” to marry a man to one wife is not the same as the “authority” to marry a man to more than one wife. No Mormon since the 1890 change has had the authority to marry any man to more than one woman. So, in the Mormon view, none of these so-called polygamist marriages are valid, religiously or legally. None of these “polygamists” are Mormons.
Membership in the L.D.S. Church is not a vague identification or feeling of alliance; it is an actual membership record. You either have a membership record or you do not. You either are a Mormon or you are not. There is no gray area. If you try to practice polygamy your membership is canceled and you are kicked out of the Church (excommunicated).
Polygamists are not Mormons period. Since their marriages are neither valid nor legal, real Mormons consider the polygamist lifestyle not only illegal but immoral as well. No one doing something illegal and immoral would be allowed inside a temple or allowed to retain Mormon membership.
The whole “Big Love” story line is completely implausible.
Mar 14, 2009
I am not a member of the LDS Church. However, many of the people that I love are LDS. I respect their faith and have never sought to expose it to others. I would like to say that I feel genuinely upset for those members of the LDS Church that feel their religion has been attacked. I wish the LDS community the strength to forgive your offenders, and the grace to move forward with humility.
However, I am struggling with one aspect of this whole issue: how did the LDS Church NOT see this coming? Let me clarify. I do NOT believe the LDS Church deserved to be openly targeted. I'm not saying the LDS Church or its individual members shouldn't be hurt or offended. By all means, please feel free to utilize all the emotions you deem appropriate for this occasion…save one: shock.
The LDS community has intentionally made a point to set itself apart, and it's done so with the best of intentions. However, out-groups, like the LDS Church, get attacked. It's easy for people to be distrusting of out-groups, especially ones with secret…ur…uh…”sacred” ceremonies. It's understandable to question why anybody would be disrespectful of others. However, the reasoning behind the behavior of others, in this case, should be clear. The LDS Church made itself into a huge target. Again, I do not condone the actions of the writers and producers of “Big Love,” or the outpouring of cruel and un-empathetic responses from the general public. I am simply suggesting this is human nature and to take this in stride.
In addition to this point I would like to remind some of the more self-righteous members of the LDS community of a specific biblical verse (as per the King James Version of the Bible). “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Matthew 7:3. Are all the members of the LDS community really innocent bystanders being attacked, or is there the possibility of provocation because of the self-righteous behavior of a few of the members? Should the members of the LDS Church really be so offended by the disrespectful actions of others, or should they be considering their own acts of disrespect? Even if this degradation of the church is unprovoked, it is wrong to judge the actions of others without a good long look in the mirror.
Again, I do not mean to minimize the pain this has brought onto the members of the LDS Church. I am simply suggesting that they use this experience as a tool for self-examination. To the LDS community: perhaps you will pay more attention the next time you or fellow member of the church acts in a disrespectful manner toward the beliefs of others. Perhaps you will remember how being the target of an attack on your beliefs, be they religious, political or moral beliefs, is a painful experience. Perhaps you will remember that when Jesus died on the cross, he did so loving his persecutors, and in doing so set a fine example for the world. Lead by example and maybe others will see your religion for what it is meant to be, instead of using the beliefs you hold most dear for entertainment purposes.