HBO vs. LDS: The Mormons strike back
 
Variety - Los Angeles, CA
 
Dear Daily Variety and Daily Variety Readers:

As a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormon") I am certainly not surprised that HBO is moving forward with its plans to air a segment of "Big Love" that purports to show scenes from what is arguably one of the most sacred portions of the LDS religion -- the temple endowment ceremony.

Then again, I am disappointed in HBO as I would have hoped that HBO and its parent company, Time-Warner, would have been more respectful of the faith and a people who have experienced significant persecution during its 175-year history. Obviously, those were false hopes.

More importantly, it appears that in spite of communications to the LDS Church to the contrary, HBO and the producers and writers of "Big Love" seem intent on blurring the line between the LDS/Mormon Church and the failed and illegal practices of a few polygamists.

As a practicing polygamist, Jeanne Tripplehorn's character, Barb, would not be allowed into a dedicated Mormon temple where sacred rites are performed and religious instructions are given. She would not pass muster in the two worthiness interviews required with two local leaders of her local & regional congregations before she could receive a "letter of recommendation" to provide her with access inside a temple.

In truth, anyone (Polygamist, Christian, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Jew, Gentile, Wiccan, Atheist, or whatever) can enter any Mormon meeting house around the world and attend any of our regularly scheduled meetings, and they can do so without being baptized and becoming converted to the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

That said, entrance into any LDS temple first requires baptism into the LDS Church and continued adherance to minimal standards for at least a year after baptism before one is eligible to seek a Temple Recommend.

Some of these Temple Recommend standards include
  • no smoking;
  • no drinking of alcohol, coffee or tea;
  • no use of illegal drugs;
  • no misuse of prescription drugs or medications;
  • no sexual activities outside of (or before) a legal and lawful marriage relationship;
  • paying of tithing (10 percent of annual income);
  • regular attendance at Church meetings;
  • volunteer service within the Church;
  • acceptance of the current President of the LDS Church as Prophet, Seer and Revelator;
  • belief in God the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Redeemer of the world, and the Holy Ghost as the 3rd member of the Godhead (and each of these beings as separate and distinct individuals);

    and (though perhaps last in this list, but not least for this commentary)
  • agreement to follow and obey the laws of the land where you live.
Last I checked it is illegal to be in a polygamous relationship in the U.S. It is also grounds for removal from the Mormon Church if a Latter-day Saint is found to be practicing polygamy and will not give it up. Practicing polygamy will also prevent one from being able to A) be baptized into the LDS Church and B) from receiving a Temple Recommend allowing one to enter an LDS Temple.

I am ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT that the "Big Love" writers and producers know these facts. I am ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT that the management of HBO and Time-Warner know these facts.

Unfortunately, I am also ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENT that the segment of "Big Love" scheduled to premiere this weekend will air as scheduled.

By doing so, the HBO and all affiliated with "Big Love" will do all Latter-Day Saints and the public at large a huge disservice by blatantly depicting not only something that is held as being supremely sacred by Mormons around the world, but also by depicting and promulgating a lie that a practicing polygamist (like the character "Barb") would ever be allowed into an LDS Temple. Then again, I have a hard time believing that any practicing polygamist would even want to go through a Mormon Temple ceremony; but hey, who am I to judge?

At the end of the day, I agree with the premise that HBO has the constitutional right to produce and air "Big Love" as well as this forthcoming segment.

I also have the right to NOT watch "Big Love" and to point out the the world and to HBO what I believe to be HBO's patently misleading, hurtful, salacious and disrespectful approach to all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sincerely,
David Politis
 
weblogs.variety.com
Originally published March 12, 2009
 
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