Well, by now, I am sure everyone knows what is airing Sunday night. I am not exactly sure how search engines and blogs work, but I do not want to add another hit to a search engine, so I am trying to avoid using too many words that would link my post to someone's search. If you aren't aware of what is happening, find page forty eight of the TV guide and take a look... an ex-member was hired to help 'recreate' ordinances down to the smallest detail, which is what will be aired Sunday. My mom (who is NOT computer savvy whatsoever) went to the store and looked in the TV guide, contrary to some voices on facebook, etc., this is not a hoax.
I at first was very sickened by what was happening. I'm embarassed to say that I came home from school because of how much this affected me. But, I found this article:
http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/the-publicity-dilemma
Please go and read it! It brought me instant peace. I am so grateful we are led by a prophet who is not oblivious to all that is happening in the world.
If I may make a suggestion for those who care to do something. It is clear that the church is not discouraging us from taking some sort of action, but we need to do it peacefully and quietly. The more attention we draw to the show, the higher the ratings are going to be on Sunday. However, I do believe we need to let the companies responsible know we are disappointed in their lack of respect for religious groups. They will never be able to say that they aired the show without some voice of opposition, but I think we need to address it and move on. I am thoroughly convinced that the Lord could stop this episode from airing if He deemed it needful, but if He doesn't, we just pray for the best.
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13 comments:
Thanks for that article Jen. I was wondering what was going on!
A friend of mine emailed me about it, but like you, I don't want to bring more attention to it. I emailed a few close friends and urged them to email the television company. I did earlier today. It was short and to the point, letting them know that I was disgusted and disappointed in the defiling of such a sacred thing. Thanks for the link to the article. I'm going to go read it right now. I would love to feel peace instead of the sick, nauseous feeling I have about it all right now.
I too emailed the station and was short and to the point. It would be nice if they respected peoples wishes I just don't know how likely that is.
Unfortunately money takes precedence over morals when it comes to TV. They want to create a big stir. It gets ratings. They want to offend people. That gets ratings too.
I'm afraid the only thing that we can do that would have an impact on the people who make and broadcast shows like this is to make sure we cancel their programming in our own homes and boycott their sponsors.
The church makes it clear that it is our choice. The church does not deny the economic impact thousands of members would have on the companies, but they also said:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series. As Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Council of the Twelve Apostles have both said recently, when expressing themselves in the public arena, Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness.
I especially liked the part about conducting ourselves with dignity and thoughtfulness, and the following:
"Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in his own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today."
I also sent an email to the television station this morning. I acknowledged that it is their right to air this show but that I am disappointed that they don't have more respect for millions of people's civil liberties to practice our religion in a private manner, keeping the things of the temple sacred and personal. I'm sure the episode will air and I hope that what comes of this is proof that LDS people are mature and dignified in our activism.
i must live in a deep dark hole! i hadn't heard a thing about this. thanks for letting us know.
Thanks for this Jen. I had been feeling really sick about it, but I liked your comment that if the Lord felt it would be too harmful for this to air, He wouldn't let it happen. I hadn't thought about it like that. And I also liked how this article pointed out that it's not 1830, and there's not only 6 of us anymore. The Lord's work won't be stopped!
I still dread when one of my friends or co-workers confronts me after watching this though...
I know how you feel Stephanie. The friend I'm riding to MI with is an avid watcher. It could be an interesting 10 hours :) On the other hand, it could be a great missionary opportunity, or at least a chance to really be a good example. I've already been rehearsing what I'm going to say...
Thanks for posting this. I am glad I read the article - it gives me a viewpoint if someone at work does bring it up.
Here's another good one:
Public Affairs Representatives:
>
> Many of you will see or hear about the impending broadcast of LDS Temple
> ceremonies and exploitation of our sacred temple clothes by HBO "Big Love"
> this week. TV Guide will deliver an ad showing one of the "Big Love"
> polygamist wives dressed in full temple clothes. It is already circulating
> on the internet. As has been their practice, the creators of "Big Love"
> hijack our customs and sacred symbols and misrepresent them in settings of
> their own making. Please be aware that the executives of HBO made a
> commitment to the LDS Church at the outset of "Big Love" that they would
> never desecrate our sacred rites or clothing in promotion or in their drama.
>
> Our Church leaders are fully informed and are considering whether to dignify
> the show with a response.
>
> The head writer of "Big Love" this season, is Dustin Black, the recent
> Oscar-winner for "Milk." Raised a Mormon, he is clearly versed in our
> culture.
>
> Brothers and Sisters, "Big Love" is not a ratings winner and we don't wish
> to build their ratings for them. TV Guide does not experience the
> readership it once had. Some of your friends and neighbors will see the
> images in print and see our temple ceremonies acted out in the drama.
> Perhaps the greatest position of strength for us, is to stand by our beliefs
> and teach the gospel. No, HBO does not represent accurately the sacred
> dress or beliefs or ceremonies of the LDS Church. Yes, like the Catholics,
> the Jews, the Muslims, the Buddhists and many other faiths, we do have some
> sacred ceremonial clothing for our Temples.
>
> Our Temples are places where we unite our families forever. They are places
> where we go to learn the highest principles of character, honor, and
> devotion to God. That's what we can share with our neighbors and friends,
> and that kind of answer will no doubt....satisfy their questions.
>
> Unless otherwise directed, at this sensitive time, I suggest that Public
> Affairs leaders NOT urge response to the TV Guide ad, or to the HBO
> program.....and avoid increasing the show's ratings or attention.
>
> According to industry sources, "Big Love" will end this season.
>
> Sincerely, Sonja Eddings Brown
> Media Specialist
> Southern California Public Affairs Council
Here's another good quote about temples and their purposes being revealed to non-members.
"Even though everyone may discover what goes on in the temple, and many have already revealed it, the important thing is that I do not reveal these things; they must remain sacred to me. I must preserve a zone of sanctity which cannot be violated whether or not anyone else in the room has the remotest idea what the situation really is . . . . No matter what happens, it will, then, always remain secret: only I know exactly the weight and force of the covenants I have made--I and the Lord with whom I have made them--unless I choose to reveal them. If I do not, then they are secret and sacred no matter what others may say or do. Anyone who would reveal these things has not understood them, and therefore that person has not given them away. You cannot reveal what you do not know!"
Author: Hugh Nibley, Source: The Temple and the Cosmos, p. 64
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