The LDS Publicity Dilemma, and Big Love

Here we are faced with another situation that we are to think about, and decide how we respond.  HBO will be airing their new season, and using Temple Ordinances or their depiction of them in their show.

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.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Here is what TV Guide has:

46 | TVGUIDEMAGAZINE.CO
Big Love Sunday, 9/8c, HBO
GOIN’ TO THE CHAPEL

It’s one thing for Bill and Barb Henrickson’s inner circle to know they have two other wives at home…but letting the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in on the secret? That’s a whole other story. “It’s almost a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy,” says executive producer Mark Olsen. Their under-the-radar status will change this week when Barb (Jeanne Tripplehorn) faces the consequences of breaking the rules and is called to an excommunication hearing. “We researched it out the wazoo,” says Olsen, who along with executive producer Will Scheffer hired an ex-Mormon consultant to help the set and wardrobe designers re-create even the tiniest details. “We go into the endowment room and the celestial room [areas of the temple], and we present what happens in those ceremonies. That’s never been shown on television before,” says Olsen. Adds Scheffer, “But it’s not for shock value. It’s really a very important part of the story.”

The decision won’t be without controversy: According to a church insider, “If they are in fact trying to emulate those rooms in any way, that would be extremely offensive. The general public is not allowed in our temples yet. Not even all Mormons are. We consider them very, very sacred.” Heaven help us. —Rochell D. Thomas

Here is where you can find the latest from the LDS Newsroom on this, and my favorite part:

Now comes another series of Big Love, and despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show’s fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints.

If the Church allowed critics and opponents to choose the ground on which its battles are fought, it would risk being distracted from the focus and mission it has pursued successfully for nearly 180 years. Instead, the Church itself will determine its own course as it continues to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

If you would like to write or mail HBO & Time Warner, here is the information to do so:

On Sunday March 15th, the HBO show Big Love is showing an episode containing an excommunication as well as temple ceremonies. They hired an ex-member to help re-create the ceremony, rooms, and clothing.

HBO is owned by Time Warner. Send your emails, snail mails, phone calls, to both companies to show HBO that we won’t stand for the use of things we consider sacred on their show Big Love, which is using a replica of an endowment room and celestial room to show what happens in the ceremonies there! Just keep it within Church standards please!

HBO is owned by Time Warner:
Time Warner Inc.
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY10019-8016
212.484.8000

The following is the email link:

http://www.hbo.com/apps/submitinfo/contactus/submit.do?title=GeneralInformation&questiontype=generalInformation&questiontype=general

Remember, if you do contact them, that we simply state our position in tones that are reasonable and respectful.

Tagged as: Big Love, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, M. Russell Ballard, One Time Warner Center, Robert D. Hales, Time Warner Inc.