Deseret News | It's a Mormon in the 'House'

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Scott D. Pierce: It's a Mormon in the 'House'

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Dale F. | 12:42 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

To Omby | 10:12 p.m.

It can't hurt to try. Some of us have faith, and faith works miracles!

YBU | 12:44 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

I am too busy watching the results of "Dancing with the Stars" to watch "House." I must see if Marie will still be wearing those skimpy gowns.

A IN LA | 1:11 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

I have been reading these comments and I wonder....Why DO we think it is funny to poke fun at someone's beliefs? Have we really got so little imagination that we have to find laughter at the price of others? I am not just talking about this show, but if you watch, REALLY WATCH, shows on tv it is amazing just how low we have sunk in our attempts to find humor. So many shows lately are geared to finding fault with someone's frailty or misfortune, or tearing down someone. I just don't see why that is funny. Why do you suppose apparently so many do? Will someone please explain what I am missing!

Comments continue below

LaKelly | 1:21 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

If we keep telling ourselves that we are relevant, that other people care about what we are teaching, and that we really aren't *that* weird, well, maybe we will convince ourselves of it someday.

Kristie | 2:38 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

Although I don't like the attitude House has about LDS, I do think having an African American LDS man on the show....is a good thing. We are growing, and many African American and African people are joining the faith. I hope it will put to rest the stereo type we have had about Blacks....
I know it wont, but maybe it's a start.

B in Boston | 2:55 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

To Kristie | 2:38 p.m.

It is only a stereotype of it is not true! The racist LDS doctrine about Blacks is not a stereotype; it is a matter of historical fact. And that fact is the reason so few Blacks are joining the LDS Church. There continues to be a tacit racism in the LDS Church. No, they won't express it openly, but it is obvious that the 15 or so most powerful men in the LDS Church are as white as snow!

The character on House isn't going to change anything except maybe show how "uppity" you have to be to join the Mormon Church as a person of color - only Oreos need apply!

Ronald | 3:23 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

I hope Americans do understand the difference between a TV series and a documentary. House is (like M*A*S*H and other series) fictional!

CB | 3:57 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

Does it really matter what other people think? And what difference does it make if they understand or not? None.

Bishop Jim | 4:33 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

Oh for crying out loud...its entertainment! If it offends you, don't watch! I happen to enjoy "House" as well as "Big Love" on HBO. I am not only "not offended" but I find the stories interesting, the acting good, and the "Mormon" references funny.
So if it bothers you, don't watch, otherwise laugh at it like I do and learn to accept the fact that most of the world still doesn't have a clue about our church!
Maybe Mitt Romney can change all of that? Who knows? In the meantime, if you really believe your faith, what do you care what others think?

Are You Sure? | 5:35 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

House will certainly take on some Mormon doctrines. Many Mormons think this is great because it will bring publicity (i.e., you can't kick a Mormon down, only up"). But when it comes to religion, bad publicity is exactly that - bad.

Most people don't have time to waste hearing the full story of Mormonism from the missionaries who knock on their door. They have too many other religions doing the same!

What is amazing is that Mormons seem to be so excited whenever they get a brief spot on the larger public stage, whether it be House, or football rankings, or Mitt Romney for President. Somehow they seem to think that if they are popular it validates their "truth" (i.e., "Look, we beat the BCS teams! The Church must be true!" or "We're on House; the Church is true!").

That seems to be a strange logic, and it may reveal an underpinning of ultimate doubt inherent in what Mormons call their "testimonies." If you're seeking for validation, how sure could you be about the truth of your beliefs? Mormons' constant hunger for validation suggests something uncertain hidden underneath.

I'm just saying...

Add to Thomas | 5:56 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

If we take the 13 million LDS divided by 6 BILLION in the world we get .0023%. NOW take the ACTUAL number (est) of active LDS of 4 million and divide that by 6 billion you can more closely get the REAL impact of the LDS on the world in numbers. (.00067 or 1 Mormon for every 1500 people on earth).

In the USA we have about 5 million LDS. Of those, about 35% are active (those that claim membership from a recent religious survey, corroborated by LDSs' own attendance stats). 35% of 5 million is 1, 750,000 active LDS in USA. 1.75 mil. divided by 300 mil. Americans and you get .012%--about equal to Muslim growth, AND Muslims did it in 50 years, not 175.

I think "Mr. Fourth Largest" needs to get HIS head out and check the stats.

Fallible | 9:39 p.m. Oct. 31, 2007

"Horny fraud" is what House called Joseph Smith and this statement ended up getting him punched by "Big Love". Many proponents of JS were undoubtedly upset by this reference to JS's practice of so-called "polygamy" or so-called "celestial marriage"; the horny part of the label. (His youngest being only 14 years old!)

Of course the second part of the statement also refers to his numerous well documented frauds, something his followers are probably even more upset by. (From his being found guilty of glass looking, the BoA, BoM, etc. etc. the list is extremely long!)

The writers could not have been more correct or succinct. They nailed it!"

David the Canuck | 9:18 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Wow! This whole comment board has run all over the place. It has nothing to do with Mitt or Christian versus not Christian, or even the LDS church.

Sister Mary: You are right on!

Brother Luke: Thanks for the stats on Father Ted.

Everyone else: Enjoy the show and take it for what it is: Entertainment. If you want some insight, read the comment from Mary, who happens to be a nun.

Jack Benny, Bob Hope, George Burns and quite a few others from the past, would have had a heyday with all this. The flavour of the day when they were around was "Jewish" puns.

Just Laugh. It's all pun!

Just bad Satire | 9:23 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Satire is best when subtle and unoffensive. Cheap shots (without explanation or research) or crude and offensive language is a sign of untalented writers that need shock ratings to be successful.

House writers use cheap "drive by shooting" style humor that appeals to the easiest audience. Like foul mouth comics and rauncy sitcoms that use lingeie clad women, it is shallow drams/humor that has no responsibility but bringing in the next viewer that week.

These types of shows have no interest in accuracy or proper portrial of their sterotype du jour they want a cheap (and I mean very cheap) laugh and then will move to the next nasty offensive tactic.

Look at the real (and ususally funny) shows that endured - they delivered well thought out satire and interesting characters that don't need to be absoultely shocking and offensive to races, religions, gender or sexual prefernce to be "funny" "interesting" (or in the House case, a "torchured soul" aka mean person with justification for bad behavior). Good shows were subtle.

Easy answer - spend your limited entertainment hours and dollars wisely and support the better stuff. The bad stuff will then go away.

z2Disciple | 10:47 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Posts being deleted on Desert News colored me shocked. No one takes this newspaper seriously other than the apologetic drivel it is.

Fanu | 10:51 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Get a life it's just a TV program. There are more programs out there that make Mormons look worse. Try Big Love, Bill Mahr, South Park.

Rachel Midtovne | 10:58 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Most people would be offended when reading, "And the skins of the Lamanites were DARK, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which WAS A CURSE upon them because of their transgression...ï¿½ (Book of Mormon, page 201, Alma 3, verse 6) or ï¿½...for this people shall be scattered, and shall become a DARK, a filthy, and a loathsome people, beyond the description of that which ever hath been amongst us,...ï¿½ (Book of Mormon, page 468, Mormon 5, verse 15). House shows the LDS for what they are, not what they pretend to be.

albert | 11:13 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

It personally doesn't offend me at all.We Mormons are Saturday's warriors and used to such attacks. We knew this was going to happen in the pre-existence. When we receive our exaltation and rule over our own Kingdoms we will remember these lessons.I know this is true,support the Church. Don't worry about the little details.

Anonymous | 11:34 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

To Rachel Midtvone

The curse was not nor has it ever been dark skin. They became dark in the spiritual sense. They lost contact with God for their transgressions. They became a fallen people they became spiritually dead. There is no debating this. Have you ever heard of symbolism? Come on people they lost the light of Christ when the rebelled against God thus they became dark.

Take a high school English class you will find that black and darkness symbolizes being ignorant and or evil.

Edwin | 11:38 a.m. Nov. 1, 2007

As a Doctor and a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I can tell you that the writers of this show are no further off on their portrayal of this "Mormon" character than they are in their portrayal of the Dr. House character. Any real Dr. that was anything like him would have lost their license to practice long ago. It is T.V. and as such imherantly inaccurate and not realistic. It is done for humor and I agree that the writers are not as clever as they think they are.

Paul Gibbs | 12:03 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

I have to disagree. While House has been offensive to the LDS character, House is offensive to everyone. I have enjoyed seeing the character stand up to House's attacks and maintaing his convictions, and respond intelligently. What I see here is smart LDS character who is only an oddity because a complete jerk treats him as such. And I was not offened by the shots at Joseph Smith or Temple garments, because these are sorts of venomous things spouted at Mormons in real life. House says unconcionably racist things to the black doctor Eric Foreman every week. Do we believe this promotes racims? No, it shows us House is a jerk. I see Mormons being elevated to the level of another minority that deserves respect but doesn't get it. And I see characters like Dr. Cameron defending the LDS character, showing that being religious doesn't make him weak - then being proven right.

Paul Gibbs | 12:04 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

CONTINUED

I appreciate seeing that LDS people can be smart and educated people, and are, in the words of the character, "encouraged to think for themselves", but are alos subject to bigotry. I think Scott Pierce and many people here have missed the boat entirely. "House" has exposed the hypocrisy that syas religious people are fare game for abuse, and has shown American that "Big Love" is not who we are, this smart, principled doctor is (come on, the nickname "Big Love" is clearly House trying to push hot buttons. Even House knows the difference). This is a step forward, and with the current representations in the public of LDS people being "Big Love", Warren Jeffs and and the filp-flopping and sometimes terryfing staements of Mitt Romney, I think this is a good thing for us. I'm loving every minute of of it, and so are many other LDS "House" fans I know.

Too: TO: To RE: Chill Out | 12:25 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Actually from 2001 (The latest data I could find)

Denomination Est. % of US Population (2001)

Catholic 24.5%
Baptist 16.3%
Methodist/Wesleyen 6.8%
Lutheran 4.6%
Presbyterian 2.7%
Pentecostal/Charismatic 2.1%
Episcopalian/Anglican 1.7%
Judaism 1.3%
LDS 1.3

Hmmmmmmmm, fourth largest.

Fredd | 1:25 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Anomynous--Rachel's quote says "And the SKINS of the lammanite were dark". Is that an accurate quote? I honestly don't know. But if so it's pretty clear the curse was dark skin. I haven't read the book of Mormon so it may be out of context. I do know it is a common belief among the Mormons I know that the curse was dark skin. I don't live in Utah, although I did once and there is a real prejudice. Think Hi-Fi murders when bands of young Utah men roamed the streets in pick-ups looking for blacks. Long time ago, I know.

Brad | 1:41 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

I agree with the one comment stated earlier. Today especially, "any publicity is good publicity." What group hasn't Dr. House lambasted? Everyone, on the show, certainly knows that his reputation proceeds him. He has pretty much mocked or been politically incorrect about every interest group on earth. Frankly, it's getting to be somewhat mundane and they need to find a new angle to keep people's attention.

I think the show is trying to point out that we are way to sensitive and we all need to lighten' up and celebrate all our diversity. Here, Here!

Carry on and keep a stiff upper lip and cherrio and all that rubbish! You go House.

To Fredd 1:25 PM | 1:55 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Nope just checked it out it says they became a dark people no necessarily stating dark of skin but because of transgression being thrown into that dark abyss. Once more a lot racist verse in the BoM is Jacob 3:9

But as I said before the coloration of the skin is a symbol a type and shadow of the stated of their souls not the curse.

Ron H. | 2:01 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

I don't mind Mormon jokes or bashing as long as the writers do their research, and get it right. The writers are clearly in the 1800's, as least write it correctly--- reality-- funny jokes and lines. Like when Dr. Cole prays, he sounds like a Catholic, or Baptist. Come on just try to get it right, your blowing the season.

RH

To Fredd 1:25 PM | 2:05 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

wow ok first that Jacob ref is a not racist verse. and I meant to say that they were made dark not necessarily of skin but in the spiritual sense.

Religion professor | 11:29 p.m. Nov. 1, 2007

Excellent comments, Thomas.
Let me add this (repeating from another thread): For some non-Mormons, the defining characteristic of "Christian" is belief in the trinity. This concept, in fact, is one of the few doctrinal consistencies among traditional Christian faith traditions, from the left to the right (the right would include evangelicals, generally). Thus, to some, that's the deal-breaker. Since Mormons do not believe in the trinity, they are not Christian. However, those who have a different or more expansive definition of the term as pointed out by myriad posters above can easily conclude Mormons are Christians. It's all about the definition. Mormons definitely do not believe in the trinity. If someone believes that's the defining characteristic of Christianity, they are simply not going to convinced otherwise. Obviously the LDS Church and many members disagree. Seems like everyone should have more important things to do, like ACTING like Christians regardless of one's legal definition.

methinks...toomuch | 4:37 a.m. Nov. 2, 2007

the comments about whether or not the writers are getting mormonism right are ludicrous. the show is so factually incorrect when it comes to medicine that i am surprised more people are upset about the medical inconsistencies. but we are talking about mormons here....so get on your high horse and defend the church at all costs...as for me, i am going to go watch some more HOUSE.

Thomas | 4:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 2007

The primary drawback with LDS people is they have a problem discerning revelation.
This leaves them vulnerable to external sources and a conservative, let God do it, philosophy. They seldom see the economic divide within their own community.

M.F. Luder | 2:40 a.m. Nov. 3, 2007

I couldn't tell, was this a LDS Church Press Release or an article for the Deseret News? Sometimes I confuse the two.

VJ | 1:08 p.m. Nov. 3, 2007

why do you honestly care? it's a show - not to be taken seriously. House mocks everybody regardless of religion or race, he mocks Cuddy about Judaism, Chase for being Christian and going to seminary school. Why is anybody getting up in arms about this? It's silly.

Rachel Midtovne | 4:29 a.m. Dec. 28, 2007

House makes fun of everyone! Why would he not make fun of Mormons? Ifthe Native Americans converted to the true faith, they would have the chance to become again "a white and a delightsome people" (II Nephi 30:6). (The official online version has corrected this to "a pure and a delightsome people".) People make fun of "unchanging" gospel getting changed.

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