Comments about ‘History shows TV boycotts only backfire’

This story is only half thought out and researched. The controversy of a boycott not only draws attention to the TV show, but to the Church as well.

In preparation for the increased attention, the Church has posted videos on its website.

Think about it: it still takes two to tango, and the LDS church appears to be cleverly prepared to capitalize on HBO's mean spiritedness.

I would not have heard about this if wasn't here on the news.

Thank you for this article which just suggests--good, common sense--which is lacking in our world today. The more attention we bring to the subject of the temple ordinances on this show--the more people will want to see it. If someone has a specific question just refer them to the UTUBE video on "Why Mormons build Temples." They can also see it on LDS.org.

As the LDS church continues to grow it will attract more and more of satans attention. Best to ignore this
and the attention will fade away.

I think it is interesting that no one is pointing out the obvious. HBO says that it is needed for character development, but there is no way she would be in a temple ceremony let alone in a temple (At least an LDS one). The character has been living for years in a polygamous relationship. There is no way she would get a temple recommend as polygamy is against church policy and therefore grounds not to receive one. There is no feasible way the character would be able to go to through an endowment ceremony, so why do they have the need to show it?

As usual, Chris Hicks has demonstrated careful thought, although he is not entirely correct. Organizations such as HBO do not listen to reason--or protests. The modern entertainment system is devoted to promoting substance abuse and immorality. To combat this, the majority of society who opposes it must refuse to support it with its hard earned money. There was a time in this Country when people demanded movies and television programs that promoted honesty, morality, and respect for others. Apparently, that time has passed.

I agree with (missing the point). Polygamy is not practiced in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints and any member who might try this practice would be excommunicated and therefore not given a temple recommend.

I for one will not be watching. As a family, we decided long ago that we would not have cable tv in our home. There is way too much trash on it. We have so many great options in the real world - go to the park, play a game together as a family, read a good book etc. We just don't need the tv.

Actually - you are the one missing the point and forgetting Church history.

Did you forget that the polygamist broke off from the mainstream LDS church? They would have taken temple ceremonies with them - especially since a temple marriage allows one man to be sealed to more than one woman.

Even today, if a man's wife passes away he can take another woman to an LDS temple and be sealed to her. This sealing does not end or break the sealing to the first wife... just adds a second wife to the man.

Didn't Warren Jeffs and his group build a temple in Texas? Why would they build a temple if they weren't performing temple rights and ceremonies?

Seems clear that the producers of Big Love HAVE kept their word - they are portraying polygamists performing their temple ceremonies, seems pretty straight forward.

As I understand it, the ceremony will be depicted in a flashback during the character's excommunication proceedings. So it does accurately depict the church's stance on polygamy. (Still in poor taste, but I'll at least give them that.)

AT SOME POINT WE/I MUST STAND UP TO THE WORLD.

I WOULD USUALLY AGREE TO LET IT GO AND IGNORE IT, BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

I HAVE NOTIFIED DISH NETWORK, WHICH CARRIES HBO, AS WELL AS AOL, MY EMAIL COMPANY, THAT I WILL DISCONTINUE MY ACCOUNTS WITH BOTH IF THE EPISODE AIRS DEPICTING SOMETHING I THINK SHOULD BE OFF LIMITS, EVEN FOR HOLLYWOOD.

This article nails it, in my opinion. Giving it LDS attention has made it newsworthy and the show will only benefit.
However, I will be watching. I have non member friends who watch who will have questions and I want to know what was shown and be prepared for any questions.
The non LDS people that I encounter are not malicious, just curious, or wanting to give an LDS person a chance to clarify, or genuinely interested .
It is interesting to see all the ranting on some of the blogs from LDS people given that we do not know what will be shown, in what context, or how specific it will be. A lot of the comments border on the ridiculous.
So my BIGger question is for AFTER the show. How prepared are we, as LDS, going to be to answer friendly (or not so) questions that come up as a result of the show?
Please don't say 'refer them to the website'. My hairdresser will expect me to discuss this with her like I have all other LDS questions, and as LDS we ought to be able to handle these queries intelligently 1 to 1.

There is strong speculation that the real reason behind HBO showing a temple ceremony is because it is pay back for the church's stance on Prop 8. When the minority does not get their way, this is what they do.

I canceled HBO years ago because so much of their content was inapropriate for my family. This just reafirms why I did so.

i don't subscribe to hbo so i wouldn't have heard about this except for the news and the umpteen amount of email that's been forwarded to me.
from day one the adversary and his 'hosts' have waged war on the family. as the gospel spreads throughout the world and into peoples hearts and homes, the adversary and his hosts are in possession of great amounts of artillery (media, political influence, etc.) and the riches of the world to tempt individuals who in turn bring destruction to their families.
the adversary loves it when members become so defensive they bring global attention to themsleves, thereby doing more harm to the church than good.
my family and i won't dwell on insignificant matters such as an hbo show (especially when it's already accessible on the internet). instead, we bear our testimony that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ lives and love all of us, member and non member alike, and we are led by a living prophet even Thomas S. Monson. we must continue in our missionary efforts so that all may know the truthfullness of the gospel and therefore know why temples are built here on earth.

I agree. We need to let it go. One, we are not the only religion that gets made fun of. South park makes fun of everybody and yes it's rude, buts's that's life. To me, this is just another way that Satan causes problems. We need to embrace the fact that this may actaully bring those with questions to us and not the other way of around.

"Follow the Prophet" Friends, think back to the MIA Standards Night "Act, don't React!". Retaliation never achieved anything but adding fuel to the flames. Keep your cool and check the statement put out by the Church. Use that to shape your response to this, and any future similar, situation. DO NOT EXPECT THIS TO BE THE LAST TIME this will happen!

Great article. Think of how our Catholic Brethren feel. It seems at every turn their church is used for jokes. The Catholic Church was one of only a few who stood by the LDS Church after the prop 8 up roar. Sadly they have had to learn this same point, to let it go. Leaders of the LDS Church teach us often that we need to stay focused on The Savior and being the best people we can, the rest will take care of its self.

On a more positive note, I look upon this as a great "Missionary Tool", because of the interest being raised by non-members,who will view this program, and will have their interest peaked and hopefully they will seek out answers as to just what do the members of "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" actually practice. Keep the Faith,and be ready to speak up for what you belive in.

Every time you kick Mormonism you kick it
upstairs; you never kick it downstairs. The Lord
Almighty so orders it (Brigham Young, Discourses of
Brigham Young, 351).
Let HBO kick the Mormons all they want, it will only end up magnifying the Church.