Comments about ‘LDS Church posts temple video on Web sites’

Great video! Anyone that watches Big Love should see this video.

Yes, they should. It will help them understand the LDS perspective and belief. They should also search the web for other presentations of the LDS rites as they relate to Free Masonry. And finally, they should watch Big Love--a wonderful family drama that yields insight into the struggle over and changes to the restored elements of Mormonism. Joseph Smith left quite a legacy...

For anyone to tred on sacred ground for filthy lucre or for any reason is despicable. It shows insensitivity to that which is holy and lack of integrity. I feel to ask for Father in Heaven to forgive them for they know now that they do.

I am not a big fan of attending the temple for several mild reasons. That said, I still disapprove of any depiction of the temple ceremony outside of the temple. It is considered sacred by many people and in my opinion there are few acceptable reasons to invade devout believers' private rituals.

Everyone is blasting the producers and saying they aren't keeping their word regarding the show being about polygamists and not about Mormonism.

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 HAVE kept their word - they are portraying polygamists performing their temple ceremonies, seems pretty straight forward.

To "Huh?"

"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?"

They do, but I think the polygamists do it DIFFERENTLY from the way the Mormons do it. The fact the show is taking on LDS temple rituals and claiming it is how the polygamists do it is just plain wrong. :/

To Tom -- Do what you need to be able to go back to the temple -- You will be pleasantly surprised, and most importantly, be able to receive the blessings promised there.

Re: Warren Jeffs -- I think that's where the biggest problem is: the Big Love is portraying LDS practices as being polygamist practices (not that anything sacred should be desecrated). I don't believe our temple worship is the same, and it shouldn't be portrayed as interchangable.

Let's keep the facts straight, and the sacred sacred. Please!

Right. Nevermind the fact most people ignorantly lump current polygamist practicing individuals in the same group as law abiding LDS members who wouldn't dream of having another "spiritual" spouse (or more.) Not to mention the fact, sacred religious beliefs and practices... KEY word here, SACRED should be LEFT alone by those who know nothing or little about it. They are treading dangerous water that they will pay dearing for when they stand before the Lord. As would anyone who degraded sacred jewish ceremonies or catholic, whatever religion. And not to mention the fact it spreads hatred and more ignorance about people who are good and deserve compassion and kindness... as all people do. Ya... they are just trying to make a living... at others expense.

Video viewed 3,800 times on Youtube, by 3,800 Mormons!

I totally agree with Tom in Arkansas. Good people everywhere understand that Sacred religious rites should be respected and left Sacred to whichever religion is performing them.

I still believe HBO is firing a shot back for the whole Prop 8 battle in it's backyard.

it's also good for people to know ANYONE can go into a temple for the open house BEFORE it's dedicated. I have younger brothers who benifited greatly from going... so if you wanna know what's inside check it out before it's dedicated

The entire endowment script has been on-line for along time.

This HBO episode and the church's video will be for those who have "ears to hear" and "eyes to see." They will be drawn to explore the gospel and the church. The Lord seeks to recover His sheep "a second time, again" and these are the ones, who with an honest heart, respond positively.
To LDS members, relax....we converts were attracted in many ways.

so the LDS church raises a big hullaballoo about HBO showing temple rites, and then posts them on youtube for everyone to see. Can we assume you all will quit complaining now?

And to those of you complaining that the FLDS rites differ from the LDS rites... how do you know? Both mormon groups come from the same origins and believe in the same basic tenets. You both originate from Joseph Smith reading gold plates with magical seer stones in the 1800s. The only real difference in FLDS and LDS is polygamy and a few rules. The basic beliefs are identical and most of the rules are the same. Even the belief in polygamy is the same - you just choose to wait until the afterlife...

Given that, there's a very good chance the temple rites are exactly the same...

Look - you can't have a ton of strange beliefs (in the eyes of the average person) and not expect people to be curious about you. You should be pleased that your bizarreness makes you different and sets you apart from the average religion. It should gain you new members (although they too will be somewhat strange...)

All aspects of every religion should be available for all to research. I don't know for sure what goes on in your Temples, my understanding is it is pretty benign. Maybe some will view it as strange or wierd, here's your chance to explain. All truth can stand the light of day.

This really is about respecting the sacred beliefs of a religion no matter how correctly or delicately HBO thinks they are portraying this. Most LDS know that every word of our temple ordinances with accompanying pictures and videos can be found online. But at what point does society stop and say, as long as no one is being hurt, we should stop publically displaying sacred aspects of religion? Mormons are far from alone in this - all religions at one point and time have had their religion made the center of television, movies, or books in a negative way. Society really has crossed a line of respect and dignity all in the name of open access and freedom of speech.

And I believe that HBO is depicting one of their characters remembering back to the time she went through an LDS temple. She is in the process of being excommunicated from the LDS Church for her FLDS practices and is remembering her ties and experiences with the LDS faith. This is not a depiction of FLDS temple ceremonies - it is a depiction of LDS temple ceremonies. Regardless of how similar they may be in reality, HBO is reinacting LDS ceremonies.

If someone is not LDS and cannot go into the temple how are they supposed to be inspired by this love and sacredness? Do you hang it out there like a carrot in front of a donkeys nose? Does it depend on how much you tithe? Or does it just depend on how many people say your a good mormon? And make sure you shake the bishops hand every Sunday so he notices you? That is why for 14 years I have lived among mormons I still don't understand the mystique that's involved with non mormons being barred from the temple. Isn't being reverant and a kind a decent person mean anything. Your making such a big deal about this stupid video to seperate yourselves from your own history of polygomy. I actually understand why it happened back then, because of the low gene pool it made sense and was neccesary and it was a logical and smart thing to do. Who cares what the FLDS does unless you are one of them!! This opaque secretivness is why I don't embrace LDS. By the way LDS is far from being ancient, add about 10,000 years.

I'd like to thanks HBO for trying to "get back" at the Church's protection of traditional holy matrimony. All these types of disclosures ever do is grant exposure to the LDS church and stir conversation and interest. I myself converted to Mormonism after a forced screening of The Godmakers by my Baptist minister and realizing that my minister was attempting to slander some good, honest faithful Christians for his personal gain. At the time I was acquainted with 2 Mormon families I respected greatly. Keep it up HBO, "...by their fruits ye shall know them."

there is nothing disrespectful about Big Love nor their showing a temple ritual. I've seen movies that have all sorts of rituals - witch doctors, virgin sacrifices, exorcisms, wican rites, etc. Yours are no more special than any of them.

when a movie shows a wican performing sacred ordinances in a pentagram, do you get upset? when a movie or tv show shows someone in confession, does it seem disrespectful to you?

these are fictional portrayals. Now, if someone hid a camera in one of your temples and secretly filmed your secret handshakes and whatever else you're afraid of people seeing, then I could see you being upset. But this is just a fictional portrayal that's part of a story line in a tv show.

I seriously don't see what the big deal is...

The note the LDS big wigs wrote to accompany the youtube video is as cryptic & confusing as ever to non-LDS types. It's only going to make people more confused & curious. To be honest I'd never watched Big Love until this whole thing came up. I checked it out the other night & couldn't get through an episode. Boring. But HBO will get a big ratings boost from all of this so the adage is proven-- any publicity (good or bad) is GOOD publicity.

polygamy was practiced in Joseph Smith's time to take care of widows and other single women, not for sex or the gene pool or anything else. there was a great need to take care of women who had lost husbands and do it within a family environment. Nothing shady about it. And temples are places for certain ordinances but also are places of peace and uplifting experiences, a place to learn about the Creation and the reason we are on Earth. I guess HBO thinks of temples like any other church building, and not the sacred (not secret) places they are. Members who go to temples covenant not to talk about what goes on. If someone chooses to view the ceremonies on line, that's their problem. My husband and i are temple workers and it's the greatest work on earth. If people knew how wonderful temples were, they wouldn't think of defiling them on tv or anywhere else. No where else can I find peace like I can in a temple, except the walls of my own home.