"big Love"

[dakota]

Does anyone have a VCR? I checked out the official website for "Big Love" and I want to see this show!

Bill Paxton plays Mormon Polygamist Bill Hendrickson and has three wives and lives in Salt Lake City. Ohhhh this show is gonna be good! I can't wait. I'll get the popcorn and please mail me the tape! I wonder if the Utah cable companies will black it out? LOL

Does anyone have a VCR? I checked out the official website for "Big Love" and I want to see this show!

Bill Paxton plays Mormon Polygamist Bill Hendrickson and has three wives and lives in Salt Lake City. Ohhhh this show is gonna be good! I can't wait. I'll get the popcorn and please mail me the tape! I wonder if the Utah cable companies will black it out? LOL

For more information on "Big Love," Check out their website!

http://www.hbo.com/biglove/cast/index.html

[Outshined]

I believe that it was all started by one man's earthly desires.

Even in the Old Testament?

And in my time in the Middle East, earthly desire didn't seem to play a large part in the plural marriages I saw there; it seemed more cultural than lustful.

Of course we all know that a polygamist can not be a member of the LDS Church, as the show's creators recognize.

Wary of stirring up negative controversy, and wishing to avoid accusations of anachronistic or dishonest storytelling, HBO publicists issued statements early in the series' production cycle that "Big Love" was not about Latter-day Saints and would not be filmed in Utah.

Link

[Ray]

If it was that simple Ray, then the Church would not have a problem with this show, "Big Love." They would admit their past and move on and not continue to try and reinvent the wheel everytime something embarrassing comes out of the past.

Would you please give complete thoughts, dakota, to help little ole me follow your logic?

For instance:

What problem does the Church have with this show, other than the idea that some people are trying to associate every instance of the belief or practice of polygamy with those accepted by the Church?

And what "wheel" do you think the Church is trying to “reinvent”? You completely lost me on that one.

And why should the Church be embarrassed by people not affiliated with the Church, other than on occasions when they suggest the Church is at fault or responsible for other people’s beliefs and practices of polygamy?

Your honest and intelligent answers would sincerely be appreciated.

[dakota]

:) Well, the Mormons believed polygamy was ok from Smith to Woodruff's rule. It was this "claim" that it was a "revelation from God" to Smith. Another alleged "claim" came from Woodruff, himself, that "God told him" that the Church should stop the practice. All these "claims" that have no proof or merit. So, to be quite frank Ray, the LDS Church started this mess that we live with today. See, the fundamentalist break-off sects started with Joseph Smith. It all started with this Church and they are responsible for it today as they were in the past. You can't distance yourself from this because its part of your heritage.

[Ray]

<div class='quotemain'>

… with those people who now practice polygamy believing that if God told Joseph Smith and others to practice it in the past, even though God later told and is now still telling other prophets that we should not practice polygamy, God really does want them to still practice it now???

This whole argument is pointless. I have given my opinion. I will only reply to this part...

No, I do not believe that God wants them to practice it now, as I don't believe that God every told Joseph Smith to practice it. I believe that it was all started by one man's earthly desires.

It's okay to change your opinion, shanstress, especially when you learn more truth, so don't think you should never change your opinions just because you know God never changes any of His.

Reply to dakota's last post, without quoting what he said in his post

First of all, God did authorize the practice polygamy at one time in the Church and then later revoked His authorization.

Second, there is merit to all of the actions of God, despite what you think or believe.

And lastly, neither Joseph Smith nor any other prophet in the Church is responsible for the people who left and started another sect or division.

[Winnie G]

Knock! Knock!

Did any of you watch it???

I had company drop in and to be honest I did not look for it.

So how was it if any of you watched it.

[Outshined]

Honestly, I have better things to do with my time.

[Winnie G]

It never ceases to amaze me that people have all the time in the world to post Their Opinion but yet not find the time to watch what the topic is about.

I was under the impression that some were going to set there VCR’s and see for them self’s what Big Love is all about.

I check out many TV shows before I make the blanket statement.

Outshined

Honestly, I have better things to do with my time.

Moreover, yes I have in the passed looked at a number of shows before I become a weekly viewer. Shows such as desperate housewives took as little as ten minutes to decide it was not for me.

I asked if anyone watch it for there INFORMED OPINION.

[Outshined]

It never ceases to amaze me that people have all the time in the world to post Their Opinion but yet not find the time to watch what the topic is about.

Amazed as you may be, one does not have to watch a show to have an opinion on the subject it presents. Do you need to watch pornography, Jerry Springer, or soap operas in order to have an opinion about them? Hardly.

I was under the impression that some were going to set there VCR’s and see for them selfs what Big Love is all about.

Some said they would; they have yet to weigh in.

I check out many TV shows before I make the blanket statement.

I don't see that it's necessary. I personally advocate watching less television, not more.

Moreover, yes I have in the passed looked at a number of shows before I become a weekly viewer. Shows such as desperate housewives took as little as ten minutes to decide it was not for me.

It took less than that for me.

I asked if anyone watch it for there INFORMED OPINION.

Looks like all the opinions here have been INFORMED. B)

[Snow]

<div class='quotemain'>

That's zero for two... your off to a bad start shanstress.

Would you care to elaborate?

Two Mormons spoke and plural marriage is not their ideal. Add me and you are zero for three.

All I'm saying is really simple... that MOST of the people practicing polygamy in America are doing so because Joseph Smith said that he received the word from God that he and others should practice it. =

Can anyone truly argue with that point?

What possible evidence could you possibly have to prove that.

I charge that you fabricated it up out of thin air. Didn't you.

Does anyone have a VCR?

Huh? You want to borrow my VCR?

You are nothing but a clumsy troll.

[Winnie G]

Looks like all the opinions here have been INFORMED

The topic was about the show not the same old polygamy ranting we have read over and over again.

I was hoping we could talk about the show, not polygamy AGAIN.

Monogamy Good Polygamy bad.

We get it.

[StrawberryFields]

I watched just a bit of between the commercials of another program. I saw the part where the Warren Jeffs guy went to another "family man" and said that he (the leader) would be talking 15 percent of the sales or profits. He (the leader) arrived in a fancy car and motor cage. I also saw where one of the wives had to sit for some of the others while they went out of town with the hubby. That was all of what I saw.

I thought that it might be interesting to catch a glimpse of what life was like. I have been interested in their culture since I was a child growing up in Utah. As I have said before they are not allowed to talk to "outsiders" around here.

[shanstress70]

I watched it and found it quite interesting.

<div class='quotemain'>

All I'm saying is really simple... that MOST of the people practicing polygamy in America are doing so because Joseph Smith said that he received the word from God that he and others should practice it. =

Can anyone truly argue with that point?

What possible evidence could you possibly have to prove that.

I charge that you fabricated it up out of thin air. Didn't you.

Snow, are you seriously going to tell me that you disagree with this statement? That most poeple practicing polygamy in the US today are doing so because of the 'revelation' that JS had?

Sure, there are a few fringe Christians who have no ties to the LDS church whatsoever, but most of of them are offshoots of the LDS church. I'm not arguing this anymore, because you know this is true.

[StrawberryFields]

I watched it and found it quite interesting.

What did you notice about the show Big Love? Anything look like what you thought it might? Knowing what you know about polygamy do you think it was fairly accurate?

I think that we should focus on the topic if this new show. Has anyone heard where they got the information from to create this show? What I have noticed and felt being around some of these people it's a world that is private and I am not allowed in.

Personally I feel no shame in this show. I come from ancestors of polygamy but I do not live it. I believe that my ancestors did what they did for a good reason and I love them for the sacrifices they made.

[shanstress70]

<div class='quotemain'>

I watched it and found it quite interesting.

What did you notice about the show Big Love? Anything look like what you thought it might? Knowing what you know about polygamy do you think it was fairly accurate?

I think that we should focus on the topic if this new show. Has anyone heard where they got the information from to create this show? What I have noticed and felt being around some of these people it's a world that is private and I am not allowed in.

Personally I feel no shame in this show. I come from ancestors of polygamy but I do not live it. I believe that my ancestors did what they did for a good reason and I love them for the sacrifices they made.

I can't really say if it was accurate since I live no where close to the people who actually practice it, and haven't seen them firsthand. However, I do have quite an interest in this, like you, and have communicated with some who practice it. I've also watched lots of documentaries about it.

All of the knowledge I have about polygamy is the groups that are secretive and seemingly backward... kind of like when they went to visit Bill's father on the compound. One thing I noticed is that Bill's mother wore pants, which I don't think would be allowed in such a place. I do know that I can't stand his mother! The compound was very dark and dreary... an unhappy place, as I would imagine it would be in reality.

Also, wouldn't the wives be wearing garments? I know that one was not. They showed her underwear and it was quite 'worldly', if I may.

I understand there is another group of people who practice polygamy who are very 'middle class' and seem to be quite normal, such as Bill and his wives on the show. I know nothing about this type of polygamists though. For those of you in UT, are there people who practice this and blend in with society, such as this man and his wives in the show?

As far as where they got their info from, I don't know. But they did have a lot of the LDS info correct... such as the LDS girl in the fast food restaurant talking about Young Women's, Relief Society, etc. And one of the wives talked about FHE. There was also some ex-mormon terminology used by two other girls in the restaurant.

I think it was mentioned here before, but you are aware that Tom Hanks was raised as a Mormon for several years, right? As producer of the show, he probably brought a lot of the cultural info to the table.

Someone in an earlier thread said that HBO announced that it would not be shot in Utah, but he clearly drove past Temple Square, although it could've been computerized.

[Snow]

Snow, are you seriously going to tell me that you disagree with this statement? That most poeple practicing polygamy in the US today are doing so because of the 'revelation' that JS had?

I guess that means that you have no evidence.

[shanstress70]

<div class='quotemain'>

Snow, are you seriously going to tell me that you disagree with this statement? That most poeple practicing polygamy in the US today are doing so because of the 'revelation' that JS had?

I guess that means that you have no evidence.

No, I don't. Some things are common knowledge. And whether or not they say it here, I think 99% of the people on this board, LDS or not, would agree with that statement. You're just being nit-picky. I don't know what kind of evidence would exist, since polygamy is illegal and the marriages are not official, as far as the gov't is concerned. You can't exactly go to the Census info and do a search on what religion the polygamists practice.

Would you like to go on record as stating the opposite - that most of the people practicing polygamy in the US today are NOT doing so because of JS's 'revelation'?

[Ray]

Would you like to go on record as stating the opposite - that most of the people practicing polygamy in the US today are NOT doing so because of JS's 'revelation'?

You know, the more I think about this, the more I think your thinking is in harmony with the thinking of most other Christians, about this and other issues.

For instance, it is this same kind of thinking that causes most other Christians (other than LDS) to think that because Matthew claimed our Lord told His apostles to teach the gospel to all nations, in what is commonly referred to as "The Great Commission", Matthew was also saying that our Lord told all other people who will ever read or hear their teachings to also teach the gospel to all nations.

Or in other words, you seem to think that because our Lord and one of His prophets told a certain group of people to do a particular something, our Lord and one of His prophets also told, not only ONE other group of people to do that particular something, but ALL other people to do that particular something.

And btw, in case you still don’t get it, we [LDS] do not believe our Lord or any of His prophets told those “Mormon fundamentalists” to practice polygamy, even though we [LDS] do believe our Lord and some of His prophets did tell a particular group of people that they should practice polygamy.

[StrawberryFields]

<div class='quotemain'>

<div class='quotemain'>

I watched it and found it quite interesting.

What did you notice about the show Big Love? Anything look like what you thought it might? Knowing what you know about polygamy do you think it was fairly accurate?

I think that we should focus on the topic if this new show. Has anyone heard where they got the information from to create this show? What I have noticed and felt being around some of these people it's a world that is private and I am not allowed in.

Personally I feel no shame in this show. I come from ancestors of polygamy but I do not live it. I believe that my ancestors did what they did for a good reason and I love them for the sacrifices they made.

I can't really say if it was accurate since I live no where close to the people who actually practice it, and haven't seen them firsthand. However, I do have quite an interest in this, like you, and have communicated with some who practice it. I've also watched lots of documentaries about it.

All of the knowledge I have about polygamy is the groups that are secretive and seemingly backward... kind of like when they went to visit Bill's father on the compound. One thing I noticed is that Bill's mother wore pants, which I don't think would be allowed in such a place. I do know that I can't stand his mother! The compound was very dark and dreary... an unhappy place, as I would imagine it would be in reality.

Also, wouldn't the wives be wearing garments? I know that one was not. They showed her underwear and it was quite 'worldly', if I may.

I understand there is another group of people who practice polygamy who are very 'middle class' and seem to be quite normal, such as Bill and his wives on the show. I know nothing about this type of polygamists though. For those of you in UT, are there people who practice this and blend in with society, such as this man and his wives in the show?

As far as where they got their info from, I don't know. But they did have a lot of the LDS info correct... such as the LDS girl in the fast food restaurant talking about Young Women's, Relief Society, etc. And one of the wives talked about FHE. There was also some ex-mormon terminology used by two other girls in the restaurant.

I think it was mentioned here before, but you are aware that Tom Hanks was raised as a Mormon for several years, right? As producer of the show, he probably brought a lot of the cultural info to the table.

Someone in an earlier thread said that HBO announced that it would not be shot in Utah, but he clearly drove past Temple Square, although it could've been computerized.

Thank you Shanstress for the update.

This does interest me because I know so little about their ways. I guess I have missed out on some of the documentaries you mentioned. The only thing I remember seeing was things about some of the girls in particular that wanted out of the "group" and what they had to do to get there. We are traveling to Southern Utah more and more and I have had the opportunity to see these people in action. As I mentioned before I have watched as a polygamist group worked on building homes as that area is growing so rapidly. The polygamist people are easy to recognize because of the long sleeved shirts they wear in every season and it gets HOT there. These men and boys are favored as workers because of their strong work ethic and it shows. Never do you see one of these men loafing on the job.

BTW, all of the polygamist people I have seen have always been dressed modestly. It does seem that maybe the producers will have it more for entertainment rather then something that is factual.

[Outshined]

The topic was about the show not the same old polygamy ranting we have read over and over again.

I was hoping we could talk about the show, not polygamy AGAIN.

Monogamy Good Polygamy bad.

We get it.

I agree; The problem is that the show in question is about polygamy. In typical HBO fashion, the commercials for it emphasize the sexual aspect of it, as if that's surprising...

BTW, all of the polygamist people I have seen have always been dressed modestly. It does seem that maybe the producers will have it more for entertainment rather then something that is factual.

In the piece I watched on Warren Jeffs the other day, his people were actually wearing clothing that looked like 19th-century period clothing, which was really odd. It looked like an episode of Little House On The Prairie.

[StrawberryFields]

<div class='quotemain'>

BTW, all of the polygamist people I have seen have always been dressed modestly. It does seem that maybe the producers will have it more for entertainment rather then something that is factual.

In the piece I watched on Warren Jeffs the other day, his people were actually wearing clothing that looked like 19th-century period clothing, which was really odd. It looked like an episode of Little House On The Prairie.

Yep, that is the look I have seen all my life. Did you also catch the womens hairstyles?

[Outshined]

Yep, that is the look I have seen all my life. Did you also catch the womens hairstyles?

Yes, I don't get the desire for an 1800's appearance.

[StrawberryFields]

<div class='quotemain'>

Yep, that is the look I have seen all my life. Did you also catch the womens hairstyles?

Yes, I don't get the desire for an 1800's appearance.

I believe it is to represent simpler times, to remain unspotted by the world.

[Snow]

No, I don't. Some things are common knowledge. And whether or not they say it here, I think 99% of the people on this board, LDS or not, would agree with that statement. You're just being nit-picky. I don't know what kind of evidence would exist, since polygamy is illegal and the marriages are not official, as far as the gov't is concerned. You can't exactly go to the Census info and do a search on what religion the polygamists practice.

I would guess that I know more about LDS beliefs, practices and history and more about plural marriage, historical and current, than you do. Maybe not but that's my sense of it. It is by no means clear to me that the primary motivation of polygamists is that the truly believe that Joseph Smith was a real prophet of God and by practicing polygamy on today, they are fullfilling a commandment given by God to Joseph Smith. I accept that it could be that, and that could be just one of many other motivators. I certainly don't know enough to say, as you did - obviously with no evidence - that such must certainly be the case.

[Ray]

<div class='quotemain'>

No, I don't. Some things are common knowledge. And whether or not they say it here, I think 99% of the people on this board, LDS or not, would agree with that statement. You're just being nit-picky. I don't know what kind of evidence would exist, since polygamy is illegal and the marriages are not official, as far as the gov't is concerned. You can't exactly go to the Census info and do a search on what religion the polygamists practice.

I would guess that I know more about LDS beliefs, practices and history and more about plural marriage, historical and current, than you do. Maybe not but that's my sense of it. It is by no means clear to me that the primary motivation of polygamists is that the truly believe that Joseph Smith was a real prophet of God and by practicing polygamy on today, they are fullfilling a commandment given by God to Joseph Smith. I accept that it could be that, and that could be just one of many other motivators. I certainly don't know enough to say, as you did - obviously with no evidence - that such must certainly be the case.

But whether or not “Mormon fundamentalists” believe they are fulfilling a commandment given by God to Joseph Smith is irrelevant, as far as whether or not they should be practicing polygamy, because God gave no commandment to Joseph Smith telling “Mormon fundamentalists” they should be practicing polygamy.

Or in other words, Mormon fundamentalists have no good reason to believe they should be practicing polygamy, based on anything Joseph Smith or God ever said, because neither God nor Joseph Smith ever told those people they should be practicing polygamy.

And yes, I do know Joseph and God well enough to know that those are true statements.