A few days ago I heard that HBO's series Big Love is going to be airing an episode in which my church's temple ceremonies will be depicted.
The ceremonies performed in the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are sacred. Why do the producers and writers of this show seek to display something (and most likely in a very misrepresented way) that is so holy to us? Because we live in a "tell all" society. The trend is to expose, flaunt, exploit, and uncover anything and everything. Think reality shows, talk shows, tabloids, fashion, the internet... We have all come to expect to be able to know and see everything about anyone and anything. We feel we have the right to reveal things that others would wish to be kept away from the prying eyes of the world.
People often complain that we won't let the public into our temples. Would you just let anyone into your home? Do you tell everyone about the beautiful relationships that you and your spouse share behind closed doors? What anymore is kept sacred? Perhaps the definition of sacred is not understood.
From Dictionary.com:
Sacred
1. devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated.
2. entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy.
3. pertaining to or connected with religion (opposed to secular or profane ): sacred music; sacred books.
4. reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object: a morning hour sacred to study.
5. regarded with reverence: the sacred memory of a dead hero.
6. secured against violation, infringement, etc., as by reverence or sense of right: sacred oaths; sacred rights.
7. properly immune from violence, interference, etc., as a person or office.
Though there are many who would see my religion as strange and would try to deliberately misrepresent it, I do not fear their attempts. I know that what I believe is true, that it is good, and that it is of God. I love the temple and the sacred covenants which I have made there. It was in the Boston Temple just over six years ago that I was married to my husband, even sealed together that we and our children may live together throughout this life and beyond into the next. I am so grateful for many friends who, over the years, though we differ in our religions and beliefs, have always stood by me and respected me.
May we as a society learn what things to broadcast and debunk and what to leave sacred. If you would like to know more about our temples, you may find this short video helpful.
3 comments:
As an outsider, I've always been in awe of the strength of your beliefs. Having grown up Protestant I've not experienced that and have developed a cynicism around religion. I think that the jokes that are made about Mormons (you know them) and now this HBO show all stem from the unknown. Your religion has kept things sacred, which is more than most American religions but as you know the unknown generally creates fear. Maybe not fear of the religion itself but self doubt.
I hope that the show depicts Mormonism fairly. I wonder if Catholics ever worry about how their religion is depicted on tv. Based on what I see, there's NO WAY I would consider that as a faith.
Don't let it upset you too much Heather. It won't stop the work and those who try to tear it down will just be wasting their time.
Have you seen the Church's official statement regarding this show/episode? Right now on lds.org they have a new video posted, and they have this in the newsroom: http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e419fb40e21cef00VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRD
Post a Comment