Mormonism and popular media/"Big Love" and the temple

Big Love

The Interview

The fantasy

Barb is coming down the stairs in her bathrobe. Young boy: These men are here to see you. Barb: Bishop Devry. Bishop: This is Lowell Davis, President of the Sandy Central Stake. SP: How do you do? Barb: Uh, how can I help you? Bishop: We’d like to talk to you for a few minutes. Is this a bad time?

The reality

• It is absurd for a Bishop and a Stake President to show up unannounced at the home of a long-time inactive member, enter the home and interview her without her husband present while she is wearing her bathrobe.

The fantasy

SP: So you haven’t tithed in seven years? Barb: Yes. No, I mean, we’re not tithing. We’re inactive.

The reality

• It is obvious that the family is inactive. Why in the world would a Stake President begin a conversation by asking about tithing?

The fantasy

SP: May we ask why? Barb: We…my husband and I went through a difficult time. Um, I was very ill. Bishop: I remember. We tried to support you in every way we knew how with love and prayer and home teachers. Barb: Well, it meant the world to me. I was so grateful.

The reality

• Every member of the ward has home teachers. This bishop talks like a caricature of a Latter-day Saint.

The fantasy

Bishop: Barb, we’ve known each other a long time. You were once a shining member of our church, so I’m just gonna ask you outright: Are you living in a polygamous relationship? Barb: Yes. Bishop: I am so sorry to hear that. How did this come to pass?

The reality

• The phrase "once a shining member of our church" is something that a real bishop would never say. A real bishop would refer to her as a member of the ward, and he would not refer to that in the past tense.
• It is completely inappropriate for these men to be conducting such an interview in someone's home. Recall that her children are at home.
• Has anyone ever used the phrase "come to pass" outside of reading the Book of Mormon? This sounds like someone is attempting to give the Bishop dialog that sounds "Mormon."

The fantasy

Barb: My husband had a testimony. Bishop: I see. Did you? Barb: No. No I didn’t…not at first. Bishop: But, do you now? Barb: I think so. I don’t know. I don’t know.

The reality

• The series constantly misuses the term "testimony." A real Latter-day Saint wouldn't understand what this testimony refers to at all.

The fantasy

SP: Sister Henrickson, I must tell you that we’ve come here to determine whether to call a Stake disciplinary council. Bishop: May I ask how many wives has Bill brought in to your marriage? Barb: Two. There’s three of us.