Big Love...and mass hate!

I've never considered myself as a "hater". I am a big believer of every one's own rights and opinions. I believe that free-agency is our greatest gift, and serves our purpose for life. I really debated whether to even give this topic any attention, because it doesn't deserve any. With that said...these are some thoughts.



Our family had the opportunity on Monday to attend the newest Draper temple. This is the newest of 13 temples now in our state. (almost 13...Oquirrh temple) It was absolutely amazing! Cori had so many questions. During the video presentation before seeing the temple, Addi kept yelling "That's is MY Temple, where I'm getting married" every time a picture of the Salt Lake Temple was shown. Sophie was surprisingly good and considering her age, she behaved quite well. My favorite was showing the girls the 'bride's room' and thinking about the day they will go to the temple.

I know they are my kids, because about halfway through...Lexi said "Is there a reason we are all walking so slow?" I said it was because other people in front of us were probably stopping to look at things. She said "Well then they should step aside and keep the line moving" That's my girl!!

Mike and I were able to attend the temple last night. My cousin is going on a mission, and we really wanted to show our love and support.

Being the oldest grandchild in both my families, I remember all my aunts, uncles and cousins attending almost every major event of my childhood. Now that the younger cousins are getting older...I worry that they don't get all the support they should from extended family. It seems that we are busy with our own families now, and they seem to get lost through the years.

It was a wonderful evening and I am always grateful for the opportunity to go and receive the peace I feel at the temple.

With all of that aside... I was made aware of recent claims that HBO will be airing an episode in regards to the temple. This is both disturbing and saddening on a number of levels. This is what I think...

I feel that the people of Islam have probably been the receivers of more religious criticism and offense than any religions in my lifetime. Muslims have been misunderstood and have been on the receiving end of very ignorant and uneducated people. This makes me very sad for them.

I truly think that the freedoms we enjoy in our country are amazing. Our freedom of speech is a human right which no person should be denied. I agree that while religion is not above criticism, apparently respect for ones religion is no longer viewed as human decency. This is not an issue of human rights. This is an issue of respect for religion.

I wonder what religion the writers and director's at HBO belong to. Maybe some are Atheist. My assumption is that these people are detached from God, or a a belief of moral responsibility. It proves what a sick and twisted world we are living in. Horrible tragedies happen everyday...and yet people are surprised. Asking... how could this happen? I wonder how it could surprise anyone at this point. Look at the morals of people controlling things and making decisions!

Along with an 'apology' these were the words HBO exec's offered:
"the series' creators defended the temple scene, saying it's depicted with reverence, and adheres to guidelines from a former Mormon who was hired to ensure accuracy."
Key phrase there is 'guidelines from a former Mormon'.

How thoughtful some people are. To offer and apology BEFORE hurting someone instead of after hurting them. Hummm... Imagine our society if that were the case with all of us.

(wavy lines blur the screen and fade to the following scene)

Bully: You know...I am sorry that I'm going to stick your head in the toilet. And I'm sorry I will then flush the water with your head still in there. Geez...I'm sorry if that isn't pleasant for you.

Victim: Ummm...thanks?

Does that make it hurt less? no. Perhaps it helps prepare the boy a bit...maybe hold his breath earlier. All the other guys will still love to watch it all go down, right?
(eat THAT screenplay HB-shmow)

I used to be a loan officer and funder...10 years ago. I feel like it's the same as if I did a loan for someone and publicly gave out all their financial information. I not only cannot sell someone a loan without working with a lender... I certainly cannot give out personal information.
Luckily...there are laws against such horrendous behavior...and not laws against the behavior in the current religious situation.
Speaking of laws, anyone who knows the covenants made with God in the temple, knows that the wrath upon these people will be nothing small. They will be the ones held accountable when all is said and done. Public broadcast of that judgment day would be a hundred times more entertaining than anything HBO could ever hope to produce. You could name it 'Judgement Day'...how creative.

I find it strange that they can have a show about 'Mormons' when it is really not about Mormons. Is it different than a show about devout Muslims who are terrorists? Is that why we thing every brown-eyed, brown haired, middle-eastern looking person has a bomb and is out to get us?

Muslims a peace-loving people. Do people look at what Islam and the Qur'an teach about violence and terrorism? I can say that it wasn't until recently that I knew some of the similarities between Christian and Muslim beliefs. Muslims are just as horrified as we are at the terrorists acts of violence, yet they get the blame of threats and attacks after each incident of terrorism due to the media monster.

Muslim extremists make up such a small fraction of the Muslim world, yet they receive most of the attention because of the terror they cause. Saying that Mormons are polygamists...is as correct of a statement as saying Christians follow David from Waco, TX and Muslims are terrorists.

While what Mormons do at the temple is not public knowledge...neither is a lot of religious and personal things. People are bothered that you can only enter the temple with 'special permission'. They are hoping to see 'secret' things about Mormons. Well the words secret and sacred are very different. This HBO show changes nothing for those of us who hold the temple sacred. I think that we still need to be careful not to talk about sacred things. Even if they are public knowledge or random strangers ask about it.

I know that atheist's take showers. I would not feel the need to WATCH an atheist take a shower. It is true...we all have different habits and routines in our shower. I am glad that we aren't fascinated with knowing each others shower secrets. I am Mormon...does it bother you that you will never have the 'special permission' to know what I actually do in the shower? Well...that's between me and my shower...and HBO can't take that away from me.