Big Love - is that show really how mormonism in Utah is?

Question

Im just getting into this show Big Love on HBO. Is mormon culture really as wacky as the show seems to show it as

Answer 1

The family in question is an AUB (Apostolic United Brethren) -affiliated family supposedly living in Sandy, Utah (just 20 minutes south of SLC). The family does not belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are part of the AUB fundamentalist sect of Mormonism. They ARE NOT members of the LDS Church, but they INDEED ARE Mormon, since the FLDS, AUB, Kingstons, TLC, and others are still Mormon.

Since the AUB is technically not an organized Church, but rather a 'brotherhood' (like Masonry), there are AUBs that are LDS, and AUBs that are not LDS, just like there are Masons who are LDS and Masons who aren't. Those AUBs that are LDS must be very secretive about their AUB affiliation and especially their practicing of polygamy, since either could technically be grounds for LDS excommunication. LDS AUBs are more common outside of the compounds than within them, for obvious reasons, although not all AUBs who live in normal society are necessarily LDS members. The show seems to suggest that the family in question is not LDS.

The "compound" is not in Sandy and does not represent the standard culture in Utah. The things that take place in Sandy, however (shopping, neighbors, friends & family, workplace, etc), are fairly accurate, but as with any sitcom, tend to focus on the humorous instead of the bland. Although each item in itself is generally accurately depicted, the frequency and relativity with which each occurs is sometimes slightly exaggerated.

The compound accurately represents closed fundamentalist communities. These are smaller offshoot Mormon groups and not representative of the LDS Church that is commonly referred to as "The Mormon Church." Although it is the largest of the Mormon churches (comprising about 97% of the mormon denomination in its membership), its leaders have neither practiced nor advocated polygamy since about 1910-1915. They even issued two formal documents, in 1890 and 1904, condemning the practice.

Answer 2

There are many sects of Mormons. That show is based more on a small polygamist sect. Almost all Mormons are actually LDS and that sect doesn't allow polygamy. But yes, a lot of Mormons take their church very seriously. As an ex Mormon, it is hard to go to extended family gatherings because that is all they can talk about. The LDS church claims about 14 million members, but its leaders admit only about 5 million are active and participating, so there are a lot of sane people in Utah too.

Answer 3

No. The people depicted in this show are not Mormon (Latter-day Saint or LDS, a worldwide church of over 14,000,000) nor do they reflect the beliefs of the church.

However, this group in the show is somewhat similar to the FLDS, a group of 6,000 mostly in the mountains of Arizona, that esposes many tenets of the Latter-Day Saints, but also has added a several doctrines that are unlawful/illegal and are contrary to the teachings of the LDS church.

As with other Christ-centric churches, Mormon doctrine forbids and condemns polygamy and/or polyamory.

Answer 4

The family on Big Love is meant to portray a polygamous family, not a Mormon one. Mormons haven't practiced polygamy since the 1890's.

Answer 5

No.

The majority of "Utah Mormons" are a completely different organisation than the ones shown in "Big Love".

Answer 6

There's a subsection of Mormons just like that.

Answer 7

Mormonism is a occult and Satan has these followers of the false prophet Joeseph Smith deceived and their souls damned. Jesus Christ is not the brother of Lucifer (Satan), yet this is one error they strongly believe..Lucifer was created an Arch Angel who once was perfect until sin was conceived in him and he lost his place with God because He wanted to be "like God". His beauty went to his head and pride became his throne and he has been judged but His sentence won't happen until Christ' kingdom reign on this earth begins. Yet Jesus Christ is not an Angel nor was He ever created yet always existed. Mormons also believe they when they die, they will be a god of another earth or planet just as the Almighty God..Can you see how Satan has them believing exactly what HE wanted to do in the very beginning? BE LIKE GOD!!! Which is falsehood and anyone who believes their doctrine will be judged as Lucifer is judged...

Answer 8

Nope they don't have sex all that much. They only screw for procreation. There is also a lot of inbreeding (gross). Oh and they aren't mormon, the church forbode that a long time ago.

Answer 9

From what I have seen of it, not even close!

Answer 10

No it is not, but I you want to believe it that's up to you.

gw