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Post by JJ77 on Jan 21, 2010 0:19:01 GMT -5
I really didnt know much about polygamy before watching Big Love, and I can't honestly say I know much more now. lol The show hasnt made me more pro / con on the sunject but it has put a face to it for me.
I just wonder how realistic that face is?
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Post by azriverrat on Jan 21, 2010 11:21:58 GMT -5
The characters at Juniper Creek are SPOT ON, but the Henricksons? I have always thought of polygamy as more of a cult where women are brainwashed and emotionally dead. Barb and Margene are way too independant and actually have some spunk. Nikki seems "Mormonish" but definitely not happy to be a "sisterwife" I LOVE Bill's mom & dad.....Realistic and typical polygamists? ?? NOT!!!! Did you hear what she called the birds that Benny brought to her house? ? Damn cl*ts ROFL!
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Post by BigLoveRocks! on Jan 21, 2010 21:06:25 GMT -5
I'm not sure how accurate of a depiction it is, but I suspect the writers have done extensive research before creating the show.
When that whole warren jeffs thing was all over the news, it was almost like watching Big Love all over again LOL!
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Post by JJ77 on Jan 22, 2010 2:48:55 GMT -5
I know, i had no idea so much of the specifics of big love were based on real life happenings (and recent to boot). Then i saw an episode of oprah all about it... and was just shocked. I agree, they defintiely did their homework and used real life as inspiration. That actually heightened my iterest in the show though.
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Post by duets on Jan 23, 2010 19:21:19 GMT -5
I had never heard of compounds, polygamy etc until Big Love. Now after watching since the beginning, I think that Juniper Creek tries very hard to reflect Short Creek in reality. I think that Bill's home reflects the newer families that have sprung up in Utah (Centennial Hills ?name). Of course the various plots that are in BL are for entertainment; but at times do bring typical senarios that are possible. Yes, I too believe that the writer's have done their homework.
I have since read over 80 books on the topic of FLDS, Mormonism, poly, etc. I have to admit, I learned a lot thru reading & the history is very interesting. Oddly this American history is never discussed or taught in American History in schools. Example: Mountain Meadows Massacre. Later, Brigham Young blamed this on the Paiute Indians rather than FLDS.
This is another example of Indians having problems trusting the white man, such as in the case with Jerry's son & Barbara/Bill. Only in the massacre, the Indians were duped, imho.
Oopsy, to respond to the question, I think that Bill's clan portrays the more suburbia poly families that have popped up recently, & Juniper portrays the compound life as in Short Creek.
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Post by JJ77 on Jan 23, 2010 22:05:36 GMT -5
duets- I'd be interested to learn some more about polygamy, and in particular the FLDS realm of it. Any books in particular you foudn interesting or would suggest?
My reading thus far hasnt gone beyond wikipedia LOL but I do have a book on hold at the library " Escape" by Carolyn Jessop. Have you read that one?
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Post by BigLoveRocks! on Jan 23, 2010 23:09:55 GMT -5
I would be interested in learning more as well...And learning what the writers of the show use as reference.
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Post by duets on Jan 24, 2010 2:48:30 GMT -5
Administrator & bigloverocks, yes I have read Escape by Carolyn Jessop. It was interesting & I'm so glad she was able to get out of polyworld, especially for her children. Btw, I forget her then hubby's name Meryl?, he was 3-5y/o when the short creek raids took place. I did a sort of study on his history & background. Interesting stuff. To mention some other great books on the subject: Daughter of the Saints: Growing Up in Polygamy - by Dorothy Allred Solomon - 420 pages Dorothy is a great writer, who's father was a prophet in Utah?, up until the Alred clan offed him in his physician's office. Dorothy was the only daughter in her family who didn't practice FLDS. Her story is a good read, having grown up with it & not participating in it. She's the Sarah in BL. Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife, by Irene Spencer; she was the 2nd wife to one of the LeBaron guys. Her story is good imo. It gives insight as to the LeBaron gang. They would be compared to Roman's brother/sis ?LOL, who dresses like a man. Anywhohow, that's who Lebaron's remind me of. Her book is a little hard to follow. FLDS The best historical book: Kidnapped from that Land, history of Short Creek Raid by Martha Sonatag Bradley. I highly recommend this book!! Another first & favorite of mine:by Banking on Heaven Jon Krakauer . This author (poor guy) became so engrossed in the study of poly, that he never left Utah, after he went there to write this book. Wowwy, he's still there years later, trying to talk & work with safe house settings etc. My 2nd favorite is Mormonism Mama & Me by Thelma [/iGreer. I wouldn't read this one first until you've read Jon Krakauer's book first. Thelma's book is just cute. I fell in love with her, she's just a sweet little old lady who found her way out of LDS/FLDS? & drug her hubby out!! But it's just cute.
The Mormon Mirage by Latayne C. Scott She's a wonderful author who left LDS & speaks of her life & convictions. I highly recommend her book!!!
Well ladies, thats a few for starters, I hope I haven't bored you silly.
** I will tell you this, in the last season where Roman/Alby looked into the hat & used seering stones for [visions, lack of a better word], really happened & originated with Joseph Smith.
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Post by JJ77 on Jan 24, 2010 3:33:59 GMT -5
Seriously not bored by the suggestions at all... glad to have an opinion on some good places to start actually. So thanks! ;D I did read quite a bit on wikipedia (lol) enough to get some history on Joseph Smith and the golden tablets, his translating them thru the use of "seer stones" into the book of mormon, etc. but really it was just enough to make more sense of some of the things the show touches on & to generally pique my interest on the subject of FLDS, compounds, prophets, and polygamy in relation to those things. Oh, My name is Jackie / JJ BTW.... "administrator" feels too much like "ma'am" LOL
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ladykc
Junior Member
Posts: 92
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Post by ladykc on Jan 24, 2010 22:48:23 GMT -5
Thanks for the book recommendations...I'm wondering, though, if the Krakauer book you refer to is _Under the Banner of Heaven_, not _Banking on Heaven_.
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Post by duets on Jan 25, 2010 0:02:09 GMT -5
ladykc,
Under the Banner of Heaven was published in 1984. Banking on Heaven is a dvd by Laurie Allen, published in 2007. I have seen that dvd. It's very informative; but they are 2 different things. book/dvd by entirely 2 different authors/writers.
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judah
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by judah on Jan 25, 2010 0:53:06 GMT -5
nice discussion..
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Post by duets on Jan 25, 2010 1:12:24 GMT -5
nice discussion..
judah, thank you. Please feel free to join in.
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Post by BigLoveRocks! on Jan 25, 2010 15:38:32 GMT -5
You know what else I have noticed?
After the whole Warren Jeff's fiasco and it was in the news about the dresses the women wore and how they weree all the same cut and all one color...
Now they are incorperating that more into Big Love. Instead of patterned prairie dresses (which some are still wearing) a lot of the women are wearing the all one color type with the poofy sleeves like the ladies from the Texas compound.
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Post by duets on Jan 25, 2010 15:51:35 GMT -5
Yes, they do seem to be. The lady who designs for BL (?name), must have watched the news during the Jeff's thing. She's certainly done her homework, for sure!
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