Big Love Temple Scene Riles Mormons

HBO will air an episode of the polygamy drama Big Love depicting a sacred Mormon ceremony despite strong objections from the church, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. The network apologized to Mormons likely to be offended, while 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.

We "researched it out the wazoo," one creator said of the scene, which shows a rite only church members in good standing are allowed to witness. A statement from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints accused HBO of insensitivity and of blurring the line between the real church and the show's fictional modern-day Utah polygamists. The episode is due to air this Sunday.
(More Big Love stories.)