Restrangled: Some good things to say to Mormon missionaries when they come: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/jw/friends/170693/2/Mormon-Might-try-to-converte-me-Help
Big Tex- Big love is very accurate. As you said it does deal with a splinter group. The splinter group is actually closer to the "gospel" as practiced and taught by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young than the main line LDS.
Three things I have noticed about the program. 1. Lack of wearing garments at the Henricksons. Kinda heard to add sexual zip to a show while wearing garments, the ultimate in sackloth and ashes. Garments predate the mormon split over polygamy. In fact, if they follow Brighams instructions, their garments should go all the way to their wrists and ankles. 2. Bill thinks Roman is a fallen prophet- doesn't recognize his "authority". How does one disavow his sect leader without invalidating the teachings and authority? 3. How does he believe in eternal families if Roman is a false prophet - by what authority are they eternally sealed??? Authority lines are very lineal. People are very proud to show you their priesthood geneology, man by man all the way to horny Joe and his ever changing accounts of angels. Baptisms for the dead, eternal marriages are done in temples. Doing stuff like this outside of the temple is a bit of a stretch, however, Joseph's Myth was known to have done these ordinances while earlier temples were under construction.
PurpleSofa, One of the questions that is asked during temple recommend interviews (needed to get in the temple) is do you associate with people who are against the church? They ask you if you are reading their material. Reading anti, or former or anything challenging the church is strictly forbidden and will cost you temple priviledges. Smoking will also cost you temple priviledges. You can be disfellowshipped or excommunicated for apostasy if you even read anti mormon material. It happens all the time, especially with the advent of the internet (thank you Al Gore). Those missionaries could be excommunicated for their readings.
Pillowhead trumped up the Mormon's favorite selling point: the Family.
As long as the whole famdamly is active and in pray, pay and obey mode, living up to every micromanaging expectation, then everything is kosher. If there is a part member family or one active/ one inactive the church will wedge between couples to leverage the inactive into compliance. They don't care if this results in divorce. My wife and I are VERY happy and closer than ever before. WhenI was questioning, she was asked TWICE (once by a Bishop and once by a Stake President) if she could possibly stay with me and my questions. Mainline Mormons don't reassign wives, as was done in Brighams day. They do actively teach that wives would be taken from unworthy husbands (like me) and reassigned in the hereafter. My wife was actually concerned about being reassigned, before she saw the light. Mormons are actively taught that God and the church is more important than spouse or children or family. My family isn't speaking to me (us) anymore. Same with my wife's side. We have heard through nephews that we are on a do not call list. When we do have to get together, my wife and I NEVER say anything religious until someone else engages us in it. They always do. They can't stand to have anyone who doubts the message among them. And they are worried for our souls.
Even for good appearing active members, there are serious issues simmering underneath. The church uses large doses of guilt and fear to manipulate people. Some are repressed or suicidal. Most are pretending something. Former Lutheran and Catholics don't have support groups. Former JW's, Scientologists, Muslims and Mormons DO have recovery groups. This is a fair indicator of the mental damage and recovery needed by these groups. They are cults.
An interesting sidenote: similarities between Joseph's Myth and Muhammed.
Both claimed angelic visions
Both were unschooled and ignorant
Both revealed the perfect word of god in a new book
Both claimed exclusive power from god
Both taught against using alcohol
Both believed in polygamy
Both had sex with very young girls and other men's wives.
Both have followers who would DIE for their leaders.
Good night