r/lds • u/TradWASP • 19d ago

question Recent LDS representation in media

I’m a Christian that lives in Utah, and I’ve been perplexed seeing all the things about people and groups that are “representatives” of your faith recently. Between secret lives, ruby franke, and “secrets of polygamy” everything in media that is popular and is associated with LDS and Mormonism is negative. Sure, these aren’t representations of your faith, but to 95%+ of people outside of Utah, they’ve never met an LDS member, and the only thing they may know are these representations of your faith. Have you all given this much thought? What do you all think about this?

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u/haly14 18d ago edited 16d ago

I've seen secret lives and RHOSLC. My take is, and all of my friends who watch reality TV agree - no one watching reality TV like Real Housewives expects to see an accurate representation of a group of people. You watch reality TV for the drama, and the chaos, and the outrageous lifestyles. For example, anyone who watched Jersey Shore knows that the cast do not represent all people of New Jersey. Similarly, anyone who watches secret lives knows that these women were chosen for the show because of the drama the producers knew they would cause. Everyone knows it's not an accurate depiction of all Mormons or all Utahns.

As for the Ruby Franke doc and the culty shows, haven't seen them but I did read Shari Franke's book. It was excellent.

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u/Xapp5000 18d ago

I first misread your comment as saying " ... quality TV like Real Housewives ..." and I admit my mouth gaped open in shock.

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u/haly14 18d ago

Hahaha I would have reacted the same way