Ī simple principle underlies my methodology when writing on esotericism: exposure is a violent act. So, as a result, I have agreed to write about Under the Banner of Heaven’s depiction of temple ordinances in its third episode. I don’t like depictions of the temple ceremony, but I am much more disturbed by the sentiment that Latter-day Saints (and their supporters) should not speak out against a clearly prejudicial take on their religious tradition. It was unacceptable to express even the mildest concern about the treatment of what millions consider a private, sacred rite. Twitter rarely facilitates healthy discourse, and, in this case, its users already had the mechanisms in place to silence unpopular opinions. Reading her apology was as disturbing as witnessing the initial onslaught. Sorry I didn’t think through how offensive my comments were. By the next day, the young woman, now sufficiently bludgeoned and put back in line, had professed her intention to never write about Mormonism again. What followed over the next several hours was a textbook example of social media bullying filled with insults and condescension. The only twitter post I specifically remember from that evening was from a young ex-Mormon woman who expressed concern that depicting temple ordinances was an act of prejudice. Shortly after the trailer for Under the Banner of Heaven released in late March, my Twitter feed filled with commentary about its reproduction of the Latter-day Saint temple endowment ritual.

He received his PhD in American religious history from Florida State University.

Christopher James Blythe is Assistant Professor of English (Folklore) at Brigham Young University and editor of the Journal of Mormon History.

Deborah laake