Actually Tonalea, you are completely correct.
Even the most docile combination of male/female bettas, with the exact correct stocking arrangements, and lots and lots of plants/hiding places, the females will die off one by one, until the male dies first. And if you are left with two females the smaller one will die. And then there will only be one left. Trust me on this one, do not do it. Even if the LFS people say that you can, and even if your tank is big, they WILL find each other. And when they find each other it is not pretty.
There are reports of people having successful male/female betta tanks, with just the right numbers (4+ females) to avoid bullying, in huge tanks. Initially there are no signs of aggression for 1 month or more, even. And then they kill each other. Out of the blue. For no reason at all.
So you will be spared a lot of heartbreak, trouble, worries, money and pain if you stick with 1 male.