The Mormon church has expressed that it understands the musical, “The Book of Mormon,” to be a work of entertainment and satire. However, it does not endorse or support the production since it portrays their beliefs and sacred texts in a comedic and irreverent manner.
Detailed response to the query
The Mormon church, formally known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, holds a viewpoint on the “The Book of Mormon” musical that acknowledges it as a work of entertainment and satire, but does not endorse or support it due to its portrayal of their beliefs and sacred texts in a comedic and irreverent manner.
While the Mormon church recognizes the musical’s existence as a form of creative expression, it takes issue with the way it depicts their faith. The church’s official statement on the matter from 2011 encapsulates their perspective: “The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.”
Despite the disagreement with the musical’s portrayal, the church maintains an attitude of respect towards others’ freedom of speech and artistic expression. They encourage open dialogue and understanding, asserting that individuals have the agency to choose their own reactions and interpretations of the musical.
Here are a few interesting facts related to the topic:
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“The Book of Mormon” musical is a critically acclaimed Broadway show created by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez. It premiered in March 2011.
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The musical received widespread attention and won numerous awards, including nine Tony Awards, a Grammy Award, and four Olivier Awards.
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Although the musical parodies the Mormon faith, its creators have acknowledged that they find value in some aspects of the religion. Trey Parker stated, “We all have Mormon friends, and they’ve helped us shape some of the musical. We’ve stuck by them, and they’ve stuck by us.”
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Response to the musical within the Mormon community has been mixed, with some finding it offensive, while others view it as an opportunity for dialogue and understanding.
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A video response to “What does the Mormon church say about the Book of Mormon musical?”
In this YouTube video, ex-Mormons review the Book of Mormon musical and share their experience attending it. They dressed up as missionaries and received funny reactions, but overall found the musical incredibly funny with well-written songs and crude humor. They were more offended by the crude humor than the jokes about Mormonism itself. The reviewers discuss the main characters, the accurate portrayal of Mormon beliefs and language, and the exploration of the idea that something doesn’t have to be true to be helpful. They highlight moments that resonated with them, such as the unrealistic expectations of missionaries and the satirical song “Turn It Off.” They also discuss a scene where the missionaries compare their problems to the struggles faced by the Ugandans, highlighting their ignorance and arrogance. The reviewers question the motivations behind missionary work and the conflict faced by one character. They mention a crude and offensive scene but highlight the uplifting message that something doesn’t have to be true to be helpful. They highly recommend the musical for its entertainment value and thought-provoking themes.
Check out the other answers I found
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement in response to the musical "The Book of Mormon" that opened on Broadway in 2011. The statement reads: "The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ".
In response to the musical, the church issued a single statement: "The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ."
When “The Book of Mormon” musical opened on Broadway in 2011, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement: “The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.”
The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people’s lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ.
You will most likely be intrigued
The Book of Mormon confirms what the Bible says about Jesus Christ and clarifies many other Christian doctrines. Both books are evidence that God lives and wants to help all of His children.