The Book of Mormon Musical Review (Act Two)

Act Two

Making Things Up Again—A newly empowered Elder Cunningham sets out teach to teach the people of Africa. All the people of Africa want to hear about is how to stop aids and other tragedies they face. Elder Cunningham makes things about what the scriptures say about curing aides, and other topics. This song is both crude and doctrinally irreverent. Song 2/5; Offensiveness 5/5

Spooky Mormon Hell Dream—After telling white lies about doctrine, Elder Cunningham feels guilty but rationalizes that it is to help the people. Meanwhile, Elder Price is reflecting on his life and the sins he has committed, including stealing a pastry from his kitchen and lying about it, and abandoning his mission companion. He has a nightmare about Hell. There is crude language. Song 4/5; Offensiveness 2/5

I Believe—Awakening from his Hell dream, Elder Price recommits to his mission, and decides that his only goal is to convert the warlord. This song is the most complex so far for me to write about. It shares the feelings of a missionary who envisioned that his mission would be perfect, and the internal struggle he feels when it doesn’t always go that way. That is quite a relatable feeling that many missionaries feel. There are many faith promoting lines, like  ‘I must trust that the Lord is mightier (than a warlord) and always has my back,’ ‘I believe that the Lord, God, created the universe’, and ‘I believe that He sent His only Son to die for my sins’. I have two problems with the song. First, the writers go out of their way to point out some of our unique beliefs without providing any context. That way the beliefs seem less rational. Kolob, blacks and the Priesthood, having planets, and the Garden of Eden in Missouri are all in there. (On a positive note, there are no references to polygamy. If that was in there, the writers would have hit all of the major fringe doctrines.) Second, I have a problem with the assertion that a Mormon just believes. Gaining a testimony is a lifelong process. Yes, there are times when we have doubts, but if you’ve never doubted, and never struggled, you won’t develop the faith necessary to sustain belief. People who just simplistically believe are like those who build their foundations on sand. When the first rain storm comes to challenge their beliefs, the foundation of their testimonies is likely to wash away. Those develop a deeper faith by asking questions, and finding answers through methods like scripture study and prayer are stronger more like those who build their foundations on rock. Song 4/5; Offensiveness 3/5.

Baptize Me—Several Africans agree to be baptized. This is a song Elder Cunningham and one of his female converts sing to each other. All I care to say about this song is that it is a double-entendre. Song 1/5; Offensiveness 5/5.

I Am Africa—The newly successful missionaries feel a oneness with Africa. Song 1/5; Offensiveness 0/5

Orlando—This song is not on the soundtrack, so I have no idea what it is like. For plot movement, this song is Elder Price being once again disappointed by his failure to convert the warlord, and other failures throughout his life.

Joseph Smith American Moses—The Mission President and other Church Leaders come to visit the Uganda because of the success the missionaries have had. The African converts put on a show about what they have learned about the church. This is supposed to be the comedic high point of the show because of the African’s misunderstandings about actual church beliefs, but it is too crude and doctrinally insensitive for me to enjoy it much. The Mission President is stunned at the false doctrine, moves the missionaries to other areas, and declares that none of the converts are actually members of the church. Song 1/5; Offensiveness 5/5.

Hasa Diga Eebowai (Reprise)—This song isn’t on the soundtrack either, but it is the main female convert being sad that she is not actually a member of the church, and will not escape Africa for Salt Lake City. Mad about what happened, the female convert tells the villagers that Elder Cunningham was eaten by a lion.

You and Me (But Mostly Me) (Reprise)—This song is also only in the musical. Elder Cunningham is sad about the turn of events for his converts. Elder Price has an epiphany about how what actually matters is ensuring that religion actually helps people. The two fully reconcile as missionary companions and believers.

(Story break: The villagers convince the female convert that Elder Cunningham had their best interest at heart by making up stories that would give them hope in their daily lives, rather than the actual truth. She forgives Elder Cunningham. Meanwhile, the warlord attacks the village. Elder Price and Elder Cunningham return. Elder Cunningham claims he rose from the dead after being eaten by the lion. The two missionaries drive the warlord out of the village. )

Tomorrow Is A Latter Day—The missionaries and the Africans come together and agree to work together to improve the planet because, after all, we are all Later-day Saints. It features the Africans serving as missionaries for the gospel they follow, which seems to be some the distorted truth that Elder Cunningham taught. For a closer of a musical, it had some good parts (the Hello Reprise) and some boring parts (the rest). Song 2/5; Offensiveness 2/5.

Thoughts

The musical turns out to be rather sweet. It deals with the importance of helping others no matter the circumstances of their lives, being disappointed and finding motivation to carry on, and having hope for a better tomorrow. However, there is no getting around the fact that this musical uses very crude language and has some very crude plot pieces. The musical distorts our doctrine, and is irreverent to stories and teachings that we hold sacred as Latter-day Saints.  If and when it ultimately travels to Salt Lake City, I for one will not be in the audience.

Elder Holland, when speaking at Harvard, talked about the musical briefly and said his response to those who had seen it would be, ‘you’ve seen the musical, now read the book.’ He talked about how the church used the publicity of the musical to promote the ‘I’m a Mormon’ campaign to people in New York and other metropolitan areas.

The church’s official response read, ‘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 Book of Mormon does change lives. It does teach doctrines such as faith, baptism, and repentance that, if lived, help people return to live with a God who loves them deeply and personally. It does nothing but preach of Christ, his divinity, and his mission. The stories in the book will change your life if you take the time to study them, reflect on them, and apply their lessons. This is what I Believe.