I guess it really depends on what kind of music you're into. I for one am a huge Broadway fanatic and Book of Mormon is one of my favorites because of the music. But to each their own. To say it's a shitty musical just because you didn't like it is close minded.

OP, I'm sorry for your struggle, but I'm so happy that you've figured out your life now. You've got so much ahead of you. Keep smiling.

While I haven't seen it, several family members of my non-LDS family, who lived in Eastern Idaho surrounded by the forces of Mormonism found it delightful.

I went, several years ago, to Late Night Catechism with my ex-Catholic wife. While I found the show amusing, my wife and her friends who were reformed Catholics laughed hysterically. I'm happy to hear that those without the inside information can still enjoy the show.

As an ex-Mormon who was once the son of a bishop, I can say that it really represents a lot of the Mormon culture, even some of the subtle aspects. It's a take-down, but a very kind-hearted one.

I recommend the play. Catchy songs, relatable characters, and just a lot of fun overall.

I have had a dozen different bishops in several states over the years. Half of them did or said things that really, really offended me deeply. Over time, I decided to forgive them and realize they didn't get up in the morning with the goal of screwing me over. It was basically a situation of a good guy not having all the tools needed to deal with my heavy problems. When I let go, and let God, things worked out. It's all about Christ as my Savior, and me being good to people. Also, bullies are everywhere, I hate them, and someday I'll forgive them. But they will bully because of their own insecurities, and any excuse, gay or otherwise, works for them. And personally, I don't mind the word fuck, but just because someone doesn't want to hear vulgarities, doesn't mean they can't think for themselves. I think the converse is actually true. The institutional church as described by the author is not how I choose to view what goes on, although granted, there is a lot to poke fun at. A basic tenet of the faith is to let everyone "worship how, where, or what they may." Or not, that's perfectly cool too.

Saw BoM Sunday night. I loved this play. Loved it! So did my theater companion. It's incredibly layered and smart - even for those of us who don't understand the Mormon in-jokes.

For example, "Hasa diga eebowai" as a send-up of the Lion King mentality (especially following the Lion King scene in the airport) is brilliant on its own even without the useful addition of knowing about the "Car Key God." And the intertwined combination of its lyrics and the hoppy-happy white liberal stereotype of African music is hilarious and brilliantly critical.

Similarly, for another example, the final number is so many layers of wonderfully smart - from the line about Americans having the cure for AIDS but saving it for a latter day, to its underlying heart, to its gentle parody of the Broadway musical optimism that makes that heart possible. And on and on.

And that's just two examples of many.

And we loved it without getting most if not all of the Mormon in-jokes. That just adds another layer of intelligence to an already brilliantly layered production.

Final note: Somehow, seeing this play actually raised my spirits in a gentle but unmistakeable way - and this spirit lifting has persisted for days as I've been listening to the songs mentioned above. I'm generally not affected by things like this, but something about the play and possibly also the energy it raised in the audience had this effect on me. And I'm someone who has no stake in anything to do with Mormonism or formal religion one way or another.

I don't know how they did it, but given its effect on me, I can totally see how Jake would have felt transported at the spiritual level. As odd as it may seem, give the context: there was something gently but powerfully spirit-level beautiful in this play.

Do not see things because of crude language?
Language censorship can lead to ignorance and threatens our Republic.

It is sad that Mormons have missed some real wake-up calls from movies and entertainment because of a requirement to avoid R rated movies or risk not getting their pass renewed to get into a temple.

If only Michael Moore had made a PG version of Fahrenheit 911. Moore could have simply bleeped a couple of F bombs from a soldier interview in the film. Then thousands of Mormons would have seen this movie and likely would not have voted for a second time for George Bush and his stupid and greedy sidekick Dick Chaney.

Bishop forbid that a Mormon might see an R rated documentary or stage play that might encourage them to do some real research on their own.

I am all for freedom of religion, but a Republic cannot survive with an uninformed public.

15



thanks for the advice, faggot