Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon, first produced in 2011, is a musical comedy that tells the story of two Mormon missionaries who travel to a small Ugandan village for a mission and to spread the word of Joseph Smith. When they arrive, they realize that this village is dealing with extreme poverty, disease and violence. It pokes fun at a number of the silly beliefs exclusive to Mormons (it goes without question that all religions have some level of silliness), while including some crude, racially motivated humor. It contains songs that point to the wrongfulness of homosexuality and normalization of abuse in the home. There are songs that point to Jesus living in upstate New York and burying secret golden plates in the backyard of Joseph Smith, that no one else was ever allowed to see. In addition to this silliness, Elder Cunningham continuously is confusing The Book of Mormon and its teachings with the sci-fi phenomena Star Trek, resulting in a musical number where the Ugandan community perform a sci-fi version of Brigham Young’s journey to Salt Lake City after Joseph Smith dies from having diarrhea.

Cast of Book of Mormon perform Hello, Oliver Awards, 2023. 

Vice Media interviewed Elder Steven Bennion, an assistant director of the church in Salt Lake City, regarding the feedback he’s received from the musical. Elder Bennion commented on the number of Tony awards it has won, claiming the musical is a good thing for the Mormon community. He stated, “People will become more aware that we’re a Christian church, that we’re not a cult and that we don’t force our views on anyone, but that we’re happy to share them with those who are interested”. He also points out that it is reaching an audience that would more than likely shut the door in their face, were they to knock. The show, while poking fun at some beliefs, certainly doesn’t paint Mormons in a bad light. Show creator Trey Parker also stated in an interview “We grew up with Mormons, and their MO is to beat you by being kinder than you and higher than you” (Kleeman, 2013) and this is a running theme and the punchline of many jokes throughout the show. 

A lot of media in pop culture that portrays Mormons often represents the religion as a polygamist cult. Therefore, in response to the musical, much of the church accepted the portrayal from the musical and even had missionaries stand outside the theatre offering copies of The [real] Book of Mormon and taking advantage of the opportunity to spin the popular opinion (Johnson, 2019).

While many Mormons were able to find parts of the musical comical and relatable, there were some very symbolic rituals that were indeed mocked. One particularly critiqued scene in Book of Mormon is the scene where Elder Cunningham baptizes Nabulungi. Dallyn Vail Bayles of Deseret news writes “How could I laugh at a song that turns the action of the holy ordinance of baptism into a double entendre sexual encounter? How could I laugh at the crude portrayal of Jesus, or at a song that curses God in an exceptionally vulgar way?” (2015). Meanwhile, others say it doesn’t bother them, citing “Popular culture will be whatever it will be”, and that what Broadway does is irrelevant to their everyday lives. (Otterson, 2011)

Photo by Joan Marcus. Found on https://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/2017/aug/03/a-real-mormon-reviews-the-book-of-mormon-musical/

Despite the crude humour and sexual innuendos, one critic wrote:

“In The Book of Mormon, the no-longer-naive protagonist declares that religion is “a bunch of made-up stuff but it point[s] to something bigger.” And with that one sentence, this musical made a profound contribution to our understanding why religions are with us, and why they should stay. Religion is “a bunch of made-up stuff but it point[s] to something bigger.” That “something bigger” can be something awful, to be sure, if people pervert religion’s potential and use it to divide people into “the saved” and “the damned.” When religion encourages cruel treatment of outcast infidels, it’s lost its way. But when that “something bigger” is our shared sense that we’re all in this together, that although the world is vast our destinies are shared, and the work we do to improve life for all is the most important work of all, that’s when religion is on-task and earns an honored place in our community.” (Dreskin, 2012)

This review shows that there certainly is an uplifting message to the musical. Keeping it lighthearted and comedic helps the audience stay engaged and digest that message much easier. The ability to portray this message of community through the use of humour is likely why the show has been such a success.

References:

Bayles, D. V. (2015). Why the message behind 'The Book of Mormon' musical is so troubling. Deseret News. Retrieved March 9, 2025, from https://www.deseret.com/2015/8/4/20569555/why-the-message-behind-the-book-of-mormon-musical-is-so-troubling/

Dreskin, B. (2012). Religion as metaphor, or at the least, as a Broadway musical. Billy Dreskin. https://billydreskin.net/religion-as-metaphor-or-at-the-least-as-a-broadway-musical/

Johnson, J. (2019). Mormons, Musical Theater, and Belonging in America (1st ed., Vol. 489). University of Illinois Press.

Kleeman, J. (2013). What do Mormons think about 'The Book of Mormon'? Vice. https://www.vice.com/en/article/i-asked-some-mormons-what-they-thought-about-the-book-of-mormon/

Otterson, M. (2011). Why I won't be seeing the Book of Mormon musical. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Newsroom. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/book-of-mormon-musical-column

Parker, T., Lopez, R., & Stone, M. (Creators). (2024). The Book of Mormon [Musical]. Prince of Wales Theatre, London, UK.