You’ve seen the musical, now read the real Book of Mormon – that’s the message from a member of The Church of Latter-day Saints.
The Book of Mormon musical is proving a smash hit at Manchester’s Palace Theatre, with ticket sales booming and stellar reviews – and the Church of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormon faith is more formally known, is choosing to see the popularity as an opportunity for the religion.
The musical is a satirical commentary on the church, so the group are keen to set the record straight on any misconceptions the musical causes.
Kevin Fletcher, of the North West branch of the church, said: “It is a distortion of truth. The dangers aren’t when people laugh, but when they take it seriously, both in its portrayal of Africa and the Church of Jesus Christ.”
While Fletcher acknowledged that the musical is played up and exaggerated for comedic effect, for many members of the church this is considered blasphemous – they see their religion being subject to ridicule.
He was keen to add there is no judgment of those who go to see the musical – rather, the church is aiming to educate those who have been and may have questions about the religion.
The Book of Mormon presents “mormons”, who are referred to as members of the Church of Latter-day Saints, as a group unaware of the world around them with no grasp on reality. Fletcher spoke of the isolation that this can cause some members to feel, as though they are being othered within an increasingly secular world.
Latter-day Saints are presented as a group whose lives revolve around the religion and who are all very similar to one another.
Fletcher, who spends his free time with his family and watching Manchester United games, said: “People come away thinking, what a weird lot.
“We’re not clones. We do believe in prayer and following the teachings of Jesus Christ, and we do live pretty normal lives like many other people, with hobbies and interests.”
In order to challenge these misconceptions and further educate theatre-goers, missionaries of the church have been speaking to members of the public outside the theatre – as they did during the 2019 run of the show.
And the public’s response has been positive.
Fletcher said: “It has been great. People became more aware of us and we have cleared up misunderstandings. Some people we spoke to in 2019 were baptised into the church.”
The young missionaries, who Fletcher believes should be applauded for their work, are some of the 160 young missionaries in the England Manchester Mission turning the publicity into good publicity, even though audiences initially thought this was an act in extension of the show.
Although it is easy to see how members of the public may turn away from the religion after the show, there are elements of the musical which celebrate the Church for the work it does.
The overriding message of the musical is ultimately one of peace and hope: that anyone from any background can join the Church. Which is something Fletcher encourages audiences to focus on from the show, as well as the religions focus on helping others.
The message from the real Mormon church – if you want to know the story yourself, speak to the missionaries and read the book.
Feature image: Hope Gallagher
