Yesterday we opened The Book Of Mormon at the Fisher Theatre.
The Book Of Mormon is an interesting show. I love it. But not just because it's ridiculously funny, clever, witty and smart - but because of the overall message of its story.
"We can make THIS our paradise planet," states Elder Price at the end of the show. And they do.
As a person of faith, it is always important to remember that our faith is not just in God, or Christ, or whatever deity/power you believe - but in the power of that faith to breathe and live and change lives among us. It reminds me of my favorite Bible verse
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." - I John 3:18
In The Book Of Mormon, Elder Cunningham cares enough about the people of the village that he takes the time to inspire them with stories, and they rise up and begin to believe in each other and in themselves again.
The show gets a bad rep from the religious because of, well - many things, but particularly Hasa Diga Ebowai, a large production number in the show which basically sings F-you God. If one was to believe the teachings of Jerry Fallwell, Pat Robertson and their like, it should follow that The Lord would have smitten the show for its ill repute and its success would have been limited.
But the show goes on and on with tremendous success.
And at the end... in the same melody as Hasa Diga Ebowai, they sing Maha Nai Boo Ebowai, which is THANK YOU GOD.
If anything, the show is a story of reconciliation and salvation. And that's why it keeps doing so well. And its why I am inspired by it every time I see it.