I can’t stop listening to the soundtrack to “The Book of Mormon,” the Broadway musical that just won nine Tony’s. No, I haven’t seen it. Tickets are being scalped for $900 a seat.
It’s funny. Very funny.
It’s profane. Very profane. (After all, it’s written by the creators of the TV show “South Park” and the Tony-award winning musical “Avenue Q.”
And it’s weirdly inspirational.
The Mormon characters in this show take their faith seriously–crazy doctrine and all. In the song “I Believe,” Elder Kevin Price re-affirms his faith after things don’t go so well on his mission to Uganda.
Ever since I was a child I tried to be the best
So, what happened?
My family and friends all said I was blessed
So, what happened?
When I was a child, my faith was pretty solid, too. Some family and friends even thought I was spiritually mature for my age.
Now I must be completely devout
I can’t have even one shred of doubt
Unlike Elder Price, I think doubt can be a good thing. I had more than a shred; I was in shreds. But just like Elder Price, I found my way back to belief.
I believe that the Lord, God, created the universe.
I believe that He sent His only Son to die for my sins.
Of course, these two lines of doctrine are just about the only parts of the song that I do believe. The rest, well, let’s just say I am NOT a Mormon.
The creators of the show, who are not religious, were interviewed on “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross. Matt Stone said he doesn’t have much respect for people who try to prove their beliefs to him, but he added, “But at the same time, if you say, ‘I believe this,’ and I just go, ‘Okay. Cool, man.’ If you want to believe that, that’s cool.”
Ultimately, I (and Elder Price) had to decide if we believe. Yes or no. Up or down. No proof.
If you believe, the Lord will reveal it.
And you’ll know it’s all true. You’ll just feel it.
I believe.
