I must admit, I was stunned when I read that the Church had purchased ad space in the actual “The Book of Mormon” musical Playbill for the LA shows. (For those of you non-theater goers, a playbill is the “program” you get at a show that has information about the show, cast bios, and lots of advertisements.)
Here is a sample of one of the ads:
Initially, I was dismayed and surprised that the Church had chosen such a vile and degrading vehicle to share what we deem as sacred, but as I read more, I became less worried. Church spokesman Michael Purdy explained it to the Los Angeles TImes: (link here)
“Patrons of the musical aren’t likely to leave the theater with a better understanding of the Book of Mormon. Our message in the playbill invites the audience to seek a more complete perspective on the book, its Christ-centered message and its place in Mormon belief.”
As you can imagine, this got me thinking. Why not take the message right into the “belly of the beast?” Why not be more aggressive and create interest for the Church in unexpected places? By exploiting the very things that run counter to our teachings, we can reach people who normally wouldn’t give the church a second look. (I’ll bet that’s what Captain Moroni would have done, had he had better materials than his clothes to work with, and a bigger budget.)
So, in doing my part, I came up with a few more ideas that follow this line of thinking. If anyone from the Church PR department is interested, give me a call, and we’ll do lunch.
LDS Humor Mormon humorist clean funny
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I actually think those playbill ads are genius!
Actually, I was thrilled that they purchased ad space in the playbill. I think it’s PERFECT!! And I LOVE all your new ideas for ads–the football one is awesome, but I loved them all. You’re passing them on to someone in the church office building, right?
JWW
Excellent! Especially the football one.
Thanks! These are great examples.
WE need a follow up on some day on how many people from the “Book of Mormon” musical joined the Church becasue of their (our) Ad space.
My favorite was the Boy Scouts one. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! xoxo!
How did I know today was your birthday?! I just KNEW!
So I have recently moved to Las Vegas. I told my husband we need to take pass along cards and pass them out on the strip just like the people who pass out those stupidporn cards.
Just hope none of that money ended up in the hands of the story creators… Either way it is an opportunity to share the Book of Mormon.
That was Great! Made my evening!! I like the ads and thought that was very clever!!
You might just have a future in the PR department for the church. Too funny!
I’ll pass – I’ve heard what the church pays…
I’m normally not a huge fan of LDS humor, the kind where Mormons make a joke like “good thing it’s not Book of Mormon times”, or when a kid wears 10 neck ties to school because it’s “good clean fun”, or anything involving jello, young marriages, a butt load of kids, or God hitting people with lightening. It all too often is not very witty or clever and generally comes across as trying too hard IMO. But I have to admit that I found this to be very humorous! You just earned yourself a new “follower” my friend.
Thanks Danny, but you set a pretty high bar! Now I have to go delete all my future posts.
I had a great one where a young couple with a butt load of kids are horrified to see that their son gets struck by lightning – knocking off all ten of his neckties.
I guess I’ll have to think of something more creative.
I’d appreciate that 😉
A lot of the Comments mention that they start the day with your blog. Not so me. I get my emailed link between 3 and 4 in the afternoon. But it worked well for me today as I’ve been up since 5 and had become tired and grumpy. Nothing like a good laugh to perk you up. I’m in the midst of all that war stuff now because I got off track, and so if I had to vote for just one, it would be The Expendables. I’ve often thought that even though there are lessons to learn in all that blood & nastiness…it’s a Guy thing. Ranks with backing into a parking space – Guy thing.
I’m glad to finally realize that backing in is a guy thing. It used to annoy me when my husband would do it, now I can just shrug it off as a “guy thing”.
I just discovered your blog, it is all the things most of us think but are afraid to say out loud. Love it. I read up on your “most popular” and have a suggestion about the swear words. Matthew 5:37 “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Easy to understand-difficult to master!
My favorite is the football one. Awesome.
I really like the football game one and the Boy Scouts one. Hehe.
The Expendables- too funny!
My husband worked on the concept. His firm went with the “safe” ideas- you should have seen the ones they didn’t choose. Hilarious! There have been several converts who’s interest was piqued by watching the musical. The Church is savvy and knew this was the right way to dispel some of the myths perpetuated in the show. I think it’s brilliant.
See Matt and Trey’s reaction to the ads on Jimmy Kimmel:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/398978#i1,p86,d2
Funny clip – thanks.
Love this, MMM. Your humor and insight is always refreshing.
NICE! Have a great birthday, MMM!
I’m going to be LAUGHING all day about those! I predict a spike in MMM on Pinterest…
Wonderful as always! My personal favorite was the football game one.
Mine too. 🙂
I loved that the church could have a sense of humor about the situation. I saw another add they placed that said “The book is always better”
These are hysterical! Hahahaha.
When “The Book of Mormon” musical was on Broadway in New York, Barnes and Noble called Deseret Book and asked if they had any copies of The Book of Mormon they could sell in the store because there were so many people who had seen the musical and now wanted to “read the book.”
God is always in charge of the details.
You’ve got mad ad skills, MMM. Did you hear that KSL in Utah won’t be showing “The New Normal?” Sometimes it’s good to live in Utah.
I am incredibly entertained by this! Awesome 🙂
Thanks for a delightful look at our Mormon perspective!
Haha this is awesome!
I LOVED this!! Great ads! Maybe they’ll call you! Very Funny! I was actually really glad that the Church bought some of that ad space…kind of like the sleeping giant. I thought their approach was right on for the audience.
Hahahahahaha! Love them all but the Expendables one is pure genius!
Makes sense to me. How many times do we read that Christ, Alma Jr. etc went into ‘their’ synagogues to preach?
First time poster, recent fan – even though I don’t agree with everything you say, I appreciate what you are doing. Keep it up!
Glad to have you on board. I totally understand that you don’t agree with everything I say. It’s OK. (You’re still young – you have time.) 😉
: D
Simply great.
Good one on The Expendables. I often think when reading The Book of Mormon that I would never want to see the movie.
I also especially liked the sign at the football game.
Happy Birthday!
LOL. What a way to start a dreary Wednesday! Loved it!!
Hilarious. And sure to be picked up soon by google image searchers looking for pics to go with their anti Mormon posts.
How is iced coffee still a hot drink? Maybe you should do a post about that.
Doug, either you are yanking my chain, or you were in a coma all last week… I’ll choose “A”.
HA, thanks for the laugh!
You should go into advertising! Brillant!
I totally love that the pr dept bought ad space! Again, brilliant!
ROFL! Thanks for a great laugh to start a rainy day! The Expendables is my favorite.