Oh Brother Brigham

As I sat down this evening to write the primary sacrament meeting program, I was reminded of an experience a few years ago, of being asked to write the ward Road Show. We met one evening to get the scoop and have the theme unveiled. There was a heady sense of excitement in the air as a roomful of rather reluctant, relatively creative types gathered together.

After the obligatory mormon meeting moments (prayers, introductions, much expression of gratitude and faith), it was time. And the them is . . . . "Church History . . . LIVE!"

What?--

No, you read correctly: Church History. Live!

I don't know about you mormons out there, but my experience with road shows has been that of taking a rather silly theme, putting it to silly music and silly language, wrapping it up in some feel good, generally gospel based ideal, and a good time is had by all.

I began wracking my brain for anything very silly about church history . . . the cricket plague? nah, Mountain Meadows Massacre? nope. Martin Handcart Company? nuh-uh. Polygamy? well, now we're getting warm.

Trouble was, we were asked to submit two ideas to the stake president for approval before we began script-writing. So, I boldly submitted "Seven Brides for One Brother" and "Church History--LIVE!" (a series of silly loosely historically based vignettes with musical guest in Saturday Night--LIVE! format). Both were destined to be hilarious--if somewhat controversial. Both were also destined never to be . . . they didn't make it past round 1. ("Have you seen Saturday Night--LIVE!"? I was asked. Surely that's where the theme was taken from . . . but alas.)

Back to the drawing board. In the end, this was a great exercise that forced my creative juices to their utmost limit and I came up with something even better than the original provocative ideas: The Game. Church History ala Jumangi. (Of course, I did NOT mention Jumangi in the proposal--have you seen Jumangi!? Oh, the violence!). Basic plot is this, Dad finds an old dusty boardgame in the garage and decides to play it for FHE. Kids are not so thrilled, and then suddenly the game gets real. Little brother who unfortunately selected the Brigham Young playing piece is chased off stage by a bear (really happened--Church History). Older brother with Joseph's playing piece has to avoid being killed by the mob that appeared at the door after the gold plates appeared in his lap, and so forth. And of course, the crowning glory, the moment when seagulls descend upon the audience demanding crickets from them (ala Finding Nemo--"Mine! Mine! Mine!). It was brilliant!

Someday I'd still like to write Seven Brides for One Brother.

Now back to the primary program . . .