Not All Shows Must Go On

This is old news, but there is a hit Broadway musical, “Book of Mormon” that has received a lot of attention and awards.  I have taken little notice of it.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made little public comment other than to invite people to read the actual Book of Mormon and to visit our church meetings to judge for themselves as to whether the real church is anything like the pretend church that is receiving so much mockery in the musical.  After writing this, I will go back to my usual state of ignoring the show, but today I feel the need to write some of my thoughts.

I am sickened with the thought that anyone would produce a show that openly mocks the religious faith of any person or group.  I realize that free speech is a right, and artists may comment as they wish.  Similarly, patrons may freely choose which events to support with ticket purchases.  Some decide to attend.  Others, like me, shrink from the thought.  What I ponder with this writing is why folks would make the choice to purchase the tickets and attend this wildly popular and egregiously offensive production.  I have a few theories.

First, there is the allure of a new and popular show.  Something different, something that has won awards and accolades in the industry has its appeal to theatre goers.  My professional life has been among the arts community, and I enjoy new productions, too.  However, even if my personal faith were not the target, I would stay away from this one.  The language in many of the songs and dialogues is too foul to print.  I have no taste for that.  Of even greater significance is the desire to stay away from any visual or performing art form that has as its main purpose the ridicule of a particular faith or of religion in general.  The idea of eliciting laughter and immense revenue at the expense of another’s beliefs is abhorrent.  So, the artsy crowd flocks to check out the new show.   I get it.  Count me out.

Another reason why theatre goers may patronize this production could be curiosity of a religion that until recently, was lesser known in the mainstream of American churches.  Most people probably knew a member of the LDS church, but suddenly, the faith became in the media spotlight when a church member became a presidential candidate from a major political party.  There are lots of myths floating about concerning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Maybe some attended to see just what Mormons are about.  There are many more accurate ways to satisfy that curiosity.  There are millions of church members worldwide who are happy to answer questions and to talk about their beliefs.  Over 60,000 missionaries volunteer around the world for two year full time missions.  The church is also very open and accessible to visitors, both in our chapels and numerous visitors’ centers and in free printed materials and websites.   Trusting the entertainment industry to accurately portray a serious subject is pretty unreliable.   Curious theatre goers would receive a much more correct and fair representation of the church and its beliefs by consulting a member, visiting a service, visiting lds.org, or by actually reading The Book of Mormon.

Novelty, curiosity about a religion, and even pity or scorn for the perceived misguidance of LDS members is not really what bothers me.  These are annoyances, but they have not caused me to shed tears.  What has truly troubled me and brought this to a personal level is the worry that I have might not have taken the opportunity to express to those around me that The Book of Mormon is a sacred book of scripture that is central to my faith. It is the keystone of our religion.  It is the word of God and a second witness, along with the Bible, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.  I have read The Book of Mormon more than twenty times from cover to cover.  I have studied it and prayed over it and received a sure witness that allows me to confidently say that I know that it is truly the word of God.  No one has to take my word for its truthfulness.  Anyone who reads it with a sincere heart may pray to know for himself if it is truly scripture.  Millions have done this and testify just like me. 

So, for whatever the reason, do I feel a sting of pain when my friends and colleagues buy their tickets?  You bet I do.  Let’s go to the Kennedy Center together and see something that will uplift both of us.  

I'm not Julia Child

Written on June 19, 2010


I've been too busy cooking all day for 2 days and one evening to reflect and write.  I've been preparing for a bridal shower and a dinner with friends.  I'm not a great cook, and I'm not sure I enjoy it all that much, but I did find joy.  It's a joy to make and share with friends.  It's a joy to easily buy fresh, delicious, healthy food and to prepare it in a kitchen that is outfitted with all the modern conveniences and decorated to my taste.  It is a joy to be healthy and strong and to feel it (except for the sore back and knee, but it's all good.) Bon Appetite.


To make up for no message yesterday, I'll send a second one this afternoon.  I attended a lovely piano recital this afternoon, another one where kids that I substitute taught earlier this spring were performing.  Some of them played like little professionals, and others played liked regular kids who take piano lessons, but each of them gave up free time to practice and to prepare.  As I listened, I thought, "I love my job."  I work so hard all year to make these performance opportunities happen for literally thousands of kids.  When I see them play and see their happiness when they achieve a level of artistry, I feel joy.  It warms my heart to the core.

A Pattern

Written on June 16, 2010

I'm seeing a pattern in what I do for joy, and it's no surprise that it's music.  For today's joy, I practiced the piano for about the tenth day in a row, which is a real record for me these days.  I haven't done that in years, and although I'm awfully rusty, I still love it.  I also finished another year of teaching with a great lesson where the student is reaching that point where she loves to play and sees herself as a pianist.  I love that moment when a student "gets it"  and is ready for a bigger challenge.  So, that's my joy for today.  What's black and white and happy all over?  Mom at the piano.

2 Songs

Written on June 15, 2010

While I'm still sweating from today's walk in very humid Virginia, I will pause to write about a joy I have several times each week.  I work out at the gym and pool on M, W, and F.  On T, Th, and Sat., I walk the streets of Greenbriar, sometimes with Gail, sometimes with my I-pod.  When I walk alone, I always start and end with the same 2 songs, and they always bring me joy.  Here they are:  I leave the house with Helen Reddy, singing "I am Woman."  No, it's not the feminist message that brings me joy, but the confidence that I can accomplish hard things.  These last 2 years have been quite a journey for me. The piece I end my walks with is even better, "The Promise of Living," from The Tender Land by Aaron Copland.  The music is wonderful, but the words are even more so 

"The promise of living with faith and thanksgiving is born of our loving our friends and our labors."  

If I were clever enough, I'd post the music here for you.  (here you go mom!) I can't hear it too often.  I feel gratitude and rededication every time I hear it.  Yes, I feel joy every time, joy that life is rich for me and has the promise of lasting forever.

White Bean Chicken Soup, and Piano Music

Written on June 13, 2012 

Once again, I found a message stuck in my outbox.  It is Saturday's.  Sorry to send out of order, but here it is:

Two joyful things to report today:

 

1.  I heard a lovely piano recital given by 2 girls at the tender age of 14 or 15.  They played beautifully, and I was pleased to be the teacher of one of them for 3 weeks this spring while her regular teacher recovered from surgery.  These 2 girls are truly gifted, and they work hard to develop their gift.

 

2.  This is much more practical and probably cognitively incongruent on such a hot day, but I found joy in making a big pot of a family favorite and my own original recipe.  Here is the recipe, in case you like soup on hot days, too.  It makes a big pot, but it's so good, you'll want to eat all of it, or freeze it for another day when you don't have time to cook.  Pretty much every day.

 

1 or 1.5 lbs, skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces. (I use kitchen scissors for this, and they work great.)

1 lg Vidalia onion, chopped ( a bag of frozen chopped onion works,too)

1 bunch of celery, washed and chopped, including leaves

6 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 Tbl. butter (I know, use olive oil, if you must.)

2 cans diced tomatoes, with juice

2 cans white beans (cannellini) drained and rinsed to remove excess salt

2 Tbl. chicken stock paste (or bullion or broth, whatever you have)

1/2  tsp crushed red pepper  (more, if you dare)

1/4 C fresh cilantro, chopped (I have great new multi-blade scissors to chop herbs.  I highly recommend them.   The fact that I can now harvest the herbs from my garden also gives me joy.)

Enough water to make the consistency that you want.  I add about 4 cups, maybe less.

 

In a big Dutch oven or stock pot, sauté the chopped veggies and chicken in butter until onions are translucent.  Add the tomatoes and juice, water, beans, and stock.  Stir in red pepper and herbs and simmer for a couple of hours.  If you're in a hurry, you can eat it when the veggies are soft, and the chicken is done.  It's healthy and delicious, and it gives us joy every time I make it, which is about once a month or so.

Sing Along

Written on June 13, 2012

This gives me joy every time we do it, and today was no exception.  Nearly every month, I go with members of my church choir to a local assisted living facility  where one of our former choir members is a resident.  He looks forward to the visits, and usually sings along with us, as do several of the other residents.  We sing favorite hymns and patriotic songs, or Christmas carols - songs that the folks love and remember.  I have seen for years what researchers are now reporting in scholarly journals - musical memory is one of the last parts of our brains to leave us.  I have seen folks who have long since forgotten their own names and those of their families.  Still, they can sing familiar songs, often in more than one language.  It is remarkable.  I have read the reports and understand the physiology to some degree, but it still is miraculous to me. 

Movie Night

Written on June 11, 2010

OK, today's offering is just an old black and white movie I borrowed from Netflix.  I recommend it - "Roberta."  It's a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musical with great songs by Jerome Kern, wonderful dancing, gorgeous costumes, lovely sets, and plenty of sweet romance.  The movie has it all.  I didn't realize that it was the source of so many famous songs.  I have to say, it gave me joy - alone in the house, stretched out on the couch. Put it on your cue!

The First Entry

A note from the blog manager~ this was my mother's first "Moments of Joy" entry, sent out in an email.  Now that I have convinced her to let me publish her words, I'm slowly going to add to her current entries, those she has previously written, starting with this one, written on June 8, 2010.  You will be able to recognize these previously written entries by the "written on" date I will be sure to always list at the top.

Written on June 8, 2010

 I can't seem to get into blogging.  It takes too long.  Today while taking my morning walk, I decided to start a daily (ok, almost daily) practice of writing and sending a short note called "What I did for joy" to a group of folks who are dear to me.  I want to spend a minute each day thinking of something I did that day that brought me joy.  Thank of it as Cindy's little zen place.  Trust me, the rest of the day did not go so well, but reflecting on the happy spot can't hurt.  So, here is today's.

You know I love spring time in Virginia.  This morning was picture perfect, sunny, 65 degrees and breezy, perfect for an early  morning walk.  It was 7:30 AM, and the pressures of the day had not yet started.  I walked my usual route, but I took myself with me.  You see, I listened on my I-pod to a digitized performance of myself singing in 1982, when I was a much younger and more agile soprano.  Anyway, the singing sounded beautiful to me this morning.  I don't think I fully appreciated the gift when I was younger.  So, the springtime combined with the sweet high notes of Ricard Strauss, Puccini, Gounod, and others in a voice that is most familiar to me, made for a very pleasant walk.  I felt joy for an hour, and it helped to lift the burdens that were on my shoulders as the day wore on.  What will it be tomorrow?  Not sure yet.  Stay tuned.