You’ve probably heard the name. Maybe you’ve seen the bright yellow posters with the tap-dancing missionary. Or maybe you just know it as "that show by the South Park guys." But if you haven't sat in those plush theater seats yet, you’re likely wondering: what is The Book of Mormon musical about, and why on earth is it still one of the biggest things on Broadway?
Honestly, it's a wild ride. It’s vulgar. It’s loud. It’s surprisingly sweet.
At its core, the show follows two young missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who get sent to a remote village in Uganda. They aren't exactly a dream team. Elder Price is the "golden boy"—handsome, pious, and deeply disappointed that he didn't get assigned to Orlando, Florida. Then there’s Elder Cunningham. He’s socially awkward, a bit of a nerd, and has a tiny habit of... well, lying. Or "making things up" when the actual scriptures get too boring.
The Plot: A Mission Gone Sideways
When the pair arrives in Africa, they expect a life of easy baptisms and sunshine. Reality hits them like a freight train. The villagers they’re supposed to convert are dealing with actual, life-and-death problems: a brutal warlord (charmingly named General Butt Fucking Naked), an AIDS epidemic, and extreme poverty.
The traditional Mormon message doesn't exactly land.
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While Elder Price undergoes a massive crisis of faith—culminating in a literal "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream" featuring Hitler and giant dancing Starbucks cups—Elder Cunningham takes a different approach. Since he never actually read the Book of Mormon, he starts blending the religion with things he actually knows. Think Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and even bits of Star Trek.
Why the "Mormon" Part Matters
The show isn't just using the religion as a punchline. It dives deep into the history of Joseph Smith, the "All-American Prophet." You get the whole story: the golden plates, the move to Utah, and the belief that God lives on a planet called Kolob.
The creators—Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez (the guy who wrote the songs for Frozen)—clearly did their homework. They poke fun at the specific, often quirky doctrines of the faith, but they also capture the earnest, "door-to-door" optimism that defines the missionary experience.
What Is The Book of Mormon Musical About Under the Surface?
If you look past the F-bombs and the shock humor, the show is actually a coming-of-age story. It’s about how people use stories—even "crazy" ones—to find hope in a world that often feels hopeless.
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One of the most famous songs, "Hasa Diga Eebowai," sounds like a cheery Lion King parody, but the lyrics are a middle finger to the universe. It’s how the villagers cope with their suffering. By the end, the musical suggests that it doesn't really matter if the stories are literally true; what matters is if they make you a better person or help you survive another day.
It’s a weirdly humanist message for a show that starts with a guy singing about his love for Disney World.
The Characters You'll Meet
- Elder Kevin Price: The overachiever who thinks he's the star of his own movie.
- Elder Arnold Cunningham: The lovable loser who just wants a best friend.
- Nabulungi: The village leader’s daughter who dreams of a paradise called "Sal Tlay Ka Siti" (Salt Lake City).
- Elder McKinley: The district leader who tries to "turn off" his "un-Mormon" thoughts like a light switch.
Is It Offensive?
Well, yes. But also no.
When it first opened in 2011, people expected the LDS Church to protest. Instead, the Church took out ads in the playbills that said, "You’ve seen the show, now read the book." They leaned into it.
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That said, the show has faced more recent criticism regarding its portrayal of Africa. In 2020, following the global conversation around race and representation, the creators actually revised parts of the script to give the Ugandan characters more agency and depth. It’s a satire that tries to punch up, though it definitely leaves a few bruises along the way.
Why You Should Care in 2026
The show has been running for over a decade for a reason. It won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It’s catchy. "I Believe" is a genuine power ballad that will get stuck in your head for weeks, even if you don't believe in ancient American civilizations.
Basically, it's a big-budget Broadway spectacle wrapped in a layer of "South Park" cynicism.
If you’re planning to see it, here are the practical steps to make the most of it:
- Listen to the cast recording first: Some of the lyrics fly by so fast you’ll miss the jokes if you aren't prepared.
- Don't bring the kids: This isn't The Lion King. The language is extremely adult.
- Check for lottery tickets: Most cities where the tour stops offer a "digital lottery" for $25–$40 seats.
- Read up on the "Mormon Moment": Understanding a tiny bit of LDS history (like the story of the lost 116 pages) makes the jokes hit ten times harder.
The show is a celebration of the ridiculousness of faith and the necessity of human connection. It’s about two kids who think they’re saving the world, only to realize the world is way bigger and messier than their handbook ever told them.