i'm a Mormon

i joke that i ran away from home when asked how a born and bred west coaster made her home in new york city.  in many ways it isn't a joke.  i did run away from what was comfortable, status quo and kind of predictable.  i wanted to spread my wings in a place where i would encounter countless people who weren't like me.  hence why i chose new york or maybe new york chose me.  but new york has never affected who i am and want to become.  being Mormon defines me as a person.  all of my decisions are based on my faith and knowledge that i am a child of God. 

currently being mormon or anything related to mormons and our personally cherished beliefs is up for discussion, research projects, pieces in national publications like the new york times or washington post and musical theater productions.  the biggest thing on broadway right now is a musical called the book of mormon.  this show swept the tony awards and is currently the hardest ticket to get.  a couple of people have asked me if i would go/want to see it.  i truly support the statement of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in regards to this production: 

"The production may attempt to entertain audiences for an evening, but the Book of Mormon as a volume of scripture will change people's lives forever by bringing them closer to Christ."

i don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to be entertained by artists mocking and defiling what i hold sacred but i also don't judge those that do see it.  that's the most wonderful thing about life...we get to choose.  the gift of free agency is such a powerful tool and is what brings us individuality.

the interesting little sidenote (as told by my stake president on sunday) about the musical's dominance of the great white way is that now hotel chains throughout the city are contacting the Church's public affairs office requested hundreds and hundreds of Book of Mormons because guests are stealing them from their hotel rooms in prestigous and pricey hotels like the ritz carlton and waldorf astoria.  who knew The Book of Mormon would be a souvenir item in new york city?  pretty sure God was the One in the know. 

there is also a new billboard gracing the bright lights of times square.  the Church has begun it's "I'm A Mormon" campaign throughout the city.  i love this campaign because it shows that each member of the Church is a person like their neighbor trying to be a good person, make right choices for their circumstances and love their family.  we aren't fire breathing, stone throwing, crazy people who should be thought of as odd.  although i think we have the best possible differences from the majority of humankind - eternal families, healthy lifestyles, fidelity, integrity, strong work ethic, devotion to God, personal revelation, and of course, The Book of Mormon. 

i embrace my differences from my co-workers, friends and commuters.  it's the reason i left the happy valley of utah/arizona to come to the big bad city.  it has been so fantastic to watch the Church grow in the city and embrace it's presence in pop culture with dignity and integrity.