Andrew Ainsworth | 1:54 p.m. June 14, 2011
IRVINE, CA
Here is a partial list of accurate doctrinal, cultural, and historic portrayals in the Book of Mormon musical:
1. Joseph Smith claimed to have talked to God.
2. Joseph Smith claimed to have found gold plates in upstate New York containing a history of an ancient people who lived on the American continent.
3. Joseph Smith claimed that an angel named Moroni appeared to him and informed him about the people who wrote the plates.
4. Joseph Smith claimed to be a prophet.
5. Joseph Smith led his people on westward migrations.
6. Joseph Smith was killed by an angry mob.
7. Brigham Young led the Mormons after Joseph’s death.
8. Mormons believe that ancient Jews built boats and came to the Americas.
9. Mormons leaders have taught that the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County, MO.
10. Mormon leaders have taught that God changed his mind about black people in 1978 (priesthood ban lifted).
11. Mormon leaders have taught that Mormons can one day have their own planet.
12. Mormons believe it is not a sin to have homosexual thoughts, but that engaging in homosexual actions are sinful.
13. Mormons believe doubt is bad, belief is good.
14. The Book of Mormon says that Jesus Christ came to the Americas.
15. The Book of Mormon says that God cursed the Lamanites with a skin of blackness.
16. Mormons believe that the current prophet, Thomas S. Monson, speaks to God.
17. Mormon missionaries receive training in a missionary training center.
18. It is against mission rules for a missionary to leave his companion.
19. It is against mission rules to leave your apartment after a certain hour.
20. A person joins the Mormon church by being baptized by immersion, which baptism may be performed by a missionary.
21. Brigham Young led the Mormons west to Utah, where they built Salt Lake City.
22. “The most important time in a Mormon kid’s life is his mission.”
23. Mormon missionaries are motivated by a desire to help save mankind.
24. Mormon missionaries do not have final say in where they are assigned to serve.
25. Mormons believe that if you are righteous and pray for something, God will provide it.
26. Mormons believe that confirmation of the Book of Mormon’s truthfulness comes through spiritual feelings.
27. Some missionaries have leadership aspirations and get carried away with their self-image and goals.
28. Mormons tend to take a literalistic approach to interpreting scripture, meaning that they tend to believe stories in scripture were real historic events.
29. Mormon missionaries who break mission rules sometimes experience intense guilt.
30. Mormons who are attracted to people of the same sex attempt to overcome that attraction.
31. Mormons believe in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
32. Mormons wear special religious underwear.
33. Some Mormon missionaries are unprepared, clumsy, and may not have even read the Book of Mormon before serving a mission.
34. Mormons believe you can live with your family and friends forever.
35. Mormons are generally very polite, nice, well-intentioned, dedicated, sincere people who are doing what they believe is right—even if it seems strange to others.

I could go on, but suffice it to say, the knee-jerk reaction to cry “persecution” and complain of inaccuracies is unmerited. In fact, people will be more willing to talk to Mormon missionaries after seeing it.