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Act I

Scene 1

[Fanfare. The Hill Cumorah, day. The stage lights come


on and two men are shown onstage, with rays of sun
shining on them. A third man stands between them,
unlit]

Narrator:

Long ago, in the Year of Our Lord 326 A.D., a great


prophet is leader of the Nephite people in ancient upstate
New York. His name... is Mormon. [lights shine on the
third man and he is now visible. He's carrying two golden
plates]

Mormon:

I... am Mormon. My people sailed here from Israel to


create a new civilization. These golden plates tell of our
people and how we met with... Jesus Christ. [genuflects
to the man on his left]

Jesus:

I... am Jesus. Take care of your golden plates, Mormon, for


soon, your entire civilization will be gone and nobody will
remember you. [exit]

Narrator:

Just before the Nephite people were wiped out, Mormon


gave the plates to his son, Moroni. [Moroni takes the
plates and Mormon exits.]

Moroni:

I... am Moroni, the last of my kind. I shall bury the golden


plates, father, and perhaps one day someone very
special will find them.

Narrator:

And lo, Moroni buried the golden plates high on a hill.


[Fade out as Mormon leaves, fade in moments later]
Centuries later the golden plates were found, giving birth
to the fastest-growing religion today! A Church that even
now sends missionaries out all over the world! [a
Mormon comes out in dim light and rings a doorbell, and
he gets the spotlight]

Scene 2

[The missionary training center, Salt Lake City, Utah. It


starts out without light, but a light comes on with each
entering Mormon missionary]

Price:

[Ding Dong] Hello, my name is Elder Price,


and I would like to share with you the most amazing

book.
Grant:

[Ding Dong] Hello, my name is Elder Grant.


It's a book about America a long long time ago.

Price:

[A third Mormon rings a doorbell] It has... so many


awesome parts. [the third Mormon rings the doorbell
again]
You simple won't believe how much this book can change
your life. [the third Mormon rings the doorbell twice]

Green:

[the third Mormon] Hello, my name is Elder Green. [the


fourth Mormon rings a doorbell]
I would like to share with you this book of Jesus Christ.
[the fifth Mormon rings a doorbell]

Young:

[the fourth Mormon] Hello, my name is Elder Young.

Harris:

Hello.

Young:

Did you know that Jesus lived here in the USA? [the sixth
Mormon rings a doorbell]

Grant:

You can... read all about it now.

Cross:

Hello

Grant:

In this nifty book. It's free! No, you don't have to pay.

Young:

Hello!

Smith:

[Ding Dong] Hello, my name is Elder Smith,


[Ding Dong] and can I leave this book with you for you to
just peruse?

Brown:

Hello! [Ding Dong]

Green:

Hello.

Harris:

Hello.

Smith:

I'll just leave it here. [Ding Dong]


It has a lot of information you can really use.

Price:

[Ding Dong Ding Dong] Hello.

Harris:

Hi.

Price:

My name is-

Green:

Jesus Christ!

Grant:

You have a lovely home.

Cross:

Hello.

Grant:

It's an amazing book.

Smith:

[Ding Dong] Bonjour!

White:

Hole!

Harris:

Ni Hao!

White:

Me llamo Elder White.

Grant:

Are these your kids?

Green:

This book gives you the secret to eternal life.

Cross:

Sound good?

Elders:

Eternal life-

Green:

With Jesus Christ

Elders:

-is super fun.

White:

Hello.

Young:

Ding Dong.

Elders:

And if you let us in we'll show you how it can be done.

Grant:

No, thanks!

Green:

You sure?

Grant:

Oh well.

Green:

That's fine. [Ding Dong]

Grant:

Goodbye.

Green:

Have fun in hell.

Grant and Cross:

Hey now!

Elders:

You simply won't believe how much


this book will change your life

Cunningham:

[the tenth Elder, comes up and presses a buzzer] Hello,

would you like to change religions? I have a free book


written by Jesus!
Superior:

Nooo, nooo Elder Cunningham! That's not how we do it!


You're making things up again. Just stick to the approved
dialogue. Elders, show him!

Elders:

Hello.

Cunningham:

Hello!

Elders:

My name is

Cunningham:

Elder Cunningham!

Elders:

And we would like to share with you this book of Jesus


Christ.

Price:

Hello.

Green:

Hello.

Grant:

Ding Dong.

White:

Hi ho.

Smith:

Just take this book.

Price:

It's free.

Young:

For you.

Harris:

From me!

Grant:

You see?

Elders:

You simply won't believe how much


You simply won't believe how much
this book will change your life
So you won't burn in

Price:

Hello!

Elders:

Hello. You're gonna die some day, but if you read this
book you'll see that there's another way.
You'll spend eternity with friends and family. We can fully
guarantee you that
This book will change your life.
Hello! This book will change your life.
Hello! This book will change your life.

Will change- This book will change your life.


The Book of Mormon!
Hello!!
Superior:

All right, elders, all right! That was very good indeed!
[the elders react positively] You have been training for
two years and you are now ready to go out and spread
the Word. [they briefly cheer] In a moment you will be
assigned your mission companions and locations.

Price:

Oh boy, this is it guys, this is it!

Young:

I can't believe the day is finally here! We're gonna get to


go out and see the world!

Smith:

Do you have any idea where they're sending you, Elder


Price?

Price:

Well of course we don't really have final say over where


we get sent, but... I have been praying to be sent to my
favorite place in the whole world,

Grant:

Oh, well if you prayed for a location, I'm sure Heavenly


Father will make it happen. You're like the smartest, best,
most deserving elder this center has ever seen.

Price:

Aw come on guys. [the other elders walk off]


The most important time of a Mormon kid's life is his
mission.
A chance to go out and help heal the world, that's my
mission
Soon I'll be off in a different place helping the whole
human race
I know my mission will be something incredible!

Superior:

Elders, [the elders take notice] form a line, [they form a


line side by side] and step forward when your name is
called. Elder Young

Young:

[jumps forward] Yes sir!

Superior:

Your mission brother will be... Elder Grant.

Grant:

That's me! Hey brother! [they embrace each other]

Superior:

And your mission location is... Norway.

Young:

Oh wow! Norway!

Grant:

Land of gnomes! And trolls!

Grant and Young:

Hoo-wah! Hey-yah! Shoo-wah! Zala Wow!


Two by two, we're marching door to door.
'Cause God loves Mormons and he wants some more.
A two-year mission is our sacrifice
We are the army of the Church of Jesus Christ
...of Latter-Day Saints!

Elders:

Two by two, and today we'll know


Who we'll make the journey with and where we'll go
We're fighting for a cause but we're really nice
We are the army of the Church of Jesus Christ
...of Latter-Day Saints!

Superior:

Elder White and Elder Smith.

Smith:

Oh! I knew we'd get paired together!

Superior:

Your location will be... France!

White:

France! Land of ...crpes and berets!

Smith and White:

Two by two, I guess it's you and me


We're off to preach across land and sea

White:

Satan has a hold of France!

Smith:

We need to knock him off his perch!

Elders:

We are the soldiers of the army of the Church


...of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!

Superior:

Elder Cross and Elder Green, you will be serving in...


Japan.

Green:

Oh, Japan!

Cross:

Land of soy sauce!

Green:

And Mothra!

Superior:

Elder Harris and Elder Brown.

Price (Elders):

Heavenly Father, where will I go on my mission (on my


mission)?
Will it be China or Old Mexico on my mission (mission)?
It could be San Fran by the bay, Australia where they say

"G'day",
but I pray I'm sent to my favorite place:
Orlando (Orlando) I love you Orlando.
Sea World and Disney and putt putt golfing!
Superior:

Elder Price.

Price:

Yes sir!

Superior:

Your brother will be... Elder Cunningham.

Cunningham:

That's me! That's me! Hello!

Price:

Oh, hi.

Superior:

And your mission location is... Uganda. [the music stops


abruptly and a horn blows a flat note]

Price:

Uganda.

Cunningham:

Uganda?? Cool... Where is that?

Superior:

Africa!

Cunningham:

Oh boy! Like Lion King!

Elders:

Two by two, and now it's time to go


Our paths have been revealed, so let's start the show
Our shirts are clean and pressed and our haircuts are
precise
We are the army of the Church We are the army of the
Church
We are the army of the Church of Jesus
Christ!
[bridge]
Two by two we march to victory (Two by two we march)
armed with the greatest book in history
We'll convert everyone all across the planet Earth.
That is the beauty of, the essence of, the purpose of, the
mission of the soldiers of the army of the Church
Of Jesus Christ
...of Latter-Day Saints.

Superior:

All right, elders, all right! Go home and pack your things.
Tomorrow, your missions begin. [the other elders leave]

Cunningham:

[waves after them] Bye you guys! [turn to Price] I am so

stoked we got paired together, Elder Price.


Price:

Oho, me too. [somewhat disappointed] This is... fantastic!

Cunningham:

You know what? I prayed to Heavenly Father that we


would get paired together. [puts up his right hand and
Price leans in thinking Cunningham is going to whisper
something in his ear, but leans out immediately] He really
does listen!

Price:

He answered your prayers?

Cunningham:

Yup, my mom said "if Heavenly Father is proud of you,


he'll always give you what you ask." You and me for two
years in Ukuhanda! This is gonna be awesome!

Price:

Yes, well, if we have the Book of Mormon, it'll do those


Africans a lot of good. [Cunningham cackles, then walks
to Price's left side and walks away slowly]

Cunningham:

Well, see you tomorrow, companion. [Price takes his


leave, but stops when Cunningham speaks again]
Tomorrow is a Latter Day! [they both exit]

Scene 3

[The airport, next day. The missionaries bid farewell to


their families. First Price bids farewell]

Price's Father:

Goodbye, son. We're so proud of you.

Price's Brother:

Wow, I can't believe Kevin is going to Africa for two


years... I'm gonna miss my brother so much

Price:

Aw I know. I'm gonna miss you guys too. [aside to his


father] Hey, maybe we should see if there's any way I
could get transferred someplace a little bit closer to
home, like uh... Florida, or...

Price's Father:

Nooo, don't worry, son. Heavenly Father has a hand in


everything. He knows what's best. He always knows.

Price:

You're right, dad. I'm sure I'm gonna have an amazing


time.
[Cunningham bids farewell while munching away on
snacks and sipping water from a bottle his mom is
holding]

Cunningham's Father:

Alright son, just remember: do whatever Elder Price does.

He is a great Mormon, and you, well, you're a... great


follower.
Cunningham:

Right! I'm a follower.

Cunningham's Father:

Elder Price seems like a wonderful boy, Arnold!

Cunningham:

Uh... oh, he is. We're gonna have the most amazing time
together. It's like, like I'm finally gonna have a best friend.

Cunningham's Father:

Ohoho, well, just remember what we talked about with


regards to your little problem.

Cunningham:

Oh don't worry Dad, my little problem is "in check." It's


not gonna be an issue.

Price:

[walks up] What's the little problem?

Cunningham's Father:

Oh, nothing ???. He uh ju-, well, he has a very active


imagination.

Cunningham:

I lie a lot!

Cunningham's Father:

No! It's just he sometimes makes things up when he


doesn't know what else to say.

Cunningham:

Bishop Donahue said it's because I have no self-esteem


and desperately want to fit in with by my peers.

Price's Father:

Well alright everybody, I think it's time we leave these


two to their work. [to the new companions] Boy you boys
have a lot of catching up to do now that you're
companions. This is it, elders. You're heading... to Africa.
[the families step away as a woman comes in doing an
African song similar to the opening to The Circle of Life.
When she's done, the families return] Well how did you
like that, boys? A real Lion King send-off. We got Mrs.
Brown to sing like an African for you.

Price:

Thanks, Dad. [to Mrs. Brown] That was great!

Mrs. Brown:

Well, good luck in Africa, boys! I've never been, but I hear
it's a HOOT!

Cunningham's Father:

[hugs his son one more time] Well, goodbye, son, and
please be careful.

Price's Father:

[grabs Price's upper arms] Now you get out there and
you baptize those Africans, boy! [a last round of goodbye

and the families leave]


Price:

Bye, Mrs. Brown!

Mrs. Brown:

Bye, baby.

Scene 4

[In flight. The two elders get on a plane and find their
seats]

Cunningham:

Well? This is you and me now, companion.

Price:

Yup, that's right, elder.

Cunningham:

From this point on, according to Rule #72, we are never


allowed to go anywhere without each other. Except the
bathroom.

Price:

Yes, that's right.

Cunningham:

This is so awesome! Because all my friends always end


up leaving me, but you can't! [cackles several times.
Price looks away and Cunningham slaps Price's lap to get
his attention] Okay, favorite movies: Are you a Star Wars
guy or are you a Star Trek guy? [jabs Price on the left
shoulder] I wanna know everything about you. Personally
I like Star Wars, but I'm willing to like Star Trek if you
think it's better.

Price:

Okay Elder, uh... Look, I like to have fun just as much as


the next guy, you know, but um, look, things are different
now. We are men. This is our time to prove that we are
worthy.

Cunningham:

Worthy of what?

Price:

Of everything we've been promised in the afterlife


I've always had the hope that on the day I go to heaven
Heavenly Father will shake my hand and say "You've
done an awesome job, Kevin."
Now it's our time to go out-

Cunningham:

My best friend

Price:

-to set the world's people free.


And we can do it together, you and me, but mostly me!
[stands up, then tugs at Cunningham to stand up too]
You and me (but mostly me_, are gonna change the

world forever.
'Cause I can do most anything.
Cunningham:

And I can stand next to you and watch. [Price nods


vigorously]

Price:

Every hero needs a sidekick, every captain needs a


mate.

Cunningham:

Aye -aye!

Price:

Every dinner needs a side dish

Cunningham:

On a slightly smaller plate

Price, Cunningham:

And now we're seeing eye to eye! It's so great we can


agree
That Heavenly Father has chosen you and me

Price:

Just mostly me. [the spotlight squeezes Cunningham out


of view]
Something incredible. I'll do something incredible
I wanna be the Mormon who changed all of mankind

Cunningham:

My best friend.

Price:

It's something I've foreseen, and now that I'm 19


I'll do something incredible that blows God's freaking
mind!

Price, Cunningham:

And as long as we stick together

Cunningham:

And I stay out of your way.

Price:

Out of my way.

Cunningham:

We'll change the world

Price, Cunningham:

Forever

Cunningham:

And make tomorrow a Latter Day!

Price:

Mostly me!

Cunningham:

So quit thinking about it

Price, Cunningham:

And do it. How ready and psyched are we?


And life is about to change for you
And life is about to change for me

And life is about to change for you and me


Cunningham:

But me mostly
And there's no limit to what we can do...
Me and you.
But mostly... ME!
[Cunningham looks at Price admiringly and rests his arms
on his suitcase handle. They head back to their seats and
finish the flight]

Scene 5

[Kitguli, northern Uganda. As the natives go about their


business, Price and Cunningham get off a bus.]

Cunningham:

Well, looks like we made it, huh? [whips out his camera
and starts filming]

Price:

Yeah, that was... that was one long trip.

Cunningham:

I'll say! Here we are in Kitguli, Uganda, and what do you


think of Uganda, helper?

Price:

Well, um, I think it's really different!

Cunningham:

Yeah, it's different. [they both laugh]

Guard 1:

[emerges from the milling crowd] Yeah yeah! What have


we here, maybe German?! British?! [Price waves at him]
Oh. American.

Price:

Hello sir. Uh, we're here to see Mister Mafala Hatimbi.

Guard 1:

Yeah. Your bags! [he opens Price's suitcase while his


assistant opens Cunningham's. They both start rifling
through the contents]

Price:

Oh uh, sir, we don't have anything illegal in there, sir. Uh,


we're from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints.

Cunningham:

[pointing the camera at the guards] Here are some men


with guns searching through our bags.

Guard 2:

Shut up! [takes Cunningham's camera and puts it in the


suitcase. Cunningham puts up his arms and shrieks] We
take these bags!

Price:

What?

Guard 1:

This is your tariff... to the general!

Price:

The, the general? Can I get one thi-

Guard 1:

[aims his semiautomatic at him] You shut the fuck up!


You want to die?!

Price:

Omigosh! Okay-

Cunningham:

Just take the bags!! Why are you doing this?! [the two
guards put away their weapons and leave with the bags]

Mafala:

[enters and grabs hands - Cunningham's left hand and


Price's right hand] Ah, there you are! I have been looking
all over for you. I am Mafala Hatimbi. I have been hired to
show you to your building.

Price:

Look, some men just took our bags.

Mafala:

You must be very careful around here. [lets go of their


hands] Now let's get going! [jogs away. Price and
Cunningham follow]

Price:

Uh no, uh, shouldn't you call the police and see if we can
get our bags back?

Mafala:

Oho, the police... [laughs] The police are in Kampala, two


days' drive away.

Price:

There's a lot of really important stuff in those bags.

Mafala:

Oh well, hasa diga eebowai.

Cunningham:

'Scuse me?

Mafala:

In this part of Africa we all have a saying. Whenever


something bad happens, we just throw our hands to the
sky and say "hasa diga eebowai."

Cunningham:

Hasa diga eebowai?

Mafala:

It's the only way to get through all these troubles. And,
there's war! Poverty! Famine! But, having a saying makes
it all seem better.
There isn't enough food to eat: Hasa diga eebowai.
People are starving in the street:

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Women (Men):

Hasa Diga Eebowai! (Hasa Diga Eebowai)

Hasa Diga Eebowai! (Hasa Diga Eebowai)


Price:

Well that's pretty neat!

Cunningham:

Does it mean no worries for the rest of our days?

Mafala:

Kind of...
We've had no rain in several days.

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Mafala:

And 80% of us have AIDS

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Mafala:

Many young girls here get circumcised. Their clits get cut
right off!

Ugandans:

Way oh!

Women:

And so we say up to the sky:

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Women (Men):

Hasa Diga Eebowai! (Hasa Diga Eebowai)


Hasa Diga Eebowai! (Hasa Diga Eebowai)

Mafala:

Now you try it! [the other Ugandans laugh raucously] Just
stand up tall, tilt your head to the sky, and list off the bad
things in your life!

Cunningham:

Somebody took our luggage away:

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Price:

The plane was crowded and our bus was late:

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Mafala:

When the world is getting you down, there's nobody else


to blame.

Ugandans:

Way oh! [an Ugandan woman hands her baby over to


Price and then joins the others in dance.]

Mafala:

Raise your middle finger to the sky, and curse his rotten
name!

Price:

Wait, what? [tries to give the baby back to the woman,


but isn't able to, so he turns to address Mafala]

Cunningham:

Hasa diga eebowai. Am I saying that right?

Women:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Price:

[burping the baby] Excuse me, sir, but, but what exactly
does that phrase mean?

Mafala:

Well let's see: eebowai means God. And hasa diga


means "Fuck you." So I guess in English it would be,
"Fuck you... God!"

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai!

Price:

What??

Mafala:

When God fucks you in the butt:

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Mafala:

Fuck God right back in his cunt.

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Cunningham:

Hasa diga eebowai. What a nifty phrase.

Ugandans:

Way oh! [Price tries to find the right woman to give the
baby back to, and his search gets frantic. He finally finds
her and gives the baby back]

Cunningham:

Hasa diga eebowai. Hasa diga eebowai. [gets carried


away and Price pulls him aide]

Price:

You have to stop saying that!

Cunningham:

I do?

Price:

It means something very bad.

Cunningham:

What?

Price:

They are saying F U to Heavenly Father.

Cunningham:

F U to Heavenly Father? Holy moly, I said it like thirteen


times!

Women (Men):

[they begin sticking out their middle fingers] Hasa Diga


Eebowai! (Fuck you, God!)
Hasa Diga Eebowai! (Fuck you, God!)

Price:

Excuse me, sir, but you should really not be saying that.

Things aren't always as bad as they seem.


Mafala:

Oh really? Well take this fucking asshole Mutumbo here.


He got caught last week trying to rape a baby.

Price:

What?? Why??

Mafala:

Some people in his tribe believe that having sex with a


virgin will cure their AIDS. There arent many virgins left,
so, some of them are turning to babies!

Cunningham:

But that's horrible!

Mafala:

I know!

Ugandans:

Hasa diga eebowai.

Mafala:

Here's the butcher, he has AIDS


Here's the teacher, she has AIDS
Here's the doctor, he has AIDS
Here's my daughter, she has A
Wonderful disposition.
She's all I have left in the world.
And if either of you lays a hand on her...
I will give you my AIDS!

Ugandans:

If you don't like what we say, try living here a couple


days.
Watch all your friends and family die! Hasa diga eebowai!

Men:

Fuck you!

Ugandans:

Fuck You!

Women:

Hasa diga eebowai! [Price and Cunningham sit on the


ground now]

Ugandans:

Fuck
Fuck
Fuck
Fuck

Men (Women):

Fuck you God in the ass, mouth and cunt-uh! (Hasa)


Fuck you God in the ass, mouth and cunt-uh! (diga
eebowai)
Fuck you God in the ass, mouth and cunt-uh! (Hasa)

Ugandans:

Fuck you in the other eye! [Price and Cunningham get

you
you
you
you

God in the ass, mouth and cunt-uh!


God in the ass, mouth and cunt-uh!
God in the ass, mouth and cunt-uh!
in the eye!

up. Mafala begins to dance with Cunningham and


Nabulungi begins to dance with Price]
Women (Men):

Fuck you, God! (Fuck you, God!)


Fuck you, God!
Fuck you, God! (Fuck you!)

Ugandans:

Hasa Diga, Fuck You God! In the cunt! [the villagers put
up their middle fingers one last time, then leave. Mafala's
daughter takes Price and Cunningham to their quarters]
Fuck you, God!

Scene 6

[The Mormon missionary living quarters, outside]

Nabulungi:

This is where my father asked me to bring you. The


others like you should be inside.

Cunningham:

Thank you very much, Jam ban Chofi.

Nabulungi:

Nabulungi.

Cunningham:

Nam ban Chofi.

Price:

Ah, I'm sorry. We, we really appreciate your help,


Nabulungi.

Cunningham:

Oh hey, hey...

Price:

Um, heh, um, um, look, maybe, maybe sometime Elder


Cunningham and I could, could talk to you, maybe tell
you a little bit about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints? [Cunningham cackles]

Nabulungi:

I, I have to get back to my village, but I am always there


if you would like to talk. [walks away, but stops for a
moment] Just, just one piece of advice: no matter how
hot you get at night, keep your windows closed. It is the
only to protect against the scorpions. And the
mosquitoes. And the lions. And the murderers and the
robbers, and the AIDS, and the snakes and the safari ants
which can actually plant their eggs underneath your skin
and eat you from the inside out. [waves goodbye and
leaves]

Price:

Man elder, can you believe this?

Cunningham:

[already smitten] I know, she is such a hot shade of

black, right? She's like, she's like a latte.


Price:

Let's go inside and meet the other elders, alright? [they


go inside]

Scene 7

[the Mormon missionary living quarters, inside]

Price:

Hello?

McKinley:

The new recruits are here! [walks up to them and shakes


their hands] Welcome Elder Price and Elder Cunningham.
I am Elder McKinley, current district leader for this area of
the Uganda mission.

Price:

Nice to meet you.

Church:

[walks up to shake their hands] And my name is Elder


Church, originally from the great city of Cheyenne,
Wyoming.

Michaels:

[walks up to shake their hands] Elder Michaels from


Provo.

Thomas:

Elder Thomas, but the elders here all call me Elder PopTart, 'cause I love them so much.

McKinley:

And over there are Elder Neeley and Elder Davis.

Price:

Whoa, that's a lot to remember. [they all laugh.


Cunningham cackles]

McKinley:

Let's sit, let's sit [the other elders gather around the
couch] Well, we've all been together about three months
now, sharing the Word of Christ, saving the souls of the
fine Ugandan people through baptism.

Price:

Well uh, how many have you baptized so far?

McKinley:

Well, nearly nearly one. Call it zero.

Cunningham:

That's practically nothing.

McKinley:

Zero, yes, but there's always hope that tomorrow will be


different.

Cunningham:

Right! Because tomorrow is a Latter Day! [Price gets up


and walks away, and Cunningham catches up with him.]
Hey, are you alright, partner?

Price:

Yeah. I'm just ah... I'm just getting a little confused... right

now, so.
McKinley:

Oh, confused. Well elder, that is natural. There are


certainly a lot of things here in Uganda that can be...
disturbing. But your mission has officially started. Which
means you have to do what we have all done.
I got a feelin' that you could be feelin' a whole lot better
than you feel today.
You say you got a problem? Well that's no problem. It's
super-easy not to feel that way.
When you start to get confused because of thoughts in
your head. Don't feel those feelings. Hold them in
instead...
Turn it off, like a light switch. Just go click. It's a cool little
Mormon trick. We do it all the time.
When you're feelin' certain feelings that just don't seem
right.
Treat those pesky feelings like a reading light.
And turn them off, like a light switch.
Just go bap. Really, what's so hard about that?
Turn it off!

Elders:

Turn it off! Right? Okay.

Church:

When I was young my dad would treat my mom real bad


every time the Utah Jazz would lose.
He'd start a-drinkin' and I'd start a-thinkin' "How am I
gonna keep my Mom from getting abused?"
I'd see her all scared and my soul was dyin'. My dad
would say to me "now don't you dare start cryin'!"
Turn it off.

Elders:

Like a light switch.


Just go click. It's our nifty little
Mormon trick.

McKinley:

Turn it off!

Elders:

Turn. It. Off!

Thomas:

My sister was a dancer, but she got cancer. The doctor


said she still had two months more.
I thought she had time so I got in line for the [joined by
the other elders] new iPhone at the Apple Store. [the
other elders fall silent]
She lay there dying with my father and mother. Here

very last words were "Where is my brother?"


Elders:

Turn it off!

Thomas:

Yeah!

Elders:

Bid those sad feelings adieu.

Thomas:

I fear that I might get cancer too. [the elders laugh, then
"...oh", then silence]

McKinley:

When I was in fifth grade I had a friend, Steve Blade


(Steve Blade). He and I were close as two friends could
be (We could be close...)
One thing led to another, and soon I would discover
(Wow!) I was having really [joined by the other elders]
strange feelings for Steve...
I thought about us on a deserted island (We're all
alone...). We'd swim naked in the sea, and then he'd try
and... [the other elders fall silent]
Woah! Turn it off! Like a light switch
There it's gone! (Good for you!) My hetero
side just won! I'm all better now
Boys should be with girls, that's Heavenly Father's plan
So if you ever feel you'd rather be with a man
Turn it off!

Price:

Well, Elder McKinley, I think it's okay that you're having


gay thoughts. Just so long as you never act upon them.

McKinley:

No, 'cause then you're just keepin' it down.


Like a dimmer switch on low... (On low...)
Thinking nobody needs to know (Uh oh...)
But that's not true!
Being gay is bad, but lying is worse.
So just realize you have a curable curse,
And turn it off! (Turn it off!)
Turn it off! [bridge]

Elders:

Turn it off!

McKinley:

Now, how do you feel?

Price:

The same.

Elders:

Awww.

McKinley:

Then you've only got yourself

to blame. You didn't pretend hard enough.


Imagine that your brain is made of tiny boxes
Then find the box that's gay and CRUSH IT!
Okay?!
Price:

No, no. I'm not having gay thoughts!

Cunningham:

Alright! It worked!

Elders:

Yay!!!
He turned it off! (Turned it off!)
Turn it off! Turn it off!
Turn it off! Turn it off!
Like a light switch
Just go 'click'! (Click click!)
What a cool little Mormon trick (Trick trick!)
We do it all the time!

McKinley:

When you're feelin' certain feelings that just don't seem


right (don't seem right)
Treat those pesky feelings like a reading light
And turn it off!

Elders:

Like a light switch on a cord


And now he isn't gay any
Turn it, turn it, turn it, turn it...
Turn it, turn it, turn it, turn it...
Turn it...

McKinley:

Turn it off! (Off!) [pause as everyone winds down] Alright


elders, alright. Our two new missionaries must be
exhausted from all their travels. Let's show them their
room so they can unpack. A five, six, seven, eight!
[McKinley takes them to the room, and the other elders
leave]

Scene 8

[the Mormon building, Price and Cunningham's bedroom.


McKinley shows them in]

McKinley:

Tada! [two beds are shown onstage]

Cunningham:

All right! Check it out! We get to sleep right next to each


other!

McKinley:

Alright elders, get settled in. Now, according to


missionary rules, lights out promptly at 10, and we all
wake up at exactly 6:30. [Cunningham starts getting

ready for bed] I've heard a lot of great things about you,
Elder Price. I'm really hopin' you can... turn things around
here.
Cunningham:

Hoho, don't worry. We will.

McKinley:

Elders, we're glad you're here. [opens the door, leaves,


and closes the door. He starts tap dancing away to his
room]

Price:

Heavenly Father, as we prepare to turn in for the night,


we ask that you give us the... the strength to spread your
wisdom and also, and also the knowledge-

Cunningham:

[interrupts by jumping to Price's side on Price's bed] Do


you think Frodo was really the hero of The Lord Of The
Rings? Sometimes I think it was actually Samwise that
did everything.

Price:

What?

Cunningham:

I mean think about it: Who got the ring back from
Gollum? Hm? OH! Samwise. And who pulled Frodo up the
side of the mountain just think about however to- I
remember now! Samwise! Samwise did it!

Price:

[stands up] Okay um, uh, Elder, I- Maybe we should have


some companionship evaluation time.

Cunningham:

[lays back on Price's bed] Oh, yeah!

Price:

[paces slowly around the room] Alright! [begins to


undress] Uh, you clearly... have a great passion for uh...
for, for things. And, and, and you like to talk about...
stuff? Um, I was wondering if maybe uh, the things and
stuff you seem to be focusing on are the things and stuff
that apply to the reason we are here. Can you do that for
me?

Cunningham:

I'd do anything for you! I'm your best friend.

Price:

Well, all right then...let's get some sleep, huh?

Cunningham:

Yeah... Oh yeah [moves back to his bed, settles in, then


looks over Price's shoulder after Price settles into his own
bed]
Sleep now, little buddy, put your cares aside.

Nappy with a happy face, I am by your side.


Price:

What are you doing?

Cunningham:

I'm just trying to make you feel better. [stands up.]

Price:

I feel fine. [sits up, and Cunningham joins him at the side
of the bed again] But this is what I'm talking about. Your
focus needs to be on our WORK. Do you understand how
difficult this is gonna be? The missionaries here have yet
to baptize a single person.

Cunningham:

Well, if they had already baptized a bunch of people here,


then it wouldn't be so incredible when YOU did it, now
would it?

Price:

[thinks a moment] I guess. I guess that's sort of true...

Cunningham:

Don't worry. I'm not gonna let you down. Today we're
gonna bring lots of Africans to the church. I just know it.

Price:

You know what, Elder? You're alright.

Cunningham:

Really??

Price:

Yeah.

Cunningham:

[grabs Price's blanket and wears it as a cape] Evening


star shines brightly, God makes life anew!
Sleep now, nghty night! [Price takes his blanket back and
covers himself with it] ...and I am here for you.

Price:

I am here for you, too.

Both:

We are here, for us.

Cunningham:

[whispering] Goodnight, best friend! [pats Price on the


left cheek]

Price:

Goodnight, pal.

Scene 9

[The Ugandan village, next day. An African song is heard.


A man rolls a tire across the stage. Mafala walks out and
looks around, then walks away. He returns to look again
when Nabulungi appears]

Mafala:

Nabulungi! Where have you been?!

Nabulungi:

Papa, look what I found in the market!

Mafala:

What have I told you about wandering off?! The market is


not safe!

Nabulungi:

But Papa, I finally found one. A texting device. [she's


holding a typewriter, with paper already in it] Now I can
text all of my friends.

Mafala:

[takes the typewriter from her] Listen to me woman! Do


not go to the market again! The general is mutilating girls
in the next village over!

Nabaluni:

Papa I'm sorry.

Mafala:

Nabulungi, we must be careful. If we want to stay alive,


our village needs to lay low and not attract any attention.

Price, Cunningham:

[marching in cheerily] City lights here we go from


northern ligh- uh.

Price:

Let's go out and get some placements!

Cunningham:

Right! Uh, what's a placement again?

Price:

[sighs] A placement is getting somebody to take a Book


of Mormon. If you give one out, that counts as a
placement. Remember?

Cunningham:

Right, I knew that...

Price:

Look, maybe you should just let me do the talking an-and


you can sort of support what I'm saying by going "oh
wow" and stuff like that.

Cunningham:

Yeah! ...Yeah, like one of those infomercials. You know


how they have, how they always have some guy trying to
sell something and then, there's always some lady like,
standing next to them saying "Oh wow, what an
incredible offer!" I'm, I'm like that lady!

Price:

Okay. Yeah! Okay, whatever. [spots a house nearby] Uh,


what do you say we just start with this little house, huh?
We just walk up like we're at the missionary training
center.

Cunningham:

Okay!

Price:

Okay!

Cunningham:

Okay! [they laugh merrily and walk to the house.

Cunningham looks around for a doorbell...] There's no


doorbell! [feels like vomiting] There isn't any doorbell!
[starts throwing up and Price is trying to calm him down
when a woman leaves the house]
Kalimba:

What do you want?!

Price:

Oh... Hello ma'am, d- [glances at Cunningham to make


sure he's alright, then turns back to the woman] Do you
ever feel like there's something missing from your life?
[she looks at him quizzically] Um, when you go to sleep
at night, do you s-, do you sometimes feel a power
stirring inside you?

Gotswana:

Yes. That's how I feel.

Price:

Oh. [abandons the woman] You sir! Come on down here,


huh? [the man appears] Do you find yourself asking
questions about this feeling?

Gotswana:

Yes.

Price:

And it's because... you want to believe in something, isn't


it?

Gotswana:

No. It is because I have maggots in my scrotum.

Cunningham:

YOU GOT WHAT??

Gotswana:

I have maggots in my scrotum. Can you tell?

Price:

Well, uh, you, you, you should probably see the doctor.

Gotswana:

I am the doctor. [Cunningham starts babbling and Price


turns and grabs his shoulders]

Price:

Just calm down, calm down! [Cunningham quiets down


and Price releases him] I got this. [turns to the doctor
and anyone else who would hear] Ladies and gentlemen,
we would like to tell you all about a very special book.

Gotswana:

Eh, what kind of book?

Price:

Well, this book tells you how to find Paradise... in Christ.

Nabulungi:

[appears] They've heard of the Bible. We all have.

Cunningham:

[trying to be smooth] Banbanchelfi. Hey girl.

Nabulungi:

People come and tell us about Jesus and his dying for our

sins once a year.


Kalimba:

They always come, tell the story, and leave! Nothing is


better! Your Bible doesn't work.

Price:

Well of course that didn't work. Those were Christian


missionaries. We're Mormons.

Nabulungi:

What's the difference? [Price's face lights up]

Price:

You all know the Bible is made of Testaments Old and


New.
Youve been told its just those two parts,
Or only one, if youre a Jew.
But what if I were to tell you theres a fresh third part out
there,
That was found by a hip new prophet, who had a little
Donny Osmond flair?
Have you heard of the All-American Prophet?
The blond-haired, blue-eyed voice of God?
He didn't come from the Middle East like those other holy
men,
The most blessed Prophet was All-American!
I'm gonna take you back to Biblical times: 1823. An
American man named Joe livin' on a farm in the holy land
of upstate New York!

Cunningham:

You mean the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith?

Price:

That's right! That young man spoke to God!

Cunningham:

He spoke to God?

Price:

And God said "Joe, people really need to know that the
Bible isn't two parts! There's a part three to The Bible,
Joe! And I, God, have anointed you to dig up this part
three that's buried by a tree on a hill in your backyard!"

Cunningham:

Wow! God says go to your backyard and start digging!


That makes perfect sense!

Price:

Joseph Smith went up on that hill and dug where he was


told!
And deep in the ground Joseph found shining plates of
gold!

Joseph Smith:

What are these golden plates? Who buried them here and

why?
Price:

Then appeared an angel: his name was Moroni!

Chorus:

Ahhhhh...

Moroni (Chorus):

I... am Moroni.
The All-American angel! (All-American!)
My people lived here long, long ago! (So long ago!)
This is a history of my race, please read the words within
We were Jews who met with Christ, but we were AllAmerican!
But don't let anybody see these plates except for you...
They are only for you to see...
Even if people ask you to show the plates to them, don't
Just copy them onto normal paper
Even though this might make them question if the plates
are real or not...
This is sort of what God is going for...

Price:

Joseph took the plates home and wrote down what he


found inside
He turned those plates into a book then he rushed into
town and cried:

Joseph Smith:

Hey! God spoke to me and gave me this blessed ancient


tome
He has commanded me to publish it and stick it in ev'ry
home!

Cunningham:

Wow! So the Bible is actually a trilogy and the Book of


Mormon is Return of the Jedi?! I'M interested!

Price (Chorus):

Now many people didn't believe the prophet Joseph


Smith. They thought he made up this part three that was
buried by a tree on the hill in his backyard. (Backyard!)
Many people even called Joseph Smith a liar. (Liar!) So
Joe said,

Joseph Smith:

This is no lie, I speak to God all the time and he told me


to head west! So I'll take my part three from the hill with
the tree. Feel free if you'd like to come along with me to
the promised land! (The promised land?) Paradise, on the
west coast!
Nothing but fruit and fields as far as the eye can see!

Price:

Joe led his followers across the USA


Spreading their new religion to folks along the way
They kept searching for that promised land, no promise
there would be.
And as they passed through every town, the Mormons
would decree!

All:

Have you heard of the All-American prophet?


He found a brand-new book about Jesus Christ!
We're following him to paradise, we call ourselves
Mormon
And our new religion is All-American!

Cunningham:

Wow, this all sounds so incredibly awesome!

Price:

The Mormons kept on searching for that place to settle


down
But every time they thought they found it they got kicked
out of town
And even though people wanted to see the golden plates
Joseph never showed 'em!

Gotswana:

I have maggots in my scrotum!

Price:

Um... okay... Well, anyway...


Now comes the part of our story that gets a little bit sad
On the way to the promised land, Mormons made people
mad
Joseph was shot by an angry mob and knew he'd soon be
dead
And even as his life drained away, he stood by what he
said:

Joseph Smith:

You must now lead the people, my good friend Brigham


Young
You're wise and pure of heart, and, all-American
Oh God, why are you letting me die
Without having me show people the plates?
They'll have no proof I was telling the truth or not
They'll have to believe me just...'cause
Oh...I guess that's kinda what you were going for
Blargggh...

Price:

The prophet Joseph Smith died for what he believed in.


But his followers, they kept heading west. And Brigham

Young led them to paradise. A sparkling land in Utah they


called Salt Lake City. And there the Mormons multiplied,
and made big Mormon families! Generation to
generation, until finally: they made me! And now its my
job to lead you where those early settlers were led long
ago!
All (Cunningham):

Have you heard of the All-American Prophet! (Kevin


Price!
The next in line to be the voice of God? (My best friend!)
Hes gonna do something incredible, and be Joseph Smith
again,
cause Kevin Price the prophet is all all all...
All-American!

Cunningham:

If you order now we'll also throw in a set of steak knives!

All:

All-American! [An Ugandan woman walks up to Price and


Nabulungi walks away]

Price:

So? Who would like their very own copy of the Book of
Mormon?

Woman:

What the fuck is a steak knife? [walks away. Price to get


her back, but decides instead to deal with Cunningham]

Price:

What the heck were you doing?!

Cunningham:

[trembling] Just doing my part, you know, 'cause we're


supposed to be a team.

Price:

Well, there's nothing in the Book of Mormon about steak


knives!

Cunningham:

I'm, I'm sorry. I've never actually read it.

Price:

You what?

Cunningham:

It's, it's just so boring!

Price:

How could you go on believing that-?

General:

[enters the village] JOMAMOSI! [his guards catch up]

A Woman:

He's here!

General:

What is this?! Some kind of public assembly?! [notices


the two missionaries and gestures towards them, then
walks over] My name is General Butt Fucking Naked,

leader of the NRA Rebellion and protector! They call me


General Butt Fucking Naked, because when I burn your
village to the ground, rape your daughters and bath in
the blood of your sons, I do it butt fucking naked.
Man:

Here you don't protect anyone! We have not signed up


for your rebellion! It is just a gang of thugs who steal and
mutilate women for no reason!

General:

For no reason?! [walks up to the man] The clitoris... is an


abomination! It's voodoo power... has brought a wrath
upon Uganda and it must be cast out!.

Man:

My daughter's body is none of your business! And you


are no general!

General:

By the end of the week, all females in this village WILL BE


CIRCUMCISED! Or else. [pulls a small gun from his vest
and shoots the man point-blank through his forehead.
The man falls down and everyone screams and scatters]

Scene 10

[The Hatimbi house, Mafala has turned off all the lights
and closed all the windows]

Mafala:

All right, they're all gone. You have to stay indoors,


Nabulungi! Keep the lights off, and the windows closed!

Nabulungi:

But Papa, we have to st- help and fight him!

Mafala:

We can't fight against this, Nabulungi! We just have to


hope they move on!

Nabulungi:

But Papa... they white boys...

Mafala:

What?

Nabulungi:

They said they know the answers to our problems.

Mafala:

I have to go check on the others!

Nabulungi:

Listen to me, Papa! The Mormons talked about people


who were miserable like us, but they all found someplace
to go. Somewhere wonderful. I'm going to text them right
now and tell them we are interested. [picks up her
typewriter and starts typing away]

Mafala:

[takes the typewriter from her] Put that stupid thing


down! [sets it down] Just stay inside, and do not open the

door for anyone! [walks out]


Nabulungi:

My mother once told me of a place with waterfalls and


unicorns flying
Where there was no suffering, no pain, where there was
laughter instead of dying
I always thought shed made it up to comfort me in times
of pain
But now I know that place is real, now I know its name
Sal Tlay Ka Siti, not just a story mama told
But a village in Ooh-tah, where the roofs are thatched
with gold
If I could let myself believe, I know just where Id be.
Right on the next bus to paradise: Sal Tlay Ka Siti
I can imagine what it must be like...this perfect, happy
place:
Ill bet the goat meat there is plentiful, and they have
vitamin injections by the case
The warlords there are friendly, they help you cross the
street
And theres a Red Cross on every corner with all the flour
you can eat!
Sal Tlay Ka Siti, the most perfect place on Earth
Where flies dont bite your eyeballs and human life has
worth
It isnt a place of fairy tales, its as real as it can be
A land where evil doesnt exist: Sal Tlay Ka Siti
And I'll bet the weather is nice there, and I'm sure the
streets are clean.
And I hope that when I get there, Ill be able to fit in...
Will I fit in?
Sal Tlay Ka Siti, a land of hope and joy
And if I want to get there, I just have to follow that white
boy
You were right, mama, you didnt lie
The place is real, and Im gonna fly!
Im on my way...soon life wont be so shitty
Now salvation has a name: Sal Tlay Ka Siti

Scene 11

[the Mormon building, inside. One group of elders is


studying scripture on the floor, the other group is
studying scripture on the couch. McKinley walks in
looking agitated]

McKinley:

O M Gosh you guys, I am freaking out!

Davis:

What is it?

McKinley:

I just got off the phone with the zone leader. The mission
president wants a written progress report from us THIS
WEEK!

Michaels:

A progress report? But we don't have any baptisms.

McKinley:

I know that! What are we gonna do?! [the other elders


begin to answer]

Church:

Okay okay okay! Hold on! I mean, maybe we should


just...say... we have some baptisms.

McKinley:

What? You mean, lie?

Church:

Well...

Schrader:

Are you an idiot?! Mormons don't lie!

Neeley:

I once told a lie when I was 12 and I had a dream that I


went to hell! It was really spooky.

Thomas:

You did? I got the worst hell dreams after the day that my
sister died. She-

Neeley:

You guys have the hell dreams too??

McKinley:

Look, we've all had the spooky hell dream, people. I have
it nightly! The issue now is what the heck am I supposed
to tell the mission president! [Price and Cunningham
enter the building, with Price being covered in blood from
the man shot moments before]

Church:

[gently pushes other elders aside] Elder Price? What


happened to you?!

Price:

Africa... is nothing like The Lion King! I think that movie


took a lot of artistic license!

Cunningham:

He's upset because we just saw some guy get shot in the
face.

Price:

I can't continue my mission in this way! There's


absolutely nothing I can accomplish here!

McKinley:

Elder Price, you cannot lose your cool on me now! We're

about to get evaluated by the mission president!


Price:

The mission president... That's it, I need to go talk to the


mission president and get transferred! [turns around.
Cunningham stops him]

Cunningham:

Buddy! Buddy, I know things seem tough right now, but


remember, tomorrow is a Latter Day!

Elders:

Yeah!

Price:

Latter Day doesn't mean tomorrow! It means the


afterlife! Reckoning! Latter Day, when, when good people
get to go to Heavenly Father and they get everything
they've always wanted! I'm out of here!

McKinley:

Hey, HEY! Are you forgetting Rule Number 23?! You may
NOT... leave the living quarters after 9 pm!

Price:

To HECK with the rules! I'm not wasting the most


important two years of my life! [storms out]

Cunningham:

Hey uh... [follows him out] Hold up, you forgot me!

McKinley:

Elder Cunningham! [] Do you also want to break Rule


Number 23?

Cunningham:

Oh no! What am I supposed to do?? According to Rule


Number 23, I can't leave the living quarters after curfew!
But according to Rule Number 72 I can't leave my
companion alone! This is like a Matrix logic trick! Rule 23,
Rule 72, Rule 23, [his glasses fly off his face] I CAN'T SEE!
[McKinley retrieves his glasses and gives them back to
him so he could put them back on] It's been a ???, it's
okay. I'm sorry guys, he's MY BEST FRIEND! [runs out
after Price and slams the door]

Scene 12

[Away from the Mormon building]

Cunningham:

Elder Price! Hey, come on! We're supposed to be


together at all times!

Price:

I can't do something incredible here!

Cunningham:

Okay! Stop, breathe, think! This isn't what you want to


do.

Price:

Yes it is!

Cunningham:

Okay! Uhhh, right. If that's what you want to do, then


that's what we're doing'. We're transferring. I'm with you-

Price:

I didn't say we're transferring! I said I am.

Cunningham:

Oh I see...

Price:

Look, you and me, we're s- not that compatible, alright?

Cunningham:

Well we only became best friends a few days ago. May-

Price:

And I'm not your best friend!! I just got stuck with you by
the missionary training center!! [long pause] I didn't
mean to, I didn't mean to say "stuck"... It's just that-

Cunningham:

Eh, yeah, yeah, it's fine.

Price:

I just meant that

Cunningham:

It's, it's alright. I know how it goes. It's really fine. I'll be,
I'll be totally fine.

Price:

[suddenly relieved] Yes! Yes, you will be alright. It's just


that we... need um... different things.

Cunningham:

Right.

Price:

You know?

Cunningham:

Right, just... different things is all.

Price:

It was really nice meeting you.

Cunningham:

Yeah... You too. Take it easy. [Price leaves, and


Cunningham is alone]
Evening star shines brightly, God makes life anew!
Sleep now, nghty night! I was there for you. [turns right
and walks away slowly, sadly]

Nabulungi:

[appearing] ?There you are! Thank goodness I found you.


Where is your friend?

Cunningham:

Uh, I don't have any friends.

Nabulungi:

No! I have written Elder Price a text. Here. [hands


Cunningham a typewritten letter] It says to please come
back to the village. We are ready.

Cunningham:

To do what?

Nabulungi:

To listen to him. I texted everyone that we have to give


Elder Price a chance.

Cunningham:

Well I'm sorry, he's requested a transfer.

Nabulungi:

...What is a transfer?

Cunningham:

That means he'll be sent somewhere else.

Nabulungi:

No, he can't leave. We are ready to listen.

Cunningham:

It's too late. He's already made up his mind. [Nabulungi


turns away and walks off slowly, but turns around]

Nabulungi:

What about you?

Cunningham:

Me? What?

Nabulungi:

He is gone, but you are still here. You will lead us! Teach
us everything about what is in the Book of Mormon!

Cunningham:

Me?? Nooo! Noohoho! I'm a follower.

Nabulungi:

Everyone's waiting. Come back to the village and you will


have your listeners. I swear it.

Cunningham:

What did Jesus do when they sentenced him to die?


Did he try to run away? Did he just break down and cry?
No, Jesus dug down deep, knowing what he had to do
When faced with his own death, Jesus knew that he had
to...
Man up, he had to man up.
So he crawled up on that cross, and he stuck it out.
And he manned up; Christ, he manned up.
And taught us all what real manning up is about.
And now it's up to me, and it's time to man up.
Jesus had his time to, now it's mine to man up.
I'm taking the reins, I'm crossing the bear
And just like Jesus, I'm growing a pair!
I've gotta stand up, can't just clam up.
It's time to man up!
'Cause there's a time in your life when you know you've
got to man up.
Don't let it pass you by there's just one time to man up.
Watch me man up like nobody else!

I'm gonna man up all over myself!


I've got to get ready: it's time to, time to...
What did Jesus do when they put nails through his
hands?
Did he scream like a girl, or did he take it like a man?
When someone had to die to save us from our sins,
Jesus said, "I'll do it," and he took it on the chin!
He manned up, and manned up.
He took a bullet for me and you.
That's man up, real man up.
And now it's my time to... do it too!
Time to be a hero and slay the monster!
Time to battle darkness, "You're not my Father!"
I'm gonna time to, just watch me go!
Time to stand up and steal the show!
Time ta, tine ta, time ta, time ta, time ta-a.
Nabulungi:

Sal Tlay Ka Siti, a place of hope and joy.

Cunningham:

To man up!

Nabulungi:

And if we want to go there, we just have to follow that


white boy.

Cunningham:

Time to!

Price:

Heavenly Father, why do you let bad things happen?

Ugandans:

Ka Lay Ka Siti!

Nabulungi:

Did you get my text?

Price:

I can't believe all the terrible things you let happen!

Ugandans:

Ka-lay-ka Siti, we got your text!

Price:

I don't belong in a place like this!

Cunningham:

Man up!

Price:

Take me back to where things make sense!


A place I know where God exists Orlando!!!

Chorus:

Orlando!

Ugandans:

We will listen to the fat white guy!

Cunningham:

My time to, time to. Now it's my time to, time to!

Ugandans:

But Hasa Diga Eebowai!

Cunningham:

No time to, not time to. Now it's time to, time to!

Ugandans:

Huh!

Cunningham:

I'm in the lead for the very first time!

Ugandans:

Time to!

Cunningham:

I'm home with the people to show me ta-

Ugandans:

Mine to!

Cunningham:

I've got to stand up, get my flippin' can up.


It's time to, time ta!

Nabulungi:

(Cunningham: Man up!!) Sal Tlay Ka Siti (Price: Orlando!)


Sal Tlay Ka Siti (Cunningham: Man up!! Price: Orlando!)
Sal Tlay Ka Siti
Sal Tlay Ka Siti
Sal Tlay

Cunningham:

It is time to

Gotswana:

...I have maggots in my scrotum!


Intermission
Act II

Scene 1

[Fanfare. The Hill Cumorah, day.

Narrator:

Indeed, it came to pass that the prophet Joseph Smith


discovered the Book of Mormon on golden plates. But
what exactly is the Book of Mormon about? It tells of
Hebrew tribes that walked in ancient America. The gentle
Nephites, and the wicked Lamanites. They fought many
great battles, but then, just after his crucifixion, Christ
appeared.

Jesus:

I... am Jesus. I've just been crucified on the other side of


the world. I only have three days before I am resurrected,
but in that time I will preach here to you in America.

Narrator:

And lo, Christ spoke of many things, and the Nephites


came forth and wrote the teachings on plates of gold.
Plates, that became the Book of Mormon, a book that is

still today read by missionaries all over the world!


Scene 2

[The Ugandan village. Elder Cunningham is now


preaching to the Ugandans]

Cunningham:

And it came to pass that the Nephites did gather together


a great number of men, even to exceed the number of
30,000.

An Ugandan:

Oooo...

Cunningham:

And it came to pass that in the same year they had a


number of battles in which the Nephites did beat the
Lamanites and did slay many of them

Woman:

...And what the fuck does that mean?

Cunningham:

[softly] It means, you know, you should be nice to each


other, or something. [clears his throat and goes back to
the book] And lo! The LORD was so displeased with the
Lamanites that he caused a cursing to come upon them.
And wherefore as they were white and delightsome, the
LORD God did cause a skin of blackness to come upon
them, and God said- [realizes that the people he's
preaching to are black too] Uuuuhhhhhhhhhhh... never
mind, let's, let's forget that part.

Mafala:

How is this supposed to make things better for us? The


general is going to come back, and if he sees us here, we
are all dead!

Nabulungi:

Papa, please! We just need to listen.

Middala:

To what?! Three hours we've been listening to him talk


about stupid shit that happened on the other side of the
Earth thousands of years ago! It has nothing to do with
us.

Sadaka:

Yeh! And those Nephites probably didn't even have AIDS


to deal with! [the villagers disperse]

Cunningham:

Uh?! Sure they did! Sure they did! Back then people had
even worse AIDS! [he has their attention] Yeah! [he gets
back to the book] And lo, the LORD said unto the
Nephites, "I know you're really depressed, what with all
your AIDS, and everything, but there's an answer in
Christ."

Nabulungi:

You see? This book can help us.

Cunningham:

I just told a lie... No wait, I didn't lie, I just used my


imagination. And it worked!

Cunningham's Dad:

You're making things up again, Arnold.

Cunningham:

But it worked, Dad!

Cunningham's Dad:

You're stretching the truth again and you know it.

Joseph Smith:

Don't be a fibbing Fran, Arnold.

Cunningham:

Joseph Smith?

Cunningham's Dad,
Joseph Smith:

Because a lie is a lie.

Cunningham:

It's not a lie!

Cunningham's Dad,
Joseph Smith,
Conscience:

You're making things up again, Arnold.

Cunningham:

Oh conscience!

Cunningham's Dad,
Joseph Smith,
Conscience:

You're taking the Holy Word and adding fiction.


Be careful how you proceed, Arnold.
When you fib, there's a price.

Middala:

Aaaaaah, this is bull shit! The story that I have been told
is the way to cure AIDS is by sleeping with a virgin! Ah
I'm going to go and rape a baby.

Cunningham:

WHAT? OH MY, NO! YOU CAN'T DO THAT! NO!

Middala:

Why not?!

Cunningham:

Because that is definitely against God's will!

Middala:

Says who?! Where in that book of yours does it say


anything about sleeping with a baby?! Huh?! Nowhere!

Cunningham:

Uhhh, Behold! The LORD said to the Mormon prophet


Joseph Smith, "You shall NOT have sex with that infant!"
And lo Joseph said, "Why not, LORD? Huh? Why not?" And
the LORD said, "if you lay with that infant, you shall"
[makes an explosive sound] burn in the fiery pits ofMordor!

Middala:

Really?

Cunningham:

Uh huh... Uh huh. "A baby cannot cure your illness,


Joseph Smith. I shall give unto you a... a FROG." And thus,
Joseph laid with the frog, and his AIDS was no more!

All:

You're making things up again, Arnold.


You're recklessly morphing the words of Jesus

Hobbits:

You can't just say what you want, Arnold.

Cunningham:

Come on, Hobbits!

All:

You're digging yourself a deep hole

Cunningham:

I'm making things up again, kind of,


but this time it's helping a dozen people.
It's nothing so bad because this time
I'm not committing a sin just by making things up again!
Right?

All:

NO!

Nabulungi:

Elder Cunningham, you have to stop him!

Cunningham:

What? What is it?

Nabulungi:

Gotswana is going to cut off his daughter's clitoris.

Cunningham:

Huh??

Gotswana:

This is all very interesting, but the general said that it is


because our women aren't circumcised that God has
brought this wrath upon us!

Cunningham:

No, doing that to a lady is definitely against Christ's will!

Gotswana:

How do you know?! Christ never said nothin' 'bout no


clitoris!

Cunningham:

YE-ESS! YES HE DI-ID! In ancient New York three men


were about to cut off a Mormon woman's clitoris... But,
right before they did, Jesus had... Boba Fett turn them
into frogs!

Gotswana:

Frogs?

Woman:

You mean like the frog that got fucked by Joseph Smith?

Cunningham:

Right. Right, like those frogs. For "a clitoris is holy

amongst all things," said He.


Chorus (Ugandans):

You're making things up again, Arnold. (We're learning


the truth)
You're taking the Holy Word and adding fiction. (The truth
about God!)
Be careful how you proceed, Arnold (We're going to
Paradise!)
When you fib, there's a price..

Cunningham:

Who would have thought I'd have this magic touch?


Who'd have believed I could man up this much?
I'm talkin', they're listenin', my stories are glistenin',
I'm gonna save them all with this stuff!

Chorus (Ugandans):

You're making things up again, Arnold. (Elder


Cunningham!)
You're making things up again, Arnold. (Holy prophet
man!)
You're making things up again, Arnold. (Our savior!)

Cunningham:

You're making things up again...

Yoda:

Hmm, up again making things you are!

Cunningham:

Arnold...

Scene 3

[Orlando. Elder Price is overjoyed to be there, dancing


and singing merrily]

Price:

I'm here! ... This is it! ... I'm here! Orlando! Ah! It's even
better than I could've imagined! The streets are clean,
the people are happy... Epcot Center. I can see the ball!
[carnival music comes up] The funny thing is, I don't
really remember getting here. [the music and scenery
get darker] Wait, this can't be Orlando. I don't even
remember the plane landing. What's happening? Where
am I?? [Thunder approaches]
I remember this place!
Long ago when I was five
I snuck in the kitchen late at night
And ate a doughnut with a maple glaze
My father asked who ate the snack
I said that it was my brother Jack

And Jack got grounded for fourteen days


I've lived with that guilt all of my life
And the terrible vision that I had that night
No, please! I don't wanna go back!!!
Demons:

Down, down thy soul is cast!


From the Earth whence forth ye fell!
The path of fire leads thee
To spooky Mormon Hell dream!
Welcome back to
Spooky Mormon Hell dream!
You are having
A spooky Mormon Hell dream now!

Price (Demons):

And now I've gone and done it again (Rectus!)


I committed another awful sin (Dominus!)
I left my mission companion all alone (Spookytus!)
Oh God, how could I have done this to you? (Deus!)
How could I break Rule 72? (Creepyus!)
And now my soul hath just been thrown
Back into spooky Mormon Hell dream!

Demons:

Down, down to Satan's realm


See where you belong!
There is nothing you can do
No escape from spooky Mormon Hell dream!

Jesus:

You blamed your brother for eating the doughnut, and


now you walk out on your mission companion?! Tch
you're a dick!

Price:

Jesus, I'm sorry!

Demons:

Jesus hates you, this we know!


For Jesus just told you so!

Skeleton 1:

You remember Lucifer?

Skeleton 2:

He is even spookier!

Satan:

Minions of Hades, have you heard the news?


Kevin was caught playing hooky!
Now he's back with all you Cath'lics and Jews!
It's super spooky-wooky!

Price:

I'm sorry, Lord, it was selfish of me

To break the rules, please I don't wanna be


In this spooky Mormon Hell dream!
Demons:

Spooky Mormon Hell dream!


Genghis Khan, Jeffrey Dahmer,
Hitler, Johnnie Cochran
Their spirits all surround you!
Spooky, spooky, spooky!

Hitler:

I started a war und killed millions of Jews!

Genghis Khan:

I slaughtered the Chinese!

Jeffrey Dahmer:

I stabbed a guy and fucked his corpse!

Johnnie Cochran:

I got OJ free!

Price:

You think that's bad? I broke Rule 72! (*Gasps*)


I left my companion and I'm way worse than you!
I hate this spooky Mormon Hell dream!

Demons:

Spooky Mormon Hell dream!

Price (Demons):

Oh, Heavenly Father! (Aaa-aaa-aaa-aah)


Please give me one more chance! (Aaa-aaa-aaa-aah)
I won't break the rules again! (Aaa-aaa-aaa-aaa-aah!)
No, no more! Please!

Demons:

Spooky Mormon Hell dream


Spooky Mormon Hell dream
Chug! Chug! Chug! Chug! [moments later Jeffrey Dahmer
brings Price's father to him]

Price:

Dad! Dad! [notices Dahmer fucking his dad from behind]


AAAAUUUUGGGGHHH! [begins to dance with the
demons]
I can't believe Jesus called me a dick!!

Demons:

Welcome, welcome to spooky Mormon Hell dream!


You are never waking up from spooky Mormon Hell
dream!

Price (Demons):

Oh, please help me Father! (Down, down thy soul is cast)


Please let me wake up! (From the Earth whence forth ye
fell)

Give me one more chance! (This must be it, you must be


there)
I won't let you down again! (In spooky Mormon Hell
dream!)
Demons:

Now
Aaa-aaa-aaa-aah
Spooky
Spooky Mormon Hell dream now! [Price is dragged
around by the demons and finally collapses]
Spooky Mormon Hell dream done! [fade to black]

Scene 4

[Back at the Mormon building the missionaries lay Price


down and wait for him to wake up]

McKinley:

I think he's coming to. [to Price] Come on, Elder Price.
Wake up, buddy.

Price:

Wait, what?! Where am I?!

Davis:

It looks like you passed out at the bus station.

Church:

We were so worried!

Price:

Oh I'm, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I had a little, uh


meltdown, last night. But I'm not leaving.

Elders:

Oh, good, good.

Price:

Yeah, I realized... that I was... That was wrong, and I'm


gonna stay here and stick to my work!

McKinley:

Oh. You had the Hell dream, didn't you?

Michaels:

Was I in it? [Price looks around. Cunningham's singing is


heard]

Cunningham:

[entering] ...Arnold. Oh, hey guys.

Michaels:

Elder Cunningham, where on Heavenly Father's green


Earth have you been?

Cunningham:

[casually singing] Oh, nowhere much, just with ten eager


Africans [voice rising] who are now interested in the
Church! [the other elders react positively] Yes, yep,
they're completely into the teachings and ready to learn
more.

Price:

Are you serious, Elder Cunningham? That's amazing!

Cunningham:

Oh, Elder Price. Hey. [walks past him, a bit aloof]

Price:

Hey...

Cunningham:

So, did you find yourself a new... companion?

Price:

No. No, I didn't. And I'm sorry about that. But this is
great, Elder Cunningham. If you've got some eager
followers, we could really turn things around here! I think
we should start... preparing which verses we're going to
teach them, maybe prep some exercises, or find some,
some music, maybe then-

Cunningham:

WOOAAHHH! WOH-HOOAAAHHH! You left me!


Remember?

Price:

Yes, I know. And I'm sorry. But Heavenly Father has shown
me I need to stay here!

Cunningham:

So now what? I'm just supposed to take you back?

Davis:

Elder Cunningham. We must all work in pairs.


Remember?

McKinley:

Give Elder Cunningham a break! If it's working better this


way, then, leave Elder Price out of it. [pushes Price aside
and takes Cunningham back to the other elders] Now,
how many of the people want to have follow-up sessions?

Cunningham:

Oh um, let's see, all of them! [the other elders react


positively]

Church:

Do you think we might actually get a baptism out of this?

McKinley:

They always say you just have to get that first baptism
and the others will follow!

Cunningham:

Hold up! I know I'm doing a really good job and all, but
let's not get too carried away, I mean, a lot of the people
here are so scared to death of that General Butt Effing
Naked guy.

Thomas:

It's true. Everywhere we go, people keep talking about


General Butt Effing Naked, and how he'll kill them.
Sometime I'd like to convince that General that what he's
doing is wrong

McKinley:

Well no one is going to change how a warlord thinks. That


would take something... incredible. [Price's face lights up]

Price:

Something incredible... something incredible... [can't


continue, as he's interrupted by the ongoing
conversation]

McKinley:

Look, let's just be happy that Elder Cunningham has the


people interested.

Price (Choir):

It's okay you guys! I've got everything under control! I


know what Heavenly Father wants for me now. This whole
country is gonna be SAVED! [the elders look at him, then
leave and continue the conversation elsewhere]
Ever since I was a child I tried to be the best, so what
happened?
My family and friends all said I was blessed, so what
happened?
It was supposed to be all so exciting to be teaching of
Christ 'cross the sea.
But I allowed my faith to be shaken. Oh, what's the
matter with me?
I've always longed to help the needy, to do the things I
never dared
This was the time for me to step up, so then why was I so
scared?
A warlord who shoots people in the face? What's so scary
about that?
I must trust that my Lord is mightier and always has my
back.
Now I must be completely devout; I can't have even one
shred of doubt!
I believe that the Lord God created the universe
I believe that he sent his only son to die for my sins
And I believe that ancient Jews built boats and sailed to
America
I am a Mormon, and a Mormon just believes
You cannot just believe part-way, you have to believe in it
all.
My problem was doubting the Lord's work, instead of
standing tall.
I can't allow myself to have any doubt, it's time to set my
worries free!

Time to show the world what Elder Price is about, and


while I show them, I'll show me!
I believe (Aa-aa-aaah) that God has a plan for all of us
I believe (I believe) that plan involves (Aa-aa-aaah) me
getting my own planet
And I believe that the current President of the Church,
Thomas Monson, speaks directly to God!!
I am a Mormon, and dang it, a Mormon just believes! (A
Mormon just believes!)
I know that I must go and do the things my God
commands (Things my God commands!)
I realize now why he sent me here!
If you ask the Lord in faith, he will always answer you!
Just believe in him (just believe) and have no fear!
Scene 5

[The general's camp. Elder Price walks towards it with


purpose. A guard spots him and reports it]

Guard:

General! We have an intruder! He just walked right into


camp!

Price (Choir):

[entering] I believe (Aaa-ahh!) that Satan has a hold of


you (Satan has a hold)
I believe (I believe) that the Lord [with choir] God has
sent me here!
[alone] And I believe that in 1978 God changed his mind
about black people! (Black people!)
You can be a Mormon! A Mormon who just believes...

General:

What the fuck is this?!

Price (Choir):

And now I can feel the excitement: this is the moment I


was born to do
And I feel so incredible to be sharing my faith with you
[genuflects and takes the general's right hand in his left
hand]
The Scriptures say that if you ask in faith, if you ask God
himself, you'll know
But you must ask him without any doubt, [stands up] and
let your spirit grow! (Let your spirit grow!) [pulls the
general to his feet]
I believe (I believe) that God lives on a planet called
Kolob! [the general looks uncomfortable]
I believe (I believe) that Jesus has [with choir] his own
planet as well

[alone] And I believe that the Garden of Eden was in


Jackson County, Missouri
If you believe, the Lord will reveal it, and you'll know it's
all true you'll just feel it.
You'll be a Mormon! And, by gosh, a Mormon (A Mormon)
A Mormon just believes! (Just believe, a Mormon just
believes)
Oh, I believe! (Just believe, a Mormon just...)
I believe! (...believes!) [raises his hands in victory. The
general can only go along with this for a while longer,
then pulls his hand away. Price opens the book and
prepares to witness]
So, [the general swats the book out of his hands to the
floor]
General:

JUMAMOSI! [his guards rush up to detain Price]

Price:

WAIT! God has spoken to me, sir! [the general picks up


the book] By the power of God Almighty touch me NOT!
[the general and his guards close in on him] Uh, the
power of Christ compels you! [the general and his guards
take him away] Wait, what are you doing? Let me go! No!
No! AAAAAHHH!

Scene 6

[Kitguli, next day. Cunningham is back teaching the


Ugandans by himself]

Cunningham:

Right, right. So Christ said, "You've gotta be strong, you


know? Just because the Lamanites have big Death Star
weapons and stuff doesn't mean you should let them run
your lives, you know? There's more of you then there are
of them; you've gotta stand up for yourselves!" Christ
said.

Middala:

Oh! Just like the way the Hobbits all stood up against
Brigham Young's killers!

Cunningham:

Very good, Middala. So, the Nephites... fought off the


wicked Lamanites, and for punishments God told the
Lamanites... yellow!

Kalimba:

Oh! Like the Chinese!

Cunningham:

Right, right. Oh-kay we should probably stop there for


today. Hopefully we'll see everyone again tomorrow? [the

villagers begin to leave and say their goodbyes]


Woman:

[to another woman on her way out] The book is right: we


must not fight amongst each other. The Chinese are the
real problem!

Mafala:

[approaches Cunningham] I love all these Mormon


stories! They are so fucking weird and interesting!

Sadaka:

Elder Cunningham, I just wanted to say, we are very


happy Heavenly Father brought you here.

Cunningham:

Oh, thank you. [Sadaka walks away, leaving Nabulungi


alone with Cunningham]

Nabulungi:

I have never seen the people here so happy. Even Papa.


You! ...are amazing.

Cunningham:

Oh. Well, I haven't really done that much.

Nabulungi:

But you have. I texted my friend the story of Joseph


Smith's battle with diarrhea, and he said everyone in his
village has read it. You are a great man.

Cunningham:

Thank you. I kind of am, huh?

Nabulungi:

All the Mormons are such amazing people. They traveled


across the United States to find Paradise in Sal Tlay Ka
Siti. And even though they found it, they still travel the
world to show others the way.

Cunningham:

I guess I never really thought of it like that.

Nabulungi:

Do you think that we are worthy enough to join you? We


have been trying very hard. And we are ready to do
whatever tasks you require of us.

Cunningham:

Oh no no no no, you don't understand. There's nothing


they have to do to become Mormon. We let anybody who
wants to join up, so long as they're willing to commit to
the Church. Then we can... baptize them.

Nabulungi:

Well then, would you like to baptize me?

Cunningham:

Sh yeah, sure, that would be... great.

Nabulungi:

Okay! Let's do it!

Cunningham:

What? Now?

Nabulungi:

Why not?

Cunningham:

[backs away nervously] Well... to be honest, I've never


done it before.

Nabulungi:

[walks right up to him and gives him a soft tap on the


shoulder] That's okay. Neither have I!

Cunningham:

[laughs, returns the tap, and walks off] I guess that's


true.

Nabulungi:

Do you know how to baptize someone into the Church?

Cunningham:

Sure, that's something we studied over and over again


at... Mission Control Center.

Nabulungi:

Please, Elder Cunningham, I want to be baptized. I swear


to dedicate my life to the Church.

Cunningham:

Hah, okay, I uh, just need a second to get ready.

Nabulungi:

Okay! I'll go get ready too. [walks away]

Cunningham:

I'm about to do it for the first time


And I'm gonna do it with a girl! A special girl
Who makes my heart kinda flutter, makes my eyes kinda
blur
I can't believe I'm about to baptize her

Nabulungi:

He will baptize me. He will hold me in his arms


And he will baptize me right in front of everyone,
And it will set me free when he looks into my eyes
And he sees just how much I love being baptized

Cunningham
(Nabulungi):

I'm gonna baptize her (Baptize me), Bathe her in God's


glory,
And I will baptize her (I'm ready) with everything I got,
And I'll make her beg for more (Oooh) as I wash her free
of sin,
And it'll be so good she'll want me to [together] baptize
her/me again.
[they get real close to each other and look like they'll
kiss, but Cunningham checks himself] Excuse me, I, I
need another minute! [Cunningham walks away quickly]

Nabulungi:

Never known a boy so gentle


One like him is hard to find. A special kind,
He makes my heart kind of flutter
Like a moth in a cocoon. I hope he gets to baptizing me
soon!

Cunningham:

I'm gonna baptize you! I'm through with all my stallin'!

Nabulungi:

You're gonna baptize me! I'm ready to let you do it!

Cunningham and
Nabulungi:

And it will set us free. It's time to be immersed.


And I'm so happy you're about to be my first!

Cunningham:

OK. Are you ready?

Nabulungi:

I am ready. So how do we do it?

Cunningham:

Well, I hold you like this.

Nabulungi:

Yeah?

Cunningham:

Then I lower you down.

Nabulungi:

Yeah?

Cunningham:

And then I [lets her fall back into the water]

Cunningham
(Nabulungi):

I just baptized her! She got dowsed by Heavenly father!


I just baptized her good (Baptized me)! I performed like a
champ!

Nabulungi:

I'm wet with salvation!

Cunningham and
Nabulungi:

We just went all the way!


Praise be to God! I'll never forget this day!

Cunningham
(Nabulungi):

I baptized you! (You baptized me) I gotcha good!


(Baptized me)
[Cunningham reels her in and she hops towards him] You
wanted it more, baby! (Baptized me...)
[Cunningham removes the fishing hook from her mouth,
then gets a towel for her. He offers to put it on her, but
she declines. He then hands it to her...]

Nabulungi:

I'll text you later. [she walks away]

Scene 7

[at the same river some days later. The elders stand at
one side of the river, the villagers on the other. McKinley

starts off the baptisms by baptizing Mafala. Mafala gives


praise to God and then embraces McKinley. The other
elders pair off with the other villagers and baptize them
individually. McKinley steps forth.]
McKinley:

Dear Mission President, it is my honor to inform you that


the elders of Uganda District 9 have brought twenty new
members into the Church.

Mission President:

[reading the letter] "They are all fully committed to the


Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and our
numbers continue to grow." This is outstanding. These
boys have converted more Africans than any district in
the country. Elders of District 9, you have truly honored
the Church by your success. Congratulations on
becoming one... with the people... of Africa.

McKinley:

I am Africa. I am Africa.
With the strength of the cheetah my native voice will
ring.

Elders:

We are Africa. We are the heartbeat of Africa.

Schrader:

With the rhino

Thomas:

the meerkat

Church:

the noble lion king

Elders:

We are Africa.
We are the winds of the Serengeti, we are the sweat of
the jungle man,
We are the tears of Nelson Mandela, we are the lost boys
of the Sudan!

Cunningham:

I am Africa. Just like Bono, I am Africa.


I flew in here and became one with this land

Elders:

Ha na he-iya! Za ba ne-iba!

Cunningham:

I'm not a follower anymore. No, now I am Africa!


With my Zulu spear, I run barefoot through the sand
And I am Africa!

Elders:

Ha na he-iya! Za ba ne-iba!
Ha na he-iya! Za ba ne-ib...

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...
Scene 8

[The village's medical clinic. Doctor Gotswana is checking


an X-ray of a man's body with the Book of Mormon
shoved up the man's ass. Nearby, Elder Price is doubled
over on the gurney.]

Gotswana:

Something incredible. You've done something incredible!


I have never seen a rectal blockage of this kind!
I have seen patients in the past with rodents or bottles in
their ass!
But this is something incredible, and it blows my freakin'
mind! [Price shakes his head from the embarrassment]

Elders:

We are the snows of Kilimanjaro, we are gorillas in the


mist,
We are the galleys of the Amistad, we are Fela's defiant
fist!
We are Africa...

Cunningham:

Oh Neosporin it's amazing! The mission president wants


to meet me personally and he's gonna give me a medal!

Nabulungi:

Oh elder, that is incredible! [they run off. Elder Price


walks past with his Book of Mormon removed from his
ass]

Elders:

We are Africa, the zebra and giraffica

General:

Are you telling me that an entire village is wearing white


and dunking themselves into water?! Well what type of...
voodoo magic is that?! It freaks me out!! They must all
be put to death!!

Elders:

We are the Africa (We are Africa) The one and only Africa
(The one and only)
And the life we live is primitive and proud! (Let us smile
and laughrica!)
We are Africa (We are Africa) We are deepest, darkest
Africa! (So deep and dark in Africa)
We are the fields and fertile forest, well endowed.
We are Africa (We are Africa)

McKinley:

We are the sunrise on the Savannah

Zelder:

A monkey with a banana

Church:

A tribal woman who doesn't wear a bra

Elders:

Ahhh...Africans are African, but we are Africa!

Scene 9

[A cafe in Kitguli. Price is drinking at the bar there and


he's got several stacks of coffee cups before him. His left
leg is trembling]

Price:

Hit me! Gimme another one! Come ON! [the barkeep


pours him another cup] Thank you. You wanna hear
something funny? I used to think drinking coffee was
wrong. You wanna know why? HM! Because apparently, a
tribe of ancient Jews lived in America created huge
civilizations and were visited by Christ, but then, then
disappeared, leaving no archaeological trace of
themselves except... for golden plates, which were then
dug up by a farmer who wrote down, amongst other
things, that hot drinks were not for the body to belly, so I
can't have a cup of coffee! [the barkeep gets scared and
leaves] HA! [trembles and drinks from his cup]

Cunningham:

[walks in] Elder Price? [Price looks over] Are you okay?

Price:

Well well! If it isn't the super Mormon! Really changed in


Uganda, aren'tcha?

Cunningham:

I'm doin' what I can.

Price:

Yeah? Spreadin' the Word? Makin' more brainwashed


zombies?

Cunningham:

Elder Price? What happened to you?

Price:

I woke up. That's what happened.

Cunningham:

Of course you woke up! You drank twelve cups of coffee!!

Price:

[stands up and confronts Cunningham] You tell me how it


is, huh?! How is it you converted also those people into
Mormons?!

Cunningham:

I don't know. Once I baptized Nagasaki the others just fell


into place.

Price:

You baptized that girl??

Cunningham:

Yeah, I did. Don't hate on me, elder!

Price:

You get everything you pray for! You're doing everything I

was supposed to do! Doesn't that seem a little telling to


you?!
Cunningham:

Well of what??

Price:

That the universe doesn't work the way we were told! ...
When I was nine years old, my family took a trip. To
Orlando, Florida. And it was the most... wonderful, most
magical place I'd ever seen. And I decided right then and
there, "This... is where I want to spend eternity." My
parents said that if I made God proud and I did
everything the Church asked, in the latter days, I could
have whatever I wanted. So I worked. And I worked. And
even when I studied Mormon stories and I thought, "That
doesn't really make sense," I kept working! Because I was
told that one day I would get my reward! PLANET
ORLANDO! But what do I have now?

Cunningham:

Um... Yeah... Okay, anyway, so, the uh, the mission


president is coming tomorrow and, I'm without my
companion and well it just looks kind of bad-

Price:

Aaaa-oh, so that's why you came!

Cunningham:

No, I came because I care about you-

Price:

BULL POOP!

Cunningham:

-and Heavenly Fa-

Price:

That is bull poop, elder! And you know it!

Cunningham:

Look, I know you may not be the best "companion," but if


we can please just ACT like we're still together, in front of
the mission president, it would be the best thing for the
both of us.

Price:

Fine! But don't talk to me! And don't touch me!

Cunningham:

Fine! [storms out of the cafe]

Price:

Fine! [starts after Cunningham, but stops, then turns


aside]
Orland, Orlando, I liked you Orlando.
Your bright lights, your big dreams, your promises you
couldn't keep
Orland, Orlando, without you Orlando.

I'm just a guy who will die and never go back... to... you...
Scene 10

[the missionary living quarters, outside. The mission


president is outside with his assistants and the elders]

Mission President:

Boys! You have all done the most amazing work of your
missions. You are the gleaming examples of Latter-Day
Saints.

Assistants:

Praise Christ. Praise Christ.

Mission President:

And YOU, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, you are the
most successful missionaries in all of Africa.

Cunningham:

Oh, thank you sir. My companion has been so very helpful


[tries to punch him playfully but Price moves out of the
way] and there for me.

Assistants:

Praise Christ. [Price chides Cunningham about touching


him]

Nabulungi:

Excuse me! Excuse me mister Mormon President? My


people wish to give you a special welcome. [her people
bring in a set on which they'll act out what they learned]

Cunningham:

[pulls her aside] Uhh... Neutrogena, what are you doing


here?

Nabulungi:

[turns back to the president] We, we have learned so


much from Elder Cunningham, and as our gift to you we
wish to present the story of Joseph Smith and the first
Mormons. [four Ugandan women dressed as pioneer
women burst through curtains onto the set]

Cunningham:

[tries to block the women from moving any further]


NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I think this is a
very bad idea. Let's not do this.

McKinley:

[approaches Cunningham] No no no, elder, this is just the


sort of thing the Mormon leaders need to be seeing.
[Cunningham goes to plead with the president.
Nabulungi holds his hand while McKinley holds him back]

Mission President:

Yes, yes yes, let's see what these noble Africans have
learned. [the Ugandans get themselves into position]

Nabulungi:

And now we wish to honor you with the story of Joseph

Smith, the American Moses


Mission President:

Well, this is very good! Praise Christ.

Ugandans:

Moooormon

Nabulungi (Ugandans): I'm going to take you back in time (Mormon), to the
United States, 1823 (Mormon). A small and odd village
called Oopstate New York (Oopstate). There was disease
and famine (so sick). But also in this village lived a simple
farmer who would change everything. His name..... was
Joseph Smith.
Ugandans:

Hiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiya Joseph Smith, American Moses


Praise be to Joseph, American prophet man.

Joseph Smith:

[Mutumbo steps through the curtains in costume] Aye!


My name is Joseph Smith and I am going to fuck this
baby! [takes a baby from one of the women]

Mission President:

WHAT?!

Ugandans:

No no Joseph, don't fuck the baby!


Joseph Smith, don't fuck the baby!

Nabulungi:

Then God came down from heaven and appeared before


Joseph Smith. [Mafala steps through the clouds dressed
in splendor as God]

God:

Joseph Smith, do not fuck a baby! I will get rid of your


AIDS, if you fuck this frog. [presents a frog to Joseph
Smith, then goes back through the clouds]

Ugandans:

Hiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiyiya

Nabulungi:

Joseph Smith fucked the frog God gave him and his AIDS
went away. [Mutumbo simulates the act] Then a great
wizard named Moroni came down from the Starship
Enterprise. [Middala steps through the clouds as Moroni]

Moroni:

Joseph Smith, your village is shit! You shall lead the


villagers to a new village! Here are the fucking directions!

Ugandans:

Awaaaaay!

Nabulungi:

And on the plates were written the directions to a new


land. Sal Tlay Ka Siti

Ugandans:

Sal Tlay Ka Siti!

Nabulungi:

Joseph tried to convince all the villagers to follow him and


his golden plates.

Joseph Smith
(Ugandans):

[still fucking the frog] Liberation! Equality! No more


slavery for Oopstate Mormon people!
I got de golden plates (gold plates)
I'm gonna lead the people (we head West)
We gotta stick together (Mormons)
We gotta help each other (we're Mormons)
And so we climb the mountain (we head West)
And we cross the river (we head West)
And we fight the oppression (Mormons)
By being nice to everyone (we are Mormons)

Brigham Young:

[Gotswana appears dressed as Brigham Young]Not so fast


Mormons, you shall not pass my mountain!!

Woman:

Down from the mountain look who comes!

Ugandans:

The American warlord Brigham Young!

Brigham Young:

Yeeeeeeeeees. I am Brigham Young! I cut off my


daughter's clitoris. That made God angry so he turned my
nose into a clit for punishment! [puts his hands over his
nose as if to form a vagina]

Ugandans:

Brigham Young, his nose was a clitoris!


What will you do Joseph?? Will you fight the clitoris
man??

Joseph Smith:

Not fight him, help him!! [walks towards Brigham Young


with a Book of Mormon]

Ugandans:

Ooooooohhhh!!

Nabulungi:

Joseph Smith took his magical fuck frog and rubbed it


upon Brigham Young's clit face, and behold Brigham was
cured!

Ugandans:

Joseph Smith - magical AIDS frog


Brigham Young - frog on his clit face

Nabulungi:

Brigham Young was so grateful, he decided to join the


Mormons on their journey.

Joseph Smith

Compassion! Courtesy! Unrelenting politeness from all

(Ugandans):

Oopstate Mormon people!


I got de golden plates (gold plates)
I'm gonna lead the people (we head West)
We gotta stick together (Mormons)

Nabulungi:

Now comes the part of our story that gets a little bit sad.

Ugandans:

Ooooooh!

Nabulungi:

After traveling for SO long, the Mormons ran out of fresh


water and become sick..... with dysentery.

Ugandans:

Mormon go to the water, water go to the cup


Cup go to the stomach, shit come out the butt
Shit go in the water, water go in the cup
Shit go down the stomach, shit come out the butt

Joseph Smith:

Uuughh! Oh Fuck! Uuughh!

Nabulungi:

Oh no, the prophet Joseph Smith is now getting sick!

Ugandans:

Shit go in the water, water go in the cup


Cup go to the thirsty, shit go to the stomach
Blood come out the butt, blood go in the water
Water go in the cup, cup go to the tongue
Shit blood in the stomach, shit blood in the mouth
Shit blood on the insides, water come out the butt!

Joseph Smith:

[moans horribly] Brigham Young! You take the golden


plates and lead the Mormons to the Promised Land!!
[dies and poops one last time]

Brigham Young
(Ugandans):

Desperation! Mortality! Perseverance!


I got de golden plates (gold plates)
I'm got to lead the people (we head West)
We gotta stick together- [leads the pioneers off stage]

Nabulungi:

Even though their prophet had died, the Mormons stuck


together and helped each other and were really nice to
everyone they came across, and then finally one day the
Mormons found Sal Tlay Ka Siti!

Ugandans:

Sal Tlay Ka Siti!!

Nabulungi:

And there, the Mormons danced with Ewoks, and Jesus.

Jesus:

[Ghali comes out dressed as Jesus, but with a long erect


penis] Welcome Mormons! Now, let's all have as many

babies as we can and make big Mormon families! [The


Mormon men now have long erect penises too, and they
all dance]
Ugandans:

Fuck your woman, fuck your man, this is all part of God's
plan
Mormons fuck all that they can. We're in Salt Lake City
land.
Thank you, thank you, God! (Now we are fucking!)
Thank you, thank you, God! (God wants us fucking!)
Thank you, thank you, God! (Get back to fucking!)
Thank you, thank you, God!
Joseph Smith fuck frog, Brigham Young clit face
Shit come out the butt, Jesus says fuck, fuck
Mormons!
[A man bows a bit before the president, and he returns
the bow, but he is not happy]

Mission President:

Elders! ...I'd like to have a word with you. ...NOW! [the


president walks out. His assistants follow with the chair
he was sitting on, and then the elders follow.]

Mutumbo:

I think they liked it. [the Ugandans cheer and dance


around]

Scene 11

[The missionary living quarters, inside. The Mormons all


enter, leaving the Ugandans outside]

McKinley:

We are sorry, mister president, we had no idea-

Mission President:

You keep your mouth shut!! You're in enough trouble as it


is!

Cunningham:

[steps up to explain. Price is in the background] S-sir, um,


I was... just trying to help the villagers here. See they um,
all really wanted to learn.

Nabulungi:

[rushes in to give Cunningham a document] Elder! Elder,


I wanted to give you this. It's the entire play written in
text. [looks around at the long faces] What is going on?

Mission President:

What's going on here is that you have all brought ridicule


down onto the Latter-Day Saints.

Nabulungi:

But we are all Latter-Day Saints now, right?

Mission President:

You and your people are about as far from being LatterDay Saints as it gets. YOU ALL ARE!

Nabulungi:

Elder Cunningham, tell them! We are ready to go to Sal


Tlay Ka Siti. My things are packed.

Cunningham:

Um... I'm so sorry, Nabagamba, but um, I never meant


that you were actually going to Salt Lake City.

Nabulungi:

But you said that we could find paradise by listening to


you.

Cunningham:

Well... when we say that, we mean paradise within


yourself. You know, it's sort of like a... [looks around to
the other elders] like a Jesus thing.

Nabulungi:

Oh... I see. So, when you baptized me, it meant nothing.

Cunningham:

No, no! It meant everything!

Nabulungi:

Uncircumcised women are going to have their families


killed!! Where am I supposed go?!

Cunningham:

I don't, um...

Nabulungi:

I know what you people are now. You traveled from your
sparkling lovely paradise in Ootah to tell ridiculous stories
to people less fortunate to make fun of them!

Cunningham:

No no, it isn't like that-

Nabulungi:

You have crushed my soul! I hope you all had a good


laugh. [walks out in a hurry]

Mission President:

Elders, you may as well pack all your things. This district
is shut down. Go home to your parents, and explain to
them that you have all... FAILED... as missionaries! [the
elders and the mission president and his assistants all
leave. Elder Price steps in and approaches him]

Cunningham:

Boy I... really did it this time, huh? I mean I I've, I've
always been a screw up, but this? The thing is I, I really
liked her too, you know? And in fact, maybe it was like I
could almost be a normal person, with a girl who cared
about me, who was... hot. And instead I made those poor
Africans put on the biggest abomination in Mormon
history.

Price:

Joseph Smith dying of dysentery? Moroni from the


Starship Enterprise? That play was the most... beautiful
thing I've ever seen.

Cunningham:

Huh?

Price:

It's like... like you were getting a point across using


modern things. And you tried to... wait a minute. Wait a
minute, you've... You've been trying to teach me
something all along, haven't you?

Cunningham:

What?

Price:

Here I thought I could just fly in here all on my own and,


and, and change everything by just sticking to Scripture.
While you were trying to show me that, that Scripture
isn't that important! I was losing my faith, and you went
out and did... something incredible!
You did something incredible.
For a people who had nowhere else to go.
I thought they were unreachable,
but then they were happy, and hopeful, and wearing
costumes. It was almost like... Orlando.... I'm sorry that it
took me so long to... realize what you were trying to
teach me Elder.

Cunningham:

Oh, no that's, that's okay. But what about Nathan Lane?! I


mean, I, I made her believe in a, in a bunch of made-up
crap!

Price:

No no no, it doesn't matter if the stories are true or not!


That's not the point!

Cunningham:

It doesn't matter now 'cause she's gonna get her clit cut
off and it's all my fault!

Price:

Elder, come on! There is always hope! I will help you fix
this!

Cunningham:

You... would do that for me?

Price:

I'd do anything for you. You're my best friend.

Cunningham:

We all need a partner, one that's best for me

Price:

We both need each other

Cunningham and Price: We're a really awesome team.

As long as we're together there's nothing we cannot do


Price:

We can make things right again, me and you. [they hug


each other tight]

Cunningham:

But mostly me. [smiling, both men walk away]

Scene 12

[Kitguli. Nabulungi returns and her fellow villagers


welcome her back festively]

Mafala:

So, what did the Mormon president think of our play?

Mutumbo:

Did Elder Cunningham like it?

Kalimba:

He must see a thousand previews, right?

General:

JUMAMOSI! [the villagers huddle up as he walks in with a


guard] Well, well. There you are. There have been rumors
that the people of this village are uniting to oppose us.

Mutumbo:

Yes. We have been shown another way. [the guard takes


aim at him]

Nabulungi:

No. No, we do not oppose you. We will do whatever you


say.

Mutumbo:

Nabulungi, what is wrong? Our prophet has told us to


stick together, to fight oppression!

Nabulungi:

Forget about Elder Cunningham! You aren't going to see


him ever again!

Middala:

What are you talking about? Why aren't we?

Nabulungi:

Because Elder Cunningham... he... he... he was eaten by


lions, alright? [the villagers panic.]

Gotswana:

Our prophet was eaten by lions?!

General:

EEENOUUGH!! [the villagers stop screaming and huddle


up again] There is only one law to obey here and that is
mine!

Middala:

We believe in something else!

Nabulungi:

No, stop it! All of you! I told you our prophet is gone.
There is no promised land, and there is no salvation.

Sadaka:

Oh no! You cannot talk like that, Nabulungi. Remember


the first teachings of the Mormons: When Joseph Smith

died they did not give up on their hope.


Nabulungi:

But it isn't true. We aren't going to Sal Tlay Ka Siti.

Kimbay:

Habulungi! Sal Tlay Ka Siti isn't an actual place. It's an


idea. A metaphor.

Mafala:

All the stories the prophet has told us... are just
metaphors.

Woman:

Yeah. You don't think a man actually fucked a frog, do


you? That's fucking stupid!

Nabulungi:

And you all believe this?

Ugandans:

Yes.

Price:

[offstage] Hello? [the Ugandans all turn to see who it is,


and they're quite surprised]

Middala:

HE HAS RISEN!

Kalimba:

It is a miracle!

Mafala:

Our prophet returns, even from the dead! [looks at the


general] THERE! YOU SEE?!

Woman:

He must have fucked a frog!

General:

Who?! Who has risen from the dead?!

Price:

[pulling Cunningham along to the general] He has! He


has! So, so you might as well just, just put down your
guns! Because they will not work against his... voodoo
power! And if you don't get out of this village, right now,
he is going to command the angel Moroni, from the Death
Star, to unleash the kraken which will then... which will
then...

Cunningham:

Which will then... launch Joseph Smith's torpedoes from


its mouth of Christ and turn you into a lesbian! [this
finally scares off the general and his guard. They leave
and the villagers cheer]

Price:

And don't think he can't do it!

Cunningham:

[spots Nabulungi and runs to her] Oh! Oh Nala I am so


sorry! Please, if you just give me a chance?

Nabulungi:

Elder! Elder, you don't have to say anything. I

understand. [they kiss. The other elders walk by in suits


and with their suitcases, leaving the village]
Price:

Whoa whoa whoa, elders, where do you think you're


going?

McKinley:

What do you mean "where are you going"? We've been


shut down.

Neeley:

Yeah, we have to go home.

Price:

Who says we have to?

Zelder:

What?

Price:

Guys, we wanted to go on a mission so we could spend


two years of our life living someplace exciting and
helping people, right?

An Elder:

Yeah.

Price:

Well so let's do it!

Neeley:

But the mission president said we're all about as far from
Latter-Day Saints as it gets.

Price:

Naw, you know what guys? Fuck. Him. We are still LatterDay Saints! All of us! Even if we changed some things, or
if we break the rules or, or if we have complete doubt
that God exists. We can still all work together and make
this our paradise planet.

McKinley:

You you wanna stay here with me?

Price:

Id do anything for you. Youre my best friend.


Dont worry little buddy, know this much is true:
Tomorrow is a Latter Day;
And I am here for you.

Elders (Ugandans):

Tomorrow is a Latter Day


Tomorrow is a Latter Day
Tomorrow is a Latter DAY! [dance break]
The skies are clearing and now the sun's coming out; it's
a Latter Day tomorrow (Hiyiya)
Put your worries and your sorrows and your cares away,
and focus on a Latter Day,
Tomorrow is a Latter Day (Whoo!)

Nabulungi:

I am a Latter Day Saint, along with my whole town.


In love with someone Christ put my way!

Cunningham:

My family would always doubt me, now Nabulungi really


cares about me.
And together we will have a Latter Day

Ensemble:

Hum na-haya hum hum na-haya


We're here for each other every step of the way, and
make a Latter Day tomorrow (Hum na-haya)
Americans already found a cure for AIDS, but they're
saving it for a Latter Day (yeah!)
Tomorrow is a Latter Day

Price (Ensemble):

I believe (Tomorrow is a Latter Day)


I believe (Love and joy and all the things that matter day)
I believe (Tomorrow is a bigger, badder Latter Day)
I believe (Tomorrow, tomorrow is a Latter Day)
I believe (A happy ending on a platter day)
I believe (Tomorrow is a doper, phatter Latter Day)

Ensemble:

The skies are clearing and now the suns coming out
It's a Latter Day tomorrow
Put your worries and your sorrows and your cares away
'Cause tomorrow's is a Latter Day!
Tomorrow is a Latter Day!
Tomorrow is a Latter Day!

Cunningham:

So what will tomorrow bring?

Price:

What does the future hold?

Price/Cunningham/Nab
I can almost see it now...
ulungi:
Scene 13

[the Ugandans go from door to door, converting people.

Mutumbo:

Hello, my name is Elder Mutumbo, and I would like to


share with you the most amazing book

Kimbay:

Hello.

Gotswana:

Hello.

Kimbay:

My name is Sister Kimbay. It's a book about a people who


were poor and sad like you

Nabulungi:

A sacred text-

Mafala:

Hello.

Nabulungi:

-Of pioneers and frogs

Mafala:

Fucked frogs.

Nabulungi:

And how you can find salvation if you just believe.

Woman:

Hi ho.

Middala/Kimbay:

Ding dong.

Kalimba:

Hello.

Woman:

Boba Fett!

Kalimba:

You have a lovely mud hut


And if you just put down the gun, I'll show you Oh! Ok,
I'll leave!

Sadaka:

Hello

Ghali:

Hello, my name is Elder Ghali. You will love all of the


happiness this book can bring.

General:

Hello.

Middala:

Hello!

General:

My name is Elder Butt Fucking Naked.


Did you know that the clitoris is a holy sacred thing?

Ugandans:

Find Paradise

Kimbay:

With Jesus Christ!

Ugandans:

And no more war.

General:

Hello.

Middala:

Nice door!

Ugandans:

You read the Book of Mormon, did you know there's


more?

Nabulungi:

Part 4

Ugandans:

We swear

General:

We really care!

Ugandans:

This is not a scam.

General:

No ma'am!

Ugandans:

Have you heard the story of our prophet Arnold


Cunningham?
Hello! Arnold Cunningham!
Hello! Arnold Cunning-!

Cunningham:

Hello!

Ensemble:

Hello (Hello)
Our church is going strong (Hello)
And if you let us in we'll show you how you can belong
(Hello)
Join our family (Hello)
And set your spirit free (Hello)(Hello)
We can fully guarantee you that this book will change
your life
Hello! This book will change your life
Hello! This book will change your life
Will change- This book will change your life
The book of Arnold...
Hello!
[they all bow, then the main characters come out to bow,
then they all bow twice more]
We are Latter Day Saints. (Yeah!) We take life one day at
a time.
When the chips are down we know just what to say (We
know just what to say)
The past may be in tatters, but today is all that matters
(Hum na-haya)
Because today is yesterday's Latter Day (Hoo hoo hoo
oho oho)
Thank you God!
Ma ha nei bu, Eebowai!
Why are Mormons happy? It's because we know it's a
Latter Day tomorrow.
So if you're sad put your hands together and pray that
tomorrow's gonna be a Latter Day.
Yeah! You know it's gonna be a Latter Day
[slowing] Tomorrow is

A Latter Day!!
Gotswana:

I still have maggots in my scrotum!

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