COLUMN: Uh oh, South Park takes on Mormons
Family home evening, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon on “South Park?”
That’s right, a Mormon family moved to town on a recent episode of the cartoon’s newest episode.
It was inevitable. “South Park,” probably the most controversial cartoon ever made, was eventually going to poke fun at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Infamous for ruthlessly making fun of Catholics, Christianity, Judaism, and just about every other religion and lifestyle, Mormons were bound to be next. Not to mention creators of “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone, were already known for Mormon-bashing with their 1997 cult film, “Orgasmo,” about a Mormon missionary who becomes involved with pornography. It was only time before LDS culture was written into “South Park.”
The episode begins in the fourth-grade class where a new boy, Gary, from Utah is introduced to the class by the teacher. With Gary’s 4.0 GPA, nice attitude and willingness to answer questions, the class instantly takes a disliking toward him.
At recess, classmate Stanley is pressured by his peers to “kick his a–.” But things don’t go as planned when Stanley approaches him and is overcome by Gary’s charisma. Rather than fighting, Stanley is invited to hang out with Gary’s family.
Stanley goes to Gary’s home to find a family of seven playing board games and enjoying “family home evening.” After some games, the family decides to read from the Book of Mormon.
When Stanley asks about the book, this starts the father telling the story of Joseph Smith, which then turns into an ongoing musical throughout the episode.
This episode might hit a little close to home for some, because, anyone who has seen at least one episode knows how unmerciful the show is. Bottom line: the writers are brutal, especially when it comes to sensitive subjects.
It is in this ongoing satirical “Joseph Smith musical” where “South Park” writers tear into the LDS religion as they attempt to point out flaws and mock Joseph Smith. Furthermore, this musical went into surprising detail with everything from the angel Moroni to the brass plates and seer stones. Only Mormons or people astute in anti-Mormon literature know about those things.
However, there was more to this episode than cliché Mormon bashing.
When Stanley returns home, he asks his father about Joseph Smith. The dad becomes angry about the family teaching his son strange ideas and goes over to the new neighbors house to “kick their a–.” However, his anger is quickly diffused when he is offered Rice Krispies Treats with chocolate frosting.
In fact, the dad likes the Mormons so much, he tries it out himself. But as the episode continues, things do eventually fall apart and the Joseph Smith musical
continues.
Yet in the end, Gary, the Mormon kid got the last laugh, by saying something which can’t be repeated. If you ever have a chance to see this episode, you must hear the final line. It wraps it up perfectly and proves the writers are more observant than a black and white anti-Mormon.
True, this episode had some very anti-Mormon views, but it also supported the idea of believing what one wants to believe is good. And in the end gave the Mormon boy an upper hand. Remember this is South Park and is definitely not for everyone, especially the easily offended. Compared to other episodes which poke fun at religion, this one wasn’t that bad.
It will also be interesting to see what happens to this Mormon character. Other characters introduced to South Park have stuck around. Who knows? Maybe Gary will, too.
All in all it was one of the funniest episodes ever. Take it seriously and you’ll be offended. Take it lightly and you’ll laugh. But isn’t that how all South Parks are?
Joel Featherstone is a sophomore majoring in print journalism. Comments may be sent to joelfeathers@cc.usu.edu.