Like most if not all of you who read my blog, I felt a little down when I learned of the passing of President Hinckley. Only a little, though: my faith in life after death, his age, and some other factors tempered any sad feelings that his death brought on. He was a great man, and I will miss him (though I probably won't realize how much I miss him until the next General Conference).
I believe, in life or death, prophets are deserving of great honor and respect. That being said, some of you may be interested in this clip from The Colbert Report, the best show on TV prior to the writers' strike (when I posted this the video I'm referring to was 2nd in the queue).
Be forewarned: many church members are likely to find this quite irreverent, and most would at least describe it as disrespectful. But it's funny, and in a roundabout way is a tribute to Pres. Hinckley's memory.
I'm of the opinion that, in a general sense, there's no such thing as bad publicity for the church. Some individuals might be put off investigating by jokes or rumors or lies or whatever they hear about the church, but overall anything that draws attention to the church, its leaders and its doctrine will ultimately lead more people to hear the gospel taught accurately and with the Spirit, and have a legitimate opportunity to accept it.
The fact that the church is prominent enough to be satired, and that people know enough about it that they don't just have to resort to jokes about polygamy or the Osmonds, is quite encouraging to me, clear proof that we are rising out of obscurity and darkness.
Yes, I probably feel an obligation to defend this clip since it comes from my favorite show; but it's also a testament to how successful Pres. Hinckley was in making the church more prominent in mainstream American media and culture.
Oh, and I bet he would've got chuckled after hearing the joke about his age.
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5 comments:
That's hilarious, Jeff! I don't think it was disrespectful at all. Especially not compared to how most public figures come off on the Colbert report.
I thought it was especially funny how Colbert mocked the fear some people have that Mitt Romney would be "controlled" by the leaders of the LDS Church if he were elected president.
Though you claimed in your last post to have put on an extra layer of facial blubber, I can't tell from the picture. Besides, only the world looks on a man's outside appearance. And, well, I'm not a ball of rock and gas, though some might argue that.
I like how all your posts are about food and nostalgia. Keep it real, my man.
Thanks, anonymous. Feel free to leave your name next time.
Or you could leave a crazy made-up name like shabba shabba, although that name and writing style make me fairly certain that comment was left by Joey.
If it is Joey...I've put on about 65 pounds since '99, which may have been the last time I saw my friend Amy before last week. You've been fortunate enough to see me many times in the interim, and are therefore used to my doughiness.
I'm afraid I can't reveal my true identity. It would compromise my crime-fighting abilities... and Gotham City would fall into the clutches of the sinister Tabasco Man.
But, yes, you've a shrewd talent for literary style analysis.
Do think Bill Petrosino ever became a pizza delivery boy? I think he'd be good at that.
Hilarious if you ask me. Pure satire and no real offense to take--other than the whole "infallible" thing.
My fave Colbert clip is his interview w/ Madeline Bordallo, congresswoman from Guam.
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