Book offers some chuckles for Mormon folks

STORIES & JOKES OF MORMON FOLKS, by Bruce E. Dana; Spring Creek Book Co., 160 pages; $12.95.

Humor geared for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can be a difficult walk along a tightrope, with the goal to avoid being too silly, irreverent or predictable. The latest attempt is "Stories & Jokes of Mormon Folks" book by Bruce E. Dana.

A G-rated, family book, it is a collection of both some classic, amusing Mormon tales you may have heard before, as well as some new ones that the author has collected from his own experience in the LDS Church.

If nothing else, this new book, published in November, is a complete opposite of "The Mormon Tabernacle Enquirer," a satirical publication of purported LDS news, advice and opinion, that was released by a different author and book company in the fall.

There's nothing irreverent in "Stories and Jokes." In fact, some of the stories are those interchangeable, classic religious-oriented humorous tales that other faiths also use at times. Others are uniquely LDS.

Although I don't recall ever bursting out in laughter as I read through Dana's new book, there were a lot of chuckles here and there.

Some of the jokes can break the ice in difficult church lessons or talks, and certainly represent the lighter side to LDS reading. Some are long half-page tales and others are short, humorous tidbits.

The book is arranged in an A-Z subject fashion. Some of the subject headings include Adam and Eve, attitude, aging, bishop, budget, food storage, missionary, music, prayer, Scouts, Sunbeams and Word of Wisdom.

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is a happy, pleasant gospel," Dana wrote.

For Dana, of Hyde Park, Cache County, this was a different effort. The previous seven books he has authored have all been doctrinal works — "Mary, Mother of Jesus," "Mysteries of the Kingdom," "The Apostleship" and others.

The book is especially a welcome addition in the Christmas shopping season. Those difficult people to buy for who are LDS Church members won't likely already have an unusual book like this that just hit the stores last month.

"Stories & Jokes of Mormon Folks" retails at $12.95 and is available at many LDS bookstores, or off the publisher's Web site, www.springcreekbooks.com.

Here are a few other extracts from the new book:

• "Having a serious discussion with the Priests in his ward about sin and repentance, a Bishop asked the boys, 'What must we do before we can expect forgiveness of our sins?' One of the boys answered, 'Sin."'

• "Ward newsletter blunders: 'Bishop Smith spoke briefly, much to the delight of his audience.' 'For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.' 'Homemaking this week will meet at 7 p.m. The topic is weight management. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance."'

Mormon humor

Two samples from the new book, "Stories & Jokes of Mormon Folks":

"Family home evening may be the only family fight that begins and ends with prayer."

"Shortly after Elder Paul H. Dunn was released as president of the New England Mission, he spoke in a stake conference I attended. He said, 'Someone asked me what it was like being the mission president. It was like taking two hundred priests on an overnight hike for three years."'

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com

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