Dean

RELIGION COLUMN Students find heroes in book Bytheway DVD entertains with Book of Mormon humor

Tina Dean DEA05004@BYUI.EDU Little Miss Thang

When I was about 10 years old I was introduced to my hero, John Bytheway, through a cassette tape titled Whose Values Do You Value? My mother (that is, Santa Claus) had crammed it into my stocking for Christmas that year. I listened to the tape and fell in love with him. No really. I was determined to marry the guy.

When he got married a couple years later, I was quite devastated. However, I am happy to report that I have overcome the heartache. In fact, while I still find his talks and books highly amusing, I must honestly confess that his newly released DVD Heroes: Lessons from the Book of Mormon did not stir the excitement I had experienced as a ten-year-old.

The movie is an hour and a half of classic John Bytheway humor. Bytheway interacts with a live audience as he relates the stories of The Book of Mormon in his favorite, and perhaps not-so-original, way. Nevertheless, his message is important.

“We’re living in a world that’s desperate for heroes, and fortunately, we have a book that’s full of them,” said Bytheway.

From the faith of Nephi to the wisdom of 10-year-old Mormon, Bytheway brings the events of The Book of Mormon to a level of personal application for teenagers. For example, Bytheway teaches that from the example of Abinadi, we learn that it is possible to do everything right and still suffer from afflictions. From Ammon we learn the value of charity and service, and from Captain Moroni we learn the power of righteousness.

Bytheway identifies the uniqueness of The Book of Mormon, stressing that the heroes depicted in it wrote specifically to the youth of today. While the DVD is perhaps directed to a younger age group, Bytheway’s love for the heroes of The Book of Mormon is evident and is inspiring to anyone.

Heroes: Lessons from the Book of Mormon is perfect for a Home Evening activity in the same way that Saturday’s Warriors in perfect for any Young Adult activity.

Special features on the DVD include the comedy “Zarahemla Burger,” music by Hilary Weeks, and material from Bytheway’s book Righteous Warriors

:Lessons from the War Chapters in the Book of Mormon.

The DVD is availible through Deseret Books Online at www.deseretbook.com