Comedian uses Mormonism to her advantage

This is an interview with Elna Baker a Mormon Comedian.

How did you get started in comedy? What inspired and drove you to it?

I was drawn to the comedic stylings of Fozzy Bear and did my first stand-up routine in a pre-school talent show. I could only remember one joke though: Why did the chicken cross the road? I told it five times in a row, each time believing it was new. It was very Kaufman-esq. After college I finally admitted to myself that being in comedy was my dream. So I spent three months holed up in the Museum of TV & Radio listening to every comedian I could find.

Of everything I listened to, it was Woody Allen’s early stand-up that most intimidated me. Why bother trying? You’ll never be this good. Instead of giving up I committed to doing one-hundred live performances. After the 100th show, if I listened to the same Woody Allen set and still felt like quitting, then I was allowed to. That was five years ago. I’m on my eighty-fifth show. I had no idea it would take so long.

Other than providing you with material, in what ways does your Mormon faith influence your comedy? Is there a natural kinship between the two that non-Mormons might not be aware of?
While many of my jokes are unrelated to my religion, Mormonism played a huge role in the shaping of my voice. Any religion that puts a person at odds with his or her own impulses is good for creating neurosis. The stricter the rules, the more challenging it is to have a mind of your own. There’s also a lot of comedy that comes out of expectations. When you’re taught that your life should turn out one way, and instead you end up a 27 year old virgin living in New York and telling jokes at bar with three drunk people, it’s either tragic or hilarious.

What would you say is the greatest challenge you’ve faced in both the comedic and religious worlds?
It’s hard to be true to yourself. I’m not Mormon enough to please most Mormons. I’m not non-Mormon enough to please most people in the comedy world. I don’t know which side I’ll end up on yet, but I’m trying to figure it out on my own time. Either that or straddling two worlds is such great fodder that I’m really just in it for the jokes.

LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift) meets VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay) - Piano Cello - by Jon Schmidt

This arrangement is dedicated to Jon Schmidt's daughter Sarah. Sarah who loves the song Love Story by Taylor Swift. Because of a common rhythm element between the tunes, Jon decided he could mish/mash the two. Jon's great friend Steven Sharp Nelson (cello percussion) really makes this tune. (http://stevensharpnelson.com ) The download will be available from jon site (http://www.jonschmidt.com ). The entire album which will be titled "Bonus Tracks" will be available on iTunes summer 2009. Sheet music will also be available at my site May 2009.I am an unsigned recording artist and composer. All songs from all my albums can be listened to for free on jon site: http://www.jonschmidt.com have transcribed many of them for piano. 

Watch the Video of Jon on Mormonvidz.com

Living Revelation - Bible, Book Of Mormon; LDS Doctrine

Montage about the need for living revelation by Jeffrey R. Holland in 178th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.Elder Jeffrey R. Holland is an apostle of Jesus Christ today. He is not paid for his service in the church, and never has been. Not elected to his position but called, as apostles in the time of Christ, were called. The words he has spoken here are but a few of many spoken to promote understanding and love of the Savior.How badly I want everyone to understand how much I love the Lord and His teachings. Without Him we would be helpless, but with Him and through ONLY Him we can return to our Heavenly Father and gain eternal life.For more information about the Savior and Modern Revelation please visit the official church website of www.mormon.org or feel free to send me a message. 

Watch this Video on the Living Revelation on MormonVidz.com

The Laie Hawaii Temple - Mormon Temples

This video is dedicated to the Polynesian Saints.The Laie Hawaii Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) located on the northeast shore of the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. The temple sits on a small hill a half-mile from the Pacific Ocean in the town of Lāʻie, 35 miles (56 km) from Honolulu. Along with Brigham Young University Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Laie Hawaii Temple plays an important role in the town of Lā'ie, with the temple Visitors' Center attracting more than 100,000 people annually.Laie Hawaii Temple was the first LDS Church temple built outside of the continental United States. The temple is also the oldest to operate outside of Utah, and the fifth-oldest LDS temple still in operation. The site of the temple was dedicated by Church President Joseph F. Smith on June 1, 1915, and the completed structure was dedicated by Church President Heber J. Grant on November 27, 1919. Laie Hawaii Temple was formerly known as the Hawaiian Temple or the Hawaii Temple until a standard naming convention for LDS temples was adopted in the early 2000s. 

Watch the Video on Laie Hawaii Temple on MormonVidz.com