Matt Stone and Trey Parker, creators of Southpark are enjoying great success with their Broadway show, “The Book of Mormon.” The show makes fun of the weirder teachings of Mormonism and traces the experiences of two young Mormon missionaries as they struggle with doubts during their assignment to Uganda. A friend in New York called yesterday to share an interesting story surrounding the show.

She’s a Catholic, and admitted that if Stone and Parker had done a Broadway show making fun of Catholicism, most likely there would be Catholics standing across the street protesting in front of the theater. Evangelicals are no different. We’ve protested Hollywood, big corporations we don’t agree with – even advertisers who don’t say “Merry Christmas” in their holiday advertising. But my friend reported the Mormons are doing something completely curious and different.

Yes, they’re lining up across the street from the theater, but instead of protesting or urging a boycott of the show, they’re handing out copies of The Book of Mormon.

Now, instead of the public walking away from angry people upset over the show, they’re walking away from nice people and taking a copy of The Book of Mormon with them. Whether or not it’s organized by the Church itself, or just individual Mormons taking action, it doesn’t really matter. It’s a brilliant response.

Wow. How an approach like that could change the conversation…..

What do you think?