Benediction, a Book of Stories (Publications in Mormon Studies, V. 3)

An old joke asserts that you can't satirize BYU because BYU is its own satire. The gag presumes a reality already so incredible that deliberate caricature would be mistaken for factual report. But of course the joke exaggerates the truth. A wonderful piece of cartoon satire appeared in the Daily Universe less than two years ago: a beautiful young woman stands at the pulpit in a BYU ward, her yards of blonde tresses cascading out around her. The caption reads, "My hair is so full today that I just had to stand . . ." Nevertheless, there is enough truth in the joke to merit thought. Satire does not flourish in the Mormon culture, and with good reason-it is dangerous. The only thing more dangerous than satire is its absence. The appearance of Neal Chandler's book Benediction, therefore, is cause for celebration, a healthy vital sign, an indication that the patient may recover.