My Turn on Earth
Encyclopedia
My Turn on Earth is a Latter Day Saints musical written by Carol Lynn Pearson
with music by Lex de Azevedo
. The show premiered in 1977 and became widely popular, ranking with the other popular musical Saturday's Warrior
, . A VHS version of a recorded stage production was released in 1986. The first DVD version (Original Cast Edition) was distributed worldwide through the Deseret Book Company in June of 2008.
An indicator of the continued relevance of the musical is the number of smaller scale productions worldwide that approach Excel Entertainment Group
, the performance rights holder, for permission to stage the musical each year.
. Barbara and her four friends are living in Heaven (the Pre-Earth). While there, they re-enact the War in Heaven
and the shouts for joy of the spirits that are going to be born. They treat mortality as a treasure hunt with returning again to live with Heavenly Father and Mother as the greatest prize to be won. In the end, Barbara returns to Heaven, having learned the necessary lessons.
As a work of fiction, My Turn on Earth should not be considered or relied on as a literal reference point for points of doctrine in Mormon theology. There are several differences between the professed and standard beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and what is portrayed in My Turn on Earth. Most notably in reference to the Plan of Salvation
and what took place in the Pre-Earth life. For instance, Mormons believe God in Heaven was always in control of what was to happen here on earth, and, as hinted at by Job and Isaiah, Christ and Lucifer rose to either support or oppose His plans . My Turn on Earth presents a Pre-Mortality of chaos where Christ and Lucifer lead opposing plans as well as opposing forces. Other creative licenses of this type are taken throughout the play on various issues that are outside of LDS doctrine.
Carol Lynn Pearson
Carol Lynn Wright Pearson is an American poet, author, screenwriter, and playwright. Her parents were Lelland Rider Wright and Emeline Sirrine Wright. Her mother died of breast cancer when Carol Lynn was fifteen...
with music by Lex de Azevedo
Lex de Azevedo
Alexis "Lex" de Azevedo is an American Mormon composer, song writer, pianist and singer known primarily for his film scores and his work on the LDS musical Saturday's Warrior.-Biography:...
. The show premiered in 1977 and became widely popular, ranking with the other popular musical Saturday's Warrior
Saturday's Warrior
Saturday's Warrior is a Latter-day Saint musical written by Douglas Stewart and Lex de Azevedo. It was first performed in California in 1973 as a college project....
, . A VHS version of a recorded stage production was released in 1986. The first DVD version (Original Cast Edition) was distributed worldwide through the Deseret Book Company in June of 2008.
An indicator of the continued relevance of the musical is the number of smaller scale productions worldwide that approach Excel Entertainment Group
Excel Entertainment Group
Excel Entertainment Group is a subsidiary of Deseret Book Co. best known for its distribution of many pieces of LDS cinema. Excel Entertainment Group's products deal thematically with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Forever Strong , Midway to Heaven , Saints and Soldiers...
, the performance rights holder, for permission to stage the musical each year.
Plot
My Turn on Earth recounts the Latter-Day Saint Plan of SalvationPlan of salvation
According to doctrine of the Latter Day Saint movement, the plan of salvation is a plan that God created to save, redeem, and exalt humankind...
. Barbara and her four friends are living in Heaven (the Pre-Earth). While there, they re-enact the War in Heaven
War of Heaven
War in Heaven is a concept in Christian eschatology. The term occurs only once in the New Testament at . Though the term does not occur in the Hebrew Bible, parallels have been drawn from various passages regarding Fallen angels in the Book of Genesis, and the Book of Isaiah. Some also suggest...
and the shouts for joy of the spirits that are going to be born. They treat mortality as a treasure hunt with returning again to live with Heavenly Father and Mother as the greatest prize to be won. In the end, Barbara returns to Heaven, having learned the necessary lessons.
As a work of fiction, My Turn on Earth should not be considered or relied on as a literal reference point for points of doctrine in Mormon theology. There are several differences between the professed and standard beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) and what is portrayed in My Turn on Earth. Most notably in reference to the Plan of Salvation
Plan of salvation
According to doctrine of the Latter Day Saint movement, the plan of salvation is a plan that God created to save, redeem, and exalt humankind...
and what took place in the Pre-Earth life. For instance, Mormons believe God in Heaven was always in control of what was to happen here on earth, and, as hinted at by Job and Isaiah, Christ and Lucifer rose to either support or oppose His plans . My Turn on Earth presents a Pre-Mortality of chaos where Christ and Lucifer lead opposing plans as well as opposing forces. Other creative licenses of this type are taken throughout the play on various issues that are outside of LDS doctrine.
Songs
- Once Upon A Time
- Heaven
- I Have A Plan
- Shout For Joy
- Everybody Ought to have a Body
- Choosing
- My Story
- The Golden Rule
- Look for the Little Light
- Opposition
- Homesick
- Where on Earth Can I Find Heaven
- It Isn't Good to Be Alone/Eternity Is You
- Angel Lullaby
- What Does it Take to Make a Family
- I'm Not Ready
- Forever
- My Turn on Earth Finale