I'm an Actor; I Lie . . . Deal With It

This blog has been dormant for too long. I've had plenty to say, just been lazy. That's an explanation, not an excuse. I'd ask your forgiveness, but I haven't done anything wrong (yet).

My motivation in starting up on this blog this time around is a bit typical of me: I'm trying to impress my wife. Yesterday I happened to be reading through some of my previous posts and she commented on how she liked to read my new posts. She also mentioned she missed the snarkiness and quirkiness of my musing in world domination. I love that woman and I don't want to disappoint her, so here we go (Luv ya hun!).

I've come to terms with who I am . . . I'm a Professional Liar. On my resume the synonym I use is Actor. I've been Lying/Acting for as long as I can remember. I've acted/lied just about every single day of my life I could communicate. I don't always get paid for what I do, but it's who I am.

Before you get the wrong idea, let me spell out what the definition of "lying" is, at least the way I use it. Lying is to purposely try to make someone believe something that isn't necessarily true. Acting, in my opinion, is the same definition. You will note that I have not stated my motivations and objectives when Lying/Acting.

Throughout the course of my life, I've been able to employ the art of Lying/Acting to several different purposes, most personal, some not so much. I admit, sometimes the motivation was not so righteous on my part. Maybe I pretended to be sick so I didn't have to go to school . . . but then it would have been a bigger lie to say to the people at school "I REALLY want to be here." Perhaps I pretended to get a phone call and answered it rather than hold a conversation with an individual I wanted to avoid contact with. You tell me--should I have told them "I don't want to be around you right now" and left it at that?

My point is, Lying/Acting has its place. There are two rock-solid truths I've come to learn and stand by:

(1) Men Lie/Act.

(2) So do Women.

This blog will not go into who lies/acts better, men or women. Like most things there are differing levels. Some are novices, some are experts. I've come to terms with the fact that I am one of the latter.

Need Proof? When I was 22 I traveled to New York to be part of show called the Hill Cumorah Pageant, a show put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). For those of you who aren't familiar with that show, it is by far the largest annual show in the United States, perhaps the world. It briefly relates the story of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon; Another Testament of Jesus Christ, a standard work of scripture the Mormons use along with the Bible. Thousands come to see it every summer in Palmyra, New York and there are literally hundreds of cast and crew who volunteer their time to put it on. Twice I've been blessed to be a part of it.

A few weeks prior to my arrival in New York, one of the leaders of the Pageant asked if I would be willing to give a discourse on knowing the Book of Mormon is true. I know for a fact that book is of God and every word is true. I am not Lying/Acting when I say that. I'll say it again--the Book of Mormon is true and is a work of God. Don't even try to get me to change my mind on that.

Anyways, I accepted the assignment to give the discourse, which was scheduled on the first Sunday during church services, three days into the cast's time at the show. This was my 2nd time participating in the show, but the first time as a cast member. As you can guess, I am not afraid to do things differently, and I was going to make sure the congregation remembered my discourse.

Prior to doing the Hill Cumorah Pageant, I had finished performing in BYU's production of The Wind in the Willows, based on the British stories. The entire cast of that show was trained to speak with standard and cockney British dialects. What does this have to do with my discourse? Let me tell you.

As I mentioned, I was to give my discourse three days into the rehearsal of the show. I decided to use an object lesson as part of my discourse. From the moment I got on the plane in Utah to the time I gave this discourse, I would ACT (or Lie) as if I was from England, not from the USA. I would speak with an accent the entire time and developed a back story that I was from Liverpool. As hard as it may sound, it was worth it.

Let's fast forward to that Sunday. The congregation totaled about 5-700 people. During Orientation, Casting, and Rehearsals up to that point not once did I speak in my normal voice, not once did I tell my real background. Not once did someone confront me to accuse me of acting/lying. I began my discourse by stating what my purpose of the sermon was--that those who want to know if the Book of Mormon is true or not need to find out for themselves. One cannot take another person's word for it. I then stated my background in studying Theatre at BYU. It was at this point I finally began speaking in my regular voice. I wish I could have a photo of the congregation members' faces when I, in the middle Church, admitted to having acted/lied to them all this time. I believe the term best describing this situation is "Shock Value." What's the value in acting/lying in Church? Well, let me finish.

When the gasps had died down, I stated very simply that no one in the congregation had taken the time to really find out the truth about me. They had assumed. Too often, in my opinion, religious principles and doctrine are assumed to be true. I don't believe anything should be left unquestioned. How else will we find out the truth if we don't take the effort to learn it. I stated to the congregation that assuming the Book of Mormon was true, like they had assumed I was really British, is not the way to go. I challenged them to find out for themselves if that Book of Mormon was the word of God or not (if they hadn't already done so).

So in summary, I was able to use my talent for acting/lying for good. My objectives and motivation for deceit are black and white. If I am deceiving to do harm, I believe I should suffer the punishment. If I am deceiving to uplift or make a worthwhile point, I see nothing wrong with that.

Some of you may feel like quoting one of the Commandments about lying (or acting). Let me quote it for you: Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor (Exodus 20:16). I do not act/lie to do anything AGAINST anybody. I do it FOR them. I act/lie to tell a story that will uplift. I act/lie to protect people.

If you find yourself still questioning the place of lying, then you need to ask yourself "When was the last time I read a fictitious book?" or "When was the the last time I watched a movie/TV show about something that didn't really happen?" Fiction authors lie, as do actors in their own unique art form. Do you feel cheated? Do you feel taken advantage of? If so, you're exposing yourself to the wrong sorts of books and other forms of media. If you do not feel cheated or taken advantage of, but rather uplifted and rewarded, then I think you are okay with being lied to under certain circumstances.

In closing, I invite you to all Lie the Truth if the scenario allows for it. In my opinion, Lying/Acting the Truth is just another way of Telling the Truth. You don't have to try and do it professionally (like I sometimes do) but just consider it an option if the ends justify the means.