“All-American Prophet” was penned by Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez, the creative forces behind the Tony-winning musical The Book of Mormon.
Parker and Stone, famous for creating South Park, brought their sharp, satirical edge and bold humor to the stage with fearless originality.
Robert Lopez, known for co-creating Avenue Q and co-writing songs for Disney’s Frozen and Coco, added musical expertise and heart to the trio.
Their collaboration resulted in a show that mixes outrageous comedy with surprisingly heartfelt storytelling, all delivered with Broadway polish.
About the Song
“All-American Prophet” is a vibrant, tongue-in-cheek showstopper in The Book of Mormon that recounts the story of Joseph Smith through the lens of American patriotism and comic exaggeration.
Performed by Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, the song presents Mormon history as a bold, heroic tale, layered with over-the-top narration and gospel-style flair.
It combines upbeat rhythms, humorous lyrics, and theatrical storytelling to satirize religious idealism and blind faith while mimicking the structure of classic musical numbers.
With playful choreography and energetic delivery, the song is a parody of American exceptionalism and missionary zeal, wrapped in an irresistibly catchy tune.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Song Title | All-American Prophet |
| Release Year | 2011 |
| Writers | Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone |
| Performed by | Original Broadway Cast – Andrew Rannells (Elder Price) |
| Album | The Book of Mormon: Original Broadway Cast Recording |
| Genre | Musical Theatre / Comedy / Satirical |
| Length | 6:26 |
All American Prophet Lyrics
[ELDER PRICE]
You all know the Bible
Is made of Testaments Old and New
You’ve been told it’s just those two parts
Or only one, if you’re a Jew
But what if I were to tell you
There’s a fresh third part out there?
Which was found by a hip, new prophet
Who had a little
Donny Osmond flair
Have you heard of the All-American Prophet?
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed voice of God
He didn’t come from the Middle East like those other holy men
No, God’s favorite prophet was All-American!
(spoken)
I’m gonna take you back to Biblical times: 1823. An American man named Joe livin’ on a farm in the holy land of Rochester, New York.
[ELDER CUNNINGHAM]
You mean the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith?
[ELDER PRICE]
That’s right, that young man spoke to God!
[ELDER CUNNINGHAM]
He spoke to God?
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[ELDER PRICE]
And God said, “Joe, people really need to know that the Bible isn’t two parts
There’s a Part Three to the Bible, Joe
And I, God, have anointed you to dig up this Part Three
That is buried by a tree on the hill in your backyard!”
[ELDER CUNNINGHAM]
Wow, God says go to your backyard and start digging
That makes perfect sense
[ELDER PRICE]
Joseph Smith went up on that hill
And dug where he was told
And deep in the ground, Joseph found
Shining plates of gold
[JOSEPH SMITH]
What are these golden plates?
Who buried them here, and why?
[ELDER PRICE]
Then appeared an angel
His name was Moroni
[MORONI]
I am Moroni
[ELDER PRICE]
The All-American Angel (All-American)
[MORONI]
My people lived here long, long ago (So long ago)
This is the history of my race
Please read the words within
We were Jews, who met with Christ
But we were All-American
But don’t let anybody see these plates except for you
They are only for you to see
Even if people ask you to show the plates to them, don’t
Just copy them onto normal paper
Even though this might make them question if the plates are real or not
This is sort of what God is going for
[ELDER PRICE]
Joseph took the plates home
And wrote down what he found inside
He turned those plates into a book
Then he rushed into town and cried
[JOSEPH SMITH]
Hey, God spoke to me and gave me
This blessed ancient tome
He hath commanded me to publish it
And stick it in every home
[ELDER CUNNINGHAM]
Wow! So the Bible is actually a trilogy?
And the Book of Mormon is “Return of the Jedi”?
I’m interested
[ELDER PRICE]
Now, many people didn’t believe
The Prophet Joseph Smith
They thought he’d made up this Part Three
That was buried by a tree on the hill in his backyard
[TOWNSPEOPLE]
Liar!
[ELDER PRICE]
But Joe said
[JOSEPH SMITH]
This is no lie, I speak to God all the time
And he told me to head west
So I’ll take my Part Three, from the hill with the tree
Feel free if you’d like to come along with me
To the promised land
[TOWNSPEOPLE]
The promised land?
[JOSEPH SMITH]
Paradise, on the West coast
Nothing but fruit and fields, as far as the eye can see
[MORMONS]
Have you heard of the All-American prophet?
He found a brand new book about Jesus Christ
We’re following him to paradise
We call ourselves Mormons
And our new religion is All-American
[ELDER CUNNINGHAM]
Wow! How much does it cost?
[ELDER PRICE]
The Mormons kept on searching for that place to settle down
But every time they thought they’d found it, they got kicked out of town
And even though people wanted to see the golden plates
Joseph never showed ’em
[GOTSWANA]
I have maggots in my scrotum
[ELDER PRICE, spoken]
Um, okay?
(sung)
Well, anyway
Now comes the part of our story
That gets a little bit sad
On the way to the promised land
Mormons made people mad
Joseph was shot by an angry mob
And knew he’d soon be done
[JOSEPH SMITH]
You must lead the people now
My good friend, Brigham Young
Oh, God! Why are you letting me die?
Without having me show people the plates?
They’ll have no proof I was telling the truth or not
They’ll have to believe it just ’cause
Oh, I guess that’s kinda what you were going for
[ELDER PRICE, spoken]
The Prophet Joseph Smith died for what he believed in. But his followers, they kept on heading west and Brigham Young led them to paradise: A sparkling land in Utah they called Salt Lake City. And there the Mormons multiplied and made big Mormon families. Generation to generation, until finally they made me. And now it’s my job to lead you where those early settlers were led, long ago.
[ENSEMBLE]
Have you heard of the All-American prophet?
[ELDER CUNNINGHAM, spoken]
Kevin Price!
[ENSEMBLE]
The next in line to be the voice of God?
[ELDER CUNNINGHAM, spoken]
My best friend!
[ENSEMBLE]
He’s gonna do something incredible
And be Joseph Smith again
‘Cause Kevin Price, the prophet, is All-American
[ELDER CUNNINGHAM]
If you order now, we’ll also throw in a set of steak knives!
[ENSEMBLE]
All-American!
Themes of the Song
“All American Prophet” has several notable themes through its theatrical presentation:
- Religion – Examines Mormonism’s American origins and connections between national identity and religious development.
- Storytelling and belief – Explores how narratives shape religious faith through comedic retelling of Joseph Smith’s experiences.
- Skepticism and conviction – Shows tension between doubt about extraordinary claims and believers’ conviction.
- Religious origin stories – Satirically presents how religions begin and gain followers, using comedy to explore faith’s foundations.
Through these themes, the songwriters created a theatrical piece that balances entertainment with commentary on religion, belief, and American culture.
Similar Songs from Musical Theater
If you enjoyed the narrative style and religious themes of “All American Prophet,” here are other notable musical theater songs that share similar elements:
- “I Believe” (also from The Book of Mormon): A personal declaration of faith amidst doubts, reflecting the complexities of religious conviction.
- “Heaven on Their Minds” (from Jesus Christ Superstar): A critical reflection on religious leadership, questioning the direction of movements.
- “The Wizard and I” (from Wicked): A hopeful and ambitious song about dreams tied to a powerful, magical figure.
- “Tradition” (from Fiddler on the Roof): A song that explores the importance of cultural and religious traditions in shaping community life.
- “Miracle of Miracles” (from Fiddler on the Roof): A celebratory expression of faith and gratitude after a perceived divine intervention.
Live Performance
Similar Artists
These artists share the satirical wit, theatrical storytelling, and clever musical comedy approach that defines “All-American Prophet” and its creators.
- Stephen Sondheim: Known for his sharp wit and complex lyrics, Sondheim, like the creators of All-American Prophet, masterfully blends humor, narrative depth, and musical theater traditions.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda: Miranda’s ability to mix modern vernacular with historical storytelling in musicals like Hamilton mirrors the satirical, fast-paced style seen in All-American Prophet.
- Tom Lehrer: With his clever, satirical songs rooted in social commentary, Lehrer’s work aligns with the biting humor and educational parody found in All-American Prophet.
- “Weird Al” Yankovic: Known for turning cultural commentary into catchy, comedic songs, Yankovic’s approach to humor and music resonates with the tone and rhythm of All-American Prophet.
- Tim Minchin: As a musical comedian and lyricist, Minchin shares the irreverent, theatrical, and clever songwriting style that defines All-American Prophet and its creators.
Knowing about these artists will deepen your appreciation for the craft of musical satire and theatrical storytelling. Each brings their unique perspective to the art of combining humor with meaningful commentary through song.
Check out more Songwriting & Lyricsbreakdowns and find the lines that speak straight to your soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “All American Prophet” Based on Actual Historical Events?
It’s a satirical retelling of Joseph Smith’s story, mixing real references with exaggerated comedy and fiction.
Has “All American Prophet” Won Any Awards?
The song itself hasn’t won awards, but The Book of Mormon musical won 9 Tonys and a Grammy in 2011.
How Has the Mormon Church Responded to This Song and The Musical?
The LDS Church has responded calmly, using the show’s popularity for outreach while individual reactions have varied.
Kelsey Roberts is an accomplished songwriter with a knack for crafting lyrics that resonate with listeners. Having written for both indie artists and major labels, Kelsey brings a deep understanding of what makes a song truly impactful. Her expertise includes everything from song structure to lyrical storytelling. She’s passionate about helping others discover their voice through songwriting, providing tips and inspiration for creating songs that touch hearts.
