Hi! I’m Brother Jake.
Truthfully, I don’t have a specific origin story for how I came up with the idea to create my (ongoing) YouTube series. But when I think back, it does remind me of an experience I had on my mission in Peru.
In my final exchange, my missionary companion received a package from home that happened to include a favorite food item of mine—root beer—which he offered to share with me. At that point, it had been almost 2 years since I had last tasted of this nectar of the Gods, so needless to say I was pretty excited. I poured it into a glass and stuck my face near the top while the foam settled, letting the carbonated droplets tickle my nose. After what seemed like an hour, I lifted the glass, winked at my companion (no homo) and took a drink.
It tasted like medicine.
Now, there’s a very simple explanation for this: root beer actually does taste like medicine. No, really. It does. It’s just one of those things—like football, or vegemite—that people love because they grew up with it and fostered an appreciation from an early age. And once you internalize that appreciation, it’s very hard to see it from an “outside” perspective. I knew dozens of Latin American missionaries who had tried root beer and found it strange and (most of the time) gross. “That’s crazy!” I would think. “It’s delicious! Plus you always have it with pizza! And who doesn’t like pizza?” But after a 2 year root beer fast, I got a glimpse of root beer from the “outside,” and it permanently changed the way I see it. Sure, I still enjoy root beer (there’s really is nothing like it with pizza), but whenever I do, I can still taste a faint hint of medicine and the shocking sensation of seeing something I thought I’d never second-guess from an “outsider’s” perspective.
Such has been my experience with Mormonism. Now, I’m not saying that the Church is secretly a revolting beer byproduct and we just don’t see it; but over time, I slowly began to realize that there are certain aspects of Mormonism, such as the verbal heuristics we give each other (“the gospel is simple!”), the ways we approach difficult topics (sexism, racism), or our explanations of Church doctrines (the origins of the Book of Abraham) that, to someone coming from a critical mindset, can seem strange, off-putting, or downright ludicrous. Now, some will likely speculate that my drift toward the “outside” was a result of a personal shortcomings in gospel living, and they may be right. Maybe I didn’t pray or fast or study long or well or hard enough. But whatever the reason, the experience of hearing those things through the ears of an “outsider” is what inspired me to make my videos.
I’m often asked what exactly I’m trying to accomplish with this stuff, and I think it’s a fair question. There are really two main motivating factors for me: first, I was looking for an outlet for the frustration I felt when I heard Mormon platitudes that I found harmful or nonsensical. Second, I wanted to create something that might jolt more traditional members into seeing how their language, arguments, and reasoning sounds like to an outsider. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve been successful on both fronts; in fact, based on several conversations I’ve had with more conservative (religiously, not politically) believers, I’m probably prioritizing the first motivation over the second—the levity of my approach is too thick, the satire too biting, for traditional believers to feel anything but defensive, despite the fact that I only use arguments and ideas that originate in mainstream Mormonism.
The responses to my videos vary, largely based on the individual’s relationship with the Church. Many of the strongly positive reactions to the videos come from those critical and/or disillusioned by the Church, who see them as a humorous vindication of their own struggles within the belief system, while most of the negative reactions originate from more traditional members, who see them as an attack. The most interesting thing to me, however, has been the aspects of my stuff that each side of the spectrum chooses to focus on. Those who enjoy my videos consistently comment on the content of the videos themselves—how I was able to accurately articulate this or that aspect of an issue. Those who do not, on the other hand, seem to focus almost exclusively on identifying Brother Jake as an “anti,” a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and rarely comment on the content of the videos at all. And while I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little disappointed that critics overwhelmingly opt for ad-hominem attacks (check out this scorched earth comment thread on Wheat and Tares), it’s understandable—after all, my videos are satirical, so I can’t say their defensiveness is unjustified, and by being intentionally ambiguous, I’m inviting speculation about where exactly I “stand.”
Speaking of which, I imagine that many of you are wondering when I’m going to just man up and tell you what my personal thoughts and beliefs about the Church are. I know I would be. But you know what? I’m not going to, mostly because I feel it would feed into an aspect of Mormon culture that I truly hate: the reliance on external indicators to determine how one should react to something. If you want to know what to think about my videos, watch my videos. If you want to know what my personal thoughts and feelings are, send me an email; I’d be more than happy to have a conversation.
All that aside, here’s the bottom line: I’m perfectly happy with what I’ve made thus far. Brother Jake is exactly what I want him to be, and I plan on keeping him around for the foreseeable future. So, in the words of the Terminator:
“I’ll probably be around here again at some point.” Or something like that.
Sincerely,
Brother Jake
Email: askbrotherjake@gmail.com
Twitter: @askbrotherjake
I thoroughly enjoy your stuff 🙂
Regarding your “personal thoughts” paragraph above: Do I really need to send you a message via email to find out where you stand? I doubt you create content that takes less than a couple of hours to make with the amount of research required (unless you’re just regurgitating talking points). Have you ever researched books that exonerate Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma? No? (Those books don’t end well for Brigham). You clearly don’t have any videos FOR the church. The 120 billion in cash church should be exposed. But lets not pretend we don’t know where you stand. It lacks authenticity.
My husband and I were discussing your videos this past weekend, so I was excited to read more about your perspective and reasons for creating them. They are spot on, funny, uncomfortable, and highlight the dissonance so many of us feel and so many others simply ignore. I appreciate very much your unwillingness to play the game of those who think the worth of what you produce can be boiled down to a quick judgment about you as a person.
Jake, that’s cool you’re a stat major! I got a masters degree in statistics too! I don’t know if this gives you a video idea, but I’ve studied up on Wordprints and it would be interesting to see your take on the Stanford-BYU squabble about the BoM. See my posts on Dueling Wordprint Studies and Debunking the Jockers Study: http://mormonheretic.org/?s=wordprint&submit=Search
Omg this is awesome! I love when Mormonism and statistics cross paths. We’re just getting in to discriminate analysis, so it’ll be a while before I have my head wrapped around it, but I’m really interested in researching more. Thanks for the tip!
Love your work, Jake! Keep it up!
Jake, I love your videos and very much relate to what you are doing. I especially resonate with your point about ” reliance on external indicators to determine how one should react to something”. That is why I don’t talk about my own status and views of the Church during my Sunday School lessons. Keep up the great work!
Ok….You win. I don’t care why the heck you make those videos, but you’d better dang well keep making them!
–Aspiring to president of the Brother Jake fan club
Actually I have a similar personal dilemma at Gay Mormon Stories. I am reluctant to share too much of my own story, because in my interviews I want to sympathize with the viewpoint of the person I am interviewing. I don’t interview anybody whose position I see as toxic or damaging so it isn’t hard to do. However, I am a little bit paranoid that people will start to judge the interviews on what they think of me instead of what the interview is about.
I feel where you’re coming from. It’s tricky to voice an opinion without being stereotyped and stigmatized, and that’s even more complicated when that stigmatization can be applied based on who you appear with. That’s actually why I disabled the comments on my videos–I was tired of being called an “anti” because many of the comments were critical of the Church. I’m still called an “anti,” but at least it isn’t over YouTube comments that other people make.
Favorite quote: “We don’t want to be sharp like knives. We want to be soft, like spoons!”
Seriously, keep up the good work.
I love your youtube channel and all your videos. I share your frustrations with platitudes. Thanks for putting it all together. The one on sexism is my favorite.
You are my new celebrity crush! You are adorable, brilliant and effective. I have always maintained that Modern Family (humor) has done more to soften homophobia in America than almost anything else. Likewise, your Youtube clips will enlighten the masses by highlighting the absurd positions Mormons are required to believe through humor. 100 times more effective than intellectual arguments or bitching. Your clips stick to orthodox belief statements so well, I feel they would be appropriate to show to youth groups. Do you think I’ll get in trouble? There’s only one way to find out…..
Aww shucks! Let me know how it goes!
I started watching one…then I watched another…then I just finished them off. I think they definitely doing what you set out to do. The first time I saw one, the Book of Abraham one, I could not tell if you were serious or not. Now I feel kind of dumb.
Super touchy stuff man. While I enjoy them I could see the being a slap in the face to a more streamline Mormon, but I think that is part of your first goal.
Great post Jake! Thanks for sharing, I love your videos.
Actual beer is much, much better with pizza than root beer.
Kudos. It’s none of our business what your personal beliefs are. Oh and…Go Pack!
Ha, ha. Ok.
Absolutely fantastic videos!
I love how the faithful view them as defending the faith and the disillusioned and antis view them as anti Mormon satire and you make it even better by refusing to state your position! It’s just way too entertaining. It’s like a social experiment. This is what we need more of, ambiguous funny videos about church doctrine. LOL!
Talentless…
“I’m not going to, mostly because I feel it would feed into an aspect of Mormon culture that I truly hate: the reliance on external indicators to determine how one should react to something.”
That’s a human thing, not a Mormon thing.
Brother Jake: OUCH ! Great Stuff. Your videos are awesome, but they sure can sting. While at the same time the content is mostly inarguable (with minor corrections like Hopewell civilization, Hebrew DNA in Algonquin indians & the Colorado/Cherokee can of worms, tithing on surplus not income per D&C 119:1,4,5 ~ etc…), and the rapid-fire connection of one thing to the next in simple logic chains, and the ditties ~ oh, the songs ! ( True-believing Elvis dude ! oh, yeah…). Unfortunately, the splendid satire is too rich to recommend to more than one of my (formerly) Dry Priests Group pals without getting the “evil eye”. Dang good stuff – keep up the good work. There’s lots more material in our Mormonisms & vocabulary quirks !
I love your work Jake. Great informative videos. Keep it up
Bro Jake the Looking Glass of LDS..
Thanks.. I think you might be doing some good.
It’s important to know how others see us. Being ignorant and naive is just silly.
The best people must own whatever mojo crazaay is specific to their church.
Our LDS people,might be gracious enough to take our brand of peculiar any ole day.
None of it phases me.
I love it all.
Tithing & the law of consecration
Visions
Missionaries
Restoration
Polygamy
Seer Stones & Top Hats
Word of Wisdom
Prophets
Priesthood
Black Pride & Prejudice
Gay Pride & Prejudice
Salary and Reimbursement
And lol..
Those LDS women who holler abt the injustice of not being called as a prophet…
but dont have an ounce of charity, and refuse to take the time to read scripture, fast & pray…
When truth be told, they could easily be a prophetess..
just as lovely and powerful as Deborah and the amazing wife of Isaiah.
Why dont our disgruntled saints instead campaign abt how stupid it is for sister missionaries to ride bikes in dresses and skirts? Let’s keep it real my soul sisters.
Here’s the deal…IMO.
It could be much, much worse.
My Catholic friends are distraught as they realize that their leaders have taken binding vows of loyalty to The Catholic Church, the organization.
Yikes.
Obviously,
It would better serve the Lord,and the people… if the pope, priests and nuns would take the pledge of loyalty to ummm..Jesus Christ Himself.
Suffer the little children is a significant tragedy with Catholic interpretation.
🙁
Hey,
Bro Jake, the looking glass Man…
Perhaps in your musings, might you consider the oddities of the Holy Bible as well?
I’d like very much to know the whereabouts of the commandments…but they’ve apparently gone missing…
Faith in the unseen seems quite good enough for every Christian, Jew and Muslim..as they all have a version of God’s code of conduct.
I know, right?
And speaking of arks… What’s up with Noah’s sweet ride?
Where’s evidence of that?
Please, Don’t Even get me started on the drama of what animals are legit in scripture…
Seriously…track down just one of those 9 unicorns listed in the Holy Bible before all y’all get your knickers in a bunch over horses in the Book of Mormon.
Yep…
Keep the playing field genuine Bro Jake.
Let’s chitchat about all scripture.
And let’s always remember to be humble and holy with our fun…
…lest the Lord think His people are foolishly “steadying the ark” of the covenant.
We know how well that went for Bro Uzzah.
Ciao for now,
Sister McCormick