Elder Elvis? The King and the Mormon Faith

Picture this: Elvis' gyrating hips planted primly on a Mormon pew -- or the King of Rock 'n' Roll working as an LDS missionary in heaven, serenading the unsaved.

This vision is not too difficult for Cricket Coulter, an LDS convert who began her lifelong adoration of Elvis in the fifth grade. The fiftyish Coulter, who lives in Orem, claims that in the months before he died, Elvis was close to converting to Mormonism. She gave the "King" a copy of The Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.

Months after his death on Aug. 16, 1977, The Book of Mormon in which Elvis reportedly scribbled notes was returned to Coulter. Real or not, the writing in the blue paperback book has become yet another faith-promoting rumor circulated among Mormons with the same enthusiasm as speculation that actor Jimmy Stewart and filmmaker Walt Disney at one time looked into joining the church.

At least this legend has a paper trail.

Coulter loaned the book that supposedly bears Elvis' notations to Mormon entertainer Alan Osmond, who gave it to Ed Pinegar, an LDS general authority, who donated it to the LDS Church's historical department.

"We believe Elvis owned it, but we make no claims about the authenticity of the handwriting," says Bill Slaughter, an archivist for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The inscribed Book of Mormon is not the singer's only link to Mormonism.

Elvis' karate instructor, the late Ed Parker, was a church member who discussed Mormon theology between kicks and chops and may have given him another Book of Mormon, according to associates of the King.

And Elvis felt a strong connection to the Osmond family, says Alan Osmond.

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