Live in concert

Last night I drove five hours or so from my house to Utah so that I could start work this week. iTunes kept me company during the drive, and all I can say is that I love the new genius playlist feature. It puts together mixes better than I ever could--songs I'd never think of putting together but that somehow just go.

The playlist I was listening to, based on "Seven Nation Army," happened to serve up Black Sabbath's "Nativity in Black." Driving to Utah and listening to that song reminded me of an experience when I was attending BYU.

Utah Valley University, a state school just up the road in Orem, had recently built a new events center. As is often the case with a new venue, they sought sponsorship to help them cover the costs. In this case an individual donor contributed enough to earn naming rights, but instead of putting her own name on the building, asked that the contribution remain anonymous and the building be named for former president of the LDS Church, David O. McKay.

President McKay lived a life most would consider above reproach. Filmmaker Cecille B. DeMille recognized McKay as an authority on the scriptures and as such consulted him when making the film "The Ten Commandments," leading to a friendship that lasted until DeMille's death. McKay is probably best known as an advocate of family values, and is often quoted as saying "no other success can compensate for failure in the home."

So imagine my surprise one afternoon when I'm driving down the road listening to the radio, and I hear an advertisement proclaim (in the best husky, heavy metal voice over you can imagine) "Live, from the David O. McKay Special Events Center, OZZY OSBOURNE!"