An interesting connection is surfacing about Elvis Presley’s interest in the LDS Church. Several people claim to have given him a copy of the Book of Mormon. One was Riverton’s Mike Corfield, who was serving an LDS mission on the Island of Kauai in 1961. That’s when Elvis was there filming the movie, Blue Hawaii.
The 20-year-old missionary and his companion went to find Elvis on location. Among the crew was another member of the LDS Church who recognized the missionaries. He invited them to meet Elvis. After talking for about five minutes, Elder Corfield gave Elvis a copy of the Book of Mormon.
Corfield says, “We also invited him to come to church with us that Sunday. He declined, saying he had to work. But he was really nice and accepted the Book of Mormon.”
As Elvis fans know, he had a strong spiritual side. Utah filmmakers are working on a movie right now depicting his interest in the Book of Mormon. They feature a copy of the book held in the LDS Church archives. It reportedly has Elvis’ notes in the margins of the copy.
The movie, “Tears of a King,” is expected to be released next year. Corfield doesn’t know whether this is the copy he gave Elvis back in 1961, but he’s proud to have given him the book.
He says, “I felt he was interested in it. I felt at some time he’d take the opportunity to learn more about the gospel, especially the Book of Mormon.”