I just wanted to share what I've learned working with designing LDS/Mormon-Themed games. I know, as you read this you'll react with an "Of course!! This is completely logical." But, for me, it was one of those I wouldn't really think it until I experienced or heard it. So, here goes:
If you want to design an LDS/Mormon-Themed game and seek to get it published (I've only really been able to find 2 possible publishers, Covenant Communications & Cedar Fort) keep these 2 things in mind when designing.
1) Be sure your game contains minimal components. The more components usually means the more expensive it is to produce. Right now they aren't going to take too many risks with expensive production.
2) The game need to be designed for at least 4 players. They don't feel that 2 players games will be very successful.
Well, there it is. Like I said, if you are familiar with LDS culture and the games available currently with an LDS/Mormon theme, this shouldn't be too big a surprise. But, a lot of times completely logical things aren't really thought about or considered until they are brought up.

You didn't mention "license a popular game", which may supercede your 1st point (minimal components).

Settlers of Zarahemla actually brought MORE components into Settlers of Catan. Isn't there a 'Mormonized' Carcassonne license, too?

How is this different from making proposals to other game companies?

The Ark of the Covenant is the only religious Carcassonne version that I know.

I've never submitted to any other game company. The way they do things at Covenant Communications is they just request a brief overview of the game, including enough detail so that Phil (Reschke) understands how to play. They may request a prototype, which Phil will take to a small group there at Covenant. Together they review the game and make the decision. I have also talked with Lyle Mortimer at Cedar Fort. The way things work there is that you submit, again a brief overview of your game. Lyle makes a preliminary decision. If he decides that they'll take a further look at your game, it's then shown at some "party" the company has in January. That's where they make their decision. Keep in mind that Covenant only publishes 2 or 3 games a year, whereas Cedar Fort publishes only 1. Not a huge market, but something I'm interested in and find enjoyable.
I hope that helps.
Mike

I live in Utah and there are 5-6 board games stores within 2 miles of my apartment. Its a huge market out here and its one of the best places to start a board game, imo. It would make it even easier if it was LDS themed as well. Its a good tree to bark up.

I'm puzzled by this. Is it really the case that things which offer a themetic sop to $religion are going to do so much better? Does there exist such a large market of people who want the trappings of $religion to pervade everything they do? (I ask because a re-themed Euro is hardly going to be aligned to the deep-seated tenets of said religion)

B>

You'd think any game with aliens would appeal to Mormons, as long as they were nice aliens.

I think that would be Scientology.

You're right. I keep getting the two mixed up.

Do any of them have the LDS Church History Game?

They're just niche-targeted games.

If games like The Ark of the Covenant and The Settlers of Canaan can get people into gaming in the first place, and that leads to increased sales of "mainstream" games and more donating supporters for BGG, then I say bring it on.

I mean, are those two examples above really any different in rationale than Monopoly - Boy Scouts of America or Pictionary - NASCAR Edition?

Don't worry, I mixed the places of the S and the D in LDS and I thought it was a game about tripping mormons...

Why is that?

That's interesting, do you know some tripping mormons? Incidentally, we don't use that word to describe our selves!

When Mormon men go to heaven, they get to choose up to 4 wives, one of them being the one they married here on earth.

So actually, they should be asking for boardgames for up to five players.

Wait a minute -- don't sacrificial jihadists get 77?! And arent they virgins? There's something deperately amiss here -- a clear runaway leader problem with Allah.

That's actually kind of offensive because its completely not true and perpetuates a horrible stereotype.

I have one wife, only want one wife, and have never been taught I will be forced to choose 3 more wives in heaven.

Didn't mean to be offensive. My wife is reading a book on Mormonism, and that's what she told me. Mormons are not forced to take more wives in the afterlife, but apparently they are allowed 3 more if they wish.

I'll see if I can look up the reference.

Sorry, but whatever book she is reading must have not done their research or is just making stuff up. The only things that are concrete in the beliefs of the church are found in scripture (Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants). No time in my 28 years of life has it even been hinted that you can have multiple wives in heaven, much less an arbitrary number like 3 more.

To be honest, this really isn't the forum for this and seeing as this is a GAME design forum, it doesn't help us design games any better. So we should probably just let this drop.

Nah, I was just doing a pun. I know you people can't/don't touch drugs (caffeine included, innit?).

Did you ever hear the joke about the 72 Virginians?

Seventy-odd virgins? Give me half-a-dozen good hookers anyday.

Really? Wow. I'd have never guessed. But then maybe it makes sense in a roundabout way. That also helps explain how there could be a club for game designers out there and not in large metropolitan areas.

Maybe whatever you're doing over there will catch on in the rest of the country.