Note: As I just realized that today is my 400th post. Crazy.
Last night my EC and I attended the Hill Cumorah Pageant. It is something I have always wanted to do – but have never done. As I mentioned previously, we celebrated our 26th anniversary on Wednesday, and on a whim, I whisked my wife away to upstate New York. It was a good choice.
This post is not to “review” the pageant from a critical approach, but share my experience.
As we were driving to Palmyra, it began to rain. We whipped into a Dollar General store and bought 2 rain ponchos. Neither of which cost a dollar…
When we arrived, what looked like an Elder’s Quorum with orange vests directed the parking with ruthless efficiency. It was about 2.5 before showtime, on a Thursday, so it wasn’t too crowded yet. We walked down through to the seating area and looked for a seat. In true Mormon fashion, the majority of the close seats were saved with tape, books, blankets, ropes, etc. It was like Sacrament meeting pews on steroids. We did find some good seats amongst some lovely senior citizens from Orem.
I was impressed by the size of the stage. It was huge. It is a multi-level set, built right into the side of the actual Hill Cumorah. There were big league lighting towers, wires, riggings and all the hallmarks that they knew what they were doing.
Conformists that we are, we put our blanket on our chairs and wandered off to find some dinner. There is a giant food tent with chicken, burgers, etc., provided by local Palmyra civic groups. I don’t know how they feel about Mormons, but they must feel great about the Pageant – they were raking it in. I was just what you would expect, OK food at crazy prices.
As the thousands gathered, most everyone seemed to be in a peaceful, good mood. Granted, it wouldn’t be an LDS event without some protesters. These guys were my favorites:
Apparently, protesting from this distance is a two-man job: One to hold the sign, and the other to spout ridiculous nonsense into a megaphone. I must admit, of all the protesters I have ever heard, this guy was actually the funniest. He has apparently worked on his material over the years. Misguided, but funny.
We retrieved our forgotten bag of Starbursts from the car and wandered back to our seats. It was still raining a bit, but not too bad. At this point, the cast members – in full costume – were out mingling with the crowd. Most had a Book of Mormon in hand, and referred to it to share a scripture with whomever would let them. They were sweet.
A pair of costumed young men struck up a conversation with some folks on our row, and discussed the gospel with them. It was great to watch these teenage boys – all they will need to do to be fabulous full-time missionaries is to turn nineteen and put on a suit and tie. At the end of the conversation, the boys left with a referral card in hand, leaving behind their testimonies and a promise that a Book of Mormon would be brought to their home.
It was about this time that my phone battery died. I think it was divine intervention. Instead of posting pictures and bantering on Facebook with my bad-influence friends, I could focus on the event itself.
The rain dissipated as showtime neared. No, I was not surprised. The night air was cool and clean. The cast members gathered, and everyone took their seats. At precisely 9:15pm, the show began.
The show is huge, and spectacular. There are 700 or so performers, an excellent sound system, and great source material. (I’m not going to worry about spoilers, because if you don’t know the ending by now, you need to be reading something else besides this blog.)
The story followed the Book of Mormon through Lehi, Nephi, Abinadi, Alma to Samuel the Lamanite. I was mostly focused on the staging, lighting, special effects and overall scale of the show. Then came the scene where there was great destruction, after which Christ descended from the skies. It was cool. Of course I was wondering more about the rigging they used to lower him, and admiring the staging as Jesus ministered to the people. I looked over to my EC as a little child rushed into Jesus’ arms. She was crying. I wasn’t…
The story proceeded to the time of the final battle where Mormon turns the plates over to his son Moroni.
After one more battle, Moroni was left wandering the empty stage alone. He approached the audience, with his arms outstretched, holding the golden plates. He then begged with the familiar words
“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true…”(Moroni 10:4)
Yes, I’ve read and heard these words a thousand times. But as this blessed actor spoke them, I felt the Spirit wash over me with a depth and power I have rarely felt in my life. Tears poured from my eyes and I found myself short of breath. It was one of the most real, tangible spiritual witnesses I have ever had. (I can’t even type it without having to stop and wipe my eyes.)
I was surprised – this was unexpected. I did not “need” another witness to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and I wasn’t looking for one. My testimony doesn’t know any “more” today that I did last week. But, in God’s kindness, I was blessed with a divine reassurance, for which I am grateful. It is true. Always has been.
When I went into the pageant, I was wondering how, and if, something as delicate as the communication from the Spirit could find its way through the spectacle, the special effects the volume and the masses.
The answer is yes. And I highly recommend it.
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Thank you for sharing this experience. Even though I have never been to this, just reading about your experience–the spirit softly reaffirmed my testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel. One slight observation, You referenced the scripture as in 3 Nephi, but it should be Moroni (the link is correct, though).
Thank you for writing this post. I lived in the Palmyra Stake until the year 2001 when I moved to UT. I always loved this time of year in NY. I get a little melancholy now and find myself wishing I was there again during Pageant time. Everyone should take the opportunity to visit Palmyra and experience the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Thank you for bringing Pageant to me this year!
Every four years the youth in my stake have been blessed with the opportunity to go on a youth conference trip to Palmyra. Attending Pageant was the conclusion of a wonderful day spent visiting the Smith Farm and Sacred Grove, Grandin Building and Hill Cumorah (and the Chill & Grill too).
As I’ve talked to the youth in the last week since we’ve been home, and asked what they liked most about youth conference, the response has been unamimous – The Paegeant.
As a leader, it’s an amazing thing to spend 8 hours on a bus with teenagers talking, watching movies, singing songs and being loud, and then witness the transformation as those same teenagers sang hymns on our way to the Smith Farm, where they each entered the Sacred Grove with a copy of the Book of Mormon and the assignment to write their tesimony inside. They knew they were in a sacred place.
It was an intensly spiritual weekend (with plenty of fun mixed in too) and provided experiences that will help each one of them, no matter where they may be with their testimony.
Oh, so glad you came to pageant. I live in the Palmyra Stake and want you to know many of those kids who were in the audience and cast came from my ward, taught them in Primary, Young Women’s, etc. Every July our ward sac meeting attendance drops by half because so many are in cast teams, production, etc. The spiritual uplift for the cast, who are involved in gospel study and service, 24/7 for the two weeks, is intense. Living in upstate NYC is very special, yet very familiar. Congratulations on you wonderful family, on the very excellent blog, and for being inspired to make the trip.
Oh, and yes, anyone needing travel help with planning to be here, just give a shout. We love visitors in Palmyra and the other towns of our stake. God bless you all.
I love it when Heavenly Father does that. When you described your experience, I knew exactly what you meant! That has happened to me several times and I am always profoundly grateful!!
If you thought seeing it was moving, try being in it! We were in it a few years ago with our youngest daughter (all the other kids were married) and wished we’d been able to give that experience to all our kids when they were teenagers. It was awesome! You apply online in October for the following year. You won’t be sorry if you get selected.
Not to ignore the cool experience you had, but first, congratulations on the 400th post. And secondly, the whole thing of saving seats, which in my never to be humble opinion and experience, is to save seats for those who lack the ability to get to church or a church-event on time…it deserves an entire post. Seriously, glad it was a great experience. We’re going to the Pageant next year now that we are NY-adjacent.
Always love to hear about another man crying when he is touched
Yeah, but this was ridiculous.
A couple of years ago two of my friends and I went on a self guided 12 day church history road trip. We flew into Kansas City and drove all over, Far West, Adam-ondi-Ahman, Liberty Jail, Nauvoo, Carthage, Kirtland and ended in Palmyra where we stayed for 3 days. Each of these places increased our testimonies greatly, but there was something about Palmyra. It was like there was a glow about it. We went to the Sacred Grove and spent literally hours there, quietly reflecting. I have never felt the spirit stronger than in this humble little village. Good choice for a mini-vacay.
I’m not sure how a geographical location can convey the Spirit – but it can. Might be a good discussion idea for a post.
Same as you, I’m not sure why. I already have a testimony of the BoM, His Gospel and of Christ’s church today, but as I read those words, I felt the spirit confirming them to me again, VERY strongly and very unexpectedly.
Thank You, MMM.
-John from Lindon, UT
Hmmmm. So this means that you live within driving distance of Palmyra? Good grief, do you work in NYC?!
We’ve always wanted to attend the Pageant, thanks for sharing your testimony it reminded us of that goal. What a beautiful way to celebrate your anniversary, congrats on 26 years!
Thanks for your testimony! It was uplifting and just what I needed today. Someday I’ll go to the Pageant. I love when the Lord in his infinite mercy sends peace and reaffirmation He always knows what we need.
Happy 26th! We have our 19th in a few weeks. It marks the year I am equally married as single. I’m glad you had it cross your mind because it is significant to me too.
Safe travels!
Well cool. Welcome to upstate NY and so glad you’ve had a great time! Today I was working security at the top of Hill Cumorah, directing traffic. If you were up there this morning I saw you but didn’t know it, dang. :O)
Anyway, this is a great place to live. Hope you got to see all the sights!
Hugs to both of you!
You were up on top of Cumorah? – and I thought it was Jesus!
I’ve attended the pageant twice when I was younger, with the “old” script and score; my sister was in it at the end of her high school career. I keep longing to go back, and you’re motivating me to make a specific plan, so thanks for that!
Glad you and your EC had a great visit.
Awesome, i was able to go to the Hill Cumorah pageant a few times. My favorite anti-mo protestor was this dude dragging a cross behind him, but it was on wheels!
I love the Hill Cumorah pageant. One year, I met “King Noah”. He was pretty intense. Meeting him ended up being inspirational later, as last year, the missionaries asked our family (at halloween time), if we could dress up as anyone from the Book of Mormon, who would it be. Instantly, I thought of King Noah and his awesome costume, hair, beard, and blurted it out. I realized, seconds later that they wanted a more inspirational answer. It didn’t matter. I was King Noah for Halloween and am considering a repeat performance.
Oky…thanks for sharing. The Hill Cumorah pageant really is great. I hope to get out there again – and take my kids and husband along.
Oh, and I meant to add, I also had a real spiritual experience. It was when I was still a teenager. The announcer said (before the production started) that the Spirit would give a quiet assurance that the message was true. It was then that I realized that I had felt a quiet assurance in my life – on many occasions.
I was raised in the church, and sometimes had a difficult time realizing that peace, and enlightenment was in fact the Spirit. Sometimes I thought that I was supposed to have some kind of dramatic conversion – one that would make me sob. It never happened for me that way. I just felt light and happy. I felt the clarity that the Holy Ghost speaks to our souls. When I heard the announcer mention this at the Hill Cumorah pageant, I realized that I knew the gospel was true. I knew the Book of Mormon was true. I knew that Joseph Smith had been a true prophet. And I realized that I had known it for a while.
Thanks again!
ha ha ha…Love that as a halloween costume idea!
What a great way to spend an anniversary. It brought back great memories of when I was able to participate in the production over 30 years ago. I don’t remember the food tents (that must be something new) but it’s good to know the Spirit hasn’t changed.
This is on my bucket list. I have seen the Manti Pageant and I hope someday I get to see this one as well. Thanks for posting!
So glad!!! On all counts….except that I wasn’t able to meet up with you guys! Awesome experience!
Just beautiful. And if we ever wonder why the church gets behind these types of productions…
That’s it. You have solidified my desire to see this. We live in the UK and instead of taking a family trip to Disney, we are going to Church history sites in the East.
Thank you for sharing your experience.
You won’t regret it. If you need help planning, give a shout out and there will be plenty of us willing to help.
I hope my children had a similiar experience. Thanks for sharing.
I took our five children to the pageant in 2002, even our youngest (4 at the time) remembers it, especially Christ descending. Palmyra and the pageant are worth visiting!
I hope those Palmyra civic groups feel pretty good about Mormons, because the Church lets them put that big tent on the pageant grounds — gratis, I understand.
And they were making BANK.
Like Doug, I felt the Spirit, too, just from reading about your experience. So glad you both had a great time!
Thank you, MMM. I shared your experience by reading your words, and have felt the spirit. Glad you were able to enjoy the show.