Mormon Miracle Pageant

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2011 Special Section

Mormon Miracle

Pageant

June 16-18, 21-25

Manti Temple Hill

9:30 pm

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P YRAM ID SHO P P ER - M O RM O N M IRACL E P AG EAN T

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

WELCOME

to the 44th annual production of the Mormon Miracle Pageant!

The staff of the PYRAMID SHOPPER and The Pyramid are pleased to present this special Mormon Miracle Pageant edition to our readers and pageant visitors again this year.

We appreciate the support of local businesses that have made this edition possible. For more information concerning the PYRAMID SHOPPER or The Pyramid, contact us at (435) 462-2134 or email us at pyramid@heraldextra.com.

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The Foundation at Sanpete Valley Hospital

Manti Mayor’s Message It is a pleasure to welcome visitors to Manti City. While you are here for the Mormon Miracle Pageant, I encourage you to explore our community.

Walk through the town and look for the many historical homes and weathered bars.

Take some time to shop on our beautiful Main Street, sample the food in our cafes and enjoy traditional barbecue turkey dinners, swim in our new aquatic center and try the new circular slide.

At various times during the pageant, visitors will find storytellers at the Old City Hall, an art show that celebrates Sanpete County artists in the historic American Legion.

We hope you enjoy your time in Manti and we encourage you to come back and visit again soon.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

P YRAM ID SHO P P ER - M O RM O N M IRACL E P AG EAN T

2011 Mormon Miracle Pageant Cast Members Preacher 1 ................................................................................................................Jeremy Hampton Preacher 2 ................................................................................................................... Jeff Markworth Preacher 3 .................................................................................................................... Geoff Westfall Young Joseph, ................................................................................ Jace Cox, Nick Lutes, Bradly Sego Lucy Mack Smith ............................................................. Wendy Childs, Helen Cox, Shauna Wayman Robert ................................................................................ Ben Bishop, Korbin Draper, Hunter Palmer Mary ..................................................................... Jessica Bradford, Nina Breeland, Rebecca Cottam Mature Joseph ..................................................................................Jeremy Coburn, Daniel McGarry Angel Moroni ...............................................................................................Mark Bishop, Dane Olsen Oliver Cowdery .............................................................................................................. Matthew Call Captain Moroni .....................................................................................Austin Jackson, Michael Lutes Zerahemnah, .............................................................................................Daniel Cox, Stetson Rapier Witch Doctor ........................................................................................ Justin Larson, James Westfall High Priestess ............................TaLeah Cox, Shantae Meier, Liz Pipes, Sheron Thurston, Rose Walker Sacrifice ..............................................................................................Julia Cottam, Whitney Timothy Samuel, ................................................................................................. Chad Mason, Tenzing Sherpa Mormon ...................................................................................................................... Matthew Daley Mortal Moroni...................................................................................... Brock Fletcher, Ethan Warnock Father Morley ..................................................................................................................Tom Williams Woman on the Plain, .......................................................................... Kate Murdoch, Natalie Nielson Nauvoo Father and amily .............................................Brian Evansen Family, Caleb Mitsvotai Family Hyrum Smith ........................................................................................Nathan Wayman, Ben Westfall John Taylor ...............................................................................................................Dakotah Hancock Willard Richards ............................................................................................................ Geoff Westfall Brigham Young ........................................................................................ Ken Glenn, Dave Gunderson Captain Allen ................................................................................................................... Nick Litteral Aid ..................................................................................................................................Dakota Davis Drummer ........................................................................................................................... Tate Howell Bugler .............................................................................................................................. Justin Taylor Fiddler ........................................................................................................................ Gerald Wayman Bucket bass player .......................................................................................................Daniel Johnson Caller ................................................................................................................................ Mike Kohut George Washington ............................................................................................... Charles McCulloch Thomas Jefferson ............................................................................JD Roundy, Nathan Van De Graaff Indian Chief.................................................................................... JD Roundy, Nathan Van De Graaff, Friend at grave ............................................................................... Lonnie McCulloch, Daynera Miller Woman at grave ...............................................................................Kimberlie Marsden, Karen Taylor Vignettes Handcuffed ................................................................................................................. Timothy Bishop Go West .......................................................................................... Dakotah Hancock, Mary Mecham Tar and feathers ......................................................................................Richae Mellor, Kaleb Roundy Handcart ............................................................................................... Briauna Olsen, Geoff Westfall Angel on the Temple .......................................................................................... John Pipes, Eli Powell Ammon ............................................................................................................................ Michael Cox Lamoni ..................................................................................................................Thomas Rasmussen Lamoni’s queen ..............................................................................................................Libby Quijano Queen’s lady ................................................................................................................Maggie Malloy 3rd Nephi ..............................................................................................Kelly Hancock, Thomas Morris The Savior .............................................................................................................. Michael Jorgensen Heavenly child........................................ Senora Childs, Olivia Hanson, Quimby Roundy, Omi Westfall Oldest Henshaw son ....................................................Timothy Bishop, Nathaniel Cox, Kaleb Roundy Oldest Henshaw daughter.......................................... Cari Carmody, Angela Roundy, Tiffany Wayman Little Henshaw daughter ............................................Jaycee Purper, Sarah Roundy, Breanne Wayman Little Henshaw son........................................Matthew Bishop, Casen Christensen, Devin Christensen Noah tableau .....................................................................................................................Ryan Smith Abinidi tableau...............................................................................................................Eric Anderson 1st Noah female tableau ........................................................................................... Margaret Malloy 2nd Noah female tableau..................................................................................................Birkley Ross 1st Nephite Shaman ................................................................................................. Shirley Bahlmann 2nd Nephite Shaman .....................................................................................................Jim Bob Pipes Disciples 3rd Nephi ..............................................................................................Kelly Hancock, Thomas Morris Jonas I ............................................................................................................................Eric Anderson Mathoni .....................................................................................................................Claude Mecham Mathonihah ....................................................................................................................Jason Vernon Kumen............................................................................................................................Steve Roberts Kumenonhi ..................................................................................................................David Valentine Jeremiah ......................................................................................................Tom Williams/Mike Kohut Shemonon ........................................................................................................................... Bill Jensen Jonas II ................................................................................................................... Michael McQuivey Zedekiah .......................................................................................................................Bryan Fletcher Isaiah ..................................................................................................................... Charles McCulloch

Book of Mormon prophet, Mormon, gave the sacred plates containing scripture to his son, Moroni, before his death. Moroni added some text to the records before burying the plate in a mountain side. The 2011 pageant will feature Matthew Daley as Mormon and Brock Fletcher and Ethan Warnock as the mortal Moroni.

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Pageant parking guidelines As people arrive to Manti for the pageant, the Sanpete County Sheriff’s office reminds everyone that there is no stopping or unloading along Main Street or U.S. Highway 89, in order to ensure the flow of traffic.

All parking is located within the Manti City limits, with no parking permitted on either side of U.S. Highway 89 or in the Manti Cemetery.

There is also no parking on 100 East between 300 North

and 400 North, after 5 p.m.

Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and park on the east side of town, if traveling north after the conclusion of the Pageant. If visitors plan to leave Manti to the south, they are encouraged to park on the west side of town.

This will make the departure much more timely and convenient.

Handicap parking is also available on 400 North in Manti. Signs and traffic

control officers will direct those with special needs to the proper area for handicap parking. Tour bus parking is located on the west side of the Manti Cemetery, which can be accessed by turning west on the road just north of the cemetery.

To ensure safety, pedestrians are asked to only cross Main Street at the designated crosswalks. There are several crosswalks that will have crossing guards to assist.

Tips for first time pageant-goers 1. Arrive early for optimum seating. First-come seating is provided for 14,500 and there is room on the grass for additional spectators. June evenings can be cool - consider bringing a sweater and blanket.

2. The pageant is free, but dinner is not! Bring a picnic dinner, or plan to purchase a barbecued turkey or roast beef dinner at the pageant served at local wards. The tasty meals are reasonably priced.

3. Plan to stay overnight in Manti the night of the pageant. Traffic will be exceptionally congested at the conclusion of the produc-

tion.

4. Many visitors find that staying at a bed and breakfast adds to the experience (providing a unique locals perspective, plus great service). Whether you choose a bed & breakfast, hotel or campground, be sure to make reservations well in advance.

5. Take some time before or after the pageant to explore the region. Take scenic drives, rent ATVs, or visit the unique boutiques and craftsman shops.

6. Blankets may be used over chairs for warmth and comfort, but are not allowed in the aisles of the seating

area.

7. Strollers are discouraged 8. The pageant and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assumes no responsibility for personal items left or lost in the seating area.

9. For people not familiar with the story of The Book of Mormon, it may help to learn a bit about its history before attending the pageant. Background information can be obtained from locals or LDS people (members of the Mormon Church).

Or, check out a copy of The Book of Mormon from the library.

Manti Temple to close early Persons wishing to attend the Manti Utah LDS Temple during the Mormon Miracle Pageant will need to be aware that through Saturday, June 23, the last temple session of the day will begin at 3:30 p.m., due to practices for the pageant.

For further information, contact the Manti LDS Temple at 435-835-2291.

The Manti LDS Temple is open to all members of the LDS Church who hold current temple recommends.

Endowment sessions are Tuesday through Saturday, every hour on the half-hour, beginning at 7:30 a.m., with doors opening at 7 a.m.

Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to make an appointment to attend.

Anyone wishing to use the baptistery must make

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an appointment; those without an appointment will unfortunately, be turned away. Sealings at this time will be confined to family files only.

There are no facilities in the Manti LDS Temple for language sessions except English, However, language cards are available upon re-

quest for some aspects of the ordinances. American Sign Language interpreters are available by appointment only.

The early closing of the temple during mid-June assists with traffic flow and maintaining a reverence that should prevail at the temple.

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P YRAM ID SHO P P ER - M O RM O N M IRACL E P AG EAN T

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Pageant Presidency Message for 2011

Welcome to the 44th season of the Mormon Miracle Pageant. We sincerely welcome you and appreciate your attendance at the pageant this year. We realize you have come from near and far to witness this year’s production. We welcome you and hope and pray that you will feel the Spirit and message of the pageant on these sacred Manti Temple grounds.

Tonight you will be part of the wonderful history In ancient times, the Book of Mormon prophet, Moroni, dedicated and legacy of the Mormon the land the Manti LDS Temple now adorns, for the construction Miracle Pageant. The first of a temple. performance was on July 23, 1967, in the Sanpete County Fairgrounds rodeo arena just west of Temple Hill.

That first performance was inspiring and miraculous.

The next year the pageant was moved to the south slope of the Temple Hill which has been the stage venue for the past 42 years. It has been estimated that approximately Sacred record tells of two 25, 1877, “Here is the spot 4,500,000 people have atprophets of different dis- where Moroni stood and pensations selecting temple dedicated this piece of land for a temple site and that is hill.

Second president of the why the location is made L D S C h u r c h , B r i g h a m here and we can’t move it Young, accompanied by from this spot; and if you Warren R. Snow, visited and I are the only persons pioneer settlers in Sanpete who come here at high noon The oldest town in Sanpete County and prophesied that today, we will dedicate this County is Manti. Brigham a temple would adorn the ground.”

Young sent the first settlers A f t e r t h e d e d i c a t i o n to Manti after he received hill and an ancient prophet, Moroni, is said to have stood prayer, Young was the first an invitation from Ute Chief and dedicated the hill for a to break ground and on Walkara to send people April 14, 1879 the corner- down to the Sanpitch area to temple.

Young told Snow on April stones were laid. teach the Utes how to farm.

The original company of 50

Two prophets from different dispensations select temple hill

tended the pageant over the past 43 years.

Our theme this year is, “Blessings We Receive Through Obedience”. In 1 Nephi 3:7, Nephi said he will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for he knows that the Lord will give no commandment save he will prepare a way for them to accomplish the thing which the Lord has commanded them.

We have learned over the years that if we are obedient and faithful the Lord will bless us and make it possible to present this great Pageant each year.

There are many blessings and miracles in connection with the Mormon Miracle Pageant. This year the pageant has one of the largest casts ever, with over 900 participating.

It is a “miracle” that a cast of over 900 are so willing to freely donate their time and talents to participate in

this year’s production. It is a “miracle” that this huge cast, most with no previous stage or dramatic experience, can learn their roles in two weeks of rehearsal time and present an inspiring performance each night.

It is a blessing and miracle that so many people like yourself travel to this small, central Utah community to experience the Mormon Miracle Pageant each year.

Last year 86,500 people attended the performances making the Mormon Miracle Pageant one of the largest attended outdoor religious pageants in the U.S. There are so many other blessings and miracles in connection with the pageant including the weather and technical aspects. But the greatest miracle of all is what the Gospel message and Spirit of the Pageant does for those who participate in and watch the pageant.

Tonight you will be taught

in a very simple and easy to understand manner about the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You will witness early church history unfold, inspiring scenes from the Book of Mormon, including the appearance of the Savior to the ancient people of the Americas. The Lord’s Plan of Salvation will also be beautifully explained and portrayed.

We thank you for attending and hope and pray that you will feel the spirit of the pageant message as you enjoy the performance tonight under the stars on these sacred grounds at the foot of the historic and majestic Manti Temple.

We ask as you leave tonight that you reflect upon the eternal truths you have been taught and will invite a friend to attend one of the remaining performances.

Sincerely, The Mormon Miracle Pageant Presidency

Pioneers settled Manti in 1849

Mount Pleasant City’s y

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pioneer families arrived in the winter of 1849.

The pioneers, whose first camp was established on what is now Temple Hill, spent the first winter enduring hardships of scant food and clothing, hostile Indians and makeshift housing.

The pioneers had barely arrived when the valley became covered in several feet of snow. Settlers were forced to use wagons and dugouts for protection against the severe cold and the 700 Indians camped about a mile away.

The dugouts were built with the front side built with logs and mud with a door or blanket to block out the wind.

A fireplace was built inside which helped keep the people warm. Dugouts were crude but much better than living in the wagons and the southfacing hill helped protect the settlers from the severe north winds. A replica of a dugout is open to visitors.

About half of the cattle froze to death and they were unable to get more food and supplies from Salt Lake City. The dead cattle were given to the starving Indians, which made for good relations between the pioneers and Indians.

Winter was not the only problem, as spring approached the ground thawed and the pioneers

were faced with hundreds of rattlesnakes. As the sun began to go down, the snakes became more plentiful. The pioneers armed themselves with clubs, torches and anything else that they could use as weapons. More than 300 snakes were killed before morning. Miraculously not one of the settlers died from snakebite.

Isaac Morley, the leader of this pioneer group was given the honor of naming the town. He suggested ‘Manti’ as a good name and so the name was adopted.

Much has happened since the winter of 1849. Manti is now a beautiful, peaceful place to live and visit.

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Saturday, June 25th, Thurs June 30th thru Monday, July 4th

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June 25

To schedule a booth, call Dave Oxman at Mt. Pleasant City: (435) 462-2456 For Mammoth Parade entries, call Coleen at (435) 462-3034

•Roof Vents •Sewer Hoses •Sanitation supplies

8 a.m.: Hub City Days Golf Kick-off, $35.00 fee, includes cart -Two man team, “Throw Mama from the Train”

June 30 7 p.m.: Fun Night-Free admission, Mt. Pleasant Rodeo Arena. Barrel Racing, Musical Tires, Hide Race and Trailer Race. ($10 entry fee to participate.)

July 1-2 8 p.m.: Hub City Rodeo, Mt. Pleasant Rodeo Arena. Tickets $10 Adults, $4 kids 12 and under. Pre-show entertainment at 7 p.m., Mutton Bustin’ and Pig Chase.

July 1-4 TNT Mountain Man Rendezvous begins at City Park and continues each day.

July 3 7 p.m.: An American Spy in Russia, Mike Ramsdell, author of his true story, “A Train to Potevka” will speak in the Mt. Pleasant North LDS Stake Center.

July 4 7 a.m.: Sanpete Valley Health Care Breakfast, city park 9 a.m.: Book Sale on Library Lawn 11 a.m.: Children’s Parade, line-up starts at 10:30 a.m., at 700 South State Street by high school sign.

11:30 a.m.: Mammoth Parade, line-up anytime after 10 a.m., on 700 South between State Street and 500 West.

After Parade, Rubber Duckie Race in Pleasant Creek behind Main Street Businesses. Cost: $5.00 per duck.

Noon: VFW Lunch at the city park.

Craft/Food Booths. Carnival and Entertainment all day at the City Park 2 p.m.: Mt. Pleasant Youth City Council host free games, includes prizes 1 - 4 p.m.: Wagon Rides around the park area.

Dusk: Fireworks by Mt. Pleasant Fire Department

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

P YRAM ID SHO P P ER - M O RM O N M IRACL E P AG EAN T

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Camping at the pageant Lost and

Camping at the Manti City Park, 200 North 300 West, is allowed only during the Mormon Miracle Pageant.

Reservations are not taken it is on a first come first serve basis. The park is within walking distance of the temple grounds.

Bathroom facilities are provided but there are no showers. Set up tents/trailers. A camp fee collector will visit and collect fees.

Other camping sites in the area include Skyline Mountain Cabins/ RV park, 22130 N 11750 E, RR1 Box 247, Fairview, UT 84629. Phone (435) 427-9590; Big Mountain RV Campground Fountain Green. Phone (435) 623-4800.

Temple Hill Resort RV Park, 296 East Johnson Road, Manti, UT 84642. Phone (435) 835-2267; Autumn Family Reunion, southeast of town, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647. Phone (801) 473-8621.

Buckhorn Flat Resort Campground, seven miles east of Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647. Phone: (435) 851-4357.

Camper World, 2903 South 1700 East, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647. Phone (435) 462-2010.

Carter’s RV Park, P.O. Box 374, 150 West 1000 South, Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647.

Phone: (435) 462-2226.

Palisade State Park, 2200 Palisade Road, Sterling, UT 84665. Phone: (435) 835-7275.

Points of interest beckons visitors

The Historic Manti City Hall, 191 North Main, will be open from 2 to 8 p.m., with a museum type display of old pictures and artifacts to honor the early settlers of Manti. The building is also the Tourist Information Center to answer questions about the Pageant, where to eat or stay and places to go for fun and sightseeing.

The Horseshoe Mountain Quilt Guild will host its annual quilt show in the Historic City Hall located at 39 North Main. Many beautiful and unique hand-made quilts

will be displayed.

The replica pioneer dugout will be open for tours from 5 - 9 p.m., everyday during the Mormon Miracle Pageant. A volunteer will be on hand to give an oral history of the dugout’s use by early pioneers.

The Central Utah Art Center, located on Main Street in Ephraim, will also be open during Pageant.

The Fairview Museum at 85 North 100 East in Fairview will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

found The Mormon Miracle Pageant maintains a “Lost and Found” station where lost and found items are reported and turned in. Lost children or family members are also taken to this location for quick and easy reuniting with family. The “Lost and Found” station is located north-west of the Temple grounds at the east door of the Family History Center. The phone number is 435-835-9685 For emergency medical treatment, a first aid station is located on the west side of the Manti LDS Temple at 450 North 100 East. There will also be emergency medical personnel patrolling the temple grounds on four-wheelers. For all other emergencies, please contact the Sanpete County Sheriff’s office at (435) 8352191 or dial 911. For more information on the Mormon Miracle Pageant or tourism information for the Sanpete area, call (435) 835-3000 or (888) 255-8860.

Many LDS temples have a statue of the Angel Moroni on the spire, but some do not. When asked about the Manti Temple, late Temple President Reuel E. Christensen remarked that he supposed that an angel with a trumpet to his lips, his robes blowing in the evening breeze as portrayed in a wonderfu scene in the Mormon Miracle Pageant, might suggest why the tower was finished with a platform instead of a spire on the tower. The Angel Moroni will be played by Mark Bishop and Dane Olsen.

Welcome to

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Call Manti City Offices for Information

(435) 835-2401 MORMON MIRACLE PAGEANT June 16-18, 21-25 SANPETE COUNTY FAIR August 19-27

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P YRAM ID SHO P P ER - M O RM O N M IRACL E P AG EAN T

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

General pageant information The Mormon Miracle Pageant takes place at the foot of the Manti LDS Temple in the central Utah town of Manti. The best mode of transportation is by charter bus or car, which requires an approximate driving time of two hours from Salt Lake City in northern Utah or just under two and onehalf hours from Cedar City in southern Utah. There are two seperate routes to take coming from northern Utah.

The first is as follows: I-15 south to U.S. Highway 6 in Spanish Fork. Take Highway 6 east to U.S. Highway 89. Turn south on Highway 89 which takes you directly to Manti. The other route from the north would follow I-15 south to U.S. Highway 132 in Nephi. Take Highway 132 east to U.S. Highway 89.

Turn south on Highway 89 which takes you directly to Manti. The best route from southern Utah would be I-15 north to I-70. Take I-70 east to U.S. Highway 89 in Salina. Turn north on Highway

89 which takes travelers directly to Manti. Convenience locations Translators: Language translation will be provided by missionaries at the missionary booth on the southwest corner of the temple grounds. Approximately 200 headphones will be available those speaking Spanish or Japanese. Hearing impaired: Signing for the nearing impaired will be available on a TV monitor each night instead of being signed live so that the service can be offered for each performance. Culinary water: Drinking fountains are located directly west of the temple on 100 East. First aid: The Visitor’s Center will provide first aid information. An ambulance will be on stand-by during pageant performances. Wheelchair, handicapped: Accommodations for wheelchairs and handicapped seating are available at each performance. Ushers will be able to assist with locating these accommodations. Lost and

Found The Mormon Miracle Pageant also maintains a “Lost and Found� station where lost and found items are reported and turned in. Lost children or family members are also taken to this location for quick and easy reuniting with family.

The “Lost and Found� station is located northwest of the Ttmple grounds at the east door of the Family History Center. For emergency medical treatment, a first aid station is located on the west side of the Manti Temple at 450 North 100 East.

There will also be emergency medical personnel patrolling the temple grounds on four-wheelers. For all other emergencies, contact the Sanpete County Sheriff’s office at (435) 835-2191 or dial 911. For more information on the Mormon Miracle Pageant or tourism information for the Sanpete area, listen to the county information radio station at 1610 AM on the radio; or call (435) 8353000 or (888) 255-8860.

Pageant plays vital part in Sanpete Summer

In the Bible, it talks about the Savior’s “other sheep.� The pageant depicts this scripture when Christ visits America, blessing the lives of the people and organizing his church on this continent.

‘A Witness for Jesus Christ’

As the sun is setting in the western skies of Sanpete County, The Mormon Miracle Pageant performance is presented free of charge to audiences gathered from near and far.

The pageant cast of hundreds; men, women and children, portray three different stories from the restoration of the LDS Church, from scenes from the Book of Mormon, to the journey of persecuted pioneers, seeking a safe haven in which to live their religion.

In the Bible, in John 10:16, it talks about the Savior’s other sheep. The ‘Christ in America’ scene shows His visit to those “other sheep� and the Savior’s love for all people.

The scene shows Jesus healing the sick, blessing little children and organizing His church. So wondrous was the impact of His visit, the people lived in

perfect harmony for over 200 years.

This sacred scene portrays just one of the many events which are recorded in The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The book, translated by Joseph Smith, Jr., a modern day prophet, tells the tale of a branch of the house of Israel whose ancestors left Jerusalem about 600 B.C. These ancient people had prophets who foretold of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem and whose life and death would redeem all mankind from sin.

Other scenes tell of the spiritual and military leaders of this ancient people.

When Lehi, a prophet who left Jerusalem with his family, arrived in the Americas, a rebellion among his sons caused the people to divide into two great nations who had constant contentions

and wars with each other.

Mormon, one of the last prophets to write in The Book of Mormon, witnesses the total destruction of his people and before dying, gives the sacred record to his son, Moroni.

After adding some of his own words to the record, Moroni buries the plates in a hill, where they stayed until 1820 when he revealed them to Joseph Smith Jr. Another of the stories is one of Robert and Mary Henshaw, a fictional pioneer family, who after learning about the new religion founded by Smith, traveled across the plains to escape mob persecutions.

People of all ages attend this pageant year after year, coming from all parts of the country by all sorts of vehicles including tour buses to enjoy the spiritual and exciting atmosphere of Temple Hill.

For participants, visitors and residents of Sanpete County, The Mormon Miracle Pageant held annually in Manti, plays an important role in their lives. Participants, whether as part of the cast or crew, means being part of an exciting and unique production. “Being in the pageant was the highlight of every summer,� said one former cast member. “I always missed it when it was over.�

Even though pageant participation means many long hours of practice and preparation for cast and crew, it is a wondrous and memorable time. It gave them a chance to have fun and socialize with a group of kids they would not have met otherwise.

Participation in the pageant brings satisfaction and friendships that could be found in other summer activities, but the pageant brings another dimension of meaning.

A former pageant president mentioned the participants come away with

more understanding of the great heritage of the west, pioneers, settlers, their sacrifices and challenges.

The pageant also provides unique opportunities to play the part of someone cast members may have read about in a book. One cast member asked, “How often can people read a book and get to play a person they are reading about?�

He said it made the stories of LDS Church history, the Book of Mormon and American History come alive.

Many visitors also find they enjoy the atmosphere of excitement and inspiration when they include the pageant in summer activities.

Because there is not as much instant entertainment in rural areas, families and groups that visit the pageant count on each other to make their own fun.

Participants discover things about each other they wouldn’t otherwise known, because they have to rely on each other, making it more meaningful that way.

The pageant also gives visitors an opportunity to spend time rubbing shoulders with others. One person said, “Not a year goes by that I don’t see someone in the crowds at pageant that I haven’t seen in years.�

The pageant provides the perfect atmosphere for people to come together and renew acquaintances.

Visitors who come find they get more out of the pageant experience than just a social interaction. The inspiring message of the play, combined with the unique setting, reinforces the spirit. “To get out into the country and the mountains in the cool evenings and to be in the influence of the beautiful temple as a group, couple, single or as a family is a treasure.�

As people think toward the summer ahead, many automatically think of the treasure that awaits them as they spend at least part of their time at the Mormon Miracle Pageant. Some make it an annual part of their year.

Locals host breakfasts, dinners during pageant Latter-day Saint youth groups from Manti will host breakfasts on Friday and Saturday mornings during the pageant.

Breakfast menu’s will consist of ham, eggs, hot cakes, syrup, butter, juice and milk. A healthy way to start the day for a small cost of $4.

Breakfast will be served from 7 – 10 a.m. At the Manti

Tabernacle, 100 South Main; and at the Manti City Park, East Pavillion, 100 North 300 West.

Dinner will be hosted by the Manti Improvement Business Association with identical menus which will consist of barbecued turkey, whipped potatoes with gravy, green beans, tossed salad, rolls and cake. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children under 11

years of age. Reservations are not needed.

Dinners will be served from 5 – 8:30 p.m., in the Manti Tabernacle, 100 South Main, every night of the pageant; and at the Manti LDS Stake Center, 300 South Main, Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s of both weeks.

Credit cards will not be accepted and checks need to be issued to “Manti City.�

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7

Vocalists to perform National Anthem at Mormon Miracle Pageant

Robert Charles Peel will open the Mormon Miracle Pageant by singing the National Anthem for the dress rehearsal Wednesday, June 15. He recently returned from serving in the Indiana, Indianapolis LDS Mission. He has experience as an amateur performer and sang in the North Sanpete High School concert choir, under the direction of Dr. Roy Ellefsen.

In a singing competition, Peel earned perfect scores at both region and state levels and performed in many productions including ‘Guys and Dolls’ and ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ Peel has performed in the Manti Miracle Pageant for two years.

He is currently taking vocal lessons from Carissa Hilton

Gay Bastian The National Anthem will be sung by Gay Gibbons Bastian Thursday, June 16.

She is a native of Star Valley, WY; and holds a bachelor of music from the Utah State University, a masters of music from the University of Utah, and has done postgraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music.

She currently resides in Axtell with her husband, Bevan Vern Bastian, and is the mother of six children.

Sam Riddle Sam Riddle will sing the National Anthem Friday, June 17. While growing up in New York City, he started playing the piano at the age of two, and by 10, was an accompanist for vocal auditions on Broadway.

At the age of 14, Riddle’s family moved to Montana.

Though it was a major culture shock at the time, the Big Sky country proved to be formidable in terms of his life and his music.

For the past five years, Riddle has been performing seven nights a week at various up-scale lounges and piano bars on the Las Vegas strip. He opened for and played along with some of the biggest acts in the world while working on his talent. When the opportunity came to record an album in the Salt Lake City area, he jumped right on it.

Riddle’s new album, ‘Hello,’ is full of uplifting, original songs that show his amazing voice and tremendous piano skills wrapped up into a style all his own.

The Liddells A group consisting of President Joseph Liddell, second counselor in the Mormon Miracle Pageant presidency, and his sons, John, Jesse, Bert and Mike, will perform the National Anthem Saturday, June 18.

President Liddell was born in Tooele, served an LDS Mission in New Zealand, and graduated from Brigham Young University.

He married Eloise Johnson and they have five sons and one daughter. The couple have lived in Manti for 26 years while he was employed as a court reporter for the Sixth and Seventh Judicial Districts.

John, resides in St. George with his wife, Joanna Briggs Liddell, and three children.

He served in the Oklahoma Tulsa LDS Mission and is employed by Skywest Airlines.

Jesse, lives in Magna with his wife, Jeanette. They are the parents of five children.

He served in the Italy Mila-

Rhonda Black

Robert Peel

no LDS Mission and is employed by Select Health.

Bert is completing a masters degree program at Georgia Tech University and is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He resides in Marietta, GA; with his wife, Adreann Bluff Liddell, and their three children. He served in the Raleigh North Carolina LDS Mission.

Mike served in the Russia Novosibirsk LDS Mission.

He is currently pursuing his doctoral program at Arizona State University and is married to Amber Thackery Liddell. They live in Mesa, Arizona.

The Liddell sons are all graduates of Manti High School and performed at many school, church, and community events as teenagers.

M and Ms M and M is trio of women who has been singing and performing together for longer than they care to admit, 15 years. The group will perform the National Anthem Tuesday, June 21. The trio named ourselves the M and M’S, but it is short for the “Musical Mothers of Murray,” as all live in the same community of Murray, and are good friends.

Between the four, they have 20 children and four grandchildren. The group enjoys performing for friends and groups in the valley, but their passion is the Christmas season where we prepare a short program that brings the Christmas spirit into many hearts.

They love to share it with some special people that mean a lot.

Music is an important part of their lives as they bring messages of hope and love to others. The women are grateful for their talents and have created a legacy of friendship that will last a lifetime.

Rhonda Black Rhonda Black will sing the National Anthem at the pageant Wednesday, June 22. She grew up in Texas and studied vocal performance at Stephen F. Austin (SFA) State University.

While attending on a vocal scholarship she studied under Dr. Deborah Dalton.

She also performed in audition choirs, various operas, and participated at NATS. Rhoda is a former member of the Utah Symphony Chorus and is fre-

Makaella Mecham

Bert Liddel

John Liddel

Gay Bastian

quently a soloist in community Messiah performances.

She is honored to be singing for the second time as a soloist at the Manti Mormon Miracle Pageant.

Black currently works for Real Property Management in Utah County and lives in the Lehi Jordan River LDS Stake with her four children. She is the daughter of Gene and Judy Holloway, Manti.

the Ms. Senior America pageant in 2007. Barton studied business and communications at Brigham Young University and Snow College and is CEO and president of her own business.

Barton and her husband have five children, 13 grandchildren, and 20 greatgrandchildren.

Barbara Barton Barbara F. Barton will perform the National Anthem Thursday, June 23.

She loves the arts and has performed in many musical and theatrical productions.

Barton has been a featured soloist in “The Messiah” at Snow College as well as the Mormon Miracle Pageant.

One of her fondest memories was giving two benefit concerts at Snow College to raise funds for the Mormon Miracle pageant when it first started.

Barton is a former Mrs. Utah and recipient of the Businesswoman of the Year Award and participated in

Michaella Mecham Performing the National Anthem Friday, June 24, will be Michaella Mecham.

She is 16 years old and lives in Bounfiful, with her parents and brother, Parker.

Mecham started singing at a young age. She sang her first solo in her secondgrade school program at the age of seven. Since then, she has performed many solos at school, church and other events.

She also has a passion for musical theater and has performed in musicals at school and the local community theater. Someday she hopes to write and perform her own music. Mecham expresses gratitude to her family for all their support

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Sam Riddle

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in vocal performance from the University of Utah. She has taught private voice lessons for 30 years and was a music instructor at Snow College for 10 years.

McGarry currently lives in Logan, where she is pursuing a second master’s degree in speech-language

pathology at Utah State University (USU), teaching private voice lessons at USU and is director of her ward choir. She has participated in the Mormon Miracle Pageant for many years along with her family. She is the mother of 10 children and enjoys camping, hiking and traveling.

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Lodging available during Pageant EPHRAIM House of Ephraim 10 North Main Street Ephraim, UT 84627 435-668-5223 Iron Horse Motel 670 North Main Street Ephraim, UT 84627 435-283-4223 Pherson House Bed & Breakfast 244 South Main Ephraim, UT 84627 435-283-8286 Willow Creek Inn 450 South Main Ephraim, UT 84627 877-283-4566 FAIRVIEW Skyline Motel 236 North State Street Fairview, UT 84629 435-427-3312 Costumes, set designs and props are just a few of the many items that have been perfected over the years, creating a performance FAYETTE that draws crowds back year after year by the thousands.

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Pageant creates spectacular imagery

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, a pageant can refer to a procession or ceremony in elaborate costume and the Mormon Miracle Pageant fits the definition perfectly.

Traditionally, pageants are colorful, spectacular and emotional. They usually feature a central theme and the action is described and clarified through related events.

There are peaks of high excitement and loud noises and valleys of peace and quiet, building to a dramatic climax. Directors, technicians and cast members must overcome special obstacles.

Most people do not understand that a pageant is different than a movie or a play.

They work with amateur actors and deal with lighting, blocking and weather

problems. The fact that they turn out a fine production each year is a miracle in itself. Scenes are developed through the use of vignettes and lighting.

The Mormon Miracle Pageant unfolds on several levels or elevations, with the lighting fixed so it seems each scene in an entirely different setting. The pageant is so well presented visitors seem to forget they are really in a quiet rural community, sitting in the shadow of the Manti LDS Temple.

They are transported back in time and place.

The pageant makes `visions’ that stay in the mind long after the event is over and visitors head home, back to the everyday routine.

The costumes for the Mormon Miracle Pageant are all

designed and constructed by an unseen troop of volunteers. They work virtually year-round making, repairing, reworking and checking costumes for the next presentation. Choosing fabrics and other items that will show up against the green grass of temple hill and catch the lights is of the highest priority.

Costumes have to be made so they can be adjusted easily as seamstresses do not know who will be filling the roles until approximately 20 days before the production.

When one thinks about collecting and distributing costumes for a cast of over 500 `actors,’ at each of the eight performances and keeping everything straight and in the correct place, the ordinary mind is boggled.

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

P YRAM ID SHO P P ER - M O RM O N M IRACL E P AG EAN T

9

Manti temple only contains pioneer period murals

The Manti LDS Temple contains the only temple murals dating from the pioneer period. C. C. A. Christensen, Minerva Teichert, John Hafen, J. B. Fairbanks, and Danquart Weggeland are among the artists represented.

At one point the plaster in the garden and world rooms, after nearly 80 years, had deteriorated so much that even valiant efforts to save the murals originally painted by Danquart Weggeland and C.C.A. Christensen failed.

The rooms were re-plastered and a high-quality sail canvas was applied to the walls. Renovation in the garden room was completed in 1945 and Robert L. Shepherd, Salt Lake City, painted the murals in that room, but the walls in the world room were still bare.

In August 1946, Teichert was in the LDS Church architect’s office where she presented a new concept for the world room murals to Edward O. Anderson, the architect.

On the basis of their conversation and Anderson’s recognition of her ability, she was selected to paint the new murals.

“I was so happy when they offered [the world room] to me,” Teichert wrote in 1946, “I almost had a heart attack.”

Teichert’s son, Robert, said, “I think she had a great deal of joy in knowing that President George Albert Smith trusted her to paint the world room in the Manti Temple.”

Teichert was the first woman in the LDS Church to be given such a commission. Although daunted with health problems caused by lead-poisoning including optic neuritis, abdominal pain and nausea, Teichert headed to the Manti Temple to look over the world room.

“I have the hardest Temple room I have ever seen to do, 21 feet high, 60 feet long and about 24 feet wide,” Teichert said. More precisely the room is 28 feet high, 50 feet long and 25 feet wide.

“What a big place it was to paint if you did it like a barn, let alone to put a story out there,” Teichert’s assistant, Frank Stevens, said.

In November 1946, after working nine days on plans, Teichert submitted her plans to church headquarters for approval. After being asked to redesign one wall, her approval came in March 1947.

Teichert was given a budget of $4,000 for the project.

Out of the budget she was to pay her expenses, buy paint and other supplies and hire and assistant. Teichert began the project April 17, 1947.

Teichert hired Frank Stevens was hired to paint the big spaces and move the scaffolding. Stevens joined Teichert April 24. The pair kept up a grueling schedule working from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each day, climbing up and down ladders and scaffolding.

“When I get down to my room, I just fall. I don’t care whether I eat or not,” noted Teichert.

She was motivated by a sense of urgency stemming from her desire to return home quickly, as well as

Minerva Teichert

wanting to please church authorities who expected her to be working there a month. It had taken artist Robert Shepherd six months to complete the “Garden of Eden” in the garden room of the Idaho Falls temple.

Teichert was determined to have her room completed in just a month.

For Teichert, scriptures were critical to the murals’ success. She studied scriptures, she quoted scriptures and was excited how the scriptures pertained to the prophecies which would happen to the world.

Teichert also gave Stevens art lessons on anatomy, particularly during their work on the north wall. Stevens was thrilled to be a part of the project and was inspired

by Teichert’s presence. “I’ve never met a person in my life that even compared with her in her enthusiasm for the gospel and the building of the kingdom and how art could play its part,” said Stevens.

Teichert reached her goal, the completion date was May 12, 1947. “It seems that my painting in Manti caused a little stir. Apostle Widstoe saw me at conference Sun-

day. He said, ‘Aren’t you the same Sister Teichert I left painting in Manti?’ He was staring at me wide-eyed. I said, ‘I finished it.’ ‘Finished,’ he said, incredulously. ‘How long did you work?’ ‘Exactly 23 days,’ I answered. He had wondered how many years I would be.”

Later, touch-ups were done to the room and changes were made with Teichert enjoying the process. Not an easy undertaking to paint nearly 4,000 square feet of wall which had to wrap under window, around doors and fit in tight corners and it had to stay true to the scriptures. But above all, it had to Young Joseph Smith Jr., was visited in his room by the Angel Moroni, who counseled the youth and gave him further instructions concerning his life and the sacred plates. Young Joseph Smith Jr. will be be shaped by prayer. played by Jace Cos, Nick Lutes and Bradly Sego.

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Manti Temple, white building of dreams Sharon Haddock,

When Nani Bendixen was a small girl, she loved visiting her grandfather in the Sanpete Valley. He would often take her on bumpy rides around his farm and point out a white building in the distance on a hill.

“See that building way out there,” he’d say. “That’s the Manti Temple. Your greatgrandparents were married there. Your grandmother and I were married there.

Your parents were married there.”

It’s a beautiful building now on a green and grassy hill, he explained but it wasn’t always so.

The site Brigham Young said was dedicated to be a temple site by the Book of Mormon prophet Moroni, was solid gray rock. Known as the Manti stone quarry, it was actually abundant in a cream-colored stone known as Manti oolite, used for the building’s exterior.

To make way for a temple building, the early Saints would tunnel back about 20-30 feet, then dig two 10foot wings at the end. They would then fill the cavity with several hundred pounds of gunpowder and explode the rock, dislodging 2,500 tons of rock, dirt and trees each time.

“It worked great except for the rubble it created,” said Bendixen, who presented a paper on the temple’s history at the Eleventh Annual Religious Education Student Symposium at Brigham Young University recently.

The rocks from that rub-

ble can be seen today in the foundations of many of the homes in the Manti area.

The master mason for the temple, Edward Parry, tells a story about the pair of mules he used to pull loaded wagons to the site and back.

When one day he couldn’t find them, he became distraught only to discover them already at the site eager to get to work.

Parry insisted on quality stone, once rebuking a worker for attempting to put a piece of cracked stone on the inside of the building where it wouldn’t show.

“That is not quite right,” Parry said. “You will know it, I will know it and the Lord will know it. Now remove the stone and replace it with one without flaws.”

The timber for the temple came from four sawmills in the area, the best cut down from the nearby woods known as Hell’s Kitchen. The timber grew so straight they could cut poles 60-75-feet long.

“So they used lumber from Hell’s Kitichen to build God’s temple,” said Bendixen.

Workmanship on the temple was largely done by Scandanavian carpenters more used to building boats than buildings.

To create the ceiling, they relied on skills they were comfortable with so, for instance, the temple’s interior ceiling is a boat bottom built upside-down by a Norwegian saint.

The walls are so completely true that a person can put their face against the side

Mormon Prophet Brigham Young reported that the site where the Manti LDS Temple was to be built was dedicated by ancient American prophet Moroni.

and see if there’s a fly down the way.

The two open-center circular stairways inside the west tower are two of only five such stairways in the world, two of the three in the United States, built without central support. The two 151-step tower staircases are widely acknowledged to be an engineering marvel.

Many of the workers at the time joked that all they used in the construction was a “spirit level.”

In the 11 years of temple construction, not one person died of injuries incurred

while working on it. In fact, Parry dreamt one night of a worker falling to his death so he arose and went to check on the scaffolding. Parry found a loose rope which he tightened thus preventing certain injury.

One unique feature is the carpet in the temple’s Celestial Room, which has 27 different colors woven into the design.

Another is the symbolism in the door catches, hinges and knobs created by John Patrick Reid — later interpreted by his grandson, Hugh W. Nibley to repre-

sent, among other things, eternal life.

There are many aspects of the Manti Temple that are unlike any of the other temples in existence. It used to be said that “the Manti Temple is the only temple you can go through without a recommend” because there was a large tunnel constructed under the east tower. One could actually come from either the south or the north and drive past both temple walls, thus going “through” the temple.

The temple’s water source is also noteworthy. Originally, all the water came from a

small spring near the temple.

Through the years, as the need for water has increased, the spring’s production has also miraculously increased.

Another temple story involved a 15-year-old boy, Lewis Anderson, who, while in bed waiting for broken bones to heal, dreamed in detail of a white building.

Years later, that boy became the temple president of the Manti Temple, serving 27 years in that role. He recognized the building when he saw it for the first time after he was grown, married and returned from two missions.

Pageant features large outdoor stage

The Mormon Miracle Pageant now in its 44th year, annually draws upward of 120,000 people during the eight nights of performances on the Manti LDS Temple Hill, one of the largest outdoor stages in America.

The sound, lights, dances and emotions which fill the air around temple hill attract visitors from all around the world.

The cast of over 500 people, with hundreds more involved in production, crowd management and food ser-

vices are all unpaid and offer services as a “labor of love,” according to pageant officials.

The pageant is sponsored by the LDS Church and poignantly tells the story of the beginnings of Mormonism; the rise and fall of an ancient people, as recorded in The Book of Mormon.

As the drama unfolds, the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith is martyred by an angry mob and the pioneers are driven from their homes in the east across

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the vast U.S. continent to make their homes in the sanctuary of an unsettled territory.

The new leader, Brigham Young, responds to a call to send men to fight for the U.S., as portrayed in moving patriotic scenes.

The men, known as the Mormon Battalion, leave their families on the plains and go serve their country.

As the pioneers arrive in the valley, trouble ensues and one of the pioneers is killed. His departure from this life and being met by

loved ones becomes the theme for the touching and emotional finale featuring a glorious angelic chorus, white lights and sound of heavenly promises enthralls the audience with great emotion and leaves them spiritually moved.

The Mormon Miracle Pageant was written by Grace Johnson, a noted Ephraim author, Macksene Rux, a writer and dramatist from Salt Lake City, rewrote the script into true pageant form, becoming the Mormon Miracle Pageant.

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Sanpete Search and Rescue organization plays multiple roles by serving the community throughout the year. The all-volunteer team give of their time, talents, resources and equipment, many times at risk to their own lives.

Search and Rescue plays key role in Sanpete County Sanpete County Search and Rescue plays a key role in the events of the county such as the 4th and 24th of July celebrations, Mormon Miracle Pageant and Sanpete County Fair.

The all-volunteer organization is well-trained in search and rescue, hazmat, traffic and crowd control, communication and public relations, using their time,

talents, resources and personal vehicles, often at great risk to their lives.

The group is a big part of the Mormon Miracle Pageant as members spend untold hours ensuring the safety of visitors and keeping traffic flowing as smoothly as possible. The group goes about their duties quietly and deserve a great deal of gratitude for their many efforts.

Mt. Pleasant Hub City Rodeo JUNE 30 FUN NIGHT

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Mt. Pleasant Arena Tickets: $10.00 Adult, $4.00 kids Free Admission EVENTS INCLUDE: Barrel 12 and under Racing, Musical Tires, Hide Race and Trailer Race. ($10 entry fee to participate)

Rodeo Contractor: Mascaro’s Circle J Rodeo Pre-show Entertainment, Mutton Bustin’ at 7 p.m.

Pre-registration only for Mutton Bustin’ 6 to 8 p.m., June 27, $10 entry fee for first 25 contestants ~ ages 7 and under.

Pig chase: age 10 & under For more information, call Debbie at 462-3816