We just returned from participating in the 2013 Hill Cumorah Pageant: America's Witness for Christ. It was an experience unlike any other I have had. Not only were we the finest Book of Mormon actors and actresses of the year, we also became missionaries, tourists, foodies, and friends. It was physically exhausting and spiritually invigorating! It was the best of times. it was the worst of times. Overall it was incredible, and particularly now that I am home I feel a homesickness for that beautiful and peaceful hill and a longing to be with those people again.
We arrived on July 5 in the evening, ate dinner, and then were sent to the bowl to be cast. Now, I had a desire to be a dancer, so I danced for about 10 minutes in the dancing audition and then felt kind of silly and chickened out. I am glad I did, though. I was soon approached by one of the director's who talked to me for a moment and then came back and asked me to be a shepherd during the nativity scene that Nephi sees in a vision. He told me the shepherd child had some special needs and she would need a little extra help. I felt touched to be asked to this and excited for my part.
Erik was cast as King Noah's guard who chases Alma out of town. Jim (Erik's dad) was chosen as one of King Noah's wicked priests. He was then asked if he had any sons with him, and that's how Erik became one of the guards.
Alyssa was with me as an Alma convert later on and we also were in the Christ multitude scene together with Nana, Taylor, and Krystalee.
The next week became one of the most difficult weeks of my life, particularly as a mother. Alyssa ate very little and shared several tantrums with us. It was uncharacteristic over her and very hard to deal with, particularly because her schedule was so different from what she was used to. But we made it through! I would take her again in a heart beat if I had to do this pageant over. Even though it was challenging, she became so invested in the pageant.
Alyssa was the delight of everyone at the Hill. Her hair was commented on multiple times a day and her personality was endearing. She loved seeing Nana, and Nana's purse, every day. She did all the arm movements with us during the opening scene. She loved running to the stage "wabing" to everyone! She didn't particularly care to have her picture taken, but if you gave her popcorn, she was amiable. She even got one audience member to give her his whole bag of popcorn! She knew that she could expect candy each night after getting her costume off.
Alyssa knows the Nephi built a ship and that Nephi and his brothers got married. She could even point out the person portraying Nephi off stage even though she normally saw him on a tv with really poor lighting. She knew that Mommy was pretending to be a shepherd and that Daddy was Noah's guard who chases Alma. One night she told me that she wanted to chase Alma! She also knew that Papa was on stage when Daddy was on stage. She was aware that the destruction scene was unpleasant. But she knew that afterwards the actor who was portraying Christ would come and she loved seeing him! When Christ ascends into heaven after visiting the Nephites we would all raise our arms slowly. Alyssa also raised her arm slowly. She was right on cue every time.
Alyssa made many friends. By the end of pageant she would hug them when she saw them. She would even hug girls and boys that looked about 9-10 years old even if she didn't know them. She played in the dirt and walked on walls. She could get herself a drink from a water cooler. Her growth overall was incredible over the two weeks we were there!
The local missionaries did a series of training. It was helpful for not only our efforts teaching those who came to see the pageant, but also for life. We have such a beautiful message. Christ lives and loves each one of us. The principle that seemed most prominent to me throughout the pageant was that God speaks to us. Over and over the prophets received the word of God. Joseph Smith wanted to know His will. Joseph prayed and God spoke to him. The principle is the same for each and every child of God. We can know for ourselves. We do not have to take someone else's word for it. God will touch our hearts and enlighten our understanding so that we may know that this is His Gospel!
Erik and I found that the nights we spend in the bowl talking and teaching people were the nights that were the most meaningful. We spent many hours practicing, we all knew where to walk, when to get on stage and when to get off. But when we talked to people it was like we were performing for them! We met a couple who had heard of the pageant for years. There were bits of it on tv, it was in the newspaper, people talked about. So they came this year. They traveled an hour to see what it was about. They brought their own chairs and were sitting as close as they possibly could. They seemed a bit disinterested with our scriptures and teaching. We were not the first ones to talk to them. But afterwards Erik and I separately saw them. They were changed. She told Erik that it was beautiful. He told me a sincere thank you. It was marvelous. They had felt the spirit and gained something they had not had before.
The second week was a bit more relaxed. My family came into town to see the pageant and it was nice to spend time with them. Alyssa was able to have quite a bit of bonding time with both families, which was wonderful for her and for them! We went to Niagara Falls. We saw the Sacred Grove. We visited the Grandin Printing Shop where the Book of Mormon was published. We went swimming in the hotel pool. We played games and ate lots of food.
The shows went well. One time we almost didn't make it on stage for the presentation of the Christ child. One night it was canceled. But all in all it was fantastic!
I was a bit skeptical of the pageant when we first arrived. People who were returning for their second, third, thirteenth, and fourteenth time were very enthused. We were told we could change lives. We were all about this big mission. But what could two weeks really do? How many people not of our faith would really come? Was this elaborate production that would reach about 35,000 people really make that much of a difference in a world where the population is over 6 billion?
I will tell you now, however, that I am a pageant believer. It is one of God's tools. It's impacts are far reaching. It not only changes those who watch, but also those who participate. And it isn't really the pageant per se that has made the change. It is the Spirit of the Lord that accompanies it and touches the lives of the people. Anyone can have this change, this conviction. It requires a bit more effort for some that others. It comes from putting aside the world, from turning off the distractions, from turning to the Lord and seeking His will and going to work. It is worth it!
