OCR Text |
Show r Page 8A - The Pyramid Shopper - July 10, 1996 The Mormon by Linnie Findlay For 50 weeks of the year, Manti is a quiet little country town where fanners tend their lands and livestock, and merchants and business people supply the needs of the community. Sheep and cattle graze in nearby pastures, and grain, hay and turkeys are major farm crops. But for two weeks in mid-Juleach year for the past 30 years, thousands of visitors have poured into and out of Sanpete Valley to see the spectacular Mormon Miracle Pageant as it "unfolds m sweeping splendor" on the south slope of the hill which stands the majestic Manti LDS Temple. The record attendance set last year was 166,000 people attending. They come in cars, campers, trailers, buses, motorcycles or by airplane. Several youth groups have come long distances on bicycles, and in 1980, a group of over 200 people from Price pulled handcarts across the mountains to Manti to see the Pageant, and to learn firsthand something about the pioneer experience. The story of the pageant actually began in 1820, with the beginning of Mormon History, and goes back into Book of Mormon times, reviewing the promises made by the Lord to the people who lived in the land of America, and the bitter consequences when they turned away from those promises. It covers the troubled period of the fledgling church in New England and in the American heartland and the long and arduous trek to the mountain valleys in the west. It was to capture the story that Grace Johnson first embarked on a lecture tour to Rotary-Kiwanclubs in New England many years ago. "Its so easy to become complacent and forget about the impact the Mormon Story had on the settlement of America," she said in an interview, as she recalled that "the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints, or Mormons, with their constant movement westward until they finally settled in what is now Utah, was a factor that completely changed the face of America. y, 12 - 13, Miracle-Jul- y "They launched a thousand ships of immigration, flooding the New World with divergent cultures, bringing skills, trades and arts with them to build a unique commonwealth as they worked together to make the barren desert blossom." Johnson was requested by LDS Church officials to present her lecture in the great tabernacle in Salt Lake City as part of the church-wid- e June Conference in 1947, commemorating the centennial of the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in Salt Lake valley. Published then and offered for sale by Deseret Book, The Mormon Miracle was sponsored for if a tour in six western states, given by Johnson, concluding in the Assembly Hall in Salt Lake City. Brigham Young University presented it in 1964 with a cast and narrators and with music choir. It provided by a was also offered as a baccalaureate service in the Church College of Hawaii. The first year the Mormon Miracle Pageant was presented, 2,000 people were in attendance in addition to the cast, choir and orchestra. Those present when the pageant was first presented on the county fairgrounds at Manti in 1967 remember the two great 75-voi- ce 16-2- 0 storm centers that raged overhead as the rain began to splatter off violins, while the live orchestra and chorus took their places. After the opening prayer, although angry black clouds hung low and threatening, there was no more storm during the production. Thunder and lightening burst forth occasionally, giving reality to scenes that spoke of homeless, driven people "under rain drenched skies, but the rain held off until the conclusion, and then, before everyone could get to their cars, the clouds broke apart, and the rain came down in torrents. Things have changed since then. The pageant is now held on was essential the south slope of the Manti Organization orchestra and and a a with Hill, professional cast, large Temple sound tape supports the actors. choir performing live. In 1969, But the great spirit that has Macksene Rux and Francis Urry been felt in each presentation has narrated the performance, but in been constant. It is that great 1970, BYUs Sound Services spirit of peace and love and produced a professional sound brotherhood to which people track in the Bonneville Interna- -, tional studios in Salt Lake City. respond. Here Grace Johnson gives credit to the Lord for the success she knew from the original lecture and Mormon Miracle story. She has said, "When the Lord gives you an idea, you have a responsibility to do something about it. " For performances the first three years, a choir and orchestra gleaned from local communities accompanied the cast. Former Sixth District Court Judge Don V. Tibbs, Manti, played the part of a mobber in the pageant in early years. This system is still in use today. It features music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus. It provides those occupying the 10,000 chairs, as well as lawn areas, with high quality sound. Where there was once only fields of' corn, thousands will gather to again view the Mormon Miracle Pageant schedule July 0 and this year. The program begins at dusk around 9 p.m. 11-1- 3, 16-2- I I n t v I I If MM 1 0 Rv-- l is i 1 it ! i isms Laiiies Daryl Mangelson portrayed young Joseph Smith in the pageant, kneeling in prayer in the sacred grove. His voice the tape pageant-goer- s currently hear. 1967 is on i I M is a beautiful restored &3S o sgjXSffiQ, LDtEg7 KfcUS? Victorian, with stained glass windows an a hand painted ceiling. (33 o 0 Each room has a private bath. Suite Available. Family We are located on Highway 89 Right on your way to the Pageant Call for reservations 7 or Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647 462-933- 298 South State , TUDIO OF PHOTOGRAPHY 21 North Main Manti, Utah 84642 Ql-800-428-90- 't h 4 (801) David A. Peterson 835-284- jit 57 A South Central Utahs Premiere Wedding Specialists Q Beautiful Bridal & Engagement Portraits Wedding Invitations Gilman & Company E.R. GILMAN Manager Unique Gifts Excellent Selection 67 South Main Manti, Utah 84642 7 r nt Food: Local LDS ward members will be serving breakfast and Translators: Translation will be provided by missionaries at the missionary booth on the southwest corner of the Temple grounds. Deaf Services: Sign interpreters may be contacted at the directors booth on the Pageant grounds prior to the performance. Culinary Water: Drinking fountains are located directly west of the Temple on 100 East. First Aid: The Visitors Center will provide first aid information. An ambulance will be on stand-b- y during pageant performances. 1 (Cl i Die ms Convenience locations dinner as follows: Breakfast will be served in two locations the Manti Tabernacle at 100 South and Main Streets, and at the Manti Stake Center on Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, and the following week on Wednesday through Saturday, July 17 through 20, from 7 to 10 a. m. menu will The breakfast consist of ham, eggs, pancakes, and milk or juice. Dinners will be served at the Manti Tabernacle and at the Manti Stake Center, 295 S. Main, from 5 to 8 p.m. every evening of the Pageant. The bill of fare includes: roast beef or barbecued turkey, baked potato with sour cream or potatoes and gravy, string beans, green salad or Jell-- 0 salad, and dessert. Manti eateries include: Bright Spot, 120 S. Main; Country Village Restaurant, 115 N. Main; and Lotsa Motsa Pizza, 101 S. Main. Other eating establishments are located in surrounding communities. 1 ' Wedding Accessories Families & Large Group Creative Senior Portraits Proms & Dances Copy) & Restoration Passports while you wait) Bomplete Bustom Black &Wk ite a 1 1 M 6r Bolor Lab with. Same Day film Processing v 1 . I |