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Show if ywniijiriiyftnfiiinynatn Messenger-Enterpris- Letters to the Editor Urv fMSEJCE Smi5Ii&ID? & ID? ID TfiimaffilP ! I have changed my title this week. Last week, the heading said, "written by the publisher". This week it says, "written by the ad manager." The change actually took place from In the past few weeks news articles have appeared, and concerns have been expressed which seem to suggest that there is a need to clarify and better inform the public. To us it is a validation of the great love and commitment that the people have for the Mormon Miracle Pageant again. It's kind of nice. I can go to work and work a full day's work, draw a paycheck, and am not responsible for the office completely. I needed this. Part of my addiction is a tendency to be obsessive about everything, including work. I took on myself the total responsibility for the office, and am a "workaholic". Although this has its good points, it's not good for addicts. One of the suggestions made in Narcotics Anonymous is the slogan "Easy Does It." Part of my addiction is a push, a drive to do everything compulsively. This can get me into real trouble. If I work too hard, and bury myself too completely in a project, I lose that "balance" that people need to be complete. How often are we advised, "Eat regularly, exercise regularly, work well, play and have fun, learn to relax?" This simple advice will help us live a balanced life. A life where family, wife, children, friends are more important than work, but where work must be done to support the The investment of time and effort over the years have infused into our souls deep feelings of ownership and devotion. Coupled with tat investment are countless accounts of the spiritual impact of the pageant on many people, and the resulting conversion and or activation in their lives. We share in those feelings and concerns when the subject of a new pageant is discussed. These news articles and the verbally expressed concerns of several people indicate that some rumors family. tended to put my energy into the "things" of life, and not to the "people", the really important part. A job attention pay is a "thing", used to help people. When that gets twisted around, you have a "workaholic", someone who puts so much energy into work that the family becomes neglected. This leads to pressure, stress, and eventually, heart attacks and strokes. So my motto today is, "Easy Does It." I'm going to put in my honest day's work, do my best, and then go home and enjoy my family. I try to walk to work every day. I don't skip meals. (I've lost 20 lbs., since treatment. I'm down to 265 from 285, and I'm only 6 feet tall.) Those two changes have helped. All I do is eat three meals, and not in between meals as much. It feels good. I have more energy now. I'm actually getting more done at the office (productively, that is) in 8 hours, than when I spent 12 and 14 hours there, while being stoned at the time. When I started writing this column, I had grandiose ideas in mind. I thought I would expound great wisdom to the suffering masses. Garbage! I think it would be more honest to just let you know how I am doing. I'll share my thoughts of the moment with you, but don't look for the wisdom of the universe in this column. Just the thoughts of an addict, who, thank God, is in recovery today. On Tuesday, May 7th, I got my y chip. 60 days, clean and sober! I thank God for that miracle, and the program of recovery, the Anonymous programs, and the other recovering addicts and alcoholics who advise and pray for me, and for all other people who keep me in their thoughts and prayers. Thank you, all! need clarification. I To perhaps ease the anxiety, and cleahe air of any suspicion there are some facts that we might share. 1. The Church Missionary Committee's expressed purpose for writing a new pageant, is the studied review of all media effort in the Churchs program, and -- 60-da- 2. The proposed new pageant is being written, but because it is not com pleted, the question of it meeting the above criteria is Thoughts about the pageant Replace? Why argue with success? Is it possible that 136,000 visitors annually are willing to accept mediocrity. (This figure is an average of attendance for the past four pageant seasons.) It should be kept in mind that if a new pageant is written, we must relinquish the title The for The Mormon Miracle, Mormon Miracle is the literary gem written and published by Grace Johnson, from which the pageant has evolved. If a new pageant is written, we relinquish the sound track; we would then say goodbye to the magnificent narration by Macksene Rux and Francis L. Urry, as well as the powerful moving music that establishes the mood of each and scene. The narration, the music, the setting ... all are superb. The roll of the drum, the sight of Old Glory, the thrilling scenes of Washington, Jefferson, and the great American Indian ... these have given new dimension to "the American Dream." If the Mormon Miracle Pageant is being retired, then do we mothball the elegant costumes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and all the rest ... costumes made with painstaking patience by dedicated women in this area? The scenery so carefully built men ... scenery by already-busand improved made, with the years ... would that also go into storage? y rem-mad- e, What impels the hundreds of people involved in language translation, seating, traffic management, food services, and transportation, make-up- , health services to give so freely of their time? It has become for them a total labor of love ... indeed, here is a Mormon miracle in action. Not since the Manti Temple was built has any single event inspired so many hundreds of people, out of sheer devotion, to give their all to such a cause! It has inspired It has brought burning testimony. Conversions have been made. Lives have been enriched. Yes, the history of the pageant has been one of improvement and refinement, and so it should continue to be ... but write a new and different pageant? That decision should be made very carefully and prayerfully. Mary Peacock Manti, Utah self-sacrific-e. on-goin- g WERE FIGHTING FOR NOURUFE American Heart ffK Association yet to be answered as to quality and message. Those who are creating the pageant, have seen the current pageant more than once, and will have access to copies of the old pageant script. 3. If a new pageant is accepted, it may or may not be ready for next years production. If it is not, we will continue as at present. The point to remember is that this year is the 25th year of the Mormon Miracle Pageant Next year will be the 26th year, with either the current very successful script, or a new script of equal quality. This is our trust and hope. 4. We have been assured that our input and desires will be sought and listened to as a proposed script is written, scored and produced. We want to have a pageant that involves our people, youth and adults, and have the quality of script that will win the same type of devotion we all feel for the production of the last 25 years. If a new pageant doesnt meet the standards of y To the Editor: I have been making an intensive search for information about my father, Irvin S." Anderson. I was born in 1945 and was two years old when he died. I have a brother, Bobby, who was eight when our father died. As near as I can tell, father had two brothers, Thomas and Ken and one sister Margaret With the limited information I do have, it shows that he was born in Ephraim on July 12, 1911 and died July 15, 1948 in Oakland, California. My mother has also passed away. She refused to give me any information concerning my father. They were probably married in 1937. There is some question concerning what the initial S stands for in his name probably either Simon or Samuel. by Max i I have recently completed one of the most eqjoyable things I have done since coming to Manti ten years ago. With the help of several cousins, we have raised and contributed $1,000 to the Manti Destiny Committee. This relatively small amount, when added to other contributions, will help complete work on the Mortal Moroni Statue Gardens project, which is being financed entirely by private contributions. When completed, the effort expended will be recognized as a fitting adjunct to our beautiful temple, which Gordon B. Hinckley has characterized as the jewel among the 43 operating temples of the LDS Church. I consider my efforts a fun project because it was easy to collect the $ 1 ,000. We contacted Call interesting experience Monday evening. I had an Dick Peterson, Recreation Director for the Central Utah Correctional Facility (CUCF) called me the other day and insisted that I umpire a ball game Monday evening. It seems this is Corrections Week and the staff at CUCF have put s not together a number of activities to pay homage (that souls to stalwart what they call it, but thats what it is) those is activities who run the show down there. One of those want some of the having a ball game every night. "We citizens in the area to umpire," Dick said. outstanding His flattery worked and I agreed. But Ive never umpired a ball game before, and I dont know beans about the game. Thats all right, he said. Half the players dont know beans about it either. Besides, its just for fun. If you make a few mistakes it wont be serious." So, Monday evening at 6 p.m. I was at the Gunnison High School ball park to give it a try. I asked Dick if there were any special rules for the game. He said no, but I could make up a few of my own as we went along. Ephraim and riding horses when they came to visit. It is my hope that there may be someone living in Ephraim - perhaps a relative - who could help me in my search. I would be eternally grateful for any clues or suggestions as to where to look. As the score mounted in the game Monday night, I was reminded of the story about the little leaguers. As these two teams were playing, a man approached one of the players on the bench. Whats the score?" he asked. 33 to 0 in favor of them, was the reply. the Church Missionary Committee, we will still have the grand production that has touched people so effectively in the past. We are comforted in any anxiety, by the history of the past, that right will prevail, and the future success of the pageant is sure, because the Kingdom is directed by inspired people. The great spirit that has accompanied the production in the past will be with us still, and hearts will continue to be touched both by those who view it, and maybe even more for those who participate in the production and those who service the many pageant needs. Mormon Miracle Pageant Presidency LeMar Hanson Doug Barton Don Olsen I believe he may have attended school in Ephraim around 1927. Also I believe he was a Mormon. My brother remembers visiting relatives in - -- -- Doesnt that make you discouraged? asked the man. Heck no, replied the fledgling. We havent been up to Around the end of May my wife and I are coming to Ephraim and Manti to continue our search. Please call me collect if you can help me. Sincerely, Donald J. Anderson and wife Audrey 5174 Orange Blossom Lane Chino, California 91710 phone bat yet! Overheard at the ball game: "Knock, knock!" "Whos there?" "Gill." "Gill who?" collect: "Gill the umpire!" 628-650- 9 Completes 'fun' project To the Editor: E. The two teams playing were: the CUCF team and a conglomeration of players from the South Sanpete School District. I didnt see Supt. Lewis Mullins there. I suspect it was because he didnt want his employees to see him fan out I discovered that calling balls and strikes was easy enough. My biggest trouble was seeing around catcher Paul Gottfredson. Hes just a bit broad you know. But the catcher for the CUCF team, Sandra Nunley is just a slip of a lady and she always crouched down where she belonged and I could see all right. By the way, Sandy turned in a stalwart performance, not only as a catcher, but she hit a couple of pretty impressive hits also. In fact she hit one double which drove in two runs. Before the game started I told the teams that I didnt know what I was doing, but that I expected no guff from any of them. I must have intimidated them because no one challenged me. Ill admit that at one point when I shouted STEEERIKE", Doug Birk, the batter, turned around and gave me a dark look . . . but he didnt say anything. And I suspect that Darrell Warren, South Sanpetes pitcher, was tempted to complain a couple of times, but he discreetly remained silent 'Another question came up when, after an out, I announced that the side was retired with three men out I think there are only two out," one of the batting team said. I felt in my jacket pocket and there were three coins. (Thats the way I kept track. Every time there was an out I took a coin from my pants pocket and put it into my jacket pocket.) I have three coins in my pocket and that means three outs," I announced. They didnt argue, probably because they were about ten points ahead at that stage. All in all, it was a lot of fun, not only for me but for the players. Nobody really cared who won, but they had a ball anyway. So anytime any of you need a ball game umpired, when it doesnt matter who wins, and nobody cares ifa few strikes are called balls or vice versa, give me a call. My fee is reasonable just a little smile and a few kind words is all I ask. Seeks information W lnite Uttera la lha EdHer tram out raadera. Uttera muat ba signed, ba in goad tnata, not alandaroua, and ItmMad la 500 word. Wa raaarm tha right te withhold namaa adth sufficient cauao. A too, ana latinr month. , pteses par paraon pat To refine, improve, modify, beautify ... that has been the history of the pageant since its inception. But to eliminate? currently pageants in particular. This was done under direction of the First Presidency. Because of this study, all pageants, over a period of time, were to be rewritten to center the focus more closely to the concept of Christ We are the third in review. The Missionary Committee stated to us that the motive was not to fix the very successful Mormon Miracle Pageant, but that there was a need to bring all media together in the focus that seems most right for our missionary approach ' to the world. : Letters to the Editor To the Editor: word 'trivia comet from Latin (or three wayt. It alluded to what we Intersection. At now call a three-wa- y such crossroads, people stopped to trade small talk. And so the talk Itself came to be called trivia. Th Clarification about pageant inside the treatment center. As part of the struggle to come up with the finances to get me through the treatment center, I sold the business back to my father, Max Call. Now, I am employee and ad manager Page 2 Trivia We Invite Utter to lh Editor from our raectera. Utter mutt bo tigrwd, bo In good loot, not olondorouo, ond llmllod to 500 word. W rooorv th right to withhold norm with outflclont ctuoo. A loo, , on tetter pr paraon par month. pi iJE5ilim Thursday, May 9, 1991 e, by letter and telephone over 100 ofour cousins and asked each to contribute $10. All of us are descendants of a common ancestor, John Eyre, my greatgrandfather, who was an early pioneer plasterer in Parowan. He considered a highlight of his life to be the two years he spent plastering in the Manti Temple during its construction in 1886, 1887 and 1888. For his two years plastering effort, John Eyres name will be placed on a bronze plaque in the Gardens. Perhaps others in the area would like to have the fun I have had. If so, please contact a member of the Manti Destiny Committee, or I will be glad to tell you more about the fun I have had. Ira M. Stevens Manti, Utah Not so trivial: If you find mistakes in this paper, please consider that they are there for a purpose. We publish something for everyone, and some people are always looking for mistakes. Questions change To the Editor: the same folks visiting Manti It wasnt until I read the each year, the fact remains you April 25th issue that the also get a large, new audience. implication of changing the Unless there has been a dramatic change in the pageants pageant hit me. (l)Thelove story Ramona message, then it should be which has been done annually allowed to continue. since the late 30s in Hemet, Im not of Mormon California has not changed one persuasion. But I tell you, if my word. (2) The Rockettes dance Presbyterian associates came team, until it was discontinued along out of the blue and told me in Rockefeller Center, never to celebrate Xmas on July 27, changed a step. (3) Luciano theyd better have something in Pavrotti singing Ave Maria for mind other than "change for Christmas will not change one change sake." word. Best regards, While you may get many of Gary Smith |