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Show 125,000 Expected to Attend Mormon Miracle Pageant The 12th annual presentation of the world-renowned Mormon Miracle Pageant, Pag-eant, held in mid-July in Manti, Utah is expected to draw upwards of 125,000 people. Both members of the LDS Church and non-members as well, from all over the United States and many foreign countries will trek to the quiet little town of Manti in the heart of Utah, swelling its 1900 population to as high as 20,000 to 25,000 on peak nights as people come to witness this spectacular and spiritual event. Produced by the Manti Region of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Pageant dramatically portrays the story of the history and theology of the Mormon people. Beginning in 1820 with flashbacks depicting those who lived and died on the American continent many hundreds of years ago, the Pageant covers three main periods of time; the founding and tumultous early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; battle scenes, pagan worship, spiritual rebirth and subsequent degeneration of the Book of Mormon period; the death of Joseph Smith and the exodus to the west of thousands of converts under the direction of Brigham Young. A cast of approximately 400 actors, most of whom come from towns nearby, but some this year from as far away as El Cajon, California and Phoenix, Arizona, will have given time and talents in a rigorous six weeks of evening practice by opening night. Approximately 300 more are involved in roles supporting the production. It is presented free to the public, and no one is paid, but there must be an intrinsic reward as many cast members return year after year and believe that to be in the Pageant is the highlight of their summer. And so, beginning July 13th, Nth, and 15th, and the next week, July 18th through the 22nd, as the sun sets and the long summer twilight fades away, thousands will gather on the beautiful green sward extending south from the magnificent Mormon Temple. Cares of the day will be left behind, and a reverent atmosphere prevails as "The Mormon Miracle" Pageant begins to unfold. Each year the impact of the Pageant is felt fresh and new, as the story of faith, discouragement, hardship, hard-ship, death, and finally triumph is enacted before the waiting audience. Nephite and Lamanite warriors confront from the Book or Mormon. The ensuing each other in a major battle between the battle is one of the highlights of the two warring nations, in a scene taken Mormon Miracle Pageant. |
