Hill Cumorah!

Oh gosh. last night was epic. We got reading materials from the protesters on our way in-- good thing because we had about 45 minutes to wait before the show started. We got a free picture of Jesus-- I do love free swag. The video clip above is of the opening sequence. Now I realize you probably can't see much- it was dark and we sat waaayyy in the back on our own blankets and such. We figured that for all of our side comments that it would be best to sit in the back where we wouldn't bother anyone. Anyhow- the epic opening includes a huge procession of every cast member up to the GIANT stage. It was epic. And there were a ton of people there. We guessed a couple of thousand. All of the music was prerecorded with Morman Tabernacle Choir.

Now the details... we first pulled up and marveled at the sheer size of the hill and the stage. My mom has been there before and talked about the Hill and all this stuff but I'd never been there. Well. By the time we got there--- about 8:30, there were already a ton of people there. We were greeted by nice guys in shirts and ties in the parking lot who waved us to the appropriate lot. As we walked in the gate, protesters (2 different groups) handed us some reading materials. We set up our blankets and snacks- because no show like its is complete without snacks. I picked up sunflower seeds, red vines and reese's pieces. We had a very nice time. . We got our free picture of Jesus and plan on giving one to our ITD. Can't go anywhere without the free swag. They were also giving away copies of the Book of Mormon but I passed on that one. . We did get to talk with some cast members who were handing out programs and explained the premise of the pageant. It was fun to razz them a bit... in typical Lauren fashion. The two cast members were these two young guys whom Kari later said were flirting with us-- you know, two attractive ladies sitting together at the pageant... I disagree... but it was still amusing.

Cast members: Hello ladies, do you two have programs?

L: No we don't.

C.M: Oh well then we're not really doing our job are we?

L:I should say not. Say, do you have to be in character right now?

C.M: Umm no not really. Isn't this costume great? (insert sarcasm. The dude was wearing a floor mat that was sewn into a vest and matching hat. I mean, this stuff is so good I can't even make it up)

L: Oh yeah. New fashion statement. I may go and find one of those so that I can wear one too. Do your characters have names? Motivations? (Should've seen his face for that)

C.M: So are you familiar with the story of the pageant?

K: (She always steps in when I get a little too rowdy) No.

So they explained the pageant and how it basically is the book of mormon from the dawn of time when Lehi took his peeps and crossed the ocean to America (Cue music: We're comin' to Americcuhhh. Thank you Neil Diamond. We were singing that the entire way home). The program was nice because it had a scene by scene description of what was happening. Don't worry mom, I saved it and I'll bring it home so you can look at it.

So the show is all about the book of mormon which now I know why its called "The Book of Mormon." Mormon was a dude. And his son was Moroni (pronounced Mo-RONE-eye). But waay before that there was this other guy, Lehi and I guess he was apart of the tribes of israel. ANyhow, he gets a vision that Jerusalem is going to be destroyed so he gathers up his peeps and leads them for many years. they finally come to the ocean. His son Nephi builds a boat and after a big storm and some potential smiting by God they end up in the New World (Americuh). And there's war and people get burned--- all captured with fire and stuff falling and destruction on stage.... very dramatic and horribly entertaining. And finally we get to Mormon and Moroni and Moroni decides to write everything down from the time of Lehi and all the people inbetween to Mormon- the great prophets. That's why its called the book of Mormon. Well there's a big battle and everyone dies except Moroni because God spares him and he buries the Book of Mormon (these stories and accounts) in a hill in Cumorah. 1400 years later, Moroni appears to Joseph Smith who uncovers them and he transcribes it and voila. In the meantime some other stuff happens like Jesus appears to the people in the New World after he raises from the dead and after he visits the people in the old world (hence Comming to Americuhh). All very interesting and definitely different from what I believe. Kari and I had a good conversation in the car on the way back to her place.

The Event was not as scary as I thought it would be. Everyone was very nice. We also behaved ourselves very well and saved a lot of stuff to discuss in the car. And we wore our capped t-shirts (I decided dressing appropriately would be a good thing).... my tube top was in the wash anyhow. ;) So below is the opening sequence- I don't think I'm supposed to post it-- but really now. The angels are at the top of the stage "playing" the horns and all of the cast members process in. Like I said, epic.