AUDIOTAPE: Flute music….fades out as Narrator begins speaking.

From out of view of camp, Narrator begins leading the eight prophets toward the gathering of YW, who are seated upon the ground in a clearing. It is not important that the prophets are in any order as they arrive. When they reach the presentation site, the narrator moves to the west side of the group of seated YW, and stands facing east. The prophets stand a little aside of the circle as the narrator makes her address and then move into their positions when the narrator signals.

Narrator:

We come to bring a message to our sisters who are gathered here. Our Ancient Ones tell us that a Great Elder Brother who has been gone a long time will come back, but first there will be signs. They tell us there will come a time when great beasts will roar across the plains, but not on hooves. Their voices will be like thunder. (Pause) Many smaller beasts, carrying many people, will ride like the wind (Pause) Men will talk through cobwebs in the sky. (Pause) Next, there will be roads in the sky, and men will travel on them. (Pause) I come in the company of the Ancient Ones (Indicate prophets) who preserved these prophecies upon sheets of metal. Hear their witness and your spirit will draw strength, for the signs are come and the Great Brother will soon bring peace to our troubled lands.

(Narrator motions to prophets to be seated upon chairs which are spaced evening around the perimeter of the gathering of yw. Beginning with Lehi on the left of Narrator, they are seated in speaking order around the circle. Narrator seats herself, and nods to Lehi to begin. Each prophet stands to deliver his speech.)

LEHI

I am Lehi, who was commanded, even in a dream, that I should take my family and depart into the wilderness. And I left my house, and the land of my inheritance, and my gold, and my silver, and my precious things and took nothing with me, save it were my family and provisions and tents and departed into the wilderness as the Lord commanded me.

It came to pass that my son Nephi built a ship, according to the word of the Lord, and after we had all gone down into the ship, and had taken with us our provisions, we did put forth into the sea and were driven forth before the wind toward this promised land. Yea, the Lord covenanted this land unto me, and to my children forever, and also all those who should be led out of other countries by the hand of the Lord. If it so be that they shall serve Him according to the commandments which He hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity. If iniquity shall abound, cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.

NEPHI

Behold, my father truly prophesied concerning us, and our future generations; and they are written upon the plates of brass. It came to pass that after we did arrive at the Promised Land, the Lord commanded me, wherefore I Nephi, did make plates of ore, upon which I did engrave the prophecies of my father, and also many of mine own prophecies have I engraven upon them. And this I did that the more sacred things may be kept for the knowledge of my people in this record (holds up Book of Mormon).

Behold, I believed all the words of my father. And I believed in the Son of the most high God; wherefore, I beheld the things which my father had seen in a vision. I beheld the city of Nazareth, and I beheld a virgin most beautiful and fair above all other virgins, who is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. And I beheld the virgin bearing a child in her arms, who is the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men. And I also beheld that the Lamb of God was baptized. I beheld the heavens open, and the Holy Ghost come down out of heaven and abide upon him in the form of a dove. And I, Nephi, saw the Son of the Everlasting God was judged of the world, and I saw that He was lifted up on the cross and slain for the sins of the world. This did I witness, and after I witnessed Him, I bear record that it is the Son of God.

And now, my daughters, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. Behold I say unto you, that these things are true. As the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved, for it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

KING BENJAMIN

And now I , Benjamin, king over the land of Zarahemla, do speak concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, and also the plates of Nephi. I say unto you, my daughters, were it not for these things which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of His mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that we would have dwindled in unbelief. I would that ye should remember that these records are true (holds up Book of Mormon); and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes. And now, my daughters, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby.

ALMA

And now, O my daughters, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words contained in this record (holds up Book of Mormon). Behold I say unto you, God has by the mouth of His holy angel made these things known unto me, for I saw that I had rebelled against my God. And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. Never until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto Him and did find peace to my soul.

And now, my daughters, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, He is the life and the light of the world. Behold, He is the word of truth and righteousness. And now, I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things. See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see that ye do not boast, and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness. And may the Lord bless your soul, and receive you at the last day into his kingdom.

HELAMAN

Now behold, all these scared engravings (holds up Book of Mormon) which should be handed down from one generation to another; therefore, they were conferred upon me, Helaman, the son of Helaman.

And it came to pass that there were many dissentions in the church, and there was also a contention among the people, insomuch that there was much bloodshed. Now this great loss of the Nephites, and the great slaughter which was among them, would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abominations which were among them; yea, and it was among those who professed to belong to the church of God. And because of this their great wickedness, therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of the almost all their lands. Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity and to be led away by the evil one.

O remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that He cometh to redeem His people from their sins. And He hath power given unto Him from the Father to redeem from their sins because of repentance.

And now, my daughters, remember, remember, that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth all his mighty hail and his mighty storm to beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery, because of the rock upon which ye are built, ye cannot fall.

SAMUEL

And now it came to pass that the sons of Mosiah did go forth among the Lamanites, and established the word of God. And thousands of the Lamanites were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to the knowledge of the truth, wherefore they were taught the prophecies which were handed down in this record down even to the present time (holds up Book of Mormom). Yea, many of the Lamanites were converted unto the Lord and they because a righteous people. And the Nephites did still remain in wickedness, yea, in the great wickedness. And it came to pass that in that time, beheld, the voice of the Lord came unto me, that I should prophesy unto my brethren, the Nephites. Behold, I Samuel, a Lamanite, did speak the words of the Lord. Behold, He hath put it into my heart to say unto the Nephites, that the sword of justice hangeth over them. And behold, I said unto them: Behold, five years more cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on His name. Behold, this I give unto you for a sign at the time of His coming; there shall be one day and one night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and it shall be the night before He is born. And behold, there shall a new star arise; and this shall be a sign unto you. And behold, again, another sign I give unto you, yea a sign of His death. Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection, and redeemeth all mankind from the first death – that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord. But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.

And this I did say to the intent that there should be no cause for unbelief among ye, my daughters, for He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and He hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death.

CHRIST

Begin ascending a small rise on the east side of the group of YW, some distance away. He should emerge from the back of the hill, so as not to be seen by the audience before hand.

NARRATOR

The legends known to our great-grandfathers is told thus: In some far ancient time, there was a peiod of such warfare that the land ran red with blood. In sorrow, the great Creator looked down upon His children. With mercy, He spoke thus: You have forgotten love of persons and of peace. Only two times will I send Him so that you may continue to live. It is told by the anceint ones that He did come among the people of old in a time of great need to heal wounds, to break the chains of death, and to set those free who are bound in spirit.

SPOTLIGHT: Turn spot on Christ just a little after music starts.

AUDIOTAPE: Flute music which fades out as Christ begins to speak.

CHRIST: As voice of Christ audiotape begins, lift arms out to audience, as if to reach out to them.

AUDIOTAPE

Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and in me hath the Father glorified His name. To as many as will believe on my name, behold by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled. Ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood, but ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

SPOTLIGHT

Pause for a few seconds after the voice of Christ audiotape finishes playing. Turn off spotlight.

CHRIST: When spot is off, turn and walk away back down the hill out of sight.

NARRATOR:

A feeling of brotherhood, like the fresh breath of spring, began to spread across the land. Our Elder Brother did indeed bring peace. It swept like a mighty wind, blowing away the foolish factions from among the people of long ago. For a space of many years, there was peace across the land.

And then the wars returned, for the people of old again forgot the love of persons and of peace. The Great Creator looked again upon the land and spoke thus: This is my fair land. With my hands and my heart I made it, and it is dearest to me of all the earth. If you cannot share in peace the gifts I have given you, then I will cause such enemies, as you have never seen to come upon you.

MORONI:

Behold, four hundred years passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And it came to pass that after the great battle at Cumorah, behold the Nephites were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed. And then my father, Mormon, was rent with anguish and he cried: O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord! How could ye have rejected that Jesus, who stood with open arms to receive you! Behold, if ye had not done this, ye would not have fallen. And it came to pass that my father also was killed by the Lamanites, and I even remained alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people.

And I, Moroni, did finish making an abridgement of the record of the Jaredites, which records were delivered into my hands by my father Mormon. And my father, Mormon, hath made an abridgement from the plates of Nephi because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ. I Moroni, am the same who hideth up this record unto the Lord; for the record thereof is of great worth. And blessed is he that brought this thing to light (holds up Book of Mormon); for it was brought out of darkness into light, according to the word of God; yea, it was brought out of the earth, and it did shine forth out of darkness, and came unto the knowledge of the people, and it was done by the power of God.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, and with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest the truth of it unto you. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. I lie not, for ye shall see me at the judgement bar of God; and the Lord God will say unto you: Did I not declare my words unto you, which were written by this man,, like as one crying from the dead, yea even as one speaking out of the dust?

Yea, awake and arise, daughters of Zion, and come unto Christ; and be perfected in Him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; Love God with all your might, for then is His grace sufficient for you, that by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ, and ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

And now we bid you farewell, until we are brought forth triumphant to meet you before the Great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge, Amen.

JOSEPH SMITH

Has ascended the hill from out of sight of the YW, being in position at the top of the hill when spot is turned on, and Narrator begins here speech.

SPOTLIGHT

Spot is turned on when Joseph Smith is in position.

JOSEPH SMITH

Act out prying up the heavy stone with a lever, and slowly lift out the Gold Plates from the box under the stone. Set plates on one knee and examine plates, slowing touching the face of it. Get up slowly, sit down on stone that was removed, and continue to examine the plates, turning leaves slowly and trace a figure carefully over the strange characters written there. Remain seated and still until prophets arrive.

NARRATOR:

In Manchester, New York is a great hill. A great stone rests near the top. On September 22, l827, Joseph Smith fixed a lever under the edge of the stone and raised it up. A stone box lay beneath, whereupon Joseph looked in and there did behold the ancient Plates of Mormon. The ancient record was thus brought forth from the earth as a voice of a people speaking from the dust, and translator into modern speech by the gift and power of God.

AUDIOTAPE: Begin Flute music softly as Narrator speaks.

NARRARTOR:

(Pause for effect after each statement that follows. Face and extend both hands and arms toward each direction as it is said, except to the direction behind. For this, extend arms up over head)

The power of the Eternal Father extends to the ends of the earth.

From the East, he will bring peace again to our harrowed souls.

To the South, He will reach His hand.

From the West, He will gather the lost ones.

To the North, His light will spread warmth.

(Indicate expanse of land around with outstretched arms)

Upon this fair and blessed land, conceived in noble plan, among many who are bound by blindness and broken dreams, we wait for the Son of Dawn. Oh, Lord, preserve this holy earth that knew your loving touch, Imbue the sprits of these here present with vision and humility to know that you remember us. We will not flee again, but stain in faith and hope, with clear eyes and with eager hearts after the long waiting. Amen.

AUDIOTAPE – Increase volume of flute music as prophets and Narrator exit. Fade out when all the characters are some distance away.

CHARACTERS: Narrator leads prophets up the hill to the east. Joseph Smith stands at the top, waiting for them. Prophets greet Joseph warmly, and then continue walking over the hill, out of sight away from the audience.

SPOTLIGHT: Turn off spot when music fades out.