So, this summer I had the chance to be in the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Let me tell you, it was so awesome. The hill is in Palmyra, New York. Latter-Day Saints believe that the record that was translated into the Book of Mormon was buried on that hill by an ancient prophet named Moroni. The place is pretty special. The pageant has 10 scenes that outline the stories in the Book of Mormon. It is the story of prophets- all of whom testified of the Savior. The climax of the pageant is when an actor playing Jesus Christ descends from heaven lifting the darkness and teaching the people. The entire cast is onstage during this scene.
Aside from the descension scene, I was cast as a "Noah Citizen". I was in the King Noah scene and listened to the prophet Abinadi testify of Christ and call the people to repentance. And then of course, the prophet was burned. The coolest scene as far as effects are concerned was the destruction scene. Fireballs, floods, earthquakes, and lots of teenagers pretending to die very dramatically. I was a little jealous that I wasn't in that scene!
I met some amazing people in Palmyra and I learned that I am capable of making friends and I am not some sort of pariah. That felt really good. We got the chance to tour the churchsites in the area including the Sacred Grove, the Grandin printing press, Peter Whitmer's farm, and the Palmyra temple. We also did a service project on the Erie canal. I was fascinated by the workings of the canal.
Being in the east reminded me of living in Connecticut. I miss that in a way. I know it has been a long time- 18 years- but still. I miss the buttercup flowers and the New England accents and the old trees and blue lakes. I miss the history that breathes through the east. I never thought I would end up in Utah for good, but at least for the forseeable future that's where I'll be. Don't get me wrong, Utah is fine, but I am a yankee at heart.
