Hill Cumorah Pageant '14

Attending the Hill Cumorah Pageant is one of the highlights during the summer, and a time for us to bond as a family on a spiritual level. Ever since we moved to North Carolina, and watched it for the first time we were all hooked. Maybe it's the fact that my girls love the theatrics, but now that they are older they love the whole story behind it. "It's like the Book of Mormon coming to life" Chelsea said. She was almost four when she watched it for the first time, and there were several years where she would fall asleep, but now she's wide awake. Noah is the same age as her now, and he is even more in awe, and intrigued by the whole storyline. His eyes were glued to the stage especially during the fighting scenes. When I asked what his favorite part was he mentioned the part when they built a ship, and when the fire came out "popping in the air", and when Jesus is "coming down from the sky." It's so interesting to watch my kids as they get older, and how they continue to learn more about the history of the church in various ways including going to the pageant. 

Ever since Chelsea, and Noah have gotten older they love going on prophet hunts. When Sierra, and Lexie were younger we really didn't really seek out the actors who were dressed as the prophets, but they still loved taking pictures with them. Noah has been going to the pageant since he was a baby, and I think the fact of having a boy gets Jon enthusiastic to have him meet the characters who play the prophets. Now that Noah is older he is beginning to really understand this whole prophet thing and he gets really excited to meet them. 

Every year we sometimes hear of friends having gone to the pageant or plan to go to the pageant, but what are the odds of actually running into them. There have been many instances where the girls have bumped into friends they met at EFY, and the fact that we've lived in many different wards in various states gives us more opportunity to run into some old friends. I mean...what are the chances right. You'll be surprised...especially the year when Sierra ran into Hannah whom she met at the Boston temple, and then later saw her that same year participating in the pageant. Or the year we ran into the Laney's and my dear friend Eliza. It's a small world, and this year we saw Becca from our stake, and it was really nice to have seen her there with her family. Even better passing the time talking, and getting better acquainted with her. Thanks for the company Becca!

We are so grateful we had the opportunity to attend the pageant again this year, and every year it's the same storyline, and it never gets old. It's never a waste of time, and the five hour drive is totally worth it! Each year our testimony builds, and we see it in our children as well. When summer arrives, and pageant time hits Chelsea will always ask if we're going again this year. And I always tell her yes. No matter the drive, or little time we have throughout the weekend to spend with each other (because Jon won't get vacation time until after a year with the company) we will take advantage of all the sights, and history of this wonderful church, and the gospel that was restored by Joseph Smith. It's an amazing, inspirational  true story with so much to learn, and spiritually grow from, and if you ever have the opportunity to attend I encourage you to go. You will not regret it, you won't fall sleep, and I guarantee you will feel leaving with a happiness that you've never felt before.