Mormon Miracle Pageant

The boys first and last time at the Manti Pageant.

The Church decided to end all Church-sponsored pageants this year, which meant no more Mormon Miracle Pageant on Manti Temple Hill. Dad grew up with this pageant and had the script nearly memorized after watching it dozens of times as a youth, but we'd never taken the kids. Even though we were preparing to leave for Yellowstone, we decided we had to take half a day and go see the Pageant one last time.

We left about three-thirty and got to Roy's Pizza just in time for dinner. It is one of our favorite restaurants because the boys can get pasta, the adults can get pizza, and everyone can get mozzarella sticks. Afterward we loaded up on candy so that the boys would have something to munch on during the performance.

We love Roy's Pizza! 

Gates opened at six o'clock, and we arrived about ten minutes later. There were already thousands of people covering the grounds. Dad had everyone get out and rush for some seats, and we got some good ones on the right hand side just a few rows back. Dad parked the van and found the family with blankets and coats set on the seats ready to try a walking adventure in Manti.

We started by walking down to Miller's Bakery where Dad used to eat "fly" burgers for fifty cents as a kid. The line was out the door, but they had bakery items set up outside, so we got maple bars for the kids and donuts for Mom and Dad. Then we headed over to the shaved ice booth and got fancy drinks for Mom and Dad and shaved ice for the kids. All along the way we were talking to people that Dad (and sometimes Mom) hadn't seen in years.

It was hot, so we were grateful for the cool treats.

We enjoyed the donuts later at our seats.

We worked our way back to the temple and found our seats. It was cooling off quickly and got down to near fifty degrees, even though it was June 21, the first day of summer. Dax tried to settle in for a nap as baseball had kept him up late and Cub Camp had gotten him up early. Meanwhile, Seth and Dad found members of the cast to take pictures of. The cast was dressed in costume and wandered around mingling, answering questions, and taking pictures. We took pictures with Lamoni and his wife, Lamanite dancers, Zerehemna, Captain Moroni, and a Nephite Warrior. Everyone was grateful that Mom brought lots of blankets, coats, hats, and gloves.

We loved being here as a family.

This was the first person Seth was brave enough to ask for a picture.

Seth was so funny! He wanted to take pictures of Dad with all the girl cast members.

Seth and Captain Moroni.

We had a long time to wait, but the boys were great. 

Zerahemnah was intense!

King Lamoni and his wife were very nice.

Finally it got dark and the Pageant started. The boys loved the performance. They all stayed awake, even though it was late, and Seth was chuckling, asking questions, and enjoying himself. They were able to follow the complex story, and everyone left with smiles on their faces. Best of all, since we hustled it to the car, we were in Nephi by midnight, which is a miracle, too!

It was a perfect evening!

We had so much fun!