Nearing the End

You might not get what you want, if you think too much about the title of this post.  Nearing the End doesn't mean I am done, finished, dying, or ending any time soon.  It means I am almost to the end of the book about the Beatitudes.  I've been so busy with Garth's operations, getting ready for school, and so many personal things that I haven't had time to stop for a few days.  But I do want to write my thoughts on the last few chapters of the book Blessed Are Ye: Finding Your Unique Path to Christ by Chris Huston.

The last few verses of the sermon called The Beatitudes say:

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding lad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.   (Matthew 5:10-12)

Right now we are seeing so much of this behavior toward the church, church members, and the good works of the church organization.  It seems like it is coming from all corners of the earth.  With a 'Mormon" running for President of the United States, many people are happy to jump on the bandwagon that those Mormons are a strange group of people.  Some think we are blind followers who can't think for ourselves.  Then when some make different choices than they think a 'Good Mormon' would, they criticize them because they don't do what the church tells them they should do.  We just have to remember that we probably won't ever please all of the people any of the time.  (Boy, do I know that!)

Jesus knew everyone would feel persecution.  He didn't teach His disciples how to react if  they were persecuted, but when.  He reminded them that the natural man is an enemy of God, and don't enemies fight in the natural world?

Bro. Huston points out that the first seven beatitudes are short in length, but when He teaches about persecution he uses a lot more words.  Could it be because we would all feel the pain of persecution, either from our loved ones or from the world for the things we believe?  We have all experienced it, and it hurts, all the time.  The other beatitudes are about characteristics we can cultivate within our selves.  These verses tell us how to react when our believes are criticized by others.  That is a big difference.

When Lehi saw the dream of the Tree of Life he saw people pointing and mocking others who were partaking of the fruit.  He saw that many fell away and were lost because of being mocked.  Satan really knows how to get a bunch of people to follow his desires, doesn't he?  Get a few people to mock others and many will not be able to withstand the finger pointing.  Then Lehi goes on to say "we heeded them not" (1 Nephi 8:33)

I think we are seeing great examples of church members who have been placed in situations when they have needed to defend their own beliefs at the risk of being mocked, reviled, and persecuted.  We have see the church speak up when others have tried to ridicule the teachings and doctrine.  I see words spoken in kindness, with an effort to teach others, to show by example, while at the stand time standing strong to their convictions.  Mocking will always be there.  How we react will show what kind of a person we, individually, are.

I still stand by my favorite statement which is at the top of my blog:  Being mistreated is the most important condition of mortality, for eternity itself depends on how we view those who mistreat us.  -- The Peacegiver p. 33.  I think it is time for me to read this book again.

Pure in Heart

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

I think the goal for most of us is to see God again, to return to our Father in Heaven.  One sure way to be able to do so is to be pure in heart.  But what does that mean?

According to Chris Huston it means Purity in our intent, sincerity of our consistent effort.  Not of us can be perfect, or pure, during this life so all we can do is strive.  And if we are trying we will show the spirit of purity.

He goes on to explain something I have never thought before.  We are told the pure in heart will see God, but how can we see God in our mortal lives?  We need to look for the hand of the Lord in our daily lives.  Here is a quote from the book: "The only constant I've found is this: when I am the most spiritually in tune, and when my striving to live the commandments is able to override the lethargy of the natural man, I am most able to feel Christ's presence, and recognize his love and care reflected in the world that surrounds me."

That really got me thinking!  I need to live my life so I can see God in my daily activities, or the Hand of the Lord in the things around me.  I need to open my eyes to see, and do what I need to do to invite Him into my life.  That might mean serving others in ways I haven't noticed before.  It might be showing some kindness to others, making a phone to show I care, sending a message to someone, writing a letter - a real letter and mailing it, visiting with someone.  I need to ask the Lord what He would want me to do to show love and care to others.

At the same time, I need to see what others are doing for me.  Perhaps the Lord is inspiring others to help me in some way.  Maybe I am the way others can see the Hand of the Lord.

I also need to look around me and count my blessing and recognize they come from a Heavenly Father.  I need to acknowledge the good, beautiful things that are happening around me.  I need to realize the the Lord  share with us His wonderful creations like the sunrises and sunsets, the flowers, the children, Grandma's wrinkled hands, etc.   When our hearts are pure we see God all around us.   When our hearts are pure and we see God, we want to do what is right so we are pleasing to Him.  And by doing what is right we become pure in our hearts, able to see Him around us.  Isn't it amazing?

Mercy!

I remember hearing my sweet Grandma Olsen says, "Mercy!" usually when she was excited or surprised  about something.  "Oh, Mercy!"  I would love to hear that again.

Matthew 5:7 - Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.  (3 Nephi 12:7)
I sure hope people show me a little bit of mercy.  More importantly, I hope the Lord gives me mercy when my time on Earth is over.  I know I will need it because I am very far from being perfect, even with all the repenting I do.  Somehow He will make justice and mercy work together, but how can I be sure I end up on the right side of the balance scale?  The scripture says what I have to do:  Be merciful.

In order for me to obtain mercy I must first be merciful myself.  So I got out my trusty Webster's New World Dictionary and looked up mercy, base word for merciful.  Here is what I found:  1.  a refraining from harming or punishing offenders, enemies, persons in one's power: kindness in excess of what may be expected of demanded by fairness; forbearance and compassion....a disposition to forgive, pity or be kind; kind or compassionate treatment; relief of suffering...

Well, that about sums it up.  Don't hurt others.  Not just physically, but I'm sure it also means emotionally and spiritually.  Don't punish others when it isn't needed. Be kinder than you should be.  Show compassion.  Strive to have a disposition to be kind and forgiving to everyone.  Give compassionate treatment to others.  Help relief their suffering, whether it be emotional, physical, spiritual, or any other way.

Doing all of these nice things requires us to not place requirements for our mercy towards others.  The author of the book I am reading says that when we judge others as unworthy of our mercy, we are placing ourselves in jeopardy for not receiving our own mercy.

How many times do I think "Well, they deserve it."?  "They must be held accountable for their own actions."  "They have to suffer the consequences."  "It's their problem, not mine."  All of these is true.  We even say in the Second Article of Faith "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins....."  Individual accountability is an important part of the gospel.  We all know it.  It keeps us on the right path.  But what if I use that principal to justify my own responsibility to show mercy?

The author reminds me about King Benjamin telling his people how they need to look at the needs of others. (Mosiah 4:17)  "Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just.  (18) But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent.  And except he repent...he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.  (19)For behold, are we not all beggars?  Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have? .....(22)And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which does not belong to you but to God."

By showing mercy to others I am not losing anything myself.  In fact, I am gaining mercy from Jesus Christ.  At the end of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus reminds us "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."  (Matthew 7:1-2)  I can't think 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' because other people sin differently than I do.  They might do something that I would never do.  But I should still show mercy and compassion to them.  I need to give my love and let them know that my love is not contingent on my positive judgment of them.  I need to show that I am there to help them overcome any problems or situations they face.

At the same time, I have to protect myself from my own pain and suffering.  I'm not going to let someone take advantage of me with their attitude of "You must do this for me so that you are showing mercy and aren't judging me!"  I had a very fun roommate that I loved so much.  She was always saying, "I'm giving you an opportunity to serve me.  Please get me a glass of milk!"  We always laughed and worked hard to find opportunities for the other person to serve us.  I don't think the Lord expects us to show mercy to others at the expense of ourselves.  But isn't it nice when we can show actual mercy to others?

Remember the shooting of the Amish school children, and how the Amish people showed mercy to the shooters family?  Right now there is a book at Deseret Book about a man who showed mercy towards the person who caused the car accident that claimed the life of his wife and children.  We don't need these dramatic situations to happen in order to show mercy.  Sometimes we need to show mercy to people who are just suffering from their own situations, not because they have done anything to harm or hurt us.  All people need to know they are accepted.  When we don't show that acceptance we are not showing mercy.

If I want mercy I must show mercy.  That is the Gold Rule.  Do unto others as ye would have others do unto you.  I have to do it first.

Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness

Have you ever noticed the difference between the Beatitudes the Savior taught to his disciples in Jerusalem and the words He spoke to the Nephites?  His first sermon said "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6)  The second time He said, "blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost."  (3 Nephi 12:6)  It seems to be human nature that in times of trial, when we need support and help, we turn to the Savior.  It is sometimes difficult for me to keep up the energy needed to 'hunger and thirst' because of the doldrums of everyday life.  I say my prayers, read my scriptures, read other uplifting books (like this one on the Beatitudes), along with all the other "Sunday school" answers like fasting, going to church, etc.  I go through life just living each day, watching for times when I can help others.  But do I really 'hunger and thirst' except in times of great personal need?  Or should I be expected to?

Look at Enos, and Alma the younger.  They each had a great period in their lives when they needed to know about the gospel.  As Chris Hudson points out: "

" Enos described his quest for knowledge as a 'wrestle which I had before God" (Enos 1:2).             Notice that he wasn't wrestling with God, but before God.  The wrestle was within himself."

Enos then says that his soul hungered and he cried in prayer all day long.  And all night long.  (Enos 1:4)  He had listened to his father all his life, but it was only when his own soul hungered for a testimony that he actually did what he had to do to receive his own testimony and prayed in a way that his voice reached heaven.

Alma was also upset when he remembered his sins, but he also remembered his father's teaching, so he reached to Christ and, in his own words "my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!" (Alma 36:18-20)  It took three entire days of torment for Alma to finally feel that he was relieved of his sins.

Neither story tells us what happens after Enos gains his testimony, or Alma was forgiven of his sins.  I am sure the everyday life crept into their life as well.  We don't hear of them proclaiming their righteousness throughout the rest of their lives, but they did continue to do good.  And when they were faced with more trials, which they were because they are mortals and that is what happens, they knew that their Heavenly Father loved them, and would fill them with feelings of acceptance and love when they needed it most.

We need to remember that we have to put in the effort to discover within ourselves the spiritual strength that only God knew we have.  When we put in that effort the Savior will give us the blessings He promised: We will be filled with the Holy Ghost.  We should be praying for this everyday, so we know on those days when everything seems just too much, we know that our Heavenly Father will give us His strength, and we will be filled with the Holy Ghost.

If You Think You Are, You're Not

The very first sentence Jesus taught his disciples in the sermon He gave on the mount was "Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 5:3)   Modern translation of these words from the literal language of the time tells us the 'poor in spirit' are those who are poor in pride, or humble in spirit. He is telling us that before anything else, comes a humble heart, ready to be taught.

It has always been difficult for me to understand the difference between 'pride' and good self-esteem.  But Bro. Hudson explains it so I can understand. Satan wants us to have pride because it is the opposite of humility.  Pride doesn't let us think we are not worthy, but that we are MORE worthy than others, that we deserve more, better, and best, for whatever reason.  President Benson said"  The proud depend upon the world to tell them whether they have value or not...It says, 'If you succeed, I am a failure."  (Ensign May 1989 4)

I can 'humbly come before Thee now" as the song says , or say "I am very humbled to be here today", but if I say it thinking how lucky I am to be there, or how lucky someone is to have me there, I am not being humble.  If I tell others all the nice things I am doing, all the scripture studying I am doing, all the private feelings I have, I am not being poor in spirit.  To be poor in spirit I need to show that I realize Christ has given me so much, and recognize that it is because of Him that I have the things that I have, not because I have worked for them, or sacrificed for them, or purchased them with my hard-earned money, or read enough scriptures to be blessed with possessions, or any other type of self-inflated ideas.  I need to recognize that Christ is the center of my life, that Christ is the giver of all things, and that I am eternally indebted to him for all that I have and am.  And with that knowledge comes the responsibility to act in a proper way, to give, and be helpful to others. If I remember to do these difficult things, which I can do with the help of the Lord, I will have 'the kingdom of heaven."

If it was just that easy.

A Word About Meekness

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.  (Matthew 5:5)

When I studied this chapter I was a bit confused.  The author focused on personal behavior, choosing to be nice, not speaking words that are offensive to others.  Then he went into using power to your own advantage, either as a student, a child, a parent, boss, etc.  I started to wonder "Where is the meekness?  Where does that all fit in?"  You see, I was thinking that meekness means to be quiet, shy, soft, maybe even weak, and several other synonyms.  I wasn't seeing where he was going.

Then he started to talk about Alma, when he gave up the kingdom to preach the gospel.  He didn't want to power of being the king, but choose to serve God and help his fellowmen.  Christ also refused to be called a king, running away when the people wished to elevate them to this standard.  He denounced Satan when he was promising Christ all the kingdom, even though it wasn't his to give.  Paul said "put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering" (Colossians 3:8, 12)

The author finally then brings it all together for me.  He explains that when we cultivate meekness we care less about who is the best, has the most, or who is powerful, and concentrate on how we can help others.  Alma knew that he would be better off not being the kingdom and working with the people.  He didn't want the love of the world, but was very meek in his wish to help others, not tear them down, or rule over them.  So then the author wonders, so why are we told that, because Alma was meek, that he would inherit the earth?  He gave up the kingdom, but why give him the earth?    What does it really mean to 'inherit the earth'?

By being meek and submission, we are learning to be more like Christ.  Since the world is his, He can give us everything, if we accept the Atonement into our lives and do what we need to do to return to Him.  We can inherit a place in the kingdom of God and inherit everything our experience on earth can make available to us.  

"On that day we will finally understand the the strength we gain through our meek, gentle, and unselfish service to the Master was the only power genuinely worth seeking.  The rest was just distraction."

Meek?  Focus on the Lord and not on what the world can give me, or what the rest of the world is doing.  Keep focused on what is right and looking for how I can do good each day.  Humbly look over what I am doing and find ways to be better.  Do it without the witness of the world.  Everyone doesn't need to see what good things I do because then I will be elevating myself.  Step off the throne and get busy doing good.

This chapter was a bit harder to understand, but I feel I might understand it a little better than before.

It Wasn't What I Thought It Would Be

Matthew 5:4  Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.  

When I started reading about this Beatitude I focused on the word 'mourn'.  Doesn't that mean when people are sad because someone close to them has died, passed away.  I know from experience that the spirit of Christ is very close at those times and I really have felt comforted.  I remember when my dad died and the different reactions I witnessed that day standing in his bedroom watching his wife and her daughter as they sobbed and howled, reminding me of the pictures I have seen on the news when people of other faiths have carried on in mourning.  I didn't feel that need; I felt comfort.  I was sad, I felt sorrow, but I was comforted.  It wasn't easy being in that situation.  But because I have a testimony of the plan of salvation and life after death, I was comforted. (In fact, I remember looking in the ceiling corners looking for the spirits I was sure were there in the room with us.)  I always thought that was the kind of 'mourning' this scripture was talking about.  But I now have a little bit more to think about.

Life is what it is - a mortal experience.  We aren't promised that if we do what is right we will not suffer.  We will all face sad times.  We will all mourn.  We will all have problems to overcome.  We will all have sad times.  We can't expect that by just living the gospel we will be free from the pains of a mortal world.  It will come, and we will be faced with many obstacles that cause us to mourn.  The gospel does not protect us from challenges because these challenges are part of the plan.  We have to learn to overcome them, in whatever form they take.  Living the gospel helps us to see through that pain and learn gospel principals in a way that we can someday return to our Father in Heaven.  There is no other way.  We have to suffer, learn, and act.

According to President Huston's book, those who don't turn to Christ will continue to suffer in some form, but if we turn to Him we will have "comfort, not bitterness, peace instead of pain; great love instead of profound emptiness."

He then goes on and reminds us of the Nephites when Christ visited them.  (3 Nephi 8).  The world had been destroyed.  What few people remained had lost everything that was important to them.  They were in the darkest of dark worlds, so dark that they couldn't see a lighted fire or their hand in front of their face.  They could hear crying, creaking of the earth.  I can't imagine the pain of the parents looking for their children, their own parents, the people they loved.  And the people left were the more righteous ones.  I'm sure that didn't take their pain away.  They hadn't done things as wrong as the other people,  but still the Lord said "will ye not now return unto me and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" (3 Nephi 9:13).

Did they think, "Yeah, right.  We have been destroyed and you are telling me that I need to repent? Where is your compassion?  Don't you see I am hurting down here!"  But Christ knew there were lessons they needed to learn.

He had just finished teaching Peter this same lesson. He told Peter, his closest disciple, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32)  Wasn't Peter already converted?  Apparently he also had a few lessons to learn, but he didn't think so.  He protested, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison and to death!". (Luke 22:33)  Christ knew that Peter was going to have problems in the near future and he needed to be reminded that he needed to be converted, or to study and learn.  Peter learned, and became even stronger.

Did the Nephites learn?  They did because "....the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer" (3 Nephi 10:10).  His peace is there for me if I surrender my self, the person I am now to be the person He wants me to be.  I must give up my pride and learn how to allow Christ to help me. By suffering and learning to lean on Christ, I can find His comfort.

Christ wants us to lean on Him for comfort, not hand our pain to others, hoping they will take it away.  No one can.  I will still mourn after the meal are brought in and eaten, after the flowers have died and been thrown away, after the kind words have been said.  I will still hurt when it looks like others have gone on with life. I will get upset at the world, at my situation, at the other people who are causing me pain.  I can react in a way that causes others to hurt as I am hurting, but what good does that do me? Perhaps that is one of the lessons Christ wants me to learn....that I might be hurting others to take the pain from me, and that I should be asking for the pain to leave, not giving it away.

I will find comfort when I come until Him.  Like Peter, I will falter.  Like the Nephites I will continue to cry.  I will still feel pain and look for help in the mortal world.  I need His comfort.  One of His many names is "Comforter."

Morgan's Special Day

I didn't get the chance to blog about Morgan's special baptism day.  I was kind of all broken up that weekend after surgery on my arm.  But I want her to know how proud we were of her on that special day.  She looked so beautiful in her white dress.  I loved how she tried not to smile too much, cause her cute grin is so beautiful.  I was also proud of my son to be able to do such a special ordinance for his daughter.  That is a mom's proud moment, even if we aren't supposed to be prideful.  I'm not posting a picture of Morgan that day because I don't have one!  Also, I haven't asked her mom if I can, which would be proper to do before posting it.  But since I don't have one.....you will just have to know that on that day she was my most favorite eight-year-old granddaughter in the world!  Thanks for the fun picnic and good company.  It was a great day.

Love you Morgan!  Hope we can spend some time together this summer before we all start back into school.

A Book Most Needed

Last spring I found a book in my house that I had never seen before.  I don't know where it came from.  I certainly didn't purchase it.  I figured someone must have left it, but I don't know when and who it came from.  None of my children will admit to leaving it, but none-the-less, it was here for me to read.  I picked it up and started reading.  What a joy it was. I have loved the things I have been taught.  The book is Blessed Are Ye: Finding Your Unique Path to Christ by Chris Huston.  It is filled with his thoughts concerning the Beatitude's, the first lessons taught by Christ while he was on the mountainside.  All of His teachings, His lessons and sermons, can be found in the simple verses in Matthew Chapter 5.  (I have searched for this book on-line but can't find it.  The publisher has gone out of business so I don't think it is available any more.)

After reading it I put it aside, but picked it up again to study a bit deeper.  With my broken arm I had lots of time to really study the book, along with the scriptures found in each chapter.  I decided to really get into the book and learn more about the lessons that I need to learn.  I think that is why it was just 'dropped off' at my home.

This week I have poured over verse 9:  "Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God."

What greater name can we have than to be a child of God?  That is one of the first songs we learn in Primary.  We teach our children that they are children of God.  Why do we have such a difficult time believing that adults are also children of God?  Why do we (speaking of myself) not act as though we believe we are children of God?  What do I need to change within myself so I am more deserving of that title?  It says right in this scripture: Those who are called children of God are the peacemakers.

President Hudson reminds me that I need to have a 'mighty change of heart' as described in Alma 5:14.  I need to work on myself to change my heart so I can be a peacemaker.  I admit that I fly off the cuff a lot when I need to be more peaceful.  I need to be aware of how I can change my attitude so I can see things in a more peaceful frame of mind.  I need that change of heart.  I am working to remember that, and doing things that have been very difficult so I can bring more peace into my life, and hopefully the life of others, especially my family.  I can't change their situations, but I can bring more peace to their minds if I change my heart.

He reminds me that the Golden Rule is just what I need to focus on.  I have been the recipient of kindness when I have been in despair.  I need to give that kindness to others when I see they need that care.  Have you ever felt lonely, sad, or discouraged and someone did something to show they cared?  Why is it so hard for me to remember that, to let go of my comfort zone, and give to others when I know how much it helped me?  Even if the person needing comfort wasn't the one to give me the encouragement, I need to "pass it on" and help when I see a need. I need to not judge and say they aren't deserving of my care, not leave them alone to take care of their sorrowful feelings themselves.  Although they may have gotten themselves into a situation, it doesn't hurt to show that I love them anyway.  I know that kind of love helped me.  We are told to have unconditional love, so I shouldn't put conditions on my love.

Robert S. Wood is quoted:  "...beware of those who stir us up to such anger that calm reflection and charitable feelings are suppressed." (Ensign, May 2006, 93).  If I can't show charitable feelings and calmness, I are not able to be a peacemaker, and thereby not able to be called a child of God.

Man! He says so many things that hit home to me, knocked me over the head, and hopefully, I am going to be able to be better.   Take this quote from Theodore M. Burton:  "Satan would rather have you contend with one another even when we think we are doing it in the cause of righteousness.  He knows and recognizes the self-destructive nature of contention under any guise."  (Ensign, November 1974, 54).

President Hudson pointed out that we must make peace, by 'gentleness and meekness, and love unfeigned".  If we feel there is contention, no peace, then we must make it by showing love unfeigned. I had to look up the word 'unfeigned' to see the true meaning.  It means 'real, not fake'.  I must love the people I need to make peace with, or those people who need some peace in their life, or those whom I feel contention with.   "The peace offered by the Savior calls for empathy rather than judgment, forgiveness instead of resentment, ....active assistance instead of benign neglect, and a life that reflects spiritual dignity instead of natural passions." (Blessed Are Ye, p. 87)   I take that to mean I need to feel their pain and want to help them instead of judging them, forgive them instead of feel even a little bit of anger towards them, help them instead of just saying 'Let me know what I can do', and do as Christ would do instead of acting as I normally do. It can be a simple phone call, a text message, a message written just to them on Facebook, a card in the mail, something.   That means I need to change a lot!

At the end of the chapter he reminds me that I have the birthright to be God's child, no matter what.  But in order to return to Him, and live with Him, I need to learn how to show this love to others.

I know I have a lot of work to do in this area.  It isn't something that will just happen because I know it should, it isn't a one time thing, it isn't just change one little thing in my life.  It will take a lifetime.  I hope people can be patient with me as I go on this journey of change.  I won't get it right the first time, the second time, fifth, tenth, or many.  I might get it right once in a while.  But I will be trying.  Please be kind as I work on it.

Castle Valley Pageant

It is that time of year when people in Emery County get ready for local parades, town celebrations, and the Castle Valley Pageant.  A few years ago our pageant was moved from a yearly pageant, to every-other-year, sharing the time slot with the Martin Harris Pageant in Cache Valley. 

The pageant has grown from a small stake production to a LDS church sponsored pageant.  It tells the story about the settling of our area, known as Castle Valley.  People living in Sanpete County were asked to travel over the mountain and settle this valley.  It was a very difficult place to live and the settlers faced many hardships.  The story includes scenes of the settlers meeting with the native people in the area, teaching them about the Book of Mormon.  They are taught about Samuel the Lamanite, a great prophet. You see Samuel standing on the wall and witness the people throwing stones at him at he teaches about Christ. Other scenes include the crucifixion of Christ, which always bring such a stirring spirit as you see Christ raised up on the cross.  And, of course, there was a resurrection, which is depicted with Christ walking among the people.  The spirit this scene brings is amazing.  The pageant is something everyone would enjoy.

You will want to come to the pageant early and enjoy a walk through the stage area.  Visitors are encouraged to walk through the dugout, ride the horses and buggies, watch the wheelwright, learn to churn butter, make quilts, and many other pioneer crafts.  You can also get a prairie diamond, which is a horseshoe nail shaped into a ring. 

At 8:30 the pre-pageant show begins.  This is a very beautiful ceremony honoring the men and women of the armed forces.  Visitors in the audience who have served in the armed forces are invited to stand and be honored as their unit flags are carried in by riders on horses.  Everyone stands for the Star-Spangled Banner at the end of the ceremony.  It is a wonderful way to honor those brave people who serve our country.

If you arrive in the valley early enough, you can get a bite to each in Castle Dale at the park near the rodeo ground where a traditional lamb fry and chicken dinner is available for a reasonable price. 


Dates for the pageant are August 2-4, and 7-11.  For more information follow the link above.