Did you know there is a theatrical production held yearly at the Hill Cumorah in Palmyra, New York? It is known as the Hill Cumorah Pageant. I haven't been to see it for many, many, many years. The last time I was chaperoning a Youth Conference trip in the 1990's. It was quite an amazing production. Recently, I saw a blurb about it as I was searching online for something else. It got me thinking about some of the opportunities that are nearby and yet we often seem to miss and I decided to share a bit about the Hill Cumorah Pagent and other Church History sites in that area. Maybe you and your family or friends will want to make plans to visit there in July for the pageant.The following is from the Hill Cumorah Pageant page on lds.org and gives a brief idea of what the pageant is about: Experience the excitement, drama, and pageantry of America's largest and most spectacular outdoor theatrical event, which focuses on the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Witness the trials of Lehi’s family and his descendants, the climactic visit of Jesus Christ to the Americas, and Joseph Smith receiving the plates.
The dates for the 2018 pageant are July 13-14, 17-21. The pageant begins at 9:15 p.m. and runs for about 75 minutes. Admission is free. No ticket is required, and no reservation is necessary. It is held at the Hill Cumorah site grounds (603 State Route 2, Palmyra, New York). Below are a couple links that can provide further details and contact information:
Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center
Hill Cumorah Pageant Website
While in the Palmyra area there are several more Church Historical sites worth seeing. My favorite is the Sacred Grove. I also love the Palmyra Temple and with the Washington DC Temple construction closure - if I'm in the Palmyra area I wouldn't miss the opportunity to attend the temple. You can find more information about the Palmyra Temple schedule on their lds.org page. It's a good idea to schedule with them if you want to do a session. It is a small temple with limited hours and no clothing rental.
To find out more about the other Church History sites see the links below. I did a previous post in 2015 about the Sacred Grove and the Palmyra area if you want to go back and read that. Let It Change Your Life, 26 May 2015
The Sacred Grove
Smith Family Farm
Book of Mormon Publication Site
Peter Whitmer Log Home
Martin Harris Farm
While we don't have plans to attend the pageant this year, we love this area and the heritage that all of us as Church members can connect to there. We will go back to Palmyra again and hope that many of you will find that opportunity as well.
-Lorie Pierce
