The year 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of “America’s Witness for Christ” presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Hill Cumorah Pageant has been an annual event in Palmyra, New York since 1937 and has seating accommodations for 9000 patrons.
Performances this coming year, 2012, will be given on July 13, 14, and 17-21 and relates the story of the Book of Mormon. The cast of 650 actors gives seven evening performances starting at 9:15 p.m. which attracts audiences of up to 100,000 each year. The outdoor production has a state-of-the-art sound system and Hollywood special effects on an enormous stage and is free to the public because everyone connected with producing the pageant is a volunteer. There are no tickets and reservations are not required. Parking is also free.
The script of the pageant story is taken from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The opening processional of the entire costumed cast making its way through the audience is similar to the beginning of many of the great medieval pageants.
Palmyra, New York, is the site of the birthplace of the Mormons in the United States. The story is told that in 1823, 14-year-old Joseph Smith went to the Hill Cumorah after he was visited by an angel named Moroni, who told him of an ancient record containing God’s dealings with the former inhabitants of the American continent record. He retrieved the record in 1827 and translated it into what is known today as the Book of Mormons.
Joseph married Emma Hale on January 18, 1827, and was a loving and devoted husband. They had eleven children, only five of whom lived past infancy. During the thirty-nine years of his life, Joseph produced volumes of scripture, sent missionaries throughout the world; oversaw the building of temples, and was a candidate for the presidency of the United States. He was a controversial figure in American history, beloved of his followers and hated by his detractors. Joseph was persecuted much of his adult life and was killed along with his brother Hyrum by a mob in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844.
Hill Cumorah lies about 4 miles south of Palmyra at 603 Route 21, Palmyra, New York 14522 near Manchester, New York. For further information, call (315) 597-5851.
Accommodations can be made to stay at the Palmyra Inn, 955 Canandaigua Road, Palmyra, New York 14522 by calling 315-597-8888 or 800-426-9900.
The Scottish Inns at 4078 Route 96, Manchester, New York 14504 also have excellent accommodations and can be reached at 585-289-3811 or 800-251-1962.
If you plan to visit the Pageant, it is best to make overnight accommodations prior to June for the July performances.
There are innumerable eating places in and around Palmyra and Manchester to suit your taste. Please click here to view the Hill Cumorah website which will give you additional information concerning restaurants and overnight accommodations.
Sources:
http://www.hillcumorah.org/cumorah.php
http://www.naviquan.com/idea/cumorah-pageant
http://www.visitpalmyrany.com/attractions/hill_cumorah.html
http://www.pbs.org/americanprophet/joseph-smith.html