The Hill Cummorah Pageant....

I was finally able to check something off of my, "Things I MUST do" list......Go to the Hill Cummorah Pageant! We got into Palmyra and had a few hours to wander around before the program started. It was the opening night, it was a Friday, and it had been raining (like you had no visibility and could get washed away kind of raining) all day. The town was pretty packed with people...but I guess it still was not like it usually is during pageant times. We did some shopping and went to the Temple and the Sacred Grove. Then we decided to get some dinner and head to the Hill Cummorah to get a close parking place. There were people sitting in the seats when we first drove by at 3 in the afternoon. I decided that any seat was a good seat. I opted to stay in the van and sleep for a couple hours and stay out of the rain. It was POURING outside and people didn't seem to mind.The actors in the pageant come from all over the states. They stay in hotels, RV's, and camp for the few weeks that they stay in NY. These tents were set up so that they would have a place to have devotionals and campfires with their groups during the week.The actors walked throughout the crowd before it started. I have been to the Mesa Easter Pageant many times and I have never seen them testify and approach the people like I did here. Each of them had Book of Mormon's in their hands with referral and pass-along cards. They shared scriptures, personal stories, testimony, etc. It was amazing to watch! Here are some of my favorite costumes that I saw.....This man and his wife really cracked me up. Isn't he adorable? He said, "Ya, this is the first time that both my wife and I have had a bad hair day on the same day." Too funny!The guy on the left is from Safford, Az. We each mentioned a few names of people that we both new from that area. It was fun to see someone from Az.Like I have said a MILLION times before in this post....it rained the entire day. I was worried that they would cancel the pageant. They said that they would only cancel it if there was lightning. They would still do it in the pouring rain. I offered MANY prayers throughout the day. I asked that the rain be stopped so that the people in attendance would be able to enjoy the story and that the actors wouldn't be disappointed after preparing so long. I told Jose that there would be a miracle....he just smiled (I am sure that he was VERY doubtful). We were listening to two sisters who were sharing a scripture with us and all of a sudden one of them said..."Look, the sky is opening up and the sun is shining through!" Jose got a big smile on his face and I said, "See, I told you so!" It truly was an answer to my prayers. It didn't clear up completely....it continued to drizzle a little. However, we were able to see and enjoy the show. My pictures during the pageant didn't really turn out. Here are a few that were okay though.Lehi's dream.....When Christ appeared to the people in the Americas.It was a great experience. I am thankful that I was able to go. I really felt the spirit and I my testimony was strengthened.