Opening Day

Our first performance after a week of lots of hard work! We were able to practice on stage on the morning without any rain. It was a quick run through, skipping a few parts and we left excited, knowing we were ready to go. We couldn't wait to meet our audience and hear their stories and to tell their stories on the stage.

Many of us, adults from our "Red Cast" of the pageant, went to the temple together in the afternoon while the kids played whiffle ball in the mud. They came back with very muddy clothes and great big smiles. As we walked into the waiting chapel for our session in the temple we were greated by Dale's cousins, the Walters. They asked us to be the witness couple for our group, which was really nice. The temple is so beautiful. It wasn't hard to imagine what the early saints felt as they were able to make these same sacred promises to the Lord. Before entering the Celestial Room of the temple, signifiying entering into the prescence of God, some gather in a prayer circle. Just about all of our group decided to get up. Whenever it seemed that it might be a little crowded, some would naturally move to the side. There was always room for one more couple. The spirit of the Lord was so strong as we stood unitedly as a group who have only known each other for a week. There was so much love and acceptance. It struck me that though we will all be greeted, individually by our Savior, we don't reach Heaven alone. Indeed, as I listened to God's promises to me, I also thought of my family, my children and all that would ever come. The blessings we receive from Heavenly Father's in the temple knit us together for eternity as both family units as well as brothers and sisters, children of God. This is the story of Nauvoo. It is not "their" story, it is ours.

With that preparation, we anxiously gathered for some last minute instructions, heading to the stage and fair grounds. For the next hour, we talked with our guests, preparing and inviting them to feel what we have felt and to share that with others. I was able to meet a family who traveled from Arizona to see the pageant. They have six children and arrived four days early, not realizing that the pageant was not yet open. They had money to stay in a hotel one night, but not four. They cancelled their reservation, bought a pup tent and waited till last night (remember the storm the night before?). They were so happy and glad to have seen our show. Gina and I talked with a woman whose son would no longer speak to her. We promised that we would pray for her and for him, embraced. Another family was from Magrath, Alberta, the tiny little town my mother grew up in. The mother of this family was doing work in the temple for one of her ancestors and told of four episodes in the temple where that family name was brought up. In the pageant, the opening and closing lines say, "When you are here, we're here." It was clear that this relative was with them in spirit. Heaven was near at hand. What a wonderful night!