BYU’s Religious Studies Center announces the release of a two-volume set titled Hallowed Ground, Sacred Journeys: Salt Lake City, Ensign to the Nations. The two books and accompanying DVD highlight important Church history sites in downtown Salt Lake City.

Utah Saints have routinely traveled to distant historical sites to enjoy and learn more about their heritage. What they may not realize is that they have some of the most historically significant sites right in their own backyard. These two books identify many key sites remaining relatively unknown to many who live in, work in, or visit Salt Lake City. John P. Livingstone, one of the authors, wrote, “Hallowed Ground, Sacred Journeys transports readers back to nineteenth-century Salt Lake City by painting a picture of the city during the pioneer era from 1847 to 1869, contrasting those bygone scenes with those of today. We hope that local Utahns as well as those who live far away, and may never be able to visit Salt Lake City, will find many hours of reading and viewing pleasure from these BYU Religious Studies Center (RSC) publications.”

The larger book, which includes the DVD inside the back cover, features colorful and unique photos of historic sites along with commentary on their significance. For example, the book features beautiful photographs and interesting facts about many well-known and lesser-known historical sites, including the Pony Express marker in downtown Salt Lake City, the Brigham Young Historic Park, the Pioneer Business District, the Social Hall Museum, the Civil War Monument, and the Mormon Battalion Monument. ISBN: 978-0-8425-2671-5, retail: $29.95.

A spiral-bound walking tour book features hundreds of beautiful photos and guides visitors through downtown Salt Lake on a tour of Temple Square, the Pioneer Business District, Capitol Hill, the Pioneer Memorial Museum, and more than forty other sites. ISBN: 978-0-8425-2670-8, retail: $8.95.

The DVD contains almost 20 hours of video, maps, text, slideshows, historical photographs, and 360-degree virtual reality panoramas—many of which are “zoomable”—and modern photographs that allow virtual tours of the area. The DVD allows viewers to learn about Church history sites from TV quality on-site video featuring narration by BYU Religious Education professors. Users can click on maps, graphics, text, and modern and historical photographs to learn more about the names and places that make up the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The DVD can also be purchased separately. ISBN: 978-0-8425-2689-0, retail: $9.95.

Generous BYU donors have made it possible to release these products at prices well below market value. Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, publications director of the RSC, explains, “Our mission is to publish important articles and books that may not be viable in a traditional ‘for profit’ market. This two-volume set is one of the types of efforts we promote through the generous support of donors that provide readers and viewers an opportunity to learn more about important historical sites in Salt Lake City that could not be produced by a traditional publisher without compromising the design and numerous color images in these three projects.”

Now available at Deseret Book, Seagull Book, and wherever LDS books are sold.

Media Contact:
Brent Nordgren
Religious Studies Center
801-422-3293
brent_nordgren@byu.edu

Growing up in Maine, during high school, my family came west several times to be in the Hill Cumorah Pageant. I was on the Pageant Work Crew after seminary graduation, and then again in the cast once after my mission. When I was 15, I was enjoying my time in the Pageant, and studied, pondered and prayed much during those two weeks at the Hill and also in the Sacred Grove. I enjoyed very much my time with fellow cast members, and especially welcoming audience members each night and inviting them to learn more about the Gospel message.

There is a scene in the Pageant where the entire cast comes out to greet the Saviour as he appeared to the Nephites. Sometimes, because of the various bushes and stages on the hill at that time, one might not actually be able to see the actor portraying the Saviour. The director reminded us all that the audience won’t know if you can see him or not, just act as if you can, even if that is not the case.

One night, I walked out onto the Hill during that scene, and as I turned at the rehearsed point in the music and found myself in a place where I couldn’t see him, I had the following thoughts: “Ok, you are 600 miles from home, in front of 10,000 people on the side of this hill, kneeling down in a dress and worshipping a bush. Why are you doing this?”

I will never forget how that question was answered by a still, small, voice that pierced my mind and heart, saying, “Because it’s true.”

From that day to this, there has continued in my heart and mind a relationship with the Spirit that teaches and continually shows me the way to go.

I love the Gospel. I also love those experiences from my youth, and have wanted to share with my family the delicious fruit I tasted then. The summer of 2007 saw our family participating in the Hill Cumorah Pageant. Our oldest son was himself 15 years old, and had many marvelous experiences at Pageant, as did my wife and our other 3 children.

I was cast as Wicked King Noah. It certainly was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot about what the world desires and what those who seek the Lord desire.

As I explained to our children what I would be doing in my role, our four-year-old listened intently. Later on he came to me and looked pretty serious.

“Dad,” he asked, “Are they going to burn you?”
“No,” I explained. “It’s just pretend.”
“Is it real fire?”
“Yes, but it’s just pretend burning.”
“Oh,” he said, satisfied. He then looked thoughtful for a moment and asked, “Daddy, are you wicked?”
“No, son. It’s just pretend.”

He then looked at me very intently and matter-of-factly stated, “Dad, you can pray to Heavenly Father and Jesus will help you not be wicked anymore.”

  (The Starrs family, 2007)

Pageant is a wonderful place to taste the love of Zion, and to bear witness of the Saviour’s love for all of His children. I had begun praying for missionary experiences before we left for Pageant. My prayers continued throughout our time there, but as King Noah, because so many people want to get a picture, the chance to bear testimony to a friend of another faith doesn’t usually present itself.

During the run of the show, I was told that “ABC News Nightline” wanted to do a story on Pageant, and I was asked if I would be interviewed while dressed in my costume. I was happy to do it, though I must admit some trepidation, because after all, this was “Nightline.”

The first few questions were about politics and the “weirdness” of Mormons in the eyes of the world. I wanted to make sure that my answers were coherent and represented the Church positively, and I didn’t think it was going well. Finally, a familiar voice whispered, “Just bear your testimony.”

And so I did. I explained that we believe these things actually happened; they are not just neat stories. God speaks to prophets, and there is a Prophet on the earth today.

There were a few more questions, including one about the Mountain Meadows massacre, I think. But I was sure that out of all of my answers, my testimony was never going to be used in a nationally broadcast news show.

So on the last night of Pageant, I prayed to be able to bear my testimony to at least one non-member before my Pageant experience was over. Well, that night was especially busy with pictures, and there was no opportunity for a traditional missionary experience. I understand Noah’s role, both in the performance and with the audience. He is the antagonist, and helps illustrate the need for the peace of the Saviour’s love. So I was ok with how it all went. When Pageant ended, I assumed that my Pageant experience was over.

No one was sure when the Nightline piece would air. On August 8, 2007, I received a phone call telling me that the show would be on that evening. So I began to call all my friends and family to have a look.

In the audience of over 3 million viewers (1) on that night were friends of mine who are not active, and members of my family who are not members of the Church. Since that night, I have had several friends tell me they have shown the web video to their friends of other faiths.

Obviously, my Pageant experience was not yet over, and the Lord certainly answered my prayer and caused my testimony to be borne to “at least one non-member.”

As I look back at the events that took place for this all to happen, beginning with the feeling that our family needed to apply for Pageant, through the acceptance process and on into the Pageant itself, the Nightline interview and subsequent news show, I gratefully acknowledge the hand of Lord in all of this. I feel so blessed that He gives us His Spirit to guide us to places He needs us to go and to say things He needs us to say, even as Luke taught: “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.”

I didn’t know what to say. But the Spirit knew.

Because it’s true.

By John P. Starrs, 22 January, 2008

See Also- Starrman’s Nightline Blog Post