Book of Mormon Readers Theater Sampler - kenalford.com · Sampler This file contains sample...

Sampler

This file contains sample chapters from Book of Mormon Readers’ Theater, Volume 1 and Volume 2. The Readers’ Theater from 1 Nephi 17 may be used and performed as desired – as long as the source is acknowledged.

Volume 1 (1 Nephi to Mosiah) is a 261 page book. Volume 2 (Alma to Moroni) is a 427 page book. Together they contain 76 separate Reader Theater plays and almost 700 pages! (Both books are distributed in Adobe Acrobat Reader .PDF format on CD.)

Additional information is available online at www.KenAlford.com

Questions? Please contact S_c_r_i_p_t_u_r_e__M_a_s_t_e_r_y_@_K_e_n_A_l_f_o_r_d_._c_o_m

© Ken Alford and Wm Lyle Stamps, 2001.

All rights reserved.

Introduction

The Book of Mormon is the greatest book ever written.

This book is designed to help families and teachers make the stories, principles, and doctrines of that wonderful book “come alive.”

The unaltered text of the Book of Mormon has been formatted into short plays designed to be used in any Gospel instructional setting – Family Home Evenings, Seminary, Institute, Young Men, Young Women, Primary, Relief Society, Melchizedek Priesthood, and others.

Each chapter in this Book of Mormon Readers’ Theater, Volume 1, is organized according to the standard format outlined on the following page:

Readers’ Theater Number

Readers’ Theater Title

Book of Mormon Scriptural Reference

Approximate Reading Time The approximate reading time is a general guide for lesson planning purposes. The actual time required for each play will depend on the ages, ability, and interest of the participants.

Suggested Cast Members Cast members are listed in the order that they are introduced within that play.

Book of Mormon Readers’ Theater Sampler – www.KenAlford.com 3

Roles marked as a “possible silent part”—for example, “Nephi (possible silent part)”—may be skipped with no loss of continuity or storyline. (“Silent part” cast members may or may not be included, as desired.)

Scriptural Setting The Scriptural Setting provides an introduction to the excerpt of the Book of Mormon that is contained in that play.

The Readers’ Theater Cast member roles are clearly marked. Scripture verses are included in parenthesis – but should not be read by the players.

Epilogue The Epilogue provides a conclusion for each play and a “springboard” into further discussion and/or lesson materials.

Notes Notes, usually in the form of applicable quotations from prophets and apostles, are included at the end of each chapter.

The “Notes” quotations can be photocopied and used in many ways, for example:

Give one copy of desired quotations to each student or family member and distribute them as scripture “glue-ins” (using stick glue to carefully glue the quotation into their Book of Mormon on an appropriate page or near a specific scriptural reference).

Place individual quotations (perhaps one per week or one per day) in a prominent place in a classroom (bulletin boards, classroom door, placed on student chairs or desks, etc.) or home (on the refrigerator, mirrors).

Laminate (or cover with heavy, clear packing tape) and use individual quotations as bookmarks.

Use as reference materials for talks or other gospel presentations.

Use as supplemental lesson material during Family Home Evenings or other gospel lessons (such as Seminary, Young Women, Young Men, Sunday School, Gospel Doctrine, Priesthood Meeting, or Relief Society, etc.).

Please note:

4 Book of Mormon Readers’ Theater Sampler – www.KenAlford.com

No Book of Mormon text has been deleted from Readers’ Theater scriptural blocks.

Many parts that would be too long for most players have been divided into two or more subparts, for example: Nephi (Reader 1) and Nephi (Reader 2).

The following ideas are offered as suggestions to help adapt the Book of Mormon Readers’ Theater to specific classroom and family situations:

Players may be given multiple parts to read if fewer readers are available than the total number of suggested roles. For example, the Scriptural Setting and Epilogue can be read by one person.

Larger parts may be subdivided into additional roles for more player participation.

Individual stories in the Book of Mormon Readers’ Theater may be combined or divided, as desired.

Pages are designed so that individual Readers’ Theaters may be printed and distributed to participants, as desired. (Please note, though, the copyright guidelines listed at the beginning of this book.)

Plays may be shortened or altered to better match the age and ability of play participants.

Cover the Notes portion of a play during photocopying if the Notes material will be used during a subsequent lesson or discussion. (This will ensure that players do not receive copies of the quotations earlier than desired).

Additional classroom ideas and useful resource information are located in the Appendices at the conclusion of this book.


Book of Mormon Readers' Theater VOLUME 1 (1 Nephi to Mosiah)

Table of Contents COVER PAGE...................................................................................................... 1 COPYRIGHT GUIDELINES.................................................................................. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................... 3 ABOUT THE AUTHORS ...................................................................................... 6 FEEDBACK .......................................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 9 1 NEPHI 1. LEHI'S PROPHETIC CALLING [1 NEPHI 1:1-20] ....................................... 13 2. LEHI DEPARTS JERUSALEM [1 NEPHI 2:1-24] ........................................ 19 3. DREAMS, JOURNEYS, AND ANGELS [1 NEPHI 3:1-4:4].......................... 25 4. RETRIEVING THE PLATES OF BRASS [1 NEPHI 4:4-38]......................... 33 5. LEARNING FROM THE SCRIPTURES [1 NEPHI 5:1-22]........................... 40 6. NEPHI'S TREE OF LIFE VISION [1 NEPHI 11:1-36] .................................. 45 7. LAND OF PROMISE VISION [1 NEPHI 12:1-23] ........................................ 54 8. VISION OF THE RESTORATION [1 NEPHI 13:1-42] ................................. 59 9. VISION OF THE LAMB OF GOD [1 NEPHI 14:1-30] .................................. 68 10. VISION OF THE GATHERING OF ISRAEL [1 NEPHI 15:1-36] .................. 75 11. NEPHI BUILDS A BOAT [1 NEPHI 17:7-55]................................................ 84 2 NEPHI 12. LEHI'S FAREWELL [2 NEPHI 2:1-30] ......................................................... 94 13. LEHI BLESSES JOSEPH [2 NEPHI 3] ...................................................... 101 14. TEACHING OF CHRIST [2 NEPHI 26] ...................................................... 108 15. FOLLOWING CHRIST [2 NEPHI 31:1-21]................................................. 116 JACOB 16. JACOB'S MORAL TEACHINGS [JACOB 2:1-3:2] ..................................... 122 OLIVE TREE ALLEGORY - INTRODUCTION [JACOB 5]................................ 129 17. OLIVE TREE ALLEGORY, PART 1 [JACOB 5:1-25]................................. 131 18. OLIVE TREE ALLEGORY, PART 2 [JACOB 5:26-48]............................... 139 19. OLIVE TREE ALLEGORY, PART 3 [JACOB 5:49-77]............................... 146 20. SHEREM DENIES CHRIST [JACOB 7:1-27]............................................. 154 ENOS 21. ENOS' WRESTLE WITH GOD [ENOS] ..................................................... 161 JAROM, OMNI 22. FROM OMNI TO AMALEKI [OMNI]........................................................... 168 WORDS OF MORMON 23. MORMON'S BRIDGE [WORDS OF MORMON]........................................ 174 MOSIAH 24. KING BENJAMIN'S TOWER [MOSIAH 2] ................................................. 179 25. BECOMING A SAINT [MOSIAH 3] ............................................................ 188 26. ARE WE NOT ALL BEGGARS? [MOSIAH 4]............................................ 195


27. SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD [MOSIAH 5] ..................................... 202 28. AMMON AND KING LIMHI [MOSIAH 7] .................................................... 207 29. AMMON TEACHES THE PEOPLE [MOSIAH 8] ....................................... 215 30. THE TEACHINGS OF ABINADI [MOSIAH 12] .......................................... 221 31. THE DEATH OF ABINADI [MOSIAH 17] ................................................... 229 32. THE CONVERSION OF ALMA [MOSIAH 27]............................................ 234 APPENDIX A. TEACHING IDEAS................................................................... 244 APPENDIX B. MODIFYING CAST MEMBERS ............................................... 247 APPENDIX C. ADDITIONAL BOOK OF MORMON QUOTATIONS................ 249 BONUS CD RESOURCES............................................................................... 259 FUTURE READERS' THEATERS.................................................................... 260 QUESTIONS? .................................................................................................. 261


Book of Mormon Readers' Theater VOLUME 2 (Alma to Moroni)

Table of Contents COVER PAGE...................................................................................................... 1 COPYRIGHT GUIDELINES.................................................................................. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................... 3 ABOUT THE AUTHORS ...................................................................................... 7 FEEDBACK .......................................................................................................... 9 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................ 10 ALMA 33. BEING BORN AGAIN [ALMA 5] .................................................................. 14 34. ALMA, AN ANGEL, AND AMULEK [ALMA 8:6-32]...................................... 27 35. ALMA'S CALL TO REPENTANCE [ALMA 9]............................................... 34 36. AMULEK TEACHES IN AMMONIHAH [ALMA 10:1-30] .............................. 43 37. AMULEK AND ZEEZROM [ALMA 10:31-32, 11:1-4, 20-46]........................ 52 38. ALMA AND ZEEZROM [ALMA 12] .............................................................. 61 39. ALMA AND AMULEK IMPRISONED [ALMA 14] ......................................... 72 40. ZEEZROM REPENTS [ALMA 15:1-12] ....................................................... 81 41. NEPHITE MISSIONARIES [ALMA ALMA 17:8-39]...................................... 86 42. AMMON AND LAMONI [ALMA 18].............................................................. 96 43. AMMON AND LAMANITE CONVERSIONS [ALMA 19] ............................ 107 44. AARON TEACHES LAMONI'S FATHER [ALMA 22:1-26 AND 23:1-7] ..... 116 45. AMMON'S MISSIONARY SUCCESS [ALMA 26] ...................................... 125 46. THE ANTI-NEPHI-LEHITES [ALMA 27] .................................................... 134 47. KORIHOR, THE ANTI-CHRIST [ALMA 30] ............................................... 142 48. RAMEUMPTON [ALMA 31:8-38]............................................................... 155 49. FAITH AS A SEED [ALMA 32]................................................................... 162 50. AVOIDING PROCRASTINATION [ALMA 34] ............................................ 172 51. ALMA'S MIGHTY CHANGE [ALMA 36]..................................................... 180 52. ZERAHEMNAH'S REJECTION OF PEACE [ALMA 44] ............................ 188 53. ALMA'S PARTING COUNSEL [ALMA 45:2-19]......................................... 195 54. THE TITLE OF LIBERTY [ALMA 46] ......................................................... 201 55. CAPTAIN MORONI AT WAR [ALMA 54:3-24]........................................... 210 56. THE STRIPLING WARRIORS [ALMA 56] ................................................. 216 57. MORONI AND PAHORAN [ALMA 60-61].................................................. 227 HELAMAN 58. THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING [HELAMAN 5:5-14] ................. 239 59. MIRACULOUS MISSIONARY WORK [HELAMAN 5:17-50]...................... 244 60. SAMUEL THE LAMANITE [HELAMAN 13:2-15:17 ................................... 252 3 NEPHI 61. NEPHITES HEAR THE VOICE OF CHRIST [3 NEPHI 9] ......................... 269 62. CHRIST APPEARS TO THE NEPHITES [3 NEPHI 11] ............................ 275 63. THE SAVIOR'S SERMON AT THE TEMPLE [3 NEPHI 12] ...................... 285 64. JESUS TEACHES THE NEPHITES [3 NEPHI 20] .................................... 295 65. CHRIST TEACHES ABOUT ISRAEL [3 NEPHI 21] .................................. 305


4 NEPHI 66. A ZION SOCIETY [4 NEPHI 1:1-18] .......................................................... 311 67. APOSTASY AND WICKEDNESS RETURN [4 NEPHI 1:20-45]................ 317 MORMON 68. DESTRUCTION OF THE NEPHITES [MORMON 6] ................................. 323 69. MORMON'S INVITATION [MORMON 7] ................................................... 329 ETHER 70. JAREDITE LANGUAGE NOT CONFOUNDED [ETHER 1:1-5, 33-43] ...... 333 71. JAREDITE PREPARATION [ETHER 2:1-20] ............................................ 338 72. THE FINGER OF THE LORD [ETHER 2:22-3:28]..................................... 345 73. JAREDITE VOYAGE TO THE AMERICAS [ETHER 6:2-12] ..................... 355 74. WEAKNESS TO STRENGTH [ETHER 12]................................................ 359 75. CORIANTUMR AND SHIZ [ETHER 15] .................................................... 369 MORONI 76. MORONI'S TESTIMONY AND PROMISE [MORONI 10] .......................... 378 APPENDIX A. TEACHING IDEAS................................................................... 389 APPENDIX B. MODIFYING CAST MEMBERS ............................................... 393 APPENDIX C. ADDITIONAL BOOK OF MORMON QUOTATIONS................ 395 APPENDIX D. SEMINARY SCRIPTURE MASTERY SCRIPTURES .............. 407 APPENDIX E. SEMINARY SCRIPTURE MASTERY KEYWORDS................. 412 BONUS CD RESOURCES............................................................................... 417 COMPUTER JIGSAW PUZZLES ..................................................................... 418 COMPUTER GRAPHICS ................................................................................. 419 FUTURE READERS' THEATERS.................................................................... 421 SCRIPTURE MASTERY RESOURCES!.......................................................... 422 VOLUME 1 SCRIPTURE MASTERY PACKETS.............................................. 423 VOLUME 2 SCRIPTURE MASTERY PACKETS.............................................. 424 PICTURE CLUES PACKET.............................................................................. 425 ORDERING SCRIPTURE MASTERY PRODUCTS ......................................... 426 QUESTIONS? .................................................................................................. 427


11 Nephi Builds a Boat

(1 Nephi 17:7-55)

Suggested Cast Members (in order of appearance): Scriptural Setting (1 speaking part) Nephi (Narrator) (11 speaking parts) The Lord (5 speaking parts) Nephi (possible silent part) (2 speaking parts) Nephi (Reader 1) (8 speaking parts) Laman (5 speaking parts) Lemuel (4 speaking parts) Nephi (Reader 2) (8 speaking parts) Nephi (Reader 3) (8 speaking parts) Epilogue (1 speaking part)

Approximate Reading Time: 10-15 minutes

Scriptural Setting Laman and Lemuel continue to murmur against the Lord after Ishmael’s death and Nephi’s broken bow. Lehi and his family arrive at the land of Bountiful, and the Lord commands Nephi to build a boat.

Nephi (Narrator) (7) And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying:

The Lord Arise, and get thee into the mountain.

Nephi (Narrator) And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord. (8) And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying:


The Lord Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.

Nephi (possible silent part) (9) And I said:

Nephi (Reader 1) Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?

Nephi (Narrator) (10) And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools. (11) And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make a bellows wherewith to blow the fire, of the skins of beasts; and after I had made a bellows, that I might have wherewith to blow the fire, I did smite two stones together that I might make fire. (12) For the Lord had not hitherto suffered that we should make much fire, as we journeyed in the wilderness; for he said:

The Lord I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not; (13) And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

Nephi (possible silent part) (14) Yea, and the Lord said also that:

The Lord After ye have arrived in the promised land, ye shall know that I, the Lord, am God; and that I, the Lord, did deliver you from destruction; yea, that I did bring you out of the land of Jerusalem.

Nephi (Narrator) (15) Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence. (16) And it came to pass that I did make tools of the ore which I did molten out of the rock. (17) And when my brethren saw that I was about to build a ship, they began to murmur against me, saying:


Laman Our brother is a fool, for he thinketh that he can build a ship;

Lemuel yea, and he also thinketh that he can cross these great waters.

Nephi (Narrator) (18) And thus my brethren did complain against me, and were desirous that they might not labor, for they did not believe that I could build a ship; neither would they believe that I was instructed of the Lord. (19) And now it came to pass that I, Nephi, was exceedingly sorrowful because of the hardness of their hearts; and now when they saw that I began to be sorrowful they were glad in their hearts, insomuch that they did rejoice over me, saying:

Laman We knew that ye could not construct a ship, for we knew that ye were lacking in judgment; wherefore, thou canst not accomplish so great a work.

Lemuel (20) And thou art like unto our father, led away by the foolish imaginations of his heart; yea, he hath led us out of the land of Jerusalem, and we have wandered in the wilderness for these many years;

Laman and our women have toiled, being big with child; and they have borne children in the wilderness and suffered all things, save it were death;

Lemuel and it would have been better that they had died before they came out of Jerusalem than to have suffered these afflictions.

Laman (21) Behold, these many years we have suffered in the wilderness, which time we might have enjoyed our possessions and the land of our inheritance; yea, and we might have been happy.

Lemuel (22) And we know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses;


Laman wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them, and hath led us away because we would hearken unto his words; yea, and our brother is like unto him.

Nephi (Narrator) And after this manner of language did my brethren murmur and complain against us. (23) And it came to pass that I, Nephi, spake unto them, saying:

Nephi (Reader 2) Do ye believe that our fathers, who were the children of Israel, would have been led away out of the hands of the Egyptians if they had not hearkened unto the words of the Lord? (24) Yea, do ye suppose that they would have been led out of bondage, if the Lord had not commanded Moses that he should lead them out of bondage?

Nephi (Reader 3) (25) Now ye know that the children of Israel were in bondage; and ye know that they were laden with tasks, which were grievous to be borne; wherefore, ye know that it must needs be a good thing for them, that they should be brought out of bondage. (26) Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.

Nephi (Reader 1) (27) But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh. (28) And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness. (29) Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst.

Nephi (Reader 2) (30) And notwithstanding they being led, the Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day and giving light unto them by night, and doing all things for them which were expedient for man to receive, they hardened their hearts and blinded their minds, and reviled against Moses and against the true and living God.


Nephi (Reader 3) (31) And it came to pass that according to his word he did destroy them; and according to his word he did lead them; and according to his word he did do all things for them; and there was not any thing done save it were by his word.

Nephi (Reader 1) (32) And after they had crossed the river Jordan he did make them mighty unto the driving out of the children of the land, yea, unto the scattering them to destruction.

Nephi (Reader 2) (33) And now, do ye suppose that the children of this land, who were in the land of promise, who were driven out by our fathers, do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. (34) Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay.

Nephi (Reader 3) (35) Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them;

Nephi (Reader 1) and the Lord did curse the land against them, and bless it unto our fathers; yea, he did curse it against them unto their destruction, and he did bless it unto our fathers unto their obtaining power over it.

Nephi (Reader 2) (36) Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it. (37) And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and destroyeth the nations of the wicked.

Nephi (Reader 3) (38) And he leadeth away the righteous into precious lands, and the wicked he destroyeth, and curseth the land unto them for their sakes. (39) He ruleth high in the heavens, for it is his throne, and this earth is his footstool.

Nephi (Reader 1) (40) And he loveth those who will have him to be their God. Behold, he loved our fathers, and he covenanted with them, yea, even Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he remembered the covenants which he had made; wherefore, he did bring them out of the land of Egypt.


Nephi (Reader 2) (41) And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity.

Nephi (Reader 3) He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.

Nephi (Reader 1) (42) And they did harden their hearts from time to time, and they did revile against Moses, and also against God; nevertheless, ye know that they were led forth by his matchless power into the land of promise.

Nephi (Reader 2) (43) And now, after all these things, the time has come that they have become wicked, yea, nearly unto ripeness; and I know not but they are at this day about to be destroyed; for I know that the day must surely come that they must be destroyed, save a few only, who shall be led away into captivity.

Nephi (Reader 3) (44) Wherefore, the Lord commanded my father that he should depart into the wilderness; and the Jews also sought to take away his life; yea, and ye also have sought to take away his life; wherefore, ye are murderers in your hearts and ye are like unto them.

Nephi (Reader 1) (45) Ye are swift to do iniquity but slow to remember the Lord your God. Ye have seen an angel, and he spake unto you; yea, ye have heard his voice from time to time; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words; wherefore, he has spoken unto you like unto the voice of thunder, which did cause the earth to shake as if it were to divide asunder.

Nephi (Reader 2) (46) And ye also know that by the power of his almighty word he can cause the earth that it shall pass away; yea, and ye know that by his word he can cause the rough places to be made smooth, and smooth places shall be broken up. O, then, why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?


Nephi (Reader 3) (47) Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my heart is pained; I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever. Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength.

Nephi (Narrator) (48) And now it came to pass that when I had spoken these words, they were angry with me, and were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea; and as they came forth to lay their hands upon me I spake unto them, saying:

Nephi (Reader 1) In the name of the Almighty God, I command you that ye touch me not, for I am filled with the power of God, even unto the consuming of my flesh; and whoso shall lay his hands upon me shall wither even as a dried reed; and he shall be as naught before the power of God, for God shall smite him.

Nephi (Narrator) (49) And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto them that they should murmur no more against their father; neither should they withhold their labor from me, for God had commanded me that I should build a ship. (50) And I said unto them:

Nephi (Reader 2) If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. (51) And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?

Nephi (Narrator) (52) And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said many things unto my brethren, insomuch that they were confounded and could not contend against me; neither durst they lay their hands upon me nor touch me with their fingers, even for the space of many days. Now they durst not do this lest they should wither before me, so powerful was the Spirit of God; and thus it had wrought upon them. (53) And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me:

The Lord Stretch forth thine hand again unto thy brethren, and they shall not wither before thee, but I will shock them, saith the Lord, and this will I do, that they may know that I am the Lord their God.


Nephi (Narrator) (54) And it came to pass that I stretched forth my hand unto my brethren, and they did not wither before me; but the Lord did shake them, even according to the word which he had spoken. (55) And now, they said:

Lemuel We know of a surety that the Lord is with thee,

Laman for we know that it is the power of the Lord that has shaken us.

Nephi (Narrator) And they fell down before me, and were about to worship me, but I would not suffer them, saying:

Nephi (Reader 3) I am thy brother, yea, even thy younger brother; wherefore, worship the Lord thy God, and honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God shall give thee.

Epilogue Nephi teaches and demonstrates that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. The Lord helps Nephi complete his boat, and Lehi’s family sets sail for the promise land.


Notes

It was not blind faith when the patriarch Noah built an ark some forty-two centuries ago or when the prophet Nephi built a boat about twenty-five centuries ago. Each was commanded by the Lord to construct a seaworthy vessel. An unprecedented total flood was to envelop the earth in the one case and the greatest ocean to be crossed by the other. No experience of either builder could give guidance in these new adventures — no previous flood or ocean crossing had ever come in the life of either — there was nothing on which to base construction except directions from the Lord. Here was no blind obedience. Each knew the goodness of God and that he had purpose in his strange commands. And so each with eyes wide open, with absolute freedom of choice, built by faith. Noah's family was saved from physical drowning and spiritual decadence, and Nephi's people were saved likewise. No swords nor bayonets, no famine nor pestilence drove the Lehites from the lush shores of Bountiful, but seeing obedience led them across uncharted oceans.

Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, October 1954, p. 52

One of the things I recognize is that if we are obedient, faithful, and earnest, the Lord helps us prepare our offerings. We learn this from Nephi, who was told, “Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters” (1 Nephi 17:8). Nephi was not from a seaside community; he had never built a boat. But his response was so full of faith and accountability: “Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?” (1 Nephi 17:9). Without hesitation or question, Nephi began to prepare an offering to the Lord in the shape of a ship.

Elaine L. Jack, Ensign, May 1997, p. 74

Appendix A. Teaching Ideas

Appendix A

Teaching Ideas

I challenge our Church writers, teachers, and leaders to tell us more Book of Mormon conversion stories that will strengthen our faith and prepare great missionaries. Show us how to effectively use it as a missionary tool, and let us know how it leads us to Christ and answers our personal problems and those of the world.

Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, November 1988, p. 6

Speaking Parts When there are parts like Nephi (Narrator) and Nephi (Reader), you will want to assign different people to these parts, if possible. These distinctions mark the difference between Nephi when he wrote the small plates and edited the account (as an older man) and his own personal experience of the events (related from his viewpoint as a younger man).

If you do not have enough readers, consider using a different tone of voice to highlight the distinction between the two parts. This will allow children and students to understand more about the Book of Mormon, its creation, and the events recording in it.


Identifying Cast Members To help players and the audience, it is often helpful if cast members wear a sign identifying “who they are.” Signs can be made quickly (either by hand or on the computer) using 8½ x 11” paper, cardstock, or posterboard. Punch or poke a small hole in each top corner, run string through the holes, tie a knot at each end of the string, and ask cast members to wear the sign around their neck. For example:

Nephi(Narrator)

Costumes While not essential for a successful readers’ theater, appropriate costumes can add to the overall experience for participants. Plain bathrobes and a piece of rope for a belt can be used for all-purpose Book of Mormon clothing.

Scenery Like costumes, props are not a necessity, but they can add interest and deepen the level of student or family participation. Boxes, painted and unpainted, can be assembled for fast scenary

Props Aluminum foil and poster board can be used to make an amazing number of quick and easy props. It is recommended that players or audience members make play props.


Staging Readers’ theaters may be staged successfully anywhere – from a classroom to a family room to a stage in the cultural hall. If a stage or large room is being used, teachers or families may wish to add brief stage directions on the readers’ theater pages before distributing them to cast members.

Director Large classes, classes with special students, and families with young children, may wish to consider appointing a Readers’ Theater Director. The director can do as little as much as you desire.

You may wish to consider providing your Director with an advance copy of the Readers’ Theater and invite them to include stage directions on a copy of the script. The Director can also check to ensure that any role modifications you have made are correctly annotated on the copy of the Readers’ Theater script that you will be using.

Audience It is not essential to have an audience during the performance of a readers’ theater. All class or family members may participate in the play.

Creativity Give students or family members copies of the script, and then let them be creative!

Have fun with Readers’ Theaters!

Appendix B. Modifying Cast Members

Appendix B

Modifying Cast Members

The Readers’ Theaters in this book each contain from 5 to 13 parts. It is possible, though, to use more or less cast members during a performance – to accommodate class size, family size, or personal desires. Readers’ Theater number 10 (“Vision of the Gathering of Israel”) currently contains 10 individual parts:

Scriptural Setting Nephi (Narrator 1) Nephi (Narrator 2) Laman Lemuel Nephi (possible silent part) Nephi (Reader 1) Nephi (Reader 2) The Lord Epilogue

The following table shows how these roles could be consolidated to as few as two cast members, if desired:


Original Parts Consolidated Scriptural Setting Epilogue Laman Lemuel The Lord Nephi (Narrator 1) Nephi (Narrator 2) Nephi (possible silent part) Nephi (Reader 1) Nephi (Reader 2)

Reader 1 (Scriptural Setting, Laman, Lemuel, The Lord, Epilogue) Reader 2 (All Nephi roles)

And, of course, any number of cast members between two and ten could also be used depending upon how existing parts are consolidated. To create additional cast members, take existing roles and separate them into two or more subparts. Remember to mark your changes on the actual script pages before you photocopy, if you modify the number of parts within a Readers’ Theater.

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