SPOILER ALERT! This little 8:02 minute video was produced in 2003 before casting was complete and before rehearsals began in January of 2004 and the two stage performances were held in April, that year.
Jon Robert Howe, the author of the book and many of the lyrics had some time on his hand in 2003. The production had been pushed back to 2004 because of the Salt Lake City Olympics. Using simple powerpoint, Jon created these charming characters of Willard at several different ages, Pliny Sexton, the greedy banker and Willard's best and the faithful workhorse of the Joseph Smith Farmhouse for more than two decade--the lovely, hardy Rebecca and other members of the cast: Mel Hardman as the Attorney, Buster Douglas, Palmyra Town Bully, and a slew of the pre war and post war LDS Church leaders from John Taylor to Heber J. Grant;
Uttilizing his 20 years in commercial radio as a news anchor, Jon Robert narrated the production into a little more than 30 minute VIDEO TAPE, When YouTube came along, it was a natural destination for his little pre performance creativity. Hereit is: (Please be advised that as of this posting the other two segments that follow this one have yet to debut on YouTube! Soon, really Soon!:
Missionary Boxer is the story of how the Hill Cumorah was purchased by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after more than twenty years of unique missionary efforts by Willard Bean and his family. In 1925 Willard and his wife, Rebecca and their children were called by President Joseph F. Smith to be volunteer caretakers of the Joseph Smith Farm and the Sacred Grove near Palmyra, New York. Their five year mission stretched into 24 years as they made friends for the church and finally helped acquire the Hill Cumorah.The young prophet Joseph Smith was given golden plates by an angel on that Hill from which he translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. The Hill Cumorah Pageant
Uttilizing his 20 years in commercial radio as a news anchor, Jon Robert narrated the production into a little more than 30 minute VIDEO TAPE, When YouTube came along, it was a natural destination for his little pre performance creativity. Hereit is: (Please be advised that as of this posting the other two segments that follow this one have yet to debut on YouTube! Soon, really Soon!:
Missionary Boxer is the story of how the Hill Cumorah was purchased by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after more than twenty years of unique missionary efforts by Willard Bean and his family. In 1925 Willard and his wife, Rebecca and their children were called by President Joseph F. Smith to be volunteer caretakers of the Joseph Smith Farm and the Sacred Grove near Palmyra, New York. Their five year mission stretched into 24 years as they made friends for the church and finally helped acquire the Hill Cumorah.The young prophet Joseph Smith was given golden plates by an angel on that Hill from which he translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God. The Hill Cumorah Pageant
