Staff and Wire Reports

St. George Spectrum & Daily News

The LDS Church is ending the Hill Cumorah Pageant after its 2020 performance, officials announced Saturday.

The news came after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Saturday discouraging its members from participating in large-scale events such as pageants. The announcement says leaders are talking about ways to "appropriately end, modify or continue" existing pageants.

The statement encouraged local church leaders and members to focus on gospel learning in their homes and participate in Sabbath worship and church programs for children, youth, individuals and families.

The Hill Cumorah Pageant, held near Palmyra, New York, marked its 81st year in July. It draws more than 25,000 people to watch the theatrical presentation of the Book of Mormon.

"Mindful of a growing, world-wide church, Church leadership made the decision after an extensive review of all pageants," Amanda Lonsberry, Hill Cumorah Pageant public affairs director, wrote in a release. "Leaders said they took under consideration how to reduce the burden of church member time commitments, cost, security, impact to church sites and more in their decision."

In Utah, the Mormon Miracle Pageant draws tens of thousands of people each June to the LDS temple grounds in Manti. With a cast of hundreds, its tells the history of the early church and the Book of Mormon.

In Arizona, an annual Easter pageant is performed on the grounds of the LDS Mesa Temple. With performances in English and Spanish, it also draws thousands nightly. The temple closed in May for renovations and will reopen in two years. Some planned exterior improvements were aimed at enhancing pageant-goers' experience, moving the location of the outdoor stage so the sun would no longer set in spectators' eyes.

The Salt Lake City-based church's statement said local celebrations of culture and history "may be appropriate" but that larger productions, such as pageants, are discouraged.

According to the statement, the goal of church activity "should be to increase faith in Lord Jesus Christ and to share his gospel message throughout the world."

The Associated Press and Democrat & Chronicle contributed to this article.

READ MORE:

LDS Church announces new Washington County temple, 11 others

LDS Church cuts Sunday services to 2 hours

No more snail mail: LDS to receive mission calls online