The Haka

The boys performed this at the Pageant Talent Show. They were wearing matching work crew T-shirts and jeans - it was very manly!

After the fact...

Brother Powell: IN WHAT WAYS DID YOUR TESTIMONY GROW ON WORK CREW?

In visiting all of the church history sites, especially living on one of them, I have felt the wonderful influence of the Spirit testifying of the truthfulness of the gospel as it was restored at the many locations we were at. I know the value of hard work as well as team work. We must do our part if we're to ever succeed in building Zion here on earth. I have seen the miracle of prayers being answered while I was on the work crew. I personally participated in the prayer challenge set a month before the work crew arrived and I think we can all agree to it's fulfillment.

Brother Abutaa:

THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM BEING ON THE 2009 WORK CREW

I loved being on Work Crew. I learned so much! At first I couldn't believe all we had to do and even worried if we'd finish our tasks. But I learned that if the Lord has a work to be done, it will get done. Some of the things I had to do I couldn't have done on my own. The Spirit provided me with strength and courage to help me complete certain tasks. There were times when I would be discouraged or maybe the weather looked like it would ruin everything, but for the same reason everything worked out perfectly. It is my testimony that the Lord has a work to be done here on this Earth and that is to invite others to come unto Christ. I know that this work will be completed no matter what and that the Lord will provide the way. He won't put tasks before us that we can't bear. I know that our Savior and our Father in Heaven loves us and has a plan for us so that we can be eternally happy. I'm so grateful for that.

Brother Lyman:Don't be afraid to talk. People are nicer than you think, even if they're just being kind they will listen to you. Every time you speak is an opportunity to share some of your knowledge and invite others to come unto Christ.

Brother Hirschi:

This experience has strengthened my testimony so much. I am so glad to have been able to do this. I am so grateful for all the lessons that I have learned from leaders and from my peers. Everyone and everything has been such an example to me. I know that I was supposed to be on the work crew this year, and it has helped me in my life to see what I need to do in my life. Watching two boys receive their mission calls on the Hill strengthend my desire to serve a misison. I can't wait to go on my mission and serve the Lord.

Brother Spinder:

The work crew is such an amazing, growing and preparing for a mission experience that no one should ever pass up if they have the opportunity. While I was out there I learned how to testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we first started talking to people, I can honestly say I was a little nervous and I didn't know what to say. I just followed along and listened to my companion and I bore my testimony at the end sometimes. With the Sister Missionaries, and Companionship Study, I learned where to find scriptures, pick my favorite ones, when to use the scriptures, and how to teach using the verses. Later, I got to be able to walk up to people and just start talking to them. I was able to take what I prepared and start teaching them what I know and what I love. I was able to testify of our savior Jesus Christ and how much he loves and cares for all of us. It was such an amazing and testimony building experience. I am so grateful for that opportunity I had to be able to share what I know to be true to people who have never learned of our church before. And I hope that I made a good impression on them. I know that if I never tried and put my Faith in the Lord to help me go out and use the spirit to know what to say to people, I would have never grown and succeeded in what I wanted to do. Besides learning how to use the spirit to find people to teach and testify to them, I was able to strengthen my testimony so much of the Restoration of the Church. Before being on the work crew, I have never been out in Palmyra or any of the other church sites before. So going there for the first time was so incredible. Feeling the spirit at the Sacred Grove just proved to me that this church is true. That Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to the 14 year old Joseph Smith when he prayed to know which church was true. I know that he was told none were. I know that Moroni appeared to him when he was in his house and told him that he would translate the Gold Plates and it would be called the Book of Mormon. And I know that that's exactly what he did. I know that he had so many trials but with his Faith, he overcame them. And I know that we can do that ourselves. If we have faith in the Lord and put our trust in him, he will help us in our trials and we will grow stronger from them.

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Check out these videos about the Pageant that were broadcast this morning!

Lots of Pictures

A peek at the "Wind Tunnel" where the boys eat and sleep.
Group hug after Brother Gassaway opened his mission call.

At a devotional with the cast in the study shelter.

The cast practicing the "Processional" at the beginning of the Pageant.

Cool view from the light tower. You can see the Lehi boat scene and the safety lighting on the rest of the huge stage.

The ground crew! They perform all the special effects on the ground and on stage.

The light crew! They are up in the light towers doing the spots for the actors on stage.

An awesome shot of the destruction rehearsal. The boys are doing a GREAT job with the special effects.

A sample of one of the incredible sunsets that we can see here on the Hill Cumorah.

Trying on costumes for the boat scene.

A map of where all the boys are from is in the Wind Tunnel.

Having a FANTASTIC time on work crew!!

Mission Call

On Saturday, July 11th at noon at the top of the Hill Cumorah, Brother Gassaway opened his mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to the Philippines Cebu Mission. He will report on September 23, 2009. Congratulations Elder Gassaway!

Enjoying the WORK.

The stage is complete!!

Such manly MEN. :)

On Friday the boys were able to do a temple session.

They are such a handsome, hardworking, and obedient group. We LOVE them. Thank you parents!

And Off To Work They Go...

Saturday, June 27th: The first day of work.

The Sacred Grove.Brother Krebs and Brother KrebsThe technical director: Brother Jurgens and his beautiful wife at the Log home.The Work Crew District leaders, Assistants, and Director (Krebs, Conover, Hooker, Gassaway, Krebs, Krebs, Jones)The whole crew in front of the Visitors Center. The empty Hill. Ready for the stage to be built!The men were tired after putting up the Grand Staircase!Time for the LIGHTS to go up.The work crew has had a wonderful experience so far. The stage is almost done, lifelong friendships are already developing, and the cast doesn't even come until Friday! :)

Welcome 2009 Work Crew!

Brother Krebs and I are thrilled to start our adventure with the 2009 Hill Cumorah Pageant Work Crew! The boys will arrive on June 26th to begin building friendships...and a 12,000 square foot stage. :) The Hill you see below will soon be busy with hundreds of people working to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon through a magestic performance. Be prepared to feel the spirit of the Hill!