CLARKSTON, UTAH
At a time when many mocked Joseph Smith and his sacred experience, Martin Harris believed the truth of the young man's words and supported the effort to publish the Book of Mormon. His testimony of the authenticity of that sacred book of scripture continues to bless the lives of others as his story is reenacted in the historical musical "Martin Harris, The Man Who Knew."
During the April 1999 general conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve said: "One of Martin Harris's greatest contributions to the Church, for which he should be honored for all time, was his financing the publication of the Book of Mormon."
Elder Oaks said it saddened him that most Church members remember Martin Harris as the "the man who unrighteously obtained and then lost the initial manuscript pages of the Book of Mormon."
"None of us are perfect," said Ronda Bickmore of the Honeyville 2nd Ward, Brigham City Utah North Stake. This was her second year as director of the pageant that she said has strengthened her testimony of the Atonement. She said, "You can make a mistake as big as losing 116 of those sacred writings of the Lord," and as long as you repent and humble yourself, the Lord will forgive. Rhett S. James, historian and original playwright for the Martin Harris pageant, is also grateful to see Martin Harris in a more positive light.
"My vision was to see to it that the misconceptions about Martin Harris were corrected," said Brother James of the Canyon Road Ward, Salt Lake Ensign Stake. "When people in the Church hear the name Martin Harris, they often think of the lost 116 manuscript pages."
Brother James said there have been many spiritual experiences that have strengthened his own testimony and goal to assure others "that God and Christ live, that angels of God administer on the earth, that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration, that the Holy Priesthood was restored, that the Book of Mormon is true, and that there are living apostles of Jesus Christ upon the earth now who lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Don Jeppesen of the Wellsville 7th Ward, Wellsville Utah Stake, has served as the pageant president for 11 years. His testimony of the Restoration of the gospel and the Book of Mormon has also been strengthened. This was Brother Jeppesen's last year as pageant president but he will always remember the growth in people and the stories of how the pageant has touched lives, especially among the youth.
"They sit and hear the testimony and when they get out in the mission field they will remember that," Brother Jeppesen said of the play. "I know that a lot of people are touched because of it."
Jeff Richins, who has played the role of Martin Harris since 2006, is also happy to see youth at the pageant.
"If I can get a young person to feel the Spirit and give them something to make them want to read the Book of Mormon and feel the Spirit, it is all worth it," said Brother Richins of the Malad 2nd Ward, Malad Idaho Stake. "If it is one kid out there that had a question and they will listen it is worth it to me."
When Brother Richins first began, he thought he would be bearing Martin Harris' testimony but it became a more personal experience.
"The director told me, 'You need to understand you are going to be bearing your testimony using Martin Harris' words.' That humbled me a lot to think that it had to be my testimony," Brother Richins said. "It was an extremely enlightening and glorifying experience for me."
Paul Willie of the Mendon 2nd Ward, Mendon Utah Stake, was recently set apart as the new pageant president. He has a great love for Church history as his great-great grandfather is Captain James G. Willie, the leader of a famous pioneer handcart company. He is excited to be a part of the organization and continue to participate in the "good tradition."
Brother Willie said the life of Martin Harris is not unlike the life of today's Church members who might struggle with faith, family or community. He hopes that by partaking of the "spirit of the pageant" that all may have a better understanding of Church history and a stronger testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and those who assisted in the work. Brother Willie said the pageant is more than just a production.
Martin Harris testified of the Book of Mormon until his death on July 10, 1875. He was 92 years old.
