|
With the
hope of providing an enriching and enjoyable service to the
Eastern Idaho community, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints have approved the presentation of the
Savior of the World musical drama at Brigham Young
University-Idaho this holiday season.
Savior of
the World depicts the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ
and is designed to appeal to all audiences. The drama debuted
in 2000 at the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City and
has been performed there annually to sold-out audiences. This
November and December, Savior of the World will mark its
first major presentation outside Salt Lake City during a three
week run on the BYU-Idaho campus.
“One of the
purposes of the production – in addition to allowing as many
people as we can to enjoy the marvelous message of the Savior
and His gospel – is to deepen our relationship with the
community,” said Kim B. Clark, president of BYU-Idaho. To help
achieve that goal, auditions for principal and choral roles were
opened to local residents as well as BYU-Idaho students and
employees. “The people who participate will be blessed for
their service, for their devotion and their commitment,”
President Clark said.
Robert M.
Wilkes, former interim president of BYU-Idaho, played a key role
in bringing Savior of the World to Rexburg, and shares
the desire of Church leaders to see community members
participate with the university in a spiritually uplifting
activity – as both performers and spectators. “We’re trying to
reach members of the Church as well as our neighbors and friends
who aren’t members of the Church,” Wilkes said. “We hope it
will enrich lives and strengthen families. We hope people will
have a renewed commitment to their connection with the Savior
and their discipleship.”
Church
leaders also authorized the BYU-Idaho production to test whether
the drama could be performed outside the Conference Center on a
smaller scale by ward and stakes. President Clark believes the
possibility of the Rexburg production becoming a model for
similar presentations throughout the Church is a positive
example of what can happen when the university and local
residents work together. “The community will be blessed by that
interaction,” President Clark said. “It’s the kind of
engagement we need to look for and foster.”
Performances
are scheduled throughout November and December and will be
presented in the Snow Drama Theater at BYU-Idaho. For more
information about Savior of the World, visit
www.byui.edu/savioroftheworld. |