Characters
Youth Book of Mormon Characters Ward Members
Benny King Benjamin Sister Adams
Stacey Nephi Brother Phillips
Joseph Helaman Brother Weeks
3-4 Sunday school students 2 Stripling Warriors Brother Jones
Scouts Sam Bishop Hawkins
Nursery Kids Alma the Younger Clerk
Moroni Relief Society President
Lehi 5-6 Relief Society Sisters
Lamanites (3) Brother Scott
Ensign Writer 1
Ensign Writer 2
Opening Act:
Scene One
Set: A Sunday School room, the teacher, Sister Adams, is enthusiastically leading the lesson, all children but Benny are participating. Benny looks extremely bored and sullen he sits in the corner spinning his Book of Mormon in his hands.
Sister Adams holding up a picture of Adam & Eve: And that is what happened in the Fall of Adam.
Stacey (very blonde Sunday School student): Wait, I don’t get it, if Adam fell who pushed him?
All students: laughing, Stacey!
Bell sounds from off stage
Sister Adams: Ok – Everyone, we will continue learning about this next week. Joseph can you say the closing prayer?
Benny drops his Book of Mormon by his feet.
Joseph stands to say the prayer: Our kind Heavenly Father we are grateful for this day, please help us to learn from our teachers. To read our scriptures and to travel home in safety. Amen.
Benny: Amen (loudly with exasperation in his voice) Finally!
All students and Sister Adams file out of the room, as SISTER ADAMS calls after them: Remember to come to the Ward party tonight
Benny bolts out of the room too, running the opposite direction of other children (children go stage R, Benny stage L) but leaves his scriptures behind.
Stage darkens – Scene Change - Center light on book
Scene Two:
Book of Mormon (this needs to be a large frame that looks like a book on its side. There should be a light lid on top of the frame – lid could be easily be made of cardboard boxes) White sheet blocks the front of the frame for first half of exchange: Sheet must be backlit for the shadow play. Sitting inside of the Book of Mormon are the BOM characters. They should act dizzy, like their heads hurt and are spinning.
Alma The Younger: Oh my head!
Nephi: I am so dizzy
Sam: Benny has got to stop spinning us around like that.
Moroni: Didn’t he listen to Joseph’s prayer? He is supposed to READ about us – not put us onto a hurl-A-Whirl.
Helaman: Well, brothers, brace yourself, he should be picking us up again any minute….on my count…one, two three
On three all characters brace themselves (should strike silly poses here – flex muscles etc. They need to be really exaggerated poses because the audience will see them as shadows against the light.) they wait expectantly. Nothing happens.
Helaman: That is odd. We heard the closing prayer. Benny should be carrying us home now.
Nephi: You call that rollercoaster ride “carrying?”
Helaman: Should be any minute now, let’s try again. Brace yourself…one, two, three
Again, they brace themselves in silly poses, but nothing happens. After a few seconds they break their pose and look around.
Helaman: One…Two…Three
Again, they brace, again nothing happens. Two characters unpin the sheet from behind and let it drop. Now we see the characters in full view.
Moroni: He left us! Benny must have left us at church.
Sam: This is awful! We have important things to teach him. How can we teach him if he loses us?
Alma the Younger: How can we teach him if he won’t read about us?
Nephi: Maybe we could talk to him like the books he does read, I know, we could talk like that Dr. Suess fellow.. Nephi steps forward and says in rhyme:
Nephi: Of goodly parents I was born
I've never drunk, I've never sworn
That is Lehi (points at Lehi), he's my dad
Laman, Lemuel, they are bad
And who is this? Why this is Sam
Yes, this is Sam;
Sam: Sam I am
Moroni interrupts: No, Nephi, that won’t do. Our words are too important for silly rhymes. No. There is only one thing to do. If Benny won’t carry us and study about us, we will just have to go and find him and convince him to listen to us!
Alma The Younger: You mean you think we should go out of the book, into Ben’s world to speak to him?
Moroni: I do. Moroni sings to the melody of “When I am baptized” (Children’s songbook p.103)
SONG: The scriptures are important, they’re full of truth and light
They guide to good decisions, they help men walk upright
The Scriptures are so precious, they contain eternal truths,
And for Ben it is so crucial, that he read them in his youth
We can reach him brothers, I know that we can.
We can reach him, and help him be a better man.
Moroni: Are you with me Brothers?
All: Yes – we are
Moroni: Come on then
All struggle against the cover of the book above them,
Helaman: I will get my Stripling Warriors! Begins to head off stage – Alma the Younger grabs him:
Alma The Younger: Helaman, just bring one or two – not the whole two thousand
All struggle until Helaman returns with two stripling warriors – they open the cover of the book
As they leave, LEHI speaks: Nephi, my son, be careful, your journey in this world will be as perilous as your journey through the wilderness. Sam and I will stay here are protect the book’s opening from Gandianton robbers and Lamanites. Be careful my son, and find Benny quickly.
Nephi, Moroni, Helaman, 2 warriors and Alma the Younger all climb out of the book.
Curtain Closes.
Act Two
Scene One
Large chorus to sing group song to set up the impression that the ward is having a party. There will be small, quick solos in this song, the song also has group parts and should have choreography to go with the singing.
(Sung to “Let’s Get Together” from Disney’s The Parent Trap). All WARD MEMBER characters should participate, SUNDAY SCHOOL kids except for Benny, and ANYONE ELSE.
Let’s get together yeah, yeah yeah male solo one
We can have a ward party male solo one
Let’s get together, what do ya say? Male solo two
We’ll have laughs loud and hearty male solo two
Oh oh oh oh all
Let’s get together yeah, yeah yeah all
What good times we’ll share all
Let’s get together later tonight all
You will say the opening prayer all
We’ll all bring casseroles, Female solo one
I’ll write my name on my bowl Female solo two
We’ll be together! all
Oh! I think our ward is swell all
And In Heaven we’ll all dwell, Together all
Oh wee! And if you stick with me Mutual Girl solo one
We’ll watch the kids in the nursery Mutual Girl solo one
Let’s get together, yeah, yeah, yeah all
Ward parties are so fun all
Let’s get together, right away all
I’ll even hang out with my mom Mutual boy solo one
At the party you can count on me, all
To be smiling, so happy to be all
Together, yeah, yeah, yeah. All
All dance off-stage. Curtain closes
Scene Two:
Summary: The BOM characters wander the church looking for Benny while the members of the ward are preparing for the ward activity. There will be different scenes happening as characters walk back and forth from the stage exits. For example – the BOM characters walk onto the stage from behind the curtain on stage L – while the mutual girls walk onto the stage from stage R – the comedy happens when the two groups meet in the middle, as if they just bumped into one another in the ward building. On stage L in front of the curtain will be a group of actors representing the Bishop’s office. They will freeze during the other characters parts.
Curtain opens on two elders setting up chairs.
BROTHER WEEKS: We only have about a half hour to get all the chairs set up for the ward party Brother Phillips.
BROTHER PHILLIPS: And we need to change the burned-out light bulb in the cultural hall too Brother Weeks.
BROTHER WEEKS: Hey, Brother Phillips, how many Mormons does it take to change a light bulb?
BROTHER PHILLIPS: I don’t know Brother Weeks, How many?
BROTHER WEEKS: Well, it depends. – (While Brother Weeks delivers lines the BOM characters begin to wander in from Stage R. The two elders have their backs turned and do not notice them.
If it is the Relief Society it takes four. One to fix refreshments. One to bring the tablecloth. One to design the Center Piece, And one to screw in the light bulb
- If it is the Bishopric, forget it, they don’t do light bulbs. They call a Priesthood Executive Council and delegate it to the Elders.
- If it is the Elders it takes four. Three that don’t show up, and one to change the bulb.
- If it is the High Priests it takes five. Two to push the wheel chairs. One to handle the oxygen tank, One that falls asleep, And one to screw in the light bulb.
- If it is the Home Teachers, it only takes two, But you have to wait until the end of the month.
BROTHER PHILLIPS & BROTHER WEEKS burst out laughing, the BOM characters laugh too. Brother Phillips and Brother Weeks spin in surprise and grab a hold of each other in fear. Brother Phillips screams at a high pitch (like a little girl) Brother Weeks looks at Brother Phillips in surprise.
ALMA THE YOUNGER: stretches out his hand and says in a booming voice Fear not. I once went about to destroy the church of God, but now I only publish peace.
BROTHER PHILLIPS & BROTHER WEEKS: Both shriek, look at each other in surprise turn and run off Stage Left.
NEPHI: Oh boy. Let’s hope we can find Benny before we scare anyone else.
The BOM characters also exit stage L, looking around and under chairs, calling for Benny as they leave.
As the BOM characters exit the Bishop Office characters will begin to move and talk in the front of the curtain on Stage R – BROTHER PHILLIPS & BROTHER WEEKS must walk around the back of the stage so they can enter again on stage right.
BROTHER SCOTT: Bishop, some writers from The Ensign called to say they will be coming to the Ward party tonight. The Ensign is writing an article about Church functions and wants to send some observers to ours.
BISHOP: Very good Brother Scott.
BROTHER JONES: Well, Bishop Hawkins, who should we call to be the Primary President?
BISHOP HAWKINS: reaches for a fishbowl on his desk and pulls out a name, reads it and says How about Sister Samuelson? Put her down.
CLERK: writing on a pad of paper Sister Samuelson, Primary President Check
On the word “check” BROTHER PHILLIPS & BROTHER WEEKS pound on the door and burst into the Bishop’s office.
BROTHER WEEKS: Bishop! Bishop! There are some trespassers in the building! They are wearing funny clothes
BROTHER PHILLIPS: And the one said he used to go about destroying the Church
BROTHER WEEKS: But now he is in publishing!
BISHOP HAWKINS: Slow down brothers…he’s in publishing you say? Why, Brother Scott, these must be Writers from The Ensign.
BROTHER PHILLIPS: shakes his head, They sure didn’t look like writers. They were dressed like, well, like Nephites.
CLERK: flipping through pages of his notebook, Oh dear. It is October…Do you think they have confused our ward activity with the stake costume carnival?
BISHOP HAWKINS: Brother Phillips, Brother Weeks, Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I assure you there is nothing to worry about. Please make sure all the chairs are set up for the party and we will clear up this matter. He opens the door for them.
BROTHER PHILLIPS & BROTHER WEEKS exit Stage R. Bishopric characters freeze.
As the Bishopric characters freeze entering from stage left come the relief society women. The relief society president wheels a cart from the kitchen. All other women carry casserole dishes.
RS PRESIDENT: All right sisters, let’s be sure we have all the food for tonight’s potluck.
All the sister line up, As the Relief Society President calls their names they step forward and set their dishes down on the cart. The RS president acts like she is reading from a list and does not look up. After setting their dishes onto the cart the women walk off the stage.
RS PRESIDENT: Sister Kathy…Funeral Potatoes…Check SISTER sets casserole plate down.
Sister Jolene….Funeral Potatoes….Check
Sister Benson….Funeral Potatoes…check
The BOM characters enter from stage Left. The Relief Society sisters continue going through the casserole line but stop talking momentarily while BOM characters speak.
MORONI: Perhaps we will find Benny at the end of that line. Helaman, why don’t you, I and your warriors investigate? Nephi, Alma, you continue to look elsewhere.
NEPHI & ALMA THE YOUNGER exit. The other BOM characters line up behind two more sisters
RS PRESIDENT: Sister Lindstrom….Funeral Potatoes….check
Funeral potatoes…check
Green Jello Salad…no dish is set on the table, so the RS PRESIDENT says again expectantly Green jello salad? HELAMAN stands uncomfortably at the table.
The RS PRESIDENT begins to look up, speaking as she does jello….she stops short upon seeing Helaman, Moroni and the Stripling Warriors. She struggles to regain her composure. Why…Hello…are you here to make Green Jello Salad?
HELAMAN: Green Jello Salad?
RS PRESIDENT: clearly nervous and flustered now…Sure. We have Green jello setting up in the kitchen and there are some carrots you can grate, of course, the grater is a bit worn and you have to fight with it just a little bit—
STRIPLING WARRIOR 1 interrupts the RS PRESIDENT: Behold, We have never fought, but we do not fear death.
RS PRESDIENT: taken aback, thinks for a moment, her face lights up. Oh! You must be assigned to run the nursery then! Here. I will just walk you right down there. She links her arms through two of the BOM characters and all walk off the stage.
Curtain Closes
SCENE THREE
When the curtain closes the Bishop’s office becomes active again.
BROTHER JONES: How could this have happened? The Ensign Writers think we are having a costume party?
BROTHER SCOTT: And From what Brother Phillips and Brother Weeks said they are really dressed up.
CLERK: The party starts in 20 minutes. We don’t want them to feel uncomfortable.
BISHOP: Well, the only solution I can see is for us to get dressed up too.
BROTHER JONES: The ward party starts soon – let’s see what we can use for costumes.
They begin digging through items on the desk, gathering up staplers, pieces of paper etc. as they do they can exit the stage.
SCENE FOUR
When Curtain opens MORNONI, HELAMAN, WARRIORS are standing up on small chairs nervously watching while the Nursery children play and run loudly around them – flying planes, talking and talking, some children can sing “Come with me to Primary”
ONE LITTLE GIRL: pulling on MORONI’s tunic: Who are you?
MORONI: Behold, Little One, I am Moroni
LITTLE GIRL: The angel and Prophet Moroni?
MORNONI: Yes- the angel and prophet Moroni
LITTLE GIRL: What are you doing down off of the temple?
Just then a herd of Scouts come marching onto the stage chanting loudly as they march all around, looking through binoculars, doing scout-like things: (Song to “If You’re Happy & You Know It)
When you're down and feeling blue,
Call a Scout.
They will know just what to do,
Call a Scout.
If you're ever in a hurry,
Don't take the time to worry,
All you have to do is shout,
Call a Scout.
If you need a helping hand,
Call a Scout.
They'll take your garbage out,
Call a Scout.
If the traffic that you meet,
Has you scared to cross the street,
They'll be there to help you out,
Call a Scout.
Now the Scouts are always helpful,
Don't you see.
They will lend a helping hand,
To you and me.
For they're wise in what they do.
They are kind and cheerful too.
And they always help you out.
Call a Scout.
As they march off the stage the stage the leader hollers: Sound Off
The scouts call out their names – for however many scouts we have – ie – Jimmy, Johnny, Randy etc.
LEAD SCOUT as he steps behind the curtain: Has anyone seen Ben yet?
MORONI, HELAMAN & WARRIORS look at each other HELAMAN: Did he say they are looking for Ben?
WARRIOR: Let’s follow them.
The BOM characters begin to leave after the boys.
LITTLE GIRL: Come on everyone, Let’s follow the Prophet!
Children begin singing “Follow the Prophet” as all walk off stage.
CURTAIN CLOSES
As the Curtain closes walking in front of the curtain from Stage R come NEPHI & ALMA THE YOUNGER calling Ben. From Stage L come SAM and LEHI, they look panicked.
SAM: Nephi! Father and I fell asleep. We dozed just for a moment, and when we woke up we saw Lamanites climbing out of the book.
NEPHI: Sam – you mean to tell me there are Lamanites here in the building?
SAM: We have got to find them before they find anyone else.
ALMA THE YOUNGER: All of this looking has made me so tired. I just want to take a break!
ALL TOGHETER: looking and pointing at the audience: And we think you should take a break too! Let’s have a ten minute intermission
INTERMISSION
Act Three
SCENE ONE
To get everyone back in their seats lets have the piano just begin playing music – maybe the “Let’s Get Together Song” or something.
In front of the curtain: FROM STAGE R: Come ALMA the YOUNGER, NEPHI, SAM & LEHI. From Stage L come HELAMAN, MORONI, WARRIORS:
HELAMAN: Brothers , have you found BEN yet?
NEPHI: No – And there are Lamanites loose in the building.
WARRIOR 1: Lamanites? How…where did they….his voice trails off as WARRIOR 2 points out into the audience.
From the back of the audience the LAMANITES enter, waving bows and arrows around, weaving in and out of chairs – making a general spectacle of themselves.
LEHI: We must find Benny quickly before they do.
All BOM Characters hurry off stage, Laminates exit out side doors of cultural hall.
SCENE TWO:
Curtain opens on Bishopric characters – they are in very goofy costumes made from office supplies. IE – a chicken – white paper stapled down jacket sleeves and a paper beak and a red comb hooked to a tie wrapped around their head. Etc. One member of Bishopric must also incorporate a mop into his costume. The bishop holds a Book of Mormon.
BISHOP HAWKINS: Well, Brothers, I think we look great. The Writers from the Ensign won’t feel out of place at all.
CLERK: They should be here any minute, Let’s get ready to greet all the ward members.
The bishopric characters turn and stand as ward members begin filing in, they are waving and greeting everybody. They look ridiculous in their costumes.
BROTHER JONES: Brother and Sister Adams! How nice to see you!
BISHOP HAWKINS: Sister Samuelson! You look nice tonight, you seem 100% happy to be here
SISTER SAMULSON: Thank you bishop, and may I say that you all look…you all look…100% recyclable….
CLERK: Sister Samuelson, when are you free for an interview with the bishop.
Bishopric characters continue to shake hands and welcome ward members, ward members should act confused at the costumes
SISTER ADAMS: What is the bishopric wearing?
BROTHER ADAMS: I don’t know dear. You know how our Bishop is…he is a not-so-common Common judge in Israel.
Ward members continue to file in, and stand in little knots visiting silently etc.
The BOM Characters enter in the corner of Stage R:
NEPHI: There are so many people in there. How will we ever find Benny?
HELAMAN: We had better get looking. We still have to deal with the Lamanites
The BOM characters climb down off the stage and wander into the audience calling for Benny. They should not go too far from stage.
From Stage L enter the 2 Ensign writers. They are dressed in regular shirts and ties, have cameras around their necks and notepads etc.
WRITER 1: Hello, is this the Green Valley second Ward Party? He reaches hesitantly to shake the Bishop’s hand, examining his costume.
BISHOP HAWKINS: It absolutely is. I am Bishop Hawkins. These are my counselors, Brother Scott and Brother Jones, and this is our ward Clerk. They all shake hands awkwardly around their costumes. The conversation that follows is awkward.
WRITER 2: Hello. Well gee…we feel overdressed…
CLERK: Nonsense…you look great!
BROTHER JONES: Yeah – you look great, you must be dressed up as…
BISHOP HAWKINS: Reporters! You are dressed like reporters.
The 2 Ensign Writers look at each other: We are reporters.
CLERK: How clever! Reporters dressed as Reporters. Clears his throat, Let me introduce you to some ward members. They follow him.
From Stage L in walk Benny and his family:
BISHOP HAWKINS: Brother and Sister Harris! How Wonderful to see you. And Benny I am glad you came too! He should say Benny particularly loudly.
All BOM characters look up and say simultaneously: BENNY!
They run back up onto the stage and burst onto the scene – all ward members freeze and stare at them.
ALMA THE YOUNGER Benny!!
NEPHI We’ve been searching for you
BENNY Who are you?
SAM I am Sam
LEHI I am Lehi
NEPHI I am Nephi
MORONI I am Moroni
ALMA THE YOUNGER: I am Alma the Younger
HELAMAN: I am Helaman, these are some of my warriors.
BENNY Nephi? …like in the Book of Mormon?
LEHI We have come to offer you guidance
SAM To help you choose the right
HELAMAN To protect you and give you the armor of God
BENNY Protect me from what?
NEPHI to protect you from temptation’s power
SAM to protect you from any that would do you harm. Just like we had God’s word to protect us from the Lamanites in ancient times.
On the word “Lamanites”, the Lamanites should enter from stage right with their bows drawn.
LEHI speaking of Lamanites! Look!
As he points, one Lamanite fires his arrow. Bishop holds up his Book of Mormon, the arrow is stopped in it. Everyone freezes.
BROTHER JONES takes the book, examines it, holds it up for everyone to see and says
Look! Nothing gets through 2nd Nephi!
HELAMAN the rest of you stay here. We will take care of the Lamanites. Come my sons (to warriors)
HELAMAN and WARRIORS chase the LAMANITES off stage.
NEPHI: Just as the scriptures saved your life now, they can give you power for the rest of your life. Do you understand Benny?
Before Benny can answer KING BENJAMIN enters from stage L
KING BENJAMIN: Has someone been calling for me?
ALL OTHER BOM CHARCTERS simultaneously: King Benjamin!
KING BENJAMIN: Well, of course it is me. All night I have heard voices calling for Ben. So I came to answer, and found the cover of the Book of Mormon open. I climbed out and followed the voices here.
NEPHI: King Benjamin, We have been searching for this child. Puts his hands on Benny’s shoulders, Benny. We have come to tell him the importance of reading about us, waves his arm around the room, all of us, in the scriptures.
KING BENJAMIN to BENNY: Is this true my son?
BENNY: nods. I guess so.
KING BENJAMIN: There is no guessing. Behold, I ask you, as I asked my people in ancient times, Benny, a child after my own name, “to hearken unto me, and open your ears that you may hear, and your heart that you might understand, and your mind that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view. I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom. Our Heavenly Father has commanded us to read and study the scriptures. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments that ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said. Therefore if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless and prosper you…Even so, if ye shall keep the commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you.”
ALMA THE YOUNGER: taking the Book of Mormon from the Bishop and handing it to Benny. There is power in our words Benny. Power that you need.
NEPHI: Say you will read and study about us Benny. Say you will.
BENNY: I will! I will!
ENSIGN WRTIER 1: Wow – what an amazing, powerful story this is!
BENNY: I think I am learning about some more powerful stories now. Scripture power stories.
BENNY sings first verse of “Scripture Power” Entire cast joins him on chorus. Before starting the second verse piano should softly replay the chorus – cast can softly sing, but focus should be on BENNY talking to BOM CHARACTERS
LEHI: We will see you soon Benny in the pages of the Scriptures.
BENNY: I will read about each of you.
MORONI: Then there is only one thing left to do: MORONI should take off one layer of his shirts (reference to the TITLE of LIBERTY) He pulls a sharpie marker from the CLERK’s shirt pocket. While cast sings second half of “Scripture Power” he writes THE END on the shirt – and takes the MOP from one of the bishopric members and ties the shirt to it. He waves it like he would wave the Title of Liberty.
THE END.
