Next-Level Book of Mormon LARPing - Arizona Stake Goes All-In on Youth Activity

[cinepro]

I've seen a lot of youth activities, treks and camps.  But I've never seen anything like this.  Two stakes in Arizona took the kids into the woods for three days and reenacted the Book of Mormon.  As they say in Hollywood, it had a "cast of thousands", and the logistics alone on this are incredible.  If Abinadi at 2:10 doesn't convince you this is the best activity ever, I don't know what will.

But the Joseph Smith at the end should have been holding an 1830s Book of Mormon.

Edited July 5, 2017 by cinepro

[RevTestament]

5 minutes ago, cinepro said:

I've seen a lot of youth activities, treks and camps.  But I've never seen anything like this.  Two stakes in Arizona took the kids into the woods for three days and reenacted the Book of Mormon.  As they say in Hollywood, it had a "cast of thousands", and the logistics alone on this are incredible.  If Abinadi at 2:10 doesn't convince you this is the best activity ever, I don't know what will.

 

An absolutely great youth activity to replace scouts! Thanks for posting that Cinepro - yes, I know it's pronounced Cinepro....

I really enjoyed the video too.

[bluebell]

Holy cow!  I am freaking out just thinking about the logistics of all of that.  I bet it was an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.  It would be interesting to hear what the youth thought of it.

[Tacenda]

My sister's stake does something similar, and according to her, changed lives. She lives in East Layton. I think we had a thread on it a couple of years ago on MDDB.

[stemelbow]

Wow the effort put into that was quite adorable.  I wish they used their efforts and money for other things, but whatever.  I dont' like polygamy and many of the things he did, but I dont' think I had a stronger desire to punch Joseph until I saw that vid. Sorry bro, that's just not how I've pictured Joseph. 

And Samuel the Lamanite was too white and not delightsome for my tastes.  I like them darker and more delightsome. 

The burning of Abinadi was, well, disturbing.  Who was yelling out on his behalf?  Someone behind the scenes? 

Edited July 5, 2017 by stemelbow

[morgan.deane]

Could have used a bit more mugging for the camera from an Elvis impersonator: 

 

[bluebell]

6 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

Wow the effort put into that was quite adorable.  I wish they used their efforts and money for other things, but whatever.  I dont' like polygamy and many of the things he did, but I dont' think I had a stronger desire to punch Joseph until I saw that vid. Sorry bro, that's just not how I've pictured Joseph. 

And Samuel the Lamanite was too white and not delightsome for my tastes.  I like them darker and more delightsome. 

The burning of Abinadi was, well, disturbing.  Who was yelling out on his behalf?  Someone behind the scenes? 

Can you explain how effort can be described as 'adorable'?  

You use that word a lot and i really have no idea what you are trying to convey when you do.  My only point of reference is that using such words (adorable and cute) is usually an insult (the definition in the urban dictionary is:  "Phrase used to express the zero fs given about a current thing, person, event, idea, etc. that someone is describing. Can also be used to dismiss someone's statement that you find completely irrelevant and stupid."

I am not comfortable assuming that's how you are using those types of words though and would love you to clarify.

[Rock_N_Roll]

Wow!  Looks way better than Trek.  I wish I'd had this type of experience when I was a youth...many, many moons ago. 

[The Nehor]

I have not LARPed in years. Looks like a ton of fun.

[Duncan]

I know some folks in that area but I didn't see them featured, maybe they came down with a bad case of athlete's foot?

[Robert F. Smith]

51 minutes ago, bluebell said:

Can you explain how effort can be described as 'adorable'?  

You use that word a lot and i really have no idea what you are trying to convey when you do.  My only point of reference is that using such words (adorable and cute) is usually an insult (the definition in the urban dictionary is:  "Phrase used to express the zero fs given about a current thing, person, event, idea, etc. that someone is describing. Can also be used to dismiss someone's statement that you find completely irrelevant and stupid."

I am not comfortable assuming that's how you are using those types of words though and would love you to clarify.

Babies and small tykes are adorable.

[stemelbow]

2 hours ago, bluebell said:

Can you explain how effort can be described as 'adorable'?  

I think of all the work put into it and find such an effort adorable--well intentioned but a waste of time if you ask me. 

Quote

You use that word a lot

Not really.  Used it maybe 5 times in 100 posts or something, i'm guessing--not a rate consider a lot I wouldn't think. 

 

Maybe in light of how I view the book of Mormon in history, I am less impressed with this showmanshippin of it all.  I dont' find the book to be a very good account of historicity. 

 

Edited July 5, 2017 by stemelbow

[pogi]

22 full sized touring buses?  Geez louise!  A standard seated coach can carry 55-56 people, that is enough seats for 1,232 people!  Did they really need that many buses for the youth of 2 stakes?  The cost of renting 1 coach that size ranges from $600-$1,000 per day.  That is $39,600 - $66,000 for the buses alone!  That is for 3 days, or $26,400-$44,000 for 2 days (depending if they kept the buses up there or not).

The cost of this whole production must have been astronomical, and unless they had a wealthy private donor for this production, I dare say unjustifiable!  I hate to pass judgement, but 22 coaches..really?  Do people not have cars? Couldn't they have used trailers or rented a Uhaul or 2 for the props?

I am taking all the YM in my stake to scout camp next week.  All of the boys, leaders, and gear for 1 stake, for week, without 1 motor coach.

 

Edited July 5, 2017 by pogi

[bluebell]

35 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

I think of all the work put into it and find such an effort adorable--well intentioned but a waste of time if you ask me. 

 

Thanks for finally clarifying.

So when you use that phrase (or 'cute') in the future is it safe to assume are meaning the urban dictionary's second definition?  

I.e. Something is dumb and you're just being sarcastic.

[stemelbow]

6 minutes ago, bluebell said:

Thanks for finally clarifying.

So when you use that phrase (or 'cute') in the future is it safe to assume are meaning the urban dictionary's second definition?  

I.e. Something is dumb and you're just being sarcastic.

I wouldn't say dumb.  I used the words both sarcastically and not

[Jeanne]

Remarkable feat in what they did to organize all of this.  I am sure that the youth came away with feelings that they were told they would feel.

[SteveO]

20 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

Remarkable feat in what they did to organize all of this.  I am sure that the youth came away with feelings that they were told they would feel.

Probably...if not for being told otherwise, they most likely would've come away feeling unhappy, miserable, and cynical...amirite?

[Jeanne]

1 minute ago, SteveO said:

Probably...if not for being told otherwise, they most likely would've come away feeling unhappy, miserable, and cynical...amirite?

Of course you are. 

[The Nehor]

1 hour ago, stemelbow said:

I think of all the work put into it and find such an effort adorable--well intentioned but a waste of time if you ask me. 

Not really.  Used it maybe 5 times in 100 posts or something, i'm guessing--not a rate consider a lot I wouldn't think. 

 

Maybe in light of how I view the book of Mormon in history, I am less impressed with this showmanshippin of it all.  I dont' find the book to be a very good account of historicity. 

 

They look like they are having fun. By what standard is it a waste of time?

[The Nehor]

48 minutes ago, Jeanne said:

Remarkable feat in what they did to organize all of this.  I am sure that the youth came away with feelings that they were told they would feel.

Is this another dig? That our kids and teens are so weak-willed that you can force an emotional response just by telling them to feel it?

[The Nehor]

1 hour ago, pogi said:

22 full sized touring buses?  Geez louise!  A standard seated coach can carry 55-56 people, that is enough seats for 1,232 people!  Did they really need that many buses for the youth of 2 stakes?  The cost of renting 1 coach that size ranges from $600-$1,000 per day.  That is $39,600 - $66,000 for the buses alone!  That is for 3 days, or $26,400-$44,000 for 2 days (depending if they kept the buses up there or not).

The cost of this whole production must have been astronomical, and unless they had a wealthy private donor for this production, I dare say unjustifiable!  I hate to pass judgement, but 22 coaches..really?  Do people not have cars? Couldn't they have used trailers or rented a Uhaul or 2 for the props?

I am taking all the YM in my stake to scout camp next week.  All of the boys, leaders, and gear for 1 stake, for week, without 1 motor coach.

 

The Church has paid much more then that because a Seventy thought the color of the spire that held up Moroni was not quite right. For something that looks this awesome....money well spent.

[Calm]

1 hour ago, pogi said:

The cost of this whole production must have been astronomical, and unless they had a wealthy private donor for this production, I dare say unjustifiable!  I hate to pass judgement, but 22 coaches..really?  Do people not have cars? Couldn't they have used trailers or rented a Uhaul or 2 for the props?

 

Parking was likely an issue.  In my current ward it took three mini vans to take one class of Laurels to an outing.  Given how many extra adult drivers that would require, it could have been useful.  These days you require two deep adults even for driving.

1200 kids means about 55 kids per bus, so they were full up.

 

Edited July 5, 2017 by Calm

[Jeanne]

1 hour ago, The Nehor said:

Is this another dig? That our kids and teens are so weak-willed that you can force an emotional response just by telling them to feel it?

No...I took this from the beginning of the show..  That if they  remember how they feel, their testimonies would grow.

[bluebell]

50 minutes ago, Calm said:

Parking was likely an issue.  In my current ward it took three mini vans to take one class of Laurels to an outing.  Given how many extra adult drivers that would require, it could have been useful.  These days you require two deep adults even for driving.

1200 kids means about 55 kids per bus, so they were full up.

 

It's probably also good to remember that stake leaders are really good at not paying full price for things.  I'm one of 6 people doing stake girls camp this year and we get a ton of stuff donated and for less than full price.  Members have connections that can be very handy.

[Tacenda]

Looks like there are several of these. This one in 2017...wow!