A Light To The World

Light Of The World

A Christmas Pageant

from the Book of Mormon

by

AraMae Isaksen Hyde

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

 Copyright 1999 

by AraMae Isaksen Hyde 

All Rights Reserved

CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that LIGHT OF THE WORLD is subject to a royalty.  It is fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America, the British Commonwealth, including Canada, and all other countries of the Copyright Union.  All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture, recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio broadcasting, television, and the rights of translation into foreign language are strictly reserved. 

The amateur live stage performance rights to LIGHT OF THE WORLD are controlled exclusively by Drama Source and royalty arrangements and licenses must be secured well in advance of presentation.  PLEASE NOTE that amateur royalty fees are set upon application in accordance with your producing circumstances.  When applying for a royalty quotation and license please give us the number of performances intended and dates of production.  Royalties are payable one week before the opening performance of the play to Drama Source Co., 1588 E. 361 N., St. Anthony, Idaho 83445, unless other arrangements are made. 

Royalty of the required amount must be paid whether the play is presented for charity or gain, and whether or not admission is charged.  For all other rights than those stipulated above, apply to Drama Source Company, 1588 E. 361 N. St. Anthony, Idaho 83445.

Copying from this book in whole or in part is strictly forbidden by law, and the right of performance is not transferable.

Whenever the play is produced, the following notice must appear on all programs, printing and advertising for the play, “Produced by special arrangement with Drama Source Co.”

Due authorship credit must be given on all programs, printing and advertising for the play.

No one shall commit or authorize any act or omission by which the copyright or the rights to copyright of this play may be impaired.

No one shall make changes in this play for the purpose of production without written permission.

Publication of this play does not imply availability for performance.    Both amateurs and professionals considering a production are strongly advised in their own interests to apply to Drama Source Company for written permission before starting rehearsals, advertising, or booking a theatre.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, now known or yet to be invented, including mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, videotaping or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or as expressly allowed by the publisher for evaluation.

IMPORTANT BILLING AND CREDIT REQUIREMENTS

All producers of LIGHT OF THE WORLD must give credit to the Author and in all instances in which the title appears for purposes of advertising, publicizing or otherwise exploiting the play and/or a production.  The names of the Author must appear on at least one  separate line no other name appears on.  The Author’s name must be immediately following the title.  The name of the author must appear in size of type not less than 50 percent the size of the title type. 

The idea for this play came at a time when I was putting all of my efforts into teaching of Jesus Christ. It was the middle of December and I was a full time missionary. My companion and I were seeking for ways to use the Christmas festivities to teach about our Savior and to introduce the Book of Mormon, which testifies of him.

During the past few years this story has emerged as I’ve labored to put my testimony on paper, and then on stage in the form of a play. The characters, with the exception of Nephi, Samuel the Lamanite, Giddianhi, Zemnarihah, and Jacob, are fictional, but the peoples they represent are real and the events they experienced happened. The people of Ancient America knew of Jesus Christ and they showed incredible faith in Him and in our Heavenly Father, especially at the time of His birth.

The purpose of this play is to strengthen the faith of the faithful and to bring a knowledge of Jesus Christ to those who do not yet know Him. It is my prayer that many will use their talents to further this work. To those of you who do, I leave with you my blessing, my love, and my deepest gratitude.

-AraMae Isaksen Hyde-

Dedication

This play is lovingly dedicated to the people of the Kentucky, Louisville mission where I served from October 1996 to February 1998. To every person who opened their door to us and their heart to the Lord, and to the members of the church who so faithfully served me and my companions, you know who you are. I would have you know that this play was inspired by you and I thank you all for the profound influence, which you have had on me. 

-AraMae Isaksen Hyde

Dramatis Personae

Rumael (ro’mel)-a young Lamanite man

Sabishah (sa’bish’uh)-a young Nephite woman

Tarish (ta’rish)-Sabishah’s brother

Taiah (tay’uh)-Sabishah and Tarish’s adopted, Lamanite sister, nine years old

Jomon (jo’mun)-father of Sabishah, Tarish, and Taiah

Mayomi (may-o-me)-mother of Sabishah, Tarish, and Taiah

Deborah-Sabishah’s friend

Zenos (ze’nus)-Tarish’s friend, formerly betrothed to Sabishah

Cassia (cas-e’uh)-Tarish’s concubine

Nephi (ne’fi)-a prophet during the time of Christ

Samuel the Lamanite (la mun-it)-a prophet who testified of Christ

Zemnarihah (zem na ri’hah)-the Gadiantons’ captain

Giddianhi (gid e an’hi)-governor of the Gadiantons

Lamanite Man

Lamanite woman

Prison Guards

Jonathan

Canaan (can-nan)

Gadianton Robbers

Jacob

Laban (la’bun)

Mahi (ma’hi)      

Shiz (shiz)

 Lemuel (lem’yul)

Saul (sal)

Extras, including three Nephite men with speaking parts, a few small Lamanite children, and a few women, harlots belonging to the Gadianton robbers.

Act I, Scene 1

{The stage is bare. Rumael walks up the center aisle through the audience. He is dressed in simple Lamanite clothing and holds a large copy of the Book of Mormon with the title printed large enough for the audience to read. He carries it as though it is something very precious and sacred to him. He walks onto the stage, faces the audience and speaks directly to them.} 

Rumael: Hello, my friends. You don’t know me, but I knew many of you before you left our Father’s presence to come to this earth. Yes, I knew you well. You are all choice sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, chosen to come to this blessed land at this time, and you are among His most faithful and valiant children. At times I’ve been allowed a little glimpse of your day, and I’ve been amazed by many things, but what amazes me most is your celebration of the day you call Christmas, this time when you celebrate the birth of our Savior. And I wonder, how would your celebration be different if you could talk to someone who lived to see the night of His birth?

{He pauses for a moment.}

I lived to see this blessed night. And no, although I greatly respect them, I wasn’t a shepherd or one of the wise men, and I didn’t live at Jerusalem at the time He was born. I lived here, in America. I was a Lamanite. My people lived here for many centuries before Christopher Columbus discovered this land, and our descendants still live here today.

There is a record of us, this book, the Book of Mormon. {He shows his Book of Mormon to the audience.} I invite all of you to read it and ponder it. We, too, knew of Jesus Christ. Our dealings with God are recorded here for you to read so that you may know that we knew.

{Rumael  holds his Book of Mormon in front of him.}

  I hope my story will help you to remember Him, but it’s not only my story. It happened to all of us. {Stage lights on. The entire cast is on stage looking solemnly at the audience.} This is a story of love and faith in the midst of great terror and persecution. We have come here tonight not to tell but to show you our story, and as you see it unfold, we hope you will remember the love He has for each one of you.

{The stage lights fade until they are completely off.}

Scene 2

{The stage and theatre are completely dark. A small child is heard crying.} 

Man: {afraid, pleading} Please, you’ve taken all the riches we have, but please don’t take our grain! It’s all we have till the next crop comes in!

Woman: Our children will be hungry!

{Stage lights on. A Lamanite family is standing outside the ruins of their home. The children cling to their mother who clings to her husband. They are surrounded by Gadianton robbers, all holding weapons and bundles of stolen property. The lights are dim and give the set a dark and forbidding look.}

Tarish: {with mock sympathy} I’m sorry to hear that, but our men will be hungry if we don’t.

{The child cries again. Rumael enters carrying a bundle on his back. He freezes when he sees the Gadianton robbers.}

Rumael: What’s going on here?!

Man: They’ve plundered and burned the whole city. 

Rumael: And no one’s stopped them?

Man: {defeated} We’ve tried. There’s been fighting in the streets all day.

Tarish: {haughty} We’ve won. And now we’re here to claim our prize.

Rumael: {throwing his bundle aside} Not yet. You haven’t won yet! I too am a citizen of this city and I will fight for my people.

Tarish: You? You’re not even armed.

Jacob: Do you have a death wish boy?

{The other Gadiantons laugh.} 

Rumael: I wish for you to leave my people alone!

{Rumael picks up a strong stick and stands before Tarish.}

Woman: No, Rumael, they’ll kill you!

Tarish: So, you want another fight. Well you’ve got one.

{Tarish draws his sword. Rumael lunges forward and the fight is on. The other Gadiantons stand watching while Rumael bravely fights, fending off Tarish’s blows with nothing but a stick. The Gadianton robbers begin to cheer Tarish on. The woman hides her face, still clinging to her husband. Rumael deals Tarish a hard blow right in his chest. Tarish gasps for a minute then recovers.}

Tarish: {yelling to the other Gadiantons} Get him! Don’t just stand there! Get him!

{The other Gadiantons rush in on Rumael. One of them grabs his stick and wrestles it under his neck, holding him there while Tarish approaches him pointing his sword at his chest.}

Tarish: And you thought you could defeat me.

Rumael: You haven’t won! You’re a coward! 

Tarish: What was that?!

Rumael: You had your men come and save you the minute you saw that you were in trouble. You–

Tarish: {yelling} That’s enough! 

Rumael: You steal what we’ve rightfully earned! Our people are starving! Why can’t you work for a living like the rest of us do, you lazy vermin?!

Tarish: {yelling louder} I said, that’s enough. {He raises his sword towards Rumael’s neck and the Gadianton holding the stick pulls it back, tightening his grip.} Our band works hard to defeat those like you, who would withhold their substance from us.

Rumael: {barely able to speak} Are you going to kill me now?

Tarish: No. {He pauses and lowers his sword.} Search his things, men, and take whatever we can use, only save any valuables for me.

{The Gadiantons open his bundle.}

Mahi: It’s only more grain.

Tarish: Then we’ll use it to sustain our band.

Rumael: No, I’ve used the last of my father’s money!

Tarish: {with a hint of sarcasm} Then he’ll just have to earn more. {He pauses, then talks to his men.} Come now. It’s time we move on.

{The Gadianton robbers gather up their stolen goods and exit following Tarish. The man holding Rumael lets him go and he falls to the ground in a heap. The woman rushes to him.}

Woman: Are you all right, Rumael?

{He pauses, not answering right away.}

Rumael: Why didn’t he just kill me? He could have.

Woman: I don’t know. 

Rumael: Now they’ve robbed me too.

Woman: I know. I–

Man: I’m sorry, Rumael. But I thank you for doing what you could to defend us. {pause} It’s not your fault. There’s just too many of them.

Rumael: Where’s my father?

Man: I believe he’s safe, but you’d better go to him. He survived the fight, then went home to defend his property like the rest of the survivors. You’re lucky to live on the outskirts of the city; maybe they never found your home. 

Rumael: But they’ve taken our grain, and now we’ll be hungry until we can earn enough to go to the marketplace at Zarahemla again.

Man: I know.

Rumael: And look what they’ve done to your home.

Woman: We’ll make do, somehow. We still have each other.

Rumael: If there is a God, why would this happen?

Man: Rumael–

Rumael: If He truly cares about us, why does He let them torment us?

Woman: I don’t know. I only know that He does love us. 

Rumael: Why then, why would He let us suffer?

Woman: Someday we will understand why.

Rumael: Sometimes I think He’s forgotten us, if He’s there at all. 

Man: He hasn’t, Rumael.

Rumael: I don’t know. Sometimes I really can’t believe that He’s real. {pause} Look, why don’t you come to my home tonight, if it’s still there? I can’t leave you here.

Man: We’d be very grateful. I thank you. But Rumael, don’t give up hope. One day you’ll see that the Lord does love us.

Rumael: Maybe.

{The man helps him up and they all exit stage right. Stage lights off.}

Scene 3

{Stage lights on. Nephi is standing upstage center on a small tower. Many people are gathered in front of him, standing in small groups. Others mill about, some pointing and whispering to their companions as they walk past. Sabishah, Taiah, Jomon, and Mayomi are standing together stage right. Zenos is close by them. Rumael enters stage left and starts to make his way through the crowd toward the other side of the stage, but Nephi’s words catch his attention. Sabishah notices him when he walks in and watches him throughout the rest of Nephi’s speech.} 

Nephi: Times are hard for us, my people, but the Lord has not forgotten us. He is watching over us and is mindful of our needs.

{Rumael stops and listens.}

I am but a man. I cannot bring back those whom we have lost at the hands of the Gadiantons. I cannot rescue you from the sins that bind you. I cannot cure the ills you suffer from, nor cure the ills of your hearts, but the Lord will send One who can. He will do for us the things we cannot do. He will be born in our day and we shall know of His birth because of the sign which shall be given to us.

Nephite 1: But why won’t He show himself unto us, as well as to the people in that distant land?

Nephi: My brother, have faith and know that God has a purpose for all things. One day we shall see Him and know that He lives. Do not envy those who live in Jerusalem, for God in His wisdom and love has provided a way that we too may know of His coming. The night without darkness, which Samuel the Lamanite spoke of, will come, and God’s son will be born.

Do not murmur because of your afflictions, but rejoice, and be thankful for the blessings, which the Lord has given you. Christ will come. I look forward to his coming, for I know that redemption comes only in and through Him. My father testified of these things, as have all of the prophets up until this time. I also know that Christ lives. He is our redeemer. He will die for us so that we might live. The Lord loves us. He will send his son, and He will help us to return to Him. 

{People begin to leave. Sabishah, Jomon, Mayomi, Taiah and Zenos remain on stage. Jomon talks with Zenos while Mayomi visits with some of the other women. Rumael stands alone, contemplating what he has just heard.}

Jomon: How is your father, Zenos?

Zenos: He’s healing well, but it will still be awhile before he’s able to work again.

Jomon: Is there anything we can do for you?

Zenos: We’re managing all right. Ammon and I are running the shop now and Mother’s doing well, but maybe you can give my father some encouragement. Ever since the Gadiantons attacked him, he’s just seemed so sad and withdrawn.

Jomon: Really. I’ll come by later tonight then.

Zenos: I think he’d appreciate it. Thank you. 

Jomon: Your family is still in our prayers.

Zenos: It’s the prayers of our friends that have helped us to endure this. 

Jomon: Anything at all, you come to us.

Zenos: I thank you, Jomon. We will. I’d better go back to the shop now.

Jomon: I’ll see you tonight then. {beat} Goodbye.

Zenos: Goodbye. {Sabishah is still watching Rumael. Zenos tries to get her attention.} Goodbye Sabishah.

Sabishah: {a bit startled by him} Oh, uh goodbye, Zenos.

Zenos: Sabishah, your beauty is like a ray of hope in this troubled time.

Sabishah: Thank you, Zenos. You flatter me too much.

{He notices Rumael.}

Zenos: Are you looking towards Lamanite men?

Sabishah: Uh, no. {pause} You’d better go back to the shop now.

Zenos: Well then, I’ll be seeing you later.

Sabishah: Goodbye, Zenos.

{Zenos exits.}

Sabishah: Mother…

Mayomi: What is it, Sabishah?

Sabishah: That man, I’m sure I’ve seen him before. He looked like he was going to walk right by, but then he stopped and listened like he’s really searching.

Mayomi: That’s nice.

Sabishah: I’m sure he’d feel more comfortable among us if he had a friend.

Mayomi: Now Sabishah, you know you can’t just go introduce yourself to an unknown man. We’d best be going now.

Sabishah: Mother, I feel that the Lord would have me talk to him.

Mayomi: This is not the place for it.

Jomon: {overhearing the conversation} No, this isn’t the place for it, but, Sabishah, you are right to want to befriend this man and with a proper introduction, you shall. Go home with your mother and sister. I’ll invite him to our home.

Sabishah: Oh, would you, Father? 

Taiah: Are we going to have someone over for dinner, Father? Last year we barely had enough food for us.

Jomon: This year’s different. Run along now, both of you. You’ve much to do.

Sabishah: Yes, Father. Oh, thank you.

Taiah: I’ll help Mother, but Sabishah still has to fetch the water. The jug’s too heavy for me.

{She follows Sabishah, and they both exit.}

Mayomi: I suppose we can’t deny her this.

Jomon: No, we can’t. I think this is more than another girlish fancy. She wishes to share what she believes.

Mayomi: Then we must make it possible, though, I still can’t help but think what a fine husband Zenos would have made for her. {She smiles and touches him on the shoulder.}  Don’t be long.

Jomon: I’ll be home shortly with our guest.

{He kisses her on the cheek and she exits. Stage lights off.}

Scene 4

{Outside Jomon and Mayomi’s home, stage left. } 

{Sabishah and Rumael walk out the door.}

Rumael: That was the best meal I’ve had in a long time.

Sabishah: I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Rumael: I’m afraid my own cooking just doesn’t compare to yours.

Sabishah: Well, Mother has taught me well.

Rumael: It was kind of your father to invite me. I’m just glad we made it past those Gadiantons in the marketplace without any trouble.

Sabishah: So am I. We try to stay away from them. Even so, I think they know better than to confront my father. The last time one of them drew his sword at him, Father broke it in half with his own.

Rumael: Really. He’s a strong man.

Sabishah: And a devout Christian. He says he’ll never take up a weapon of war unless it’s in defense of his God or his family. In fact he never carried a sword until the Gadiantons entrenched themselves in our land.

Rumael: So, what did these Gadiantons do to provoke him?

Sabishah: They robbed us on our way home from the marketplace. We let them take what they wanted. It wasn’t until one of them tried to take me along that Father resisted.

Rumael: So, now they’re taking our women from us too.

Sabishah: I’m not the only woman they’ve attacked, but I was fortunate. There have been others who had no one to defend them.

Rumael: {softly, to himself}  Why does God let them hurt us so much?

Sabishah: What?

Rumael: Oh, nothing, {beat} I shouldn’t bother you with it.

Sabishah: It’s all right. I might be able to help.

Rumael: I was just wondering out loud I guess. {beat}  Sabishah, a few months ago the Gadiantons plundered my city. They took everything they could get their hands on. We tried to defend ourselves. Some of my friends were killed in the fighting. Others were left without homes to go to. My father and I were lucky compared to some, but we’ve still suffered. They took our grain, and we’ve barely had enough to keep alive ever since. That’s why I came to Zarahemla today. I need to find work.

Sabishah: Have you found any yet?

Rumael: Not yet. That’s what I don’t understand. We’ve suffered so much. Why? If there is a God in the heavens who truly loves and watches over us as this man Nephi says, then why does he allow the Gadianton robbers to torment us? 

Sabishah: I do know how you feel. I’ve asked that question many times myself, but I believe what Nephi said today. God has a purpose for all things. Someday we will understand why he’s allowed us to suffer.

Rumael: There can’t be a purpose for it.

Sabishah: But there is. We just can’t see it now.

Rumael: How can there be?

Sabishah: Well, let me tell you something.

Rumael: Yes?

Sabishah: I used to have another sister, Miriam. She was just a year older than I, and we were very close, but she died of the fever when we were still young. I was very angry about it for a long time. It wasn’t until after I was baptized that I accepted that she was with God and that she was happy with him.

Rumael: Maybe that’s why he took my mother.

Sabishah: I’m sure she’s as happy with Him as Miriam is. {pause} Losing my sister made a difference in me, too. It helped me to be more compassionate towards others who have lost people they love. When Taiah’s parents were killed and she came to live with us, I was so happy to have a sister again, but she missed her mother and father so much. I doubt that we could have helped her if we hadn’t lost Miriam. We wouldn’t have understood. {pause} But that wasn’t all, my trials helped me want to be closer to God. So you see, horrible as it was, there was a purpose for her death. {pause} I don’t know all the answers. I, too, suffer because of the Gadiantons and the awful things they do to us, but I believe what Nephi says, there is a purpose for all things.

Rumael: You put a lot of faith in the words of this man. Why?

Sabishah: Because I believe that Nephi is a prophet of God.

Rumael: How can you know that?

Sabishah: Well, let me start from the beginning. Almost five years ago, there was a prophet, a Lamanite, who came to our city.

Rumael: You mean Samuel the Lamanite, the man Nephi spoke of?

Sabishah: Yes, I was there when he came. It was an experience that I’ll never forget. I was helping Father in the fields when I noticed that our neighbors all seemed to be going somewhere, so I asked what was going on. My friend, Deborah, said there was a man standing on our city wall yelling something crazy. Out of curiosity, I followed her there. There were crowds of people. Some of them were shooting arrows and throwing rocks at him, trying to drive him out of the city, but not a single one hit him. It was amazing! And what I heard him say didn’t sound crazy at all. 

{Left stage darkens. Right stage lights up to show Samuel the Lamanite standing on top of a wall with arrows and rocks whizzing past him. There are many angry Nephites standing in front of the wall yelling and persecuting him. Some are shooting arrows; others who are not armed are throwing rocks. It’s as noisy as a riot, yet Samuel’s voice can be heard above the commotion, and some of the Nephites in the crowd are listening intently to what he is saying.}

Samuel the Lamanite: {Helaman 14:2-8} Behold, I give unto you for a sign; for five more years cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.

And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it will appear unto man as if it was day.

Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of it’s setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless that night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.

And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.

And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.

And it shall come to pass that ye shall be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth.

And it shall come to pass that whosoever will believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life.

{Right stage darkens. Left stage lights up, and once again only Sabishah and Rumael can be seen in front of her home.}

Sabishah: When I saw this man and realized that the stones and arrows of so many angry Nephites could not harm him, I wanted to listen to what he had to say. I knew his words must be important. {beat} I soon came to know that he was a messenger sent to us from God and that the things he told us were true.

Rumael: How?

Sabishah: I thought about it for a long time. One of Mother’s friends told her that if God had sent this man, then He would let us know that his words were from Him. So we decided to ask God. It was the first time we ever prayed as a family.

Rumael: So you asked God if this man was his messenger?

Sabishah: Yes, and he answered us.

Rumael: How?

Sabishah: With a feeling.

Rumael: A feeling?

Sabishah: Let me try to explain. There are three members of the God Head; there is God and His son, whom he shall send to us. The third member is the Holy Ghost, who testifies of them. When something is of God, if we will ask in faith, the Holy Ghost will let us know of its truthfulness by the feelings he puts into our hearts.

Rumael: I can’t say I’ve ever felt those feelings.

Sabishah: I’m sure you have. Do you recall a time when you felt the Lord was near?

Rumael: I stopped believing in God a long time a

A Light To The World

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