President Benson's visit 'steals the show'
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The cast of the musical Martin Harris pageant, "The Man Who Knew," became part of the audience Aug. 27, as President Ezra Taft Benson and his wife, Flora, visited and stole the show.
As President and Sister Benson arrived at twilight, a full moon peered over the hill, near the cemetery where Martin Harris is buried. The pageant is staged on the north slope of the hill and is surrounded by the yellow patchwork of Cache Valley fields in autumn.The pageant is a historical musical by Rhett S. James and directed by Duane Huff that portrays the conversion and contributions of Book of Mormon witness Martin Harris. (See Aug. 27 Church News.)
The Bensons climbed out of their car near the granite shaft marking Harris' grave, and, as they entered the hillside theater, the audience rose and sang, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet."
"His visit was electrifying," noted Producer Denzel Clark. He said President Benson's visit was even more meaningful to the cast because he has been one of the pageant's long-time supporters.
One of the cast members, Dean Larkin, said, "We just can't explain what it means to us to have him here. He's given us a great honor."
After shaking hands with President Benson, Larkin commented, "It makes your past go before your eyes; it gives you perspective and makes you want to be worthy to be in his presence."
Also greeting the prophet were Valdo and Ruth Benson. Valdo Benson, President Benson's younger brother and the pageant's first producer, commented, "He's a glorious man."
