The dramatic performances, songs and dances of the Church pageant, "And It Came to Pass," being presented here portray the message that the Church of Jesus Christ is restored.

The pageant opened July 9 to a crowd of 1,200 at the Interstake Center on the grounds of the Oakland Temple, said Ann Romick, pageant publicity chairwoman. Director Ed Wakefield said that nearly 40,000 people are expected to attend the production's 20 performances, which run from opening night to July 31, including Saturday matinees. There are no performances on Sundays or Mondays.This year, pageant visitors receive an added benefit in addition to watching the performance. The new Oakland Temple visitors center also opened July 9. Sister Romick said the visitors center overlooks San Francisco Bay, "and on a clear night, it's one of those `You can see forever' things."

Visitors are greeted in the foyer of the center with a reproduction of the Christus statue. Free tours and Church films can help guests learn more about the Church and its beliefs.

Thus, ample opportunity is provided for pageant visitors to learn about the story of Christ's Church - the primary emphasis of "And It Came to Pass." The remarkable thing about the Oakland pageant, explained Sister Romick, is that two millenniums of Christian history is portrayed in "so brief a time." A 400-member cast depicts in about a two-hour performance the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ, the apostasy, the reformation, the restoration and the westward exodus.

"And It Came to Pass" concludes with a colorful finale - the parade of nations. Hundreds of cast members, singers and dancers come on stage wearing the costumes of many nations. International dances are included in this final scene, including the Chinese ribbon dance and a Russian dance.

"The reason this scene is called the parade of nations is because from the back of the auditorium, young people come in carrying flags of the various nations," said Sister Romick. "It's a finale that makes you stand up and take notice."

Sister Romick said that all pageant participants - about 4,000 when including committees, makeup people, costume designers and coordinators, stage technicians and others - come from stakes in the greater San Francisco Bay area.

Attending the July 18 evening performance was Elder Stephen D. Nadauld of the Seventy, who also spoke at a devotional for pageant participants the following night. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Council of the Twelve is scheduled to attend a July 28 performance and also speak at a devotional.

Everyone seemed to enjoy this year's pageant, said Sister Romick, who related that many pageant visitors declared, " `That was the best ever.' But they always say that." - Julie A. Dockstader