Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

by Jon Krakauer

The elaborate stage, the lights, and the Mormon throngs all materialize here every summer for “The Hill Cumorah Pageant: America’s Witness for Christ,” which is due to begin at sunset. According to promotional materials published by the LDS Church, the pageant is “America’s largest and most spectacular outdoor theatrical event . . . , a magnificent, family-oriented production,” replete with arresting special effects straight out of Hollywood: “volcanoes, fireballs, and explosions with sound effects from the movie ‘Earthquake.’ A prophet is burned at the stake. Lightning strikes the mast of a ship. A 5,000K carbon arc-light ‘star’ (with FAA clearance) appears at the Nativity scene. Christ appears in the night sky, descends, teaches the people, then ascends into the night sky and disappears.” The pageant, which has been staged here since 1937, is held for seven nights every July, and draws near-capacity crowds each night. Admission is free.

I’d watch