The Answer

The Answer By Heloise Day Merkley A One-Act Play of the First Christmas in America Characters : Nephi the Prophet. Fifth in direct line from Alma. He wears the priestly vestments of Israel. The robe makes him look tall, but not so tall as the soldier. Cidgiddoni, the Nephite Captain. He is very tall and his helmet and armour emphasizes his height and strength. Velma, the younger sister of Nephi. She is dressed in a light colored gown and wears her hair in long braids. Voice of Comfort. It is strong and clear and sweet. Singers without, who chant a chorus of praise to the new born Christ. Scene : The garden of the Prophet Nephi in Zarahemla at sunset on the eve of the birth of Christ. There is a carved stone-seat on the right and trees, shrubs, and flowers all about. The light of the setting sun streams brightly across the stage from the right side, casting long, purple shadows and touching the foliage with gold. At the last this golden light dis- appears, but the stage only becomes brighter. It is lighted then with a brilliant white radiance, which, during Nephi's prayer, blends with the vanishing sunlight, dispelling all shadows; and then replaces it, from the left. As the curtain rises, Velma is discovered, seated despondently. Nephi enters from the left and comes to her. Nephi (Sympathetically) : Sweet sister, do you weep for fear of death Which unbelievers threaten to us all Because we look in faith for signs of Christ? Or is it something personal to you Which brings these tears to mar your loveliness? Velma: Oh, Nephi, I can never hide from you The secrets of my mind. Yes, fear of death Is like a heavy cloud upon my heart; But worse than that — like lightning's searing flame — Is knowledge that the man who holds my heart, Whether I will or no, within his hands, Aligned with unbelievers on the morrow Will lead the soldiers who perform the deed — . (She weeps.) Nephi: Your lover — but I did not know you loved! He is an unbeliever? Soldier, too? Velma : His name is Gidgiddoni — called the Brave. (Gidgiddoni enters from the Right seeking them.) Nephi: That captain who so bravely led our men Against the Gadianton robbers bold? Velma : Yes, Nephi, that same captain, Gidgiddoni. Gidgiddoni: You speak of me, fair Velma, so I trust

THE ANSWER 309 Your voice makes welcome to the prophet's ear A name which he might otherwise despise, Since priests and soldiers seldom see alike. Your servants, Nephi, told me you were here And I desired to talk with you alone, So sought you boldly, unannounced, because My mission must be secret or 'tis vain. Velma (Rising) : A secret mission? I shall leave you, then. Gtdgiddoni: No, stay! Secret to enemies- — not friends. Nephi: Speak, Gidgiddoni. Why have you sought me? Gidgiddoni: Five years have passed since one called Samuel, A Lamanitc. who preached of Christ to come Foretold a sign — no darkness — a new star — The night to be like day — when Christ is born. In five years 'twas to come. Five years in vain Have Christians watched for it. Their enemies Decree the death of all who still believe. Tomorrow is the fatal day to all Who look for Christ. Am I not right, my friend' Nephi: 'Tis true. Then why do you, rejecting Christ, Seek me, who worship him. thus secretly? Gidgiddoni: I come to prove myself your friend, this night. I am a soldier, yet I love not death Of such a wanton, wholesale, useless sort. I care not whether Christ shall come or no, Yet I cannot endure this massacre Of men and women, even helpless babes, Decreed upon the morrow through our land. My company of soldiers, loyal, brave, Will follow me in anything. Tonight If you desire our aid, gather your friends. The priests and lesser prophets of your faith And all you love, within these sheltering walls. Then, when the bloody dawn appears, I'll bring The bravest men in all the land to you And here we'll keep you safe to preach anew The gospel of your Christ — or what you will. Nephi: I thank you, Gidgiddoni. You arc kind And generous, and truly brave I know. The aid you offer, if I sought man's aid Could not in Zarahemla be surpassed. Yet, in this crisis none but God can help. Gidgiddoni: But does not God use men as instruments? Perhaps he sends me as the aid you need.

■>10 IMPROVEMENT ERA Nephi: Had you a means of saving every soul Who looks for Christ to come, I might suppose That God had sent you. But since you propose To save but few, I think you are too weak To represent his will on this sad day. Velma : 0 Gidgiddoni, is there not some way That you can save us all — not just a few? Gidgiddoni (Sadly) : 1 know not how — unless perhaps — The men Whom I can always trust implicitly Are few in number — yet I do believe, Nephi, if you will go with me tonight, With them behind me, every sword in hand, We may surprise the judges of the nation Assembled to consult on high affairs. They trust me fully. Every man of mine Will be instructed to approach one judge And on my signal threaten all with death, Unless a proclamation be sent forth By swiftest messengers throughout the land Declaring that no Christian may be slain Although the sign of Christ should never come. Velma : Oh, Gidgiddoni, here is hope indeed! (A pause.) But Nephi, brother, why are you so sad? Do you not realize what he suggests? He gives us hope of life, not just for us But all believers, every soul may live! Yet you are silent! Why do you not speak? Nephi (Sadly): He offers hope indeed — a hope in man. But what can man perform, ignoring God? Dees God need such weak instruments on earth When all the hosts of Heaven obey his will? A slender thread of hope this soldier brings. But men's plans fail in unexpected ways. God never fails. Our God can send the sign And save us all without the help of man. Resist not evil. Faith our buckler is. If I the Priest and Prophet have no faith Where then is faith upon the whole great land? If I must trust to man instead of God Then why should any trust a Higher Power? My hope for life I place in God. I go To seek his mercy, ask his will — to pray. (Exit Nephi.) Gidgiddoni (As Velma gazes silently after Nephi) : Sweet Velma, fairest of the fair, my love Has long been known to you. You bade me wait. Your answer I have waited long. How long Only a lover knows, who counts the days

THE ANSWER 3 1 1 As years, each hour a month of agony. Now drawn to heaven by an eager hope Now feeling hells of doubt in long suspense. You know it was my love for you, dear heart. Which sent me here to offer him my sword. Like a fanatic, he rejects my aid, For faith in the unreasonable dream Of Christ to come unto a far off land A land tradition only tells about. A land unknown to any living man. The sign of Him a star, a day-bright night, But if He comes or if He does not come What matters it to us who see Him not? Velma: Have you forgotten how, five years ago, As boy and girl together, proud and gay, Because you'd won a prize for marksmanship, Returning happy to the city here, We paused to listen to the Lamanite? Gidgiddoni: No, Velma. I have not forgotten that. He stood upon the wall and told strange things. I half believed, I think, the things he said, Until they tried to stone him, but could not — I set an arrow to my bow, and half in sport Aimed it directly at his heart, and missed. Velma: Yet not three hours before you took the prize For marksmanship — the best in all the land. Gidgiddoni: I thought the sun was in my eyes. I moved To get a better angle — tried again — Velma: And failed again and yet again, as all Have failed who strove against the men Who preach to us of Christ and in His name Perform the miracles we've often seen. Gidgiddoni: Or do they not, as some have said to me By evil power work these mysteries We cannot understand; so keeping us Subjected to their will through ignorance? Velma: Oh, Gidgiddoni. can you not believe? Gidgiddoni: I cannot understand these mysteries. But this I know, sweet Velma — I love you And you are Christian. This I als-o know. That if a certain star, a certain light More marvelous than man has even seen, Appear not in the heaven this very night. All Christians die tomorrow by the sword. The sun is sinking. Nothing has occurred

312 IMPROVEMENT ERA This day to indicate a difference Between this day and any other day. The time is short. Your brother scorns my aid. Come, sweetheart, fly with me to life and love. Forget the signs and miracles, and tales That prophets tell — Velma : I never could forget. Gidgiddoni (Taking her gently in his arms) : But I will tell you wond'rous tales of love. I'll take you where the Gadiantons were High on the mountainsides, where waterfalls. Eternal snows, fair flowers, and luscious fruits Can all be found within a day's short climb. I'll build a bower where our love shall live Where not a care or fear can follow us. Come Velma, come with me and live for love! Velma (Slowly yielding) : I am so weary of anxiety. I've loved you long. I've prayed so hard that you Might see the truth, accept the Christ and give Your life to serve Him — is it all in vain? Can you not see as I see — ever — dear? Gidgiddoni (Gaily) : You little preacher — can't you speak of love Without religion in the self-same breath? The child of Prophets — generations back — Perhaps you cannot — yet I love you so, That if you'll fly with me, I'll hush my tales Of love, to listen to our tales of faith — Velma (Reproachfully) : Oh, Gidgiddoni, can you jest tonight When doom is hanging o'er so many souls? Gidgiddoni: You said you loved me. How can I be sad? Come, fly with me and death will miss one sweet! Velma : I love you, Gidgiddoni. But I love My brothers, friends, these Christians who must die, Unless the sign comes of the birth of Christ. I cannot leave them dying, and be happy. Gidgiddoni: You say you love me — yet you will not fly? Velma : I say I love you, yet I will not fly! Gidgiddoni (Loosing his arms) : You'd rather die for Christ than live for me? Velma (Turning toward the left and looking upward) : I may not die. The sign may come tonight. Gidgiddoni: Oh, stubbornness! Oh, blind unreasoning faith! Why must I love her so? I'll try once more. Sweet Velma! Listen! Will you promise this?

THE ANSWER 313 When darkness follows on this sinking sun, When no more hope is left — no star appears Except the stars that shine forth every night, — Will you in quiet and with secrecy Gather such Christian friends as wish to live And meet me just outside the city gate? We'll take your friends unto a secret place Among the mountains. Bring the records, too, That Christians hold so dear — and we will be A Christian colony, till we dare come And preach to others — so shall faith be served And some few Christians saved this threatened death. Will you do this, O Velma, not for me But for the faith you seem to love so much? Look now, the sun is setting — Speak, my love. (Nephi reenters. Velma hesitates to answer Gidgiddoni, watching Nephi. He ignores them, comes forward, lifts his arms and prays) : Nephi: O Mighty Father! Answer Thou my plea! All day I've prayed! Oh, hear me! Answer now! Thou art all-powerful! In Thy great name The prophets have performed great miracles. They told us of the Christ. They promised us A wondrous sign when He should come to earth. In this tradition has our faith grown strong. We are about to be destroyed for it! Only this night between us> and our fate! Oh, hear my prayers! Oh, save these faithful ones! Send Thou the sign, the star, the glorious light! That we may live and praise Thee evermore! 0 Heavenly Father, send the sign of Christ! (Nephi sinks to his knees. Gidgiddoni and Velma watch and listen.) Voice of Comfort (Strong and clear and sweet. Soft music sounds with it.) Lift up your head, be of good cheer, for lo. The time's at hand, this night the sign is given, And on the morn come I into the world. To show unto the world that I fulfil All that which I have bade my prophets speak. 1 come unto my own, fulfil all things Which I've made known unto the sons of men From the foundation of the world. I do The will both of the Father and the Son — The will of the Father because of me; The will of the Son because of my flesh. Behold, O Nephi, the time is at hand And this night the sign shall be given! Nephi (Rising to his feet, points toward the right, where the golden sunset light vanishes; then turns toward the left, whence comes the white flood of brilliance) : The sun is set, and yet the day is bright! No darkness comes! Behold a wondrous star! The sign of life! The sign of Christ appears! (He extends both arms toward the star as if praying.)

314 IMPROVEMENT ERA GidgiJJoni- (After following Nephi's gestures with his eyes) : The sign of Christ! The Light! The wondrous star! The sun has set and yet no darkness comes! The Christians live! But woe — ah, woe is me! This darkness of the night within my mind! This bitterness of death within my soul! My hard heart would not yield unto the faith! My dim eyes would not look upon the truth! My stiff neck would not bend unto the Christ! Ah! Woe unto my proud unyielding soul! The sign is given! The son of God is born! [He prostrates himself.) O Christ, forgive me now, I bow to thee, O Son of God, redeem me from my sins! Velma (Kneeling besidje him, one hand on his head, the other pointing^ toward the star) : At last we see the truth together, love! The light of Christ has touched you, heart of mine! O Savior! Unto Thee I give my praise! With Faith and Love united, Joy is mine! (All hold the pose while outside the chorus of voices chants a hymn of praise unto the ! new-born Christ. The curtain slowly falls. It rises again to show Nephi still pointing toward the star, while Gidgiddoni, his helmet lying at his feet and his head bare, stands with his arm about Velma, and both gaze joyously toward the star — the white radiance shming on all their faces.) THE STAR OF CHRIST (Sung by chorus without. Tune: High on the Mountain TopA High in the Heavens above, the star of Christ appears. The sign of peace and love to banish all our fears. The wondrous light so bright proclaims the Savior's birth. The dawn of gospel light through all the earth. Rejoice, believers, all rejoice and praise Him now. The powers of evil fall, to him the earth must bow! The son of God enthrone., the star proclaims his birth! He brings unto his own, true Peace on Earth! ! Rexburg. Idaho. Historical Illustrations Top: Niagara Falls. Center: Logan Square chapel, Chicago, fronting left: to the right, the mission office, and the mission home. Bottom: Rachel Grant Taylor, President S. O. Bennion, and Sisters Squires and Bennion standing on the corner- stone of the Far West temple-site, which was laid April 26, 1839, and about which there is a remarkable story. See Doc. and Cov. 115:6-12; 124:49-54; History of the Church. vol. Ill, pp. 336-340. It would serve as a good subject for an exercise in the Y. M. M. I. A. These scenes were recently photographed by President John H. Taylor. Many of our readers will remember him as Church Scout Leader before he was appointed to the pres- idency of the Northern States mission, a position be now occupies.