Monday, July 26, 2004
Play idea
Here's an idea I just had for a one-act (or so) play, inspired just now by my reading of Alma chapter 35 tonight. The title would be "The Rameumptom." Open the curtain to a Zoramite standing on the Rameumptom, reciting the prayer as found in the scriptures. Dramatize the scene, showing how other people around him react. Perhaps have a couple of different people get up on the Rameumptom, with differing levels of belief and sincerity of what they're saying.
The main focus on the story would be on one family or group of friends of Zoramites, some of whom believe Alma et al, and some of whom don't. Or maybe it would have to be two different families who are friends, since the main distinction between believers and nonbelievers is wealth and social class. At any rate, the goal in the middle of the story would be to portray the rich Zoramites as good, well-intentioned God-fearing people, much like the main body of the Church today. But the poor Zoramites are more humble and receptive. The members of the Church today do have a tendency to be a little too caught up in material things, and unfocused on the things of the spirit. The distinction between the rich and poor Zoramites in this play would be the subtle distinction between members of the church who are falling into line with the ways of the world, and those who keep themselves out of that trap.
At the end, there will be a big conflict as the rich Zoramites cast out the poor Zoramites. Sadness abounds. The final scene is our main poor Zoramite, in the land of Jershon, surrounded by people in the same sad situation, kneeling in prayer (make as big a contrast to the height and splendor of the Rameumptom as possible), thanking God not that he is a member of the chosen people, but for sending the Spirit to touch his soul and for the comfort of knowing that even though it's hard to leave and go against his family/friends, he knows it's right. Somewhat similar in wording to the Rameumptom prayer, but completely different in meaning and tone. The opening and the closing are examples of wicked and righteous prayer. Maybe the middle would need a prophet's prayer (by Alma or Ammon or someone) to build up the structure.
The main focus on the story would be on one family or group of friends of Zoramites, some of whom believe Alma et al, and some of whom don't. Or maybe it would have to be two different families who are friends, since the main distinction between believers and nonbelievers is wealth and social class. At any rate, the goal in the middle of the story would be to portray the rich Zoramites as good, well-intentioned God-fearing people, much like the main body of the Church today. But the poor Zoramites are more humble and receptive. The members of the Church today do have a tendency to be a little too caught up in material things, and unfocused on the things of the spirit. The distinction between the rich and poor Zoramites in this play would be the subtle distinction between members of the church who are falling into line with the ways of the world, and those who keep themselves out of that trap.
At the end, there will be a big conflict as the rich Zoramites cast out the poor Zoramites. Sadness abounds. The final scene is our main poor Zoramite, in the land of Jershon, surrounded by people in the same sad situation, kneeling in prayer (make as big a contrast to the height and splendor of the Rameumptom as possible), thanking God not that he is a member of the chosen people, but for sending the Spirit to touch his soul and for the comfort of knowing that even though it's hard to leave and go against his family/friends, he knows it's right. Somewhat similar in wording to the Rameumptom prayer, but completely different in meaning and tone. The opening and the closing are examples of wicked and righteous prayer. Maybe the middle would need a prophet's prayer (by Alma or Ammon or someone) to build up the structure.
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