Contributed by: Ellen Ender -  Warwick Stake, Perth, Western Australia (10/15/05)

At our recent Young Women Camp we held a wonderful fireside which I would like to share.  The idea was given to me through inspiration for our YW. The idea was for key Book of Mormon Prophet come to visit our Young Women.  Each Prophet was dressed appropriately for the time and with the necessary props.

.We started with singing the song – “For our Day” from the Book of Mormon seminary video soundtrack.

Father Lehi ( he was a wonderful elderly brother of Maori descent) –  had the Liahona and the brass plates. Lehi talked to the girls (this was outdoors on a clear starry night, with a huge bonfire as a backdrop).  All the girls and leaders were seated in front.  He used  the scriptures as his guide and spoke to the girls of his history and of his people. His main theme was – Righteousness brings guidance of the Lord. He counseled them for their day.

He then passed on the plates to his son Nephi, who spoke of how by being obedient  and having faith with Heavenly Father he was able to obtain the plates of brass. He was quite a tall man and strong, in stature. Again he counseled the YW and shared his testimony of the sacredness of the plates.

They were then transferred to Alma the younger who spoke of Repentance and being truly converted. The brethren were well chosen in their roles and dressed to their character (gratitude to their wives for their creativity!)  Each time the plates were transferred, it was noted that they were a  sacred record and needed to be preserved.

Next Samuel the Lamanite talked about being taught from the plates as a child and Young Man  and of  how he was able to do great missionary work among his people. “and be ye not afraid”

Mormon was our next “great Prophet”. He too was large in stature and wore a red robe. He loved his sword!  The words spoken were powerful and he shared with the girls “How to stay righteous in times of great wickedness” The YW were so quiet thru the whole fireside, not a whisper. They were absolutely “there”. Mormon then handed the Plates to his son Moroni, who spoke of the rapid decline of his people, the loneliness he endured and the sacredness of the plates he preserved and  added – “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things”

He then buried the plates with the Liahona, sword of Laban in the “Hill Cumorah” and joined the other Prophets to the right of the stage.

Joseph Smith then entered the central stage and spoke of how he was enquiring to find the truth.  The first vision was shared by testimony and how he came to know the truth, how it was revealed. How the  Angel Moroni came to him and in time, handed the plates to him, as a sacred responsibility for “our day”.  Joseph spoke of how he was persecuted and hunted for the plates but “He knew and God knew”. Then Joseph turned to the YW and held out the plates and asked them – “What will you do with these sacred records”

There were tears and the spirit was so strong.  It was then that we closed with the song –“A great and a Marvelous Work” by Jenny Phillips

Each Prophet then handed a little gossamer bag of “Golden Plates” charms on a necklace for each YW in his “tribe” 7 tribes, 7 values.

I see the YW still wearing their charms around their necks.

After the fireside, we held a testimony meeting.  Just for the girls to share their feelings.

This fireside idea was “received “ in April, the Prophet , President Gordon. B .Hinckley  challenged  us to read the BOM by years end in July. Our YW Camp was in September!  We are following thru with an activity night where we will add our testimonies in Book of Mormons to be handed to a friend. Then we will have a slide presentation of the Camp, finishing with the visuals of the  BOM Prophets.

I hope that you will have the same experience that we did, it was unforgettable, a memory I will treasure.