Official Dedicatory Exercises
Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge
North Omaha (Winter Quarters) Nebraska
Sunday, May 31 - Monday, June 1, 1953
Program
Public Meeting and Historical Pageant
SECTION ONE
General Public Meeting
Aksarben Coliseum, 7:30 p.m.
This meeting is under the direction of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
SECTION TWO
A Sacred Historical Presentation
"Come, Come, Ye Saints"
Written by L. Clair Likes
Presenting the early history of Omaha (Winter Quarters) and Council Bluffs (Kanesville) and the trek of the Mormon Pioneers to the Promised Land.
Episode One - The Tragedy of Winter Quarters
Episode Two - The Exiles
Episode Three - The Exodus of Modern Israel
Episode Four - Mob Rule
Episode Five - A Prophet Speaks
Episode Six - A Modern Moses Pleads for Help
Episode Seven - The Marsellaise of Latter Days
Episode Eight - "All Work and No Play" ...
Episode Nine - Exile Meets Exile
Episode Ten - The "Big Muddy" Bars the Way
Episode Eleven - A Country's Call
Episode Twelve - A Call to Service
Episode Thirteen - Winter Quarters
Episode Fourteen - The Grim Reaper
Episode Fifteen - Friendly Intercession
Episode Sixteen - Wagons West
Episode Seventeen - The Promised Land
Episode Eighteen - "This is the Place"
Characters in the Pageant
| Joseph Smith................................. | S. Richard Keddington |
| Brigham Young............................. | Gordon C. Young |
| William Clayton............................ | William R. Nielsen |
| Col. Thomas L. Kane................... | Elias L. Day |
| Clara Young................................. | Nora P. Richardson |
| Moses.......................................... | Alvin Keddington |
| "Tragedy at Winter Quarters"........ | Ralph A. Barnes Rosemary Evans |
| Narrators..................................... | Lynn A. McKinlay Byron A. Openshaw |
For the public meeting and the pageant music will be furnished by the combined Madrigal singers and the A Capella choir of 100 voices from Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah. It will be directed by Newel B. Weight, Gordon Greninger, at the organ.
Production Staff for the Pageant from Salt Lake Theatre, Inc.
Donald B Alder, Director
Lloyd E. Moon, Assistant Director
Afton A. Airmet, Lighting Technician
Rowena J. Miller, Costumes and Make-up
Iris Moon, Assistant
The public is invited. No tickets are required.
Program
Formal Dedication Exercises
Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge
Marvin G. Schmid, Master of Ceremonies
| INVOCATION | Rabbi Myer S. Kripke |
| WELCOME | L. Dale Matthews Chairman North Omaha Bridge Commission |
| REVIEW OF THE BRIDGE PROJECT | Dr. H.L. Karrer Past Chairman North Omaha Bridge Commission |
| UNVEILING OF PIONEER TRAIL PLAQUE | Gift of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kate B. Carter, President, Daughters of Utah Pioneers Richard A. Lambert, President, Sons of Utah Pioneers |
| ACCEPTANCE OF PLAQUE | W.F. Schollman Past Chairman North Omaha Bridge Commission |
| REMARKS | The Honorable Robert B. Crosby Governor of Nebraska The Honorable William S. Beardsley Governor of Iowa The Honorable Roman Hruska U.S. Congressman |
| INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS | Marvin G. Schmid General Chairman, Dedication Committee |
| REMARKS | The Very Reverend Carl M. Reinert, S.J. President Creighton University |
| HISTORICAL SKETCH | President Joseph Fielding Smith President, The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Historian and Recorder |
| BRIGHAM YOUNG | Gordon C. Young President Brigham Young Family Association Great-Grandson of Pioneer Leader |
| "GLORY TO GOD" (Chorus from The Messiah - Handel) | A Capella Choir, Brigham Young University Directed by Newell B. Weight J.J. Keeler, Organist |
| DEDICATORY ADDRESS AND DEDICATORY PRAYER |
President David O. McKay President Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| "THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIKE A FIRE IS BURNING" | A Capella Choir, Brigham Young University |
| BENEDICTION | Reverend Mark McCallum President, Omaha Council of Churches |
Cutting of ribbon by a Pioneer and formal opening of the Mormon Pioneer Memorial Bridge
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