And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon's Colonnade. In the process of searching records, they came across many faith-promoting miracles that sparked the idea for a movie. Sue me. The story of the Mormons journey to their Zion is played out through the eyes of Brother Levi Savage. 37 Miracles of Jesus # Miracle Matthew Mark Luke John . x. I simply loved it. He would arise at 2 a.m. on Monday in order to arrive by walking at the temple by 8 a.m. A miracle is an extraordinary event that goes against nature, cannot be explained by science and is caused by God. I'm not sure if anyone read any of the replies to the comments in my last post but Richard and I DID go and see the film, "The Lo Stone Mountain is about a thirty minute drive from us. He gains experience when he helps find the remains of the Donner Party. While Mormon culture provides multiple ways to hear pioneer stories, there is a pattern to how the stories are told. Jesus loosened the tongue of a man who could not speak (Matthew 9:32-33). I am very well acquainted with the story of how my ancestors went through difficulties to arrive in Salt Lake City. However, this tense forest looks like most other Christensen depictions of nature: bright and alive. Wanting to return to his son, he must lead inexperienced pioneers. While individuals are mentioned, they are not at the heart of pioneer stories narrative structure; God and faith are. (Mormons). (October 2020) 17 Miracles is a 2011 historical adventure film directed by T. C. Christensen. A sense of danger is excellently established as frantic percussive music plays while unidentified men run through the woods. While all of the acting is outstanding special mention should be made of Jason Wade who plays Levi Savage. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live. Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. When he had spit on the mans eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, Do you see anything? He looked up and said, I see people; they look like trees walking around. Once more Jesus put his hands on the mans eyes. Director T.C. I wish I could say that I am as strong and faithful as these people were. All rights reserved. Note: By 1850, the Mormons had 30,747 members in Great Britain compared with 21,092 in North America. ), THANK YOU! Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time? Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. So in my opinion the movie is indeed of the christian faith but it is also faith in our fellowman. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. It is not wholesome for there are thematic suffering and hardships that might offend children so parental guidance is recommended. 23. He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. The lead actor who played Levi Savage is very good at the portrayal of his part. For example, the movie opens with the Mormon Battalions discovery of the Donner Partys remains. The girl is not dead but asleep. But they laughed at him. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. Why couldn't they have killed some of the wolves stalking them & used them for food. The film does not portray Savage as faithless or someone in particular need of repentance because he disagreed with Church agents. Originally, he thought, "Oh, another pioneer story." [2], Reviews of the film have been mixed. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, Do you want to get well? Sir, the invalid replied, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. May God in his mercy bless and preserve us" (Stewart E. Glazier and Robert S. Clark, ed., Journal of the Trail [1997], 3031). The Mormon pioneers trek across the plains. I think this movie helps people to realize that miracles really exist if we just exercise a little faith. Doctor, There's Something Wrong With My Mesentery "Christmas Lullaby" and "Mary Had A Little Lamb". Directed by T. C. Christensen. i rest my case. The protagonist, Levi Savage (Jasen Wade), is compelling: a frontiersman and widower who leaves his infant son to serve a three-year mission in England. The movie in my opinion tries not to be over-dramatic and in some ways under-plays the suffering of the pioneers when you consider the temperature, with wind-chill factor would have approached minus 50 degrees. All of our episodes are available atLifeAudio.com. Then about two-thirds of the way through the film, these characters are replaced with vignette depictions of miracles: A starving mother remembers two cakes and with faith they are multiplied. Jesus cured a woman of an issue of blood (Luke 8:43-48). Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, There are six days for work. If you believe Jesus worked miracles watch this you will probably enjoy it. Brother Moyle made a peg leg and started to walk around the house and eventually the farm. charwolfeLasVegasBartender -3 September 2019 -6 September 2012, Watchable only for those who are open or religiously minded, Better bring a handkerchief or maybe even a dish towel uvjhamil-1 -3 July 2011, Better bring a handkerchief or maybe even a dish towel. Critic Sean P. Means of The Salt Lake Tribune thought that Christensen's eye for striking cinematography gave the film a "glossy look" and Wade's portrayal of the hardy Levi Savage "held the film together." It is meant to be an uplifting, emotional story where they combine stories of two of the more infamous LDS Handcart companies and track their journey west. Having served as a sub-captain for the 1856-57 trip, Levi recorded the severe trials endured, as well as the various miracles experienced by those traveling on conviction and devotion to church leaders who delivered messages from God. This is an outstanding movie that shows the courage and faith of a people who were ridiculed and ostracized for their beliefs. You give them something to eat. We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish, they answered. Christensen films a scene in his new movie, 17 Miracles., Pioneers cross the Sweetwater River in 17 Miracles.. He listens to the godly person who does his will. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. Were going to drown! He replied, You of little faith, why are you so afraid? Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.. A pioneer story means something different than describing a trek across the plains. We know this man is a sinner. He replied, Whether he is a sinner or not, I dont know. He is an interesting character surrounded by interesting characters: families who left loved ones, children who traveled alone due to finances, elderly couples who faced death because they were accused of possessing a spirit of apostasy when they expressed concern over traveling at their age. The first two-thirds of 17 Miracles is framed by following the narrative and characterization of those in the pioneer party, though some alterations to historical accuracy did occur for the cinematic adaptation to work. The narrative is purposefully disorienting. If not the DVD and Blu-ray are now available thru Deseret Book Company. His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. Jesus opened the eyes of two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31). He has seizures and is suffering greatly. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man. '", "Whenever a sceenplay is based on historical events, viewers of the film frequently want to know if the events being depicted are factual or merely the screen writer's imaginary version of what might have been," Christensen wrote. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. Today, these noble pioneers are revered for their faith and courage. When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. After being called to Utah, a party of over 500 English Mormons experience life-saving miracles 1. the two girls going through the field with the rattle snakes. These were mostly poor immigrants from the British Isles and Scandinavia who arrived late in the season and had no recourse but to continue on to Utah even though there was the potential for bad weather. Traditional pioneer stories generally serve as examples of enduring to the end. Unfortunately, there are points throughout the film where such visual richness counters the dramatic tensions other elements strive to create. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Christensen frames the story by suggesting that while pioneers faced natural vicissitudes like diminished food supplies, freezing weather, and dangerous wildlife, the greatest danger was internal. In Mark's day, people would have believed in miracles and . This is a timeless story of a truly faithful and dedicated people who believed fully in their trek to the Mormon "Zion". You will regret it less. Another subject for me to investigate. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Each story is touching, but the film gives no characterization to these pioneers. I tell this one, Go, and he goes; and that one, Come, and he comes. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. The trip could have been planned differently so the men could work. I am one of these, and my heart swells with love for these people. Where have you laid him? he asked. "This miracle does not get them out but it allows them to know that the Lord is with them," Brother Christensen said. I remember a story about a group of Saints in Salt Lake talking about the handcart company a few years after that trek. Sweetness And Light/Roger Federer and Mr. Gumby, Gluten Free? I feel Brigham Young was also to blame for this travesty because it was his idea to bring people to the Utah territory with hand carts. I wish more films would be made like this, true stories that makes one research further details. It doesn't matter what faith you belong to, (or don't for that matter)to appreciate the sacrifice and suffering of these people. Their trek left too late in the fall and they ended up struggling to survive the harsh winter, starvation and more as they continued on. You dont know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. He said that people often ask him why the Lord allowed the pioneers to suffer. Leanna | www.lds.org. We believe that under the direction of His Father, Jehovah created this world and in the meridian of time left His position as God to come to this world to offer Himself as a sacrifice and that through faith, repentance and baptism we can be forgiven of our sins and be allowed to return to His and His Fathers presence. The Miracles in the Life of Elijah The Lord did mighty miracles in the life of His prophet: 1) The prophet caused the rain to cease for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1). I was blind but now I see! Then they asked him, What did he do to you? I'm not criticizing the movie, just my ancestors for making such horrible mistakes which cost many of them their lives. 5. This disc is certainly a must to own! Through his research for the film, Christensen met several descendants of the handcart pioneers and invited them to be in the movie. God gave us a brain and intelligence to know that when something is right, and something is wrong. Makes me examine what the word Faith really means. But the more he read the script, the more fascinated he became with the handcart pioneers. 3. Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this worlds light. "He was just a guy. He said he felt closer to God during that time than any other time in his life. If you have the chance to see it in a theatre DO! When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. These were mostly poor immigrants from the British Isles and Scandinavia who arrived late in the season and had no recourse but to continue on to Utah even though there was the potential for bad weather. If you ever get the chance (I know you are so busy! One of my favorite LDS movies, intense, moving, unique. My hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servants, Do whatever he tells you. Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. I often wonder if I would have gone with the Saints that took this trek. He possesses a talent to create palpable environments where lighting, costuming, and settings combine to quicken the past and its dead.