Play Writing

 

 

Department of Independent Study

Brigham Young University

206 HCEB

Provo, UT 84602

 

Course:        TMA 251 - 002 - PLAY WRITING 1

Name :         JOSEPH   TOOMEY                                Credit Hrs. : 3.0

SSN# :          528-22-0547                                             Bar Code ID# 4224630

Instr    :         NEIL NEWELL                                        Expire :   Date: 11/09/99

Enroll Date:   11/09/98

 

 

SUBMISSION COVER SHEET

 

Brigham Young University

Department of Independent Study

P.O. Box 21514

Provo, UT 84602

(801) 378 - 2868

 

 

Student Comments/Questions for the Instructor:

 

1.  I am not persistent in completing projects

2.  I feel that the consequences of not passing are not serious

3.  I do not like to work “on my own”.

4.  I am not disciplined to study at a regular time and place.

5.  I do think of myself as creative, funny, affectionate, intelligent,; broad-minded, frank, and       courageous

6.   I am primarily concerned with writing _a series of one act plays that can be used by my                  Grandchildren in Family Home Evening.  However, I would be pleased if these plays were               used in the Ward’s Family History.  Since I have 27 great grandchildren, I want it put in a               book form

7.   I am not as concerned with “facts” as I am with “fantasy” For example, I write as fact that              Gordon B. Hinckley is ten years older than I, and that when I was 6 years old, he was my

      primary  teacher In the Waterloo Ward;, Liberty Stake 70 years ago. Nor do I know that he            had this “calling.”  However, if  “The Work and the Glory” is fictitious, yet based on obvious          fact, I can use the same poetic license.

8.   As a result, all these “Plays” begin in the FAMILY HOME EVENING setting, and end on

      The day of judgment. 


9.    Your request for “about me” is extremely difficult to perform.  I am 75 years old and have had numerous experiences some of which I have written about in a long cumbersome, and perhaps boring poem which I am enclosing.  This is only about one chapter in my life...and there are many other subchapters  which I would like to submit if this one is interesting.  I am sending it on floppy disc for editing.  Do not return either poems or disc, but I would like your comments.

I have copy written them, but I do authorize their use as long as I am given credit for anything that is original.

 

 

I am sending this “examination request” separately from assignment No. 1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


LESSON 1                                    ACT    I       Play no. 1   Hinckley Hearing

Assignment: Play #1                                          Play no. 2   Death ;of Spirit.

Play no. 3   Image of God

Play no. 4   Captivity.

Play no. 5   Seminary

Play no. 6   Patriarchal Blessing

Play no. 7   Treasures that hide?

                                                                                 Play no. 8   Ezra Taft Benson

Play no. 9   Darkness

 

 

 

Title page:                           THE HINKLEY HEARINGS

 

                                                            - By-

                                                       Grandfather

 

                      A courtroom scene in which Grandfather is an Attorney questioning

                      a boy of 16 who has been called to be his primary teacher.

                      This took place about 70 years ago, and so a strict cross-examination

                      Is required to show intent.

                      The grandchildren will act as Jurors.

 

                        All the action takes place in the Family room

                        The object is a “Family Home Evening” lesson.

                        As designated on Monday Evening?  Maybe Sunday

                        To avoid Monday night football.

 

 

Authority: Alma 5:3....   I, Alma,; having been consecrated by my father, Alma,                                                        to  be a high priest over the Church of God, he having power and authority from                                  God to do these things......... 

                 Alma 5:14..   And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye                                      Spiritually  been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your                                                  Countenances.

                                                                                                  Joseph Eldon Toomey                                                                                                                     58 So. 200 West

                                                                                                  Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                                  (208) 677 - 8374                         

                                                                                              Draft no. 1    Nov. 10, 1998         

 

               

 


dialogue:

 

                                               HAROLD

            (Getting up from the most comfortable chair in the living room, and which grandfather dives in, beating David to it.)

Everybody come in for Family Home Evening...We’ve got to make it in a hurry, cause I’ve got a meeting to go to.

 

                                               HOLLY

              (Shouting from the bedroom)

You guys will have to get along without me....I’ve got a headache.

 

                                                JOSHUA

                (Sitting on top of Aria)

Can I read these jokes I got on the Internet?

 

                                                 REBECCA

No you can’t

                 (But he reads them anyway.)

 

                                                  GRANDFATHER

Shut - up , dumb kid and pay attention while I continue the stories you have heard a dozen times.

                  ( The Orchestra opens with fan-fare from XERXES)

 

                                                  GRANDFATHER continues

Harold, What does your Patriarchal blessing mean to you?

 

                                                   HAROLD

It told me to prepare myself with prayer, and study, even by faith to go on a mission.

 

                                                    GRANDFATHER

Holly, What does your Patriarchal blessing mean to you?

 

                                                     HOLLY

I was told that if I was valiant , I would become a Queen in Heaven.

 

                                                      GRANDFATHER

Rebecca, what about you?

 

                                                       REBECCA

I was told to study, and prepare myself to become a Mother, in Israel.

 

                                                  GRANDFATHER


Your Great-Grandmother, Fern Morrison was to told that she would have the opportunity to teach the Indians.  She was very proud of that calling, and I heard her repeat it many times.

 

Also, your Grandmother Marcia Warner was told that by faith and diligence she would meet a man who was to be worthy to take her to the temple, and that she and her husband would have sons and daughters who would rise up and bless them together  in their old age.

 

                                                    GRANDFATHER continuing

 

I have a question....is a patriarchal blessing a promise?  From what you know, which of the above blessings have been fulfilled?

 

                                                      GRANDCHILDREN

                     (Each tells what they know)

 

                                                      GRANDFATHER

And so a calling is not a promise, but it can be........

 

                                                       GRANDFATHER continuing

My Patriarchal blessing says, “thou shalt be carried through difficulties of this life with a power and strength beyond and above thy own”...Wherefore, let the voice of the Holy Spirit be thy guide”...............and it was inferred, but not spoken that I would see the face of God before I died.

Or, was it that I would hear the voice of God.

 

                                         (End of Scene one, while cookies and ice cream were eaten)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Scene 2:     A blessing give by William D. Kurhe, Patriarch, on the head of

                                            Joseph Eldon Toomey

Son of Otto Norman Toomey and Rosa Cornwall, born July 28, 1923.

At Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

“ I seal thee up unto the day of redemption, for thus I have been permitted to do.....”

 

And to this day will I be judged, but others will also have their callings laid bare for all to see.

And so in within this court,; I will have the opportunity to determine the faithfulness.......

                                                   -of-

 

                                             A CHILD.....age 6

 

Q.:  Mr. Hinckley, what is your name?  A:.  Gordon B.  Hinckley

 

Q:.  All your responses must be oral, OK?  What church did you go to 70 years ago.  A: Oral

 

Q:   Did you go to the Waterloo Ward 70 years ago?  A: I can’t remember.

 

Q: Is the Waterloo Ward in the Liberty Stake?  A.  How should I know?

 

Q: Did you ever meet the plaintiff, Joseph Eldon Toomey?  A: I can’t remember.

 

Q: Was it down the street?  A: I met a lot of scruffy little kids when I was 16.

 

Q: Was it long ago?   A: No, it was only 70 years.

 

Q: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice that I sent your attorney?

A: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.

 

Q: When you were a Primary teacher, did you walk hand in hand together with the children?

 A: yes

    

Q: Did we walk up a mountain? A: yes.

 

Q: It seemed like such a little climb.  Gordon’s Attorney: Objection, that is a leading question.  Judge: Sustained.

 

Q: To greet the sunshine in the morning of our lives. Gordon’s Attorney...I like that.

When did we ever touch...

Our lives to each other?

Is love and sorrow intertwined

With each other?


And did your love for me survive the darkness?

And were there stars to cling to?

Was it true that God sent me an angel?

Was it you?

 

Possible, plausible, and Probable?   It is here I need help.

 

Conclusion: By this time half the kids were asleep, and so I concluded that I had great success....until I pushed Joshua over.  He was faking wakefulness.  I wish that it would be just as easy to put me to sleep.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Assignment: Play No. 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                                  DEATH OF SPIRIT

 

                                                                -by-

                                                           Grandfather

 

                              A family room scene in which Grandfather is assuming the role of a Father,                                 and is presiding over the Family Home evening discussions.  He is discussing                                 his life at the time he was 8 years old.

 

                              All the action takes place in the family room.  The object is a Family Home                                Evening lesson as designated on Monday Evening.

 

Authority:..............Alma: 5:23    Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers.

                              Alma: 5:42    And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of him;

                              (Satan) therefore, for his wages he receiveth death as to things pertaining                                        unto  righteousness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                             Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                             58 So. 200 West

                                                                                             Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                             (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                              Draft no. 1.... Nov. 11, 1998  

                             

 

 

 


dialogue:

 

                                                       GRANDFATHER

 

                               Wherefore have we crucified

                               The first unblemished lamb?.

                                Lord, am I not pure?

                                And made Eternal Life secure?

 

When I was 8 years old, I belonged to an apostate sect .  The things I remember most about this group is well expressed in Alma 5: 53.   Yea;, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts.  For...Our basic belief was derived from one issue.......That we will be exalted simply by having more than one wife. 

                                 And then I have offended...ever

                                 My offering of Sacrifice unsure

                                 Dour flocks of thought

                                 And words as herds....I sought.

 

There was one person that filled my Fathers family with hate.  His name was Heber J    

. Grant.    I listened many times to stories of his unfairness.....His persecution of the “Saints”....meaning us.

The mean spirit that he had.  And that spirit was found dead, dead  to our home.  It was not there, having been destroyed as to our family. And he was mocked

 

                                   To justify your actions....then you find.

                                   An imperfection...a flaw.  A wrong unrectified

                                   Without intent, our thoughtless acts of sin

                                   Have stained the spirit held within.

 

As the result, of this dearth of spirit....I rebelled.  I rebelled not only against the church, but also, I rebelled against this Sect also.  And so died my spirit....and I cast away the spirit of faith.  

                                    When I was young I eagerly did frequent

                                    Doctor and Saint

                                    Yet, evermore I ever did

                                    Come out again the self-same door

                                    Where in I went...Omar Kayam

 

And with that spirit slain, I also abandoned all hope.....another death

                                     Is not the spirit slain....

                                     Is ours alone when’ere we maim

                                     Or hurt and make afraid the one who loves.

 

 


                                              JOSHUA

Q:  Isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about?

 

                                               ARIA

Q:  Were you present when you died?

 

                                               MATTHEW

Q:  Were you alone or by yourself?

 

                                                NATHAN

Q:  You were there until the time you left, is that true?

 

                                                 JOSHUA

Q:  How many autopsies have been performed on you when you died.

 

                                                 DAVID

Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body? 

 

                                                  ARIA

Q: Were you dead at the time?

 

                                                  HAROLD

Q: If, as you say, hope was lost, and faith was dead, How was it restored.?

 

                                                  HOLLY

Statement: Alma 5:40.....For I say unto you that whatever is good cometh from God, and whatever is evil cometh from the devil.

 

                                                  REBECCA

Statement: Alma 5: 20....I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when ye have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?

 

 

 

Possible, plausible, and Probable?   It is here I need help.

 

Conclusion: By this time half the kids were asleep, and so I concluded that I had been a great success because half of them were awake.  I talked too much....How can I get them to talk...and not me.  “Little Jack Horner ...Sat in a corner...Eating his curds and whey...He put in his thumb, and pulled out a plumb...And said ..”What a great boy am I”

S

 

 


Assignment: Play No. 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                              THE IMAGE OF GOD

 

                                                            -by-

                                                       Grandfather

 

                            A family room scene in which Grand father is presenting a Family History                               lesson  by telling a story about his life.

 

All the action takes place in the Family room.  The object is a Family Home Evening lesson as designated on Monday Evening.

 

Authority:              Alma 5: 14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church,

                              have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your                                countenances?

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                     Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                     58 So. 200 West

                                                                                     Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                      (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                      Draft no 1.....Nov.  11, 1998

 

 

                     

 


dialogue:

 

                                                      GRANDFATHER

 

When I was 12 years old, I attended a Matanae dance at Union Jr. High.  I happened to tell my older sister, Helen about it, and she offered to pay a nickel for each dance that I would dance.    And so I went with dreams of great riches, for she had forgotten to say a complete dance.  I then conspired with my (friends ?) To have them cut in, and then I could cut in again on them...and so on and so forth.

And there we lined up facing each other in glaring hatred, and fear, for hate and fear had become our Gods.

And then a fracas ensued.  I was forced out on to the dance floor with no hope of return.

 

                                                        JOSHUA

Q:  And were you hit in the fracas?

A:  No, I was hit midway between the fracas and the naval.

 

                                                         DAVID

Q:  How far apart were you at the time of the collision?

 

                                                         ARIA

Q:   Were you present when this fracas took place?

 

                                                          MATTHEW

Q;   Did you leave your friends quietly?

A:   No, quietly left before I did.

 

                                                           NATHAN

Q:   Can you describe the individual who hit you?

A:   He was about medium build, and had gray pants and a blue shirt.

Q:   Was this a male or female?

Q:   How many girls were on your side of the gym?

Q:   Were there any boys?

 

                                                           HAROLD

Q;   How was your place in line terminated.

A:   By death

Q:   And by whose death was it terminated?

 

                                                            HOLLY

Q;   How did you get to the other side where the girls were?

A:   I slithered.

 


                                                             JEFF

Q;   What girl did you choose to ask for a dance?

A:   The stake presidents daughter.

 

                                                              REBECCA

Q;   Was she very popular?

A:   Not after that dance.

 

                                                              JOSHUA

Q;   Did you ask her to dance with you?

 

                                                              MATTHEW

Q;   What did you do when she laughed her head off?

 

                                                              NATHAN

Q;   Did you leave immediately?

A:   No, she left me.

 

                                                              REBECCA

Q;   Did you see the little girl who was sitting all by yourself?

A;   No, my eyes were filled with tears.

 

                                                              JEFF

Q;   Did you investigate the fact that she wasn’t very popular

A;   After the dance she was popular with the boys..not with the girls.

 

                                                               ARIA

Q;   Weren’t you suspicious when she smiled at you?

A;   Yes, I doubted her sanity.

 

                                                               JOSHUA

Q;   How did she get on to the floor.

A:   She was pushed.

 

                                                                NATHAN

Q;   What happened after you got her on to the dance floor?

A:   I refuse to answer on grounds that it will incriminate me.

 

                                                                 HAROLD

Q;   Was the smile still on her face when you danced?

A:   Yes, but it was followed by a scream

 

 


                                                                  REBECCA

Q:   You mean she was screaming on the dance floor?

A:   No, I was.

 

 

                                                                  JEFF

Q;   When you lead with your right and left foot, did she follow with her left foot or right foot?

A:   Yes, that is when we stumbled over each other. 

 

                                                                  NATHAN

Q;   Did you ever get your feet straightened out?

A:   No, I was saved by my faithful friends who came to my rescue.

 

                                                                  HAROLD

Q;   Did you ever get back to dancing with her?

A:   No there was too long of a line

 

                                                                   HOLLY

Q;   Did you ever ask any of the other girls to dance?

A:   No, I may be stupid, but I’m not crazy.

 

                                                                   GRANDFATHER

And yet, when I was there

You were willing to share.

This not a vain thing;

Surely, surely, Christ’s spirit was there.

 

I was you from out on the floor

I saw the spirit radiated there.

The loneliness and sorrow

A comfort there.

 

Is this gift of Joy and sorrow

Which you’ve been given.

Now reflected then by me?

And this...in answer to our prayer?

 

I soared on wings of eagles

With love and joy carried by.

The exhilaration that I shared

Now seen by those close by.

 

 


I had descended to the depth’s of sorrow

I wondered why?

Am I then shamed because of fears

That go unheeded in a world of night?

 

Oh, Lord, is it wrong to see the light

That shines on me from heaven?

And all she did was smile

 

Smiling through the mists of fright.

The darkness of the night.

 

 

 

 

Possible, plausible, and probable?

 

 

Conclusion:   I never did explain the image of God, but it was always on my mind.

Should I have explained...Alma 5: 14   Have you seen his image on your countenances?

Alma 5: 24   Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 Assignment Play # 4

 

 

 

 

 

Title page                                     CAPTIVITY

 

                                                             -by-

                                                        Grandfather

 

 

                            A scene in the Family History center in which Grandfather is telling the story

                            of his life when he was 14.  His children and grandchildren are gathered in a                              circle about him.

 

                            All the action takes place in this room.

 

 

Authority:            Alma 5:6.......And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, that you belong to                               this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your                              fathers?  Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and                              long-suffering towards them?  And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in                              remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                              Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                              58 So.  200 West

                                                                                               Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                               (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                                Draft no. 1   Nov. 12, 1998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


dialogue:

 

 

     Getting off the throne in the bathroom, and sitting at the feet of his children and grandchildren

 

                                                         GRANDFATHER

Lord, why did you tell me I couldn’t have kids?  Are there 33?  That’s one for every year of my married life.  I think you have an error in judgment?  What about when I was 14 years old.

 

                                                         GRANDFATHER (continuing)

This is the shadow he remembers.

He remembers Arthur Godfrey, his Bishop

Putting his arm around him.

And this Bishop asked him to hoe his garden.

 

And this Bishop  would take little walks

And he would talk

And the little boy could feel the respect

That he had for this little boy.

 

He would walk with me,

And he’d talk with me

And he’d tell me I was his own

And the Joy we’d share as we tarried there.

None other had ever known.

 

                                                           GRANDFATHER (cont.)

When his father was excommunicated, I was not.  But let me tell you about Helen, my sister who’s husband was also excommunicated, and placed in Jail.  Her Bishop excommunicated the whole family.   And they had a son named Heber Jentzsch who was about one year younger than I, and I would go to Farmington many times to play with this “cousin”.  And his talent’s were above and beyond belief.

When my wife and I were on our honeymoon, we passed through Los Vegas and ran into him again.  He gave us tickets;, and invited us to his show.  And on the stage, there he was, the star of the show, and he was surrounded by 5 beautiful, naked, girls.  After the show we had dinner together, and he told us that he had been in the movie, “Paint your wagon”, and “1776"

 

                                                           JOSHUA

Q;   Grandpa, you went on a rather elaborate honeymoon, didn’t you?

A:   I went to Los Angeles, kid

Q:   And you took your new wife?

 

 


                                                            MATTHEW

Q:   You said you ran into him, how far apart were the vehicles at the time of the collision?

 

                                                             NATHAN

Q:   You were there until the time you left, is that true?

 

                                                              ARIA

Q;   Was it you or your wife who was killed in the accident?

 

                                                               DAVID

Q;   Were you present when your picture was taken?

 

                                                               RYAN

Q;   Was Heber Jentzsch an apostate like yourself?

 

                                                               RONALD

Q;   Was Heber Jentzsch’s spirit dead at the time?

A:   No, he was sitting at the table while I was doing an autopsy

 

                                                               PAUL

Q;   Did you ever see Heber again?

A:   Yes, he came to our house dressed as George Washington from a prop in the movie “1776"

 

                                                               DONALD

Q;   When I was on my mission in Columbus, Ohio, I happened to mention that Heber Jentzsch was my cousin.  Why did they treat me like royalty?

A:   Because at that time he was president of the “Church of Scientology”.

 

                                                               JERRY

Q;   Was he primarily responsible for getting that church started in Hollywood?

A:   Yes.

 

                                                                REBECCA

Q;   What did his mother think of him?

A:   The things he cares about..

.

The philosophies of men.

Teaching the philosophies as “real life”

To make his mind flit “to and fro”

Don’t ask  what he means by “real”

 

 

 


A soundless scream that seemed to go to eternity.

Never again would she get

The terrible memory from her mind.

The revulsion was to Heber

Who had done this to his mother.

 

Great waves came thundering in endless succession

Out of the dark towering high

Each seemed to engulf her utterly

Yet always she would rise.

 

The sky hung low, carried in continuing roar

A high shriek of malevolence

Ripping off the crest of the waves.

Flinging then horizontally , over the sea.

 

The star of the morning stretched the distance

The reality turning into a sort of ugliness.

Passing the point of no return

Never succeeding in turning back.

 

Only a few moments of the Lilac light remaining

As it had been, and would forever be.

Is there any time to ask

About the falling star?

 

                                                   GRANDFATHER

 

And now, turn to page 218 and read Alma: 5:6 read it silently and listen....

 

Possible, plausible, and probable?...nevertheless, this story is true.

 

Conclusion: The blessing of being there is incomprehensible....and I was there.

 

 

 

  

                         

 

 

 

 

 


Assignment: Play #5

 

 

 

 

Title page:                                 SEMINARY

 

                                                       -by-

                                                  Grandfather

 

 

                         A scene in the family room in which Grandfather is telling his story of his life                           when he was 16

                         He has managed to grab the softest chair in the house, and refused to budge even                           though he is in his son’s home.

 

                         All the action takes place in this room.

 

 

Authority:         Alma 5: 25.......I say unto you, Nay: except ye make our creator a liar from ;the                           beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that                           such can have place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall cast out for they are                            the children of  the kingdom of the devil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                      Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                      58 So.  200 West

                                                                                      Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                      (208) 677-8318 

 

                                                                                       Draft No.  1   Nov. 12, 1998

 

 

 

 

 

 


dialogue:

 

Waiting patiently for the herd to get together for family home evening.  Then getting impatient and turning on Monday night football. 

 

 

                                                     GRANDFATHER

Q;   Lord, are you not sure that I was misdiagnosed?   When I had the mumps, I was sure I would be spared all this?

 

                                                      MATTHEW

Turning off the television.

Q: Do you need this?

A: whimpering...Can’t I even watch Steve Young?

 

                                                       ARIA

Q;   Who is Steve Young?

A:   He’s a general authority, so turn the television back on.

 

                                                      JOSHUA

Q;   When do we eat?

 

                                                      HAROLD

 

Q;    Was I was conceived on August 8

A:   Yes.

Q;   And what were you doing at the time?    

 

                                                        JERRY

Q;   How was your first marriage terminated?

A:   by divorce

Q:   And by whose divorce was it terminated?

 

                                                        PAUL

Q;   Why were you divorced?

A:   So I might have eternal life.

       Alma: 5 28   Behold are you stripped of pride?  I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not         prepared to meet God.  Behold ye must prepare quickly for the kingdom of heaven is soon at         hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.

 

                  

 

 


                                                 REBECCA

Q;   Sounding off in the kitchen   Alma 5 : 37 O ye workers of iniquity: ye that are puffed up in         the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness         nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath         called after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!

 

                                                 GRANDFATHER

Will you all come in and sit down so I can tell you about a Shepherd, Seminary Teacher I had when I was 17.  His name was Jedediah Grant.

 

                                                 JEFF

Q;   Was he related to Heber J. Grant?

A:   Yes, he was his brother.   It is not how much he has to do.

                                               For love is blinded by a spirit too

                                               Each enchanted evening...and the day.

                                               And I saw the face of God...that way.

 

                                                DONALD

Q;   Was there a shadow in your life, a loss of hope?

A:   Yes, Brother Grant had a standing Joke, “I hope that you all have more than a picket fence

        running around your house”

 

                                               RONALD

Q;   Was there another shadow in your life?

A:   Yes, This young man got the mumps.

               And these mumps went down,

              

               And he was told because of this

               He would never have children.

 

                                               GRANDFATHER (cont)

               Teacher, can you tear the clouds of doubt in two?

               Can you make the face of God shine through?

               If only for a moment...

               Teach me then to pray

          

               When hope is gone and closed within

               The walls pushed in.

               And heaven so very far away

               On he whose heart ... can’t hold them in.

 

Conclusion: I liked my Seminary Teacher...but what effect did he have on my life?

 


Assignment: Play #6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                                   PATRIARCHAL  BLESSING

 

                                                                    -by-

                                                              Grandfather

 

                         A family scene in which Grandfather is asked to explain what his personal                           Patriarchal blessing means to him.

                         He is required to show the “intent” of this blessing.

                         The grandchildren will act as judges.

 

                         All the action takes place in the family room

                         The object is a “Family home evening “ lesson

                         As designated on Monday Evening.

 

Authority:          Alma 5:38.....Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you: Yea,                             and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will

                          not  hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are                             called,  behold, ye are not the sheep; of the good shepherd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                         Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                         58 So.  200 West

                                                                                         Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                         (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                         Draft no.  1 Nov. 12, 1998

 

 


dialogue:

 

                                                 GRANDFATHER

Reads his Patriarchal blessing to his family (enclosed) This is in the hope that other family members will share their blessings with the family.

 

                                                       ARIA

Q;   Why weren’t you told of Principalities, and Kingdoms in an exalted throne?

A:   That is true, but this is not a threat....it is a promise.

       Alma 29: 1...... O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of my heart .........

       Alma 29: 3...... But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with         the things which the lord has allotted unto me.

        Alma 29: 4..... I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire......

 

                                                       REBECCA

Q;   What is it that you most desire?

A:   That I can hear

       Listen to that still small voice.

       The voice of God....within.

 

        Listen to the whispering of the spirit.

        Listen...listen....was repeated again and again.

 

                                                        DONALD

Q;   What else is better than being a king?

A:   Come listen to that still small voice

       And thou shalt have joy therein

       Can a home teacher have the very same joy as the church President?

       Is a big fish in a big pond any happier than a little fish in a little pond?

 

                                                       HAROLD

Q;   Is it not true that you were a wimp when you were a child?  How does your blessing address         that?

A:   Come listen to ...that still small voice

       And thou shalt have joy therein.

       With a power and strength above thy own.

       A spiritual dominating strength will come to thee.

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                       PAUL

Q;   Have you ever dreamed that we, your children will look up to you as a king?

A:   Come listen....that still small voice

       Ten thousand dreams....or more

       Are they not shared...with him?

                                                               JERRY

Q:   Have you ever asked for the spirit of Faith?

A:   Oh Father dear....come dwell herein.

       For blessed are those who believe

       That softly...with loneliness touched...and shared.

 

                                                              ROBERT

Q;   Have you counted the ways....that God has loved you?

A:   It is not in being loved, but in loving ...that I can have joy

       Father, can I love you as you loved me?

       And not rejoice when I have felt

       The love...the lighted path that I must follow.

 

                                                              HOLLY

Q;   Have you ever been tempted to “Curse God and die” as did Job’s wife?

A:   Thou shalt be carried

       Through the difficulties of this life.

       With a power and strength above thy own.

 

                                                              RONALD

Q;   How have you been carried through the difficulties of this life?

A:   Seek the Lord in humble prayer,

      If thou art to hear...and then obey

      Unto the day of redemption....I seal thee.

 

                                                             JOSHUA

Q;   Has the Lord given you a purpose for living?

A:   I have a mission to perform

      However small is mine.

      And yet I know that what I do

      I do in a very short time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                              ARIA

Q:   Have you had any great adventures in this life?

A:   I asked the Lord, then what is wanted.

       How he wanted that I live?

       I promise you that what’s been given

       You will like....if only you knew

       You would beg me......for this chance too.

 

       Arise he said, and you shall see....

                                                     

Conclusion:   Alma 29: 3   But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish for I cannot count all the blessings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                    58 So. 200 West

                                                                                    Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                    (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                     Draft no. 1   Nov. 12, 1998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Assignment: Play # 7

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                                      TREASURES that hide.

 

                                                                -by-

                                                           Grandfather

 

 

                       A meeting of Environmental Extremists at a BYU Symposium concerning the                                 conservation of Human resources  

                       This symposium is being broadcast on television :

                       The grandchildren are watching in front the giant screen on their television.

                       The place is the family living room.

 

                       This is an alternative to the regular family home evening.

                       The object is to show the “hidden” treasures mentioned in Section 89: 19

 

 

Authority:        Doctrine and Covenants 89: 19   And shall find wisdom and great treasures of                                 knowledge, even hidden treasures.

                        D. and C 89: 3    Given for a principle with promise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                   Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                   58 So.  200 West

                                                                                   Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                   (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                    Draft no. 1    Nov. 13, 1998

 


 

dialogue: 

 

                                                     TELEVISION  EXTREMIST

Statement: D&C 89:5   That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink....neither is meet in the sight of your father..............

 

                                                      GRANDFATHER

Response:   I am very aware of Drunkenness.  My Father was an alcoholic, and I had a brother who came home one night all beat up. “ What happened,” I said,” Well,” he said, “Last night I was with my drinking buddy, and we agreed that I would stay more or less sober so I could take care of him.  This I did.  Then tonight, he was supposed to stay more or less sober While I got drunk.  This he did not do.  So I beat him up.”  I asked him, “who beat who up?”

 

Then I remembered, when I was a little kid I bought 100 turkeys to raise as an Ag. Project.  I fed them chicken food and the fermented curds and whey we discarded when we saved the cream for butter.  I raised 105 healthy turkeys.  The hatchery gave me 5 extras because they were 2nds, (deformed)   I was deformed also, and so I had a brilliant thought, and I decided to eat what they eat.  They ate a lot of leafy foods, and bugs and worms.  I drew the line  on bugs and worms.

 

                                                           TE

Statement: D&C 89:8 Tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle..........

 

                                                            GF

Response: When I was in jail in Santa Maria, I was being harassed by another inmate.  Needless to say, I was under great stress, which triggered a tick in my right eye which is a spasm.  The problem ....this is called Torret’s syndrome, and the whole body and spirit is in spasm.  He threw a lighted cigarette at me...and I wanted to die.  I ate the cigarette, and waited to die.  I did not.  I have since found that the only treatment available for Torrett’s syndrome is nicotine.  I will not smoke as did my father.    I wonder if I can be treated as a sick cow, tobacco  to be used with judgment and skill. 

               (Remember,; this is a first draft, and I am asking for help...how could I change it)

 

 

                                                             TE                            

Statement: D&C 89: 10   And again;, verily I say unto, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man.  (The case for vegetarian diet)

 

                                                             GF

Response: I keep remembering the bugs and worms my turkeys ate

D&C 89:12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I the Lord, have ordained the use of man with thanksgiving, nevertheless they are to be used sparingly.


                                                              TE

Statement; D&C 89; 16   All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground.

 

                                                              GF

Response:  I would rather eat chicken food that wheaties or corn flakes

 

                                                              TE

At this time, I felt that the program ignored the spiritual part of this revelation.

Jesus Christ has told us that it is not that which goes into a man that defiles, but that which comes forth out of his mouth.  This is the greatest hidden treasure that I perceive is given.

 

Respect, hope, faith, Charity, heaven, hell , fear, hate, pride, envy, all come from within, and all are  a gift of spirit that comes from God.  (I give men weakness that they may be strengthened.)

And they are all an expression of the spirit within.

 

D&C 89: 19   And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures:

 

THE  PURPOSE OF FAMILY HOME EVENING IS TO DIG  FOR THESE HIDDEN TREASURES,    

 

God, walk with me.

Hold my hand when I am weary.

Give me your faith when ‘ere I falter.

 

Will I go through shrouds

Of Dark and gloom

And can I cry?

 

Will I not faint when oft I walk

I wonder why?

I come with treasures from the sky.

 

 

Will I walk with giants,

Will I pass them by?

Will I have run....and will I have won?

 

 

 

 

 

 


The asp  (deformity) that bit my heel

Will he pass me by?

Will I fly with eagles

In the sky?

 

How could a child so dim

Hold fast the iron rod?

How could a child of Cain

Talk with God?

 

Not by might and power

Not by inner strength

And not by great desire?

Only by a spirit not my own.                              

 

 

Conclusion:               Alma 5:17...   Or do you imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord                                   in that day, and say,

                                Our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth--------

                                AND THAT HE WILL SAVE YOU?   

 

                                Extremism in the defense of truth (Christ’s Spirit) is no vice.  Therein lies                                        Eternal life.

                                Extremism in things temporal is good, but their reward is physical, and they                                    shall be rewarded here on earth  And they shall have health to their marrow.

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Assignment: Play no. 8

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                               EZRA TAFT BENSON

 

                                                           -by-

                                                    Grandfather

 

 

 

 

 

                         A scene in a large hall at Brigham Young University

                         Ezra Taft Benson was the featured speaker.

 

                          All the action takes place at this convocation.

                          I was witness to the death of spirit

                          Another God would take his place.

                          A shadow.

 

                          The object is a Family Home Evening lesson

 

 

Authority:           Alma 5: 30    And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make                              a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?

 

 

 

                                                                                         Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                         58 So. 200 West

                                                                                         Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                         (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                         Draft No. 1 Nov. 14, 1998

 

 

 

 

 

 


Dialogue:

 

                                                        GRANDFATHER

 

story: ........Job 2: 9 ..... Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? 

                                     

                  Job 2:10....  But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish

                                     Women speaketh, what?  Shall we receive good at the hands of God,

                                     And shall we not receive evil?

                                     In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

 

       When I was 18 years old, I went to Brigham Young University.......

 

Q:   Did you see Carl Eyring?

A:   Yes, he was one of my teachers in a religion class.

 

Q:   I thought that he was a scientist.

A:   He knew a lot about Acoustics.  (Sound)

 

Q:   Did you know that Wayne Hales was there?

A:   Yes, he taught me chemistry.

 

Q:  You mean that a general Authority was your chemistry teacher?

A:  No stupid, it was his father.

 

Q:  How did you get to the University?

A:   He walked all night in the darkness,

       And the icy road covered with snow.

       There to the land of peace and kindness

       Not so.

 

Q: Were you inspired to go to BYU.?

A: Yes.  I took a gun away from a drunken father and buried it.

 

Q: You call that inspiration?

A: Yes, at that time I was not suicidal.  And I was inspired to leave home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q:   When did you see EZRA TAFT BENSON?


A:   I can see the small auditorium

       I see the professors on the podium

       The weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.

 

Q:   Didn’t they have a right to question his integrity?

A:   Claiming academic freedom.

       And who was it they claimed had taken it away?

       They did not assail the president of the church.

       As my father had.

 

Q:   Were they snarling at a poor deluded Elder?  Ezra Taft Benson

A:    He had given a talk at this convocation.

       They were setting up a straw man.

       Deriding what he said,

       Yet that I never heard.

 

Q:   Did you stand up and defend his position?

A:   No, I did not.

 

Q:   Is there a spirit?

       A spirit of forgetting hurt and thoughtlessness?

       A spirit that reaches out and comes to me

       A spirit of   forgiveness

   

Q:   Can he forgive my faltering steps?

A:   Is it by chance, this humble man

       Would come into my life again?

       Lift me to your shoulder, and

       Help me bring back that which has faded away?

 

Q:   Can we thy children honor thee this day?

A:   Can we thy children bless thee now?

       Can we thy children change our hearts, and

       Make this a day to remember?

 

Q:   Can we let the true love of Christ enter our home?

A:   Let each be happy to report

       That he has lifted...the burden of another

       And made the way easier for those who pass us by.

 

 

 

 


Q:   Can the spirit of contentment dwell within?

A:   To carry me closer.....to thy side.

       Let me find that spirit in a child

       As thou has found it in me.

 

Q:   Then neither your home, nor BYU a haven?

A:   The rage he would have to bear

       Describing that great Satan

 

Q:   Wherefore have we crucified

A:   The first unblemished lamb?

       Lord, am I not pure?

       And made eternal life secure?

 

Q:   And have I then offended...ever?

A:   My offering of sacrifice unsure?

       Dour flocks of thought

       And words as herds...I sought.

 

Q:   To justify your actions...then you find.

A.   An imperfection...a flaw....a wrong unrectified.

       Without intent, our thoughtless acts of Sin

       Have stained the spirit held within. 

 

Q:   Is not the spirit slain?

A:   Is ours alone when ‘ere we maim

       Or hurt and make afraid the one who loves

       And   maybe you.....have wronged him too.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion:         And then the darkness descended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment: Play no.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                                        DARKNESS

 

                                                               -by-

                                                         Grandfather

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                      A scene in my bedroom followed by:

                                      A scene in hell, and grandfather shoveling coal

                                      A place where “God is dead.”

 

Authority:                      Alma 5: 7 .......Behold, they were in the midst of darkness:

                                      Nevertheless,  their souls were illuminated by the light

                                      of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about

                                      By the bands of death, and the chains of hell,

                                      And an everlasting destruction did await them;.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                      Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                      58 So. 200 West

                                                                                      Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                      (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                       Draft no. 1 Nov.  14, l998


Dialogue:

                                                    GRANDFATHER

Q:   We never know the measure of our doing?.

A:   The joy that kindly thoughts and deeds bestow

       The thrusts that burn

       We never see the scars.

 

Q:   We never know when written word or spoken?

A:   May stanch the stream of bitter words that flow.

       Or set an erstwhile heart to singing

       And wreathe a face in smile.

 

Q:   We never know the gratitude unbounded?

A:   Of one who dreads the dawning of the day.

       And steels himself to face that which is fated.

       To find someone’s rolled the stone away.

 

Q:   We never know what depths of fear and sorrow?

A:    Engulf a soul in time of bitter trial,

       Of  loneliness, Of one who lacks a brother

       To walk with him....the last....long....bitter mile.

 

       We never know.

 

 

                                                   GRANDFATHER

 

Q;   There was a dream, a vision of the night.?

A:   And slumber rose and fled my bed.

       I dreamed there was eternal life.

       Without my Lord, without my Savior.

 

Q:   The long flight had begun?

A:   There was a price on his willingness.

       That must be paid.

 

Q:   If nothing could be counted on?

A:   Save spent appetite.

       If sent money, and spent manhood,

       Claimed the swinish couch.

 

Q:   What God was this?

A:   Had spread the limbs of man?


Q:   What web of life?

A:    For all its brutish stands.

 

Q:   Yet it was a bed he must lie on?

A:   Unchanged by mortal man.

       Had flavored with pride...his destiny.

 

Q:   And so he must go on and on....until.....?.

A:   And now those dark thoughts came flooding in.

       Drowning everything else in a swift nightmare.

       Of doubt and fear

 

Q:   These fearful thoughts now part of his calendar?.

A:   Part of every night ashore.

       What must he do to defeat them?

 

Q:   They took hold again?

A:   Yet in the demented numbering of his days, only yesterday

 

Q:   A man who fell into his hands?

A:   Must die a slow death

       For one long day of life.

 

Q:   Was not the law then challenged?

A:   A night of torment and terror, and vanished hope.

       A night of cursing God....and death.

 

 

Conclusion:                               Moses 7:15   And the giants of the land, also,

                                                  stood afar off;

                                                  and there went forth a curse upon all people that fought

                                                  against God.

                                                  Moses 7: 16....And from that time forth there were wars

                                                  and bloodshed..  (Was this the blood of Christ?)

                                                 Was Christ’s spirit gone from me?  Is that not death?

                                                 The death of spirit?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

                                                               Act 11

                                                                                 Play no.  10    A. Ray Olpin

Play no.   11   Bob Spencer

Play no.   12   R.M Nelson

Play no.   13   War

Play no.   14

Play no.   15

Play no.   16

 

 

Zechariah  4:   4 - 10                4...So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me.

Saying, what are these things, my Lord?

5.  Then the angel that talked with me answered

And said unto me, knowest thou not what these be?

And I said, No, my Lord.

6.   Then he answered and spake unto me, saying

This the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,

Saith the Lord of Hosts.

7.   Who art thou , O great mountain?

Before  Zerubabbel  thou shall become a plain

And he shall bring for the headstone thereof with shoutings,

Crying, Grace,; grace unto it.

8.  Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me saying,

9.  The hands of Zerubabbel have laid the foundation

of this house: his hands shall also finish it.

And thou shalt know that the Lord of Hosts

Hath sent me to you.                                                                           

10   For who hath despised the day of small things?.

For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet

In the hands of Zerubbabel with these seven,

They are the servants of the Lord, which

Run to and fro through the whole earth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Assignment: Play #10

 

 

 

 

Title page                                   A. RAY OLPIN

 

                                                         -by-

                                                   Grandfather

 

 

 

 

                                       A scene in the dining room at the home of a

                                       Professor at Ohio State University.

                                       His wife and daughter Betty were there

 

                                       The action takes place during dinner at his home.

 

 

 

Authority:                        Alma 5: 11......Behold, I can tell you-----

                                        Did not my father believe in the words

                                        Which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi?

                                        And was he not a holy prophet?.

                                        Did he not speak the words of God?

                                        And my father Alma believe them?

 

 

 

                                                                                Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                58 So. 200   West

                                                                                    Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                 (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                Draft no. 1....Nov. 14, 1998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


dialogue:

 

 

Q:   Look how the light in the morning lies?

A:   Please say no more...I see its time.

      Ten thousand tears till I dry my eyes.

      A million more is what I’m hoping for.

 

Q:   Or is it love what you have in mind?

A:   Follow the song of the morning sun.

       Wander with me where you go.

       Ten thousand dreams...I know every one

       A million more is what I’m hoping for

      

Q:   Or is it love what we live to know?

 

Q:   Where were you when you were young?

A:   Did you hide beside whoever tried to please you?

      

Q:   Where were you when you were young.

A:   Did you have eyes just to ignore  me?

      

Q:   Or were you looking for me?

 

Q:   And tell me how long before you believed me?

A:   The summer sun still loves the rain

 

Q:   Ten thousand times you may leave me?

A:   A million more is what I’m looking for.

       Or doesn’t love bring you home again

(Anne Murray)

 

                                                  JOSHUA

Q:   Did you say the stairs went down to the basement?

A:   Yes

 

Q:   And these stairs did they go up also?

A:   No.

 

Q:   What were you doing in the basement?

A:   We played ping pong.

 

 


                                                   MATTHEW

 

Q:   Did she beat you?

A:   Always.

 

Q:   When she beat you, were you hurt?

A;   Only when she hit the ball between my eyes.

 

Q:   The youngest daughter...the 18 year old...how old was she?

A:   She was a year younger than I was.

 

                                                   ARIA

Q;   Can you describe the individual?

A:   She was about medium height and wore a blue dress.

 

Q:   Was this a male or a female?

 

Q:   Did a fracas ensue?

A:   No, we just yelled at each other.

 

Q:   Were you hit in the fracas?

A;   No, I was hit between the eyes.

 

Q:   Was anyone hurt in that wreck.

A:   I don’t think so...she drove me home.

 

                                                  NATHAN

Q;   Did her mother call you late for dinner?

A:   No she called me Eldon

 

Q:   Did you come immediately?

A:   No, my name was Joseph.

 

Q:   Was A. Ray Olpin a professor at Ohio State University?

A:   Yes.

 

Q:   Did he ever amount to anything?

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                  REBECCA

Q;   On what day did they have you over for Sunday dinner?

A:   I can’t remember.

 

Q:   Were you in the army in 1943?

A:   Yes, I was also in the army in 1945.

 

Q:   What did you do in between?

A:   Well, mostly it was hurry up and wait.

 

Q:   Why did he send his daughter to pick you up?

A:   He thought it was road kill.

 

                                               JEFF

 

Q:   Do you recall the time that you examined the body?

A:   The autopsy started at 8:30 PM

 

Q:   Was the young war veteran dead at the time?

A:   No, he had never been in combat.

 

Q:   Was he alone

A:   No.  He was by beside himself

 

Q:   Was she hurt in the accident too?

A:   No, she drove it away.

 

Q:   All your responses must be oral.  What class were you in at Ohio State University?

A:   Oral

 

 

 

Conclusion:           And there had come a day in spring

                             When death and winter lost  their chill  white hold.

                             Quite suddenly.

                             A day of sunlit air when daffodils and crocus bloom

                             And Lilacs lace their scented bloom

                             On such a day I had returned  to you

                             When winging robins seek their nest.

                              When winging birds return.   

                             And we did speak of every lovely thing

                             For Christ did rise...that day in spring.

 


Assignment :   Play no.11

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                                       BOB SPENCER

 

                                                                -by-

                                                          Robert Spencer

 

                                                                                        October 14, 1998

 

 

Robert Spencer

223l Glacier Lane

Santa Maria, CA 93456

 

 

Dear Brother Spencer:

 

I am sending a first draft of a play I am writing for a class at BYU.  I hope you will make it a portrait of your spiritual life more than your throwing the winning touchdown.   Although, that will be accepted if humorous.

 

I would like it to be parallel with my life, and you can see by the script, 

Chapter l

 would be your preparation for a mission....saving me..You might show your objections to such a task, and ask for a less dangerous mission like flying over the Yalu river.

Chapter 2

would be how you were preserved from death in the wars you fought just so you could become my Home teacher.                                                                         

Chapter 3

Would be how you arranged the return of the Church in Japan (as my home teacher) and called “Russell M. Nelson to be my Sunday School Teacher when I was in Japan during the Korean War.

Chapter 4

Your trials and tribulations as my Home teacher in Santa Maria.

 

Surely, you can find a few jokes to put in this.  Battlefield humor.  Read the stars and stripes.

 

Sincerely,

 


                                                                                                    Nov. 14, 1998

 

 

Russell M. Nelson

Counsel of the 12 Apostles.

Church Office Building

Salt Lake City, Utah.

 

Dear Mr. Nelson,

 

 

I am taking a class at BYU in playwriting.  You played a vital role in my life when you were a Sunday school  teacher, while in the army in Sendai, Japan.

 

I would like to ask of you if you would send to me the same portrait of your spiritual life as I have asked brother Spencer;.  However, I would like it to geared to you as to your calling as a Sunday School Teacher, saving me.   I am not interested in your later life.  As I have asked brother Spencer—don’t be ponderous.  This is geared to a family home evening with young children.  You don’t have to send all your life, just your spiritual experiences.  Think of yourself as Moroni, condensing the Book of Mormon.

If you want me to send the completed manuscript, just ask.

I don’t want anything about Heart Surgery

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Joseph E. Toomey

58 So. 200 West

Burley, Idaho 83318

(208) 677 - 8374

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Assignment: Play # 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                                           WAR

 

                                                             -by-

                                                         Grandfather

 

 

                                   While we were attending Stake Conference, Joshua asked me if

                                   I would come over and play Monopoly “We don’t do anything on Sunday                                      afternoon, except sit around.”  I said, Well, all I do is sit around and watch                                       football.  There’s something wrong here.  To be saved is to do nothing? nothing????????

                                   I submit a definition of Hell....Nihil

 

Authority:                    2 Nephi 11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition

                                    In all things..  If not  so, my first-born in the wilderness 

                                    Righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness,

                                    neither  holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.  Wherefore, all

                                    things must   needs be a  compound in one; wherefore, if it should be

                                    one body it must   needs remain as dead, having no life.

 

 

                                     Couldn’t we at least have Sunday afternoon designated for

                                     genealogy and family history?   Couldn’t we call on grandparents and                                        great grandparents before it is too late?

 

 

 

 

                                                                                        Joseph Eldon Toomey

                                                                                        58 So.  200 West

                                                                                        Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                        (208) 677 - 8374

 

                                                                                         Draft no. 1 Nov. 15, 1998 (Sunday)                                     


 

dialogue:

 

                                                           GRANDFATHER

 

Moses: 18    And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind.

Q: Is there a place called Xian in china?

A: Yes, which leads me to believe that Judah was not the only people God had  revealed himself.

 

Q: Does Xian have a wall on its northern border?

A: Yes, and what was that wall for?

 

Statement: I have seen the maginot line, and a place called Duran, the queen city of the Rurhe

And we came upon a school building which was only partially destroyed.  And we used it as a shelter.   When I was on the 4th floor, I opened a desk drawer, looked, and saw some bags of black powder.  It was booby trapped.

 

Q:  What did you do?

A:  I was inspired to leave.

 

Q:  What did some of the other soldiers do when you told them.

A:  They went to investigate.

 

Q:  What did they do?

A:  They dumped the booby trap on the floor and kicked it.

 

Q    Was that a good idea?

A:   No, so they threw it out the window.

 

Q:   I looked out.

A:   And there were a group  of guys in a circle, kicking it.

 

Q:   A corporal came by and said, they must all be sons of the same father.

A:   Why?   They are not very bright.

 

        Then I heard a big explosion.

Q:   What was that?

A:   Someone had crawled into an adjacent mine field, attached a rope to an antitank mine, and         pulled.

 

 

 

 


One day, one of my (buddies) left all his valuables in my care while he went fraternizing.

He staggered back, yelling that he was going to get those Germans.  It seemed that they fed him buzz bomb juice (which is methyl alcohol)   He died.

I had to take him all over the place to get an autopsy.   Which I watched.

Another guy I picked up had fallen from a second story window.  He was trying to break and enter.

Then there was the train wreck.  I patched them up the best I could while they were pleading with me to turn my head so they could escape.  I did not.  I knew they would die when they got to Poland.

 

Q: What is war?

A: War is stupidity.   That is when we were not sleeping.

 

I was a song without a tune.

A poem with no rhyme.

I was a word without meaning.

 

A dancer out of time.

Rain in the sky.

A tear in my eye.

Static on the radio.

 

Like a leaf upon the wind.

I could find no place to land.

Wandered every way.

 

A couple of my friends and I went to Church in Bad Godesburg.  This is a small town near Munich.   The speaker was Ezra Taft Benson.

I don’t remember what he said in his talk, but I do remember this.  He walked down the aisles deliberately and slowly and stopped before us.  He put his arm around me   and turned to the other soldiers and said, “And there shall come a day when every knee shall bend, and every tongue  confess that Jesus is the Christ”.

 

What if I never met you.

Where would I be right now?

Funny how life just falls in place somehow.

 

Conclusion:       2  Nephi 12     Wherefore, it must needs have been for a  thing of naught;

                         Wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of it’s creation.

                          Wherefore this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal                                    purposes.  And also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.

 

 


Assignment: Play no, 14

 

 

 

 

Title page.                                           ...A  PRAYER

 

                                                                        -by-

      Grandfather

 

 

 

Authority:                   Genesis 7: 50   Wherefore Enoch saw that Noah built an ark,

                                    and the Lord smiled at it, and held it in his own hand;

 Genesis 7: 61 And it came to pass, that Enoch cried unto the Lord

 When the Son of Man cometh in the flesh, shall the earth rest?

 Genesis 7: 64 And as many of the spirits as were in prison came forth...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Eldon Toomey

58 So.  200 West

Burley, Idaho 83318

(208) 677-8374

 

Draft no.  1   Nov. 16, 1998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Scene:    A barracks at the U.S.  Army base in Sendai, Japan.

 

dialogue                                               GRANDFATHER

 

When hope is gone, and closed within?.

The walls pushed in?                            

And heaven so very far away?

On he whose heart can’t hold them in.

 

I dreamed I saw....and dimly seen

A bridge–a prayer

And hope within.

 

R.M. NELSON (reading)

Alma 22: 15    And it came to pass. That after Aaron had expounded these things to him, the King said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life? Of which thou hast spoken:   Yea, of what shall I do that may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his spirit, that I may be filled with Joy, that I may not be cast off.......

Alma 22: 16    Aaron said unto him: if thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea if thou wilt repent of all thy sins (I have a problem with that.)  And will bow down before God, ;and call on his name in  faith (where do I get that faith, believing that ye shall receive) then  shalt thou receive that hope which thou desirest.

Alma 22: 17    ..........The king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees: yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth and cried mightily, saying.

Alma 22: 18     O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou  make thyself known to me.

 

And so as I thought of these things, I was reading the words described in Alma.  And I was laying on my bed with the bulb over my head.    I reached up, turned off the light, and knelt down in the dark of night.  The blackness of that night was impenetrable.

 

O God, if you are he

Let me see into the darkness

That covers me this night.

Let me see that you are there.

 

Am I to kneel here without purpose

Without flight?

Cannot I leave this dismal sea of void

This desert of the night?

 

 

 


O God, if you are there

Let your light shine through the night

Rend the clouds of doubt

I have need to feel your touch...to hold me tight.

 

Let me know that there’s a purpose

Is there a rock-strewn shore

That I can find

If there is light.

 

As I knelt in prayer, and repeated the words of Aaron, the room was filled with light.  I was startled , and frightened, but I did not consider this as a revelation.  It did get my attention.  I did not finish the prayer, but stood up and looked out the window from which the light came.  There, I saw that the clouds had parted momentarily, letting the reflected light of the moon into my room. 

 

I once met a teacher

Who asked me to pray.

Is this he way?

That faith is born?

 

Must I ask God to come this day?

For I was seeking him to be.

To make him chase the shadows away.

My Father that I’ve asked to stay.

 

As I knelt in prayer

A spirit of peace descended

In my quiet room

Must I look for God this way?

 

Conclusion:              And then, the next Sunday as we met in Sunday School the next week

                                 2 Nephi 2:   16   Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act                                   for himself.

                                 Wherefore man could not act for himself save it should be that he was                                    enticed by one or the other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Assignment:   Play no.  15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title Page:                                     THE ARK ....COVENANT           

           A bridge           

 

 - By-  

        Grandfather

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authority:                     Genesis 7: 20  And from that time forth, there were wars, and bloodshed

Among them.   But the Lord came and dwelt with his people, and they                                     dwelt in righteousness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                Joseph Eldon Toomey

58 So.  200 West

Burley, Idaho 83318                

(208) 677-8374

 

Draft No.  1    Nov. 16, 1998

 

 

 

 


Scene:   Sunday   afternoon......While playing games     

                                                 And before and during Dinner.

 

                                                            GRANDFATHER

Q:   These family discussions all seem to be based on Alma 5:?       

A:    Isn’t it amazing that so much is given that we can write a book and only take part of one          small chapter

Q:    When you study the book of Mormon in Sunday school.  Do they dwell on it?

A:    No.   They can’t dwell on a chapter only.   I can, for it is a personal experience.

 

Q:    Could you not also find a particular chapter that you could call your own.

A:     Take it and write your own story.....There’s plenty of other chapters in that book.

 

Q:     Just imagine that I have cut it out, and kept it all to myself.

A:     No, it must be shared.   testimony in an empty hall is like the wind in the willows

 

Q:     This book of marvelous work

A:     And oneness with God that I have seen

         A oneness that seems like a dream

         From the dust of time is given..

 

          I have a desire, of hope expressed

          This day of gratitude expressed.

          That the Lord has given to me

          (It seems like mine alone.)

          A book.....from the dust.

 

Q:       Is not hope a dream?

A:       The beginning of faith

           Of things unseen

           Hope brings forth the faith of God....within.

 

Q:       What is hope?

A:        Is it a rare jewel that must be sought?

            Does hope abound?

            Strewn all about on the rocky shore?

 

Q:        Or is it a gift that God has given?

A:        A spirit that comes from God?

            When all else has long departed

            Carried here on wings of Angels.

 

 


Q:        How is hope found?

A:        Is it found when no one is looking?

            Is there hope everywhere?

            Or is it a small  gift that God has given?

 

            A spirit that comes from above.

            Called forth by the spirit of desire

            Carried here on wings of angels

            And cries...when a safe harbor’s not found..

 

 

Q:        Hope  is born in difficult times

A:        It’s journey to perfection

          

            Yet it must start in immature minds

            As longing, a child in  distress

 

            A river of tears.

 

            To be crossed by lovers

            In peril and flight

            Away from loneliness and desperate times.

            Toward a dim lighted way....unknown.

 

            Can I love my God this way?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Assignment:   Play no. 15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title page:                                             A MARRIAGE made in heaven????????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authority: (I don’t know...all I have is hope.)  I DO NEED TO MEET THE QUESTION.

(Is there anything that is not oppressive  or abusive?)

            (I do not want to be intimidating.  I am very content right now, and have guilt feelings)

            (I could not support a wife now anyhow.)and I’m not sure of the promises made in the                   Temple)     I NEED HELP

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Eldon Toomey               

58 So. 200 West

Burley, Idaho 83318

                                                                                 (208)   677-8374

 

Draft no.  1    Nov. 16, 1998