By Deana Lord
Sometimes tender mercies come in the simplest form, and sometimes they are a bit grander. On Saturday, April 17, 2010, President Ivan Holland of the Anthem Stake told the cast of The Savior of the World, “Today we have been blessed with a tender mercy of the Lord.”

Elder L. Tom Perry was in town conducting church business and stopped by the Henderson Pavilion to watch the final scene of the play, which has been presented by the Anthem Stake for the past three years. President Holland noted that several months ago, he was notified that Elder Perry was coming to Las Vegas and would use the Anthem Stake building for his area training. President Holland said, “Of all the buildings in the area, ours was the one chosen for this event.” Elder Perry’s timing was impeccable. After three months of rehearsals in a warehouse, the production had just begun dress rehearsals at the Henderson Pavilion, which made it an easy stop for Elder Perry.

Elder Perry graciously came into the pavilion waving to the cast and crew. He peeked down into the choir and orchestra pit asking, “Where are the french horns?” The cast and crew were then sent to the stage and Elder Perry watched as they poured out their testimony of the Savior on stage.

Rachel Messina remarked, “We couldn’t stop smiling.” Raven Flowers commented, “In the final scene, I just had tears in my eyes. It was so spiritual.” Elder Perry kindly stood for pictures and shook each person’s hand. Shanea Acebal reflected, “He was so gracious that he took the time to meet every one of us.”

“He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Isn’t this a great way to spend your afternoon?’ and I said, ‘Yes!’” exclaimed Emily Messina. It was a special moment for those playing the original twelve apostles as they stood for a picture with one of the Lord’s living apostles. Jill Horton reflected, “There was a very tangible spirit that settled over the cast and crew.
It felt like it physically settled upon the whole pavilion itself.”

“It has been a blessing to me to have been able to be in the play every year,” said nine-year-old Jillian Lord. “I have learned a lot about being in a play but I have learned a lot more about the Savior.”

The Savior of the World was approved by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and permission granted for church-wide performance use in December of 2006. “We have been blessed to offer this production as a missionary experience to those in our valley. During these economic times when some are looking for answers to prayers, this production offers hope that the Savior lives and that He loves each and every one of us,” stated DeAnna Anderson. “The
performance is an offering of testimony and love by those who participate in it.” Roland Anderson said, “It felt as if Elder Perry’s visit came as a tender mercy that the Lord hears our prayers and accepts our true and honest devotion.”

Many hours of hard work and dedication have been put into the presentation of The Savior of the World over the past three years. This year, as in years past, there have been many tender mercies during the production. From the simple ones like finding a costume that fits, to the grand ones like having Elder Perry visit, they are all blessings to the participants.

The goal of the production is that audience members will be inspired to come to the Savior. It is a tender mercy to see that happen each night. But the greatest tender mercy of all is that Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, lives and loves us.