The city of Manti, Utah has struggled to find its footing since the Mormon Miracle Pageant ended in 2019. Summers that once echoed with auditions, rehearsals, and performances — welcoming over 100,000 visitors annually — have grown quiet. That pageant gave our community identity and purpose. Now, our businesses are declining, our unity is fading, and what was once a tight-knit town feels more like a scattering of homes.

Over Thanksgiving weekend in 2022, I was discussing this loss when Jan Larsen suggested an idea: to create a new, independent pageant — one rooted not in Church affiliation, but in the enduring theme of freedom, to be performed at the Sanpete County Fairgrounds. That idea lit a fire in my soul.

The very next day, I began organizing community meetings and gathering support. Soon after, the pageant found its name: The Spirit of Freedom.

The journey since has been full of miracles — more than can be told here. One of the most extraordinary moments came in December 2023, after we lost our original writer. All that remained was the concept of a musical depicting Heaven’s hand in America’s founding. As a songwriter, I attempted to write a piece myself. What came was a vivid, inspired song about an English reverend and his family seeking religious freedom.

It felt divinely guided. I posted in our Facebook group, asking if anyone knew of a historical reverend who fit that story. The response came: “This may be your man.” Attached was the name John Lothropp.

I was directed to the book Exiled by Helene Holt, and began reading immediately. Inspiration flooded in. In just two months, I wrote 17 original songs based on Lothropp’s story. Realizing we would need permission to use her material, I reached out to Helene — only to discover she lived just 30 minutes away.

When I called to explain the project, she responded with enthusiasm and gave her full blessing to use her scenes and characters. Then, as a side note, she mentioned she'd also written a complete screenplay based on the book — and offered it to us. Her husband, Tom Brooks, then joined the call, sharing that he had written, arranged, and recorded several original songs for a potential musical adaptation. He gladly offered those as well.

Since that moment, the miracles have continued with growing consistency. Time after time, things fall into place as though Heaven itself is directing every step.