Suggested Feast of Trumpets Program

by John P. Pratt

[Note: This program is partly based on authentic Hebrew traditions, but most of the program is an L.D.S. interpretation emphasizing the heralding of the coming reign of the Lord during the Millennium. It is designed to be adaptable either to families with young children, where emphasis can be put on the new skit with angels, or with an older audience who might like the traditional Hebrew part. Also, one could either stick to the straight scriptural sayings, or include the more speculative identifications of who the angels are (in italics). The dinner could be held on either Fri, Sat or Sun nights, 20-22 Sep, with the best choice being Sat night (the beginning of 1 Aut 1 AUT on Enoch calendar).

Menu: There is not a fixed menu for the Feast of Trumpets as for Passover. Both a bull and lambs were sacrificed, so a meat course of beef or lamb would be acceptable. I use beef for the fall feasts and lamb for the spring feasts. In any case, be sure to make carrot cake (recipe included at end), which is a traditional dessert. And have the dinner before the long program.]

The Feast of Trumpets is one of the special feast days that the Lord told the prophet Moses to celebrate more than three thousand years ago. Tonight we are celebrating it according to the Enoch calendar because this year is the one year in all of history where the Feast of Trumpets is really special, symbolic of preparing the way for the coming of the King of Kings to reign during the Millennium. The reason it is on the first day of the seventh month of that calendar is to symbolize the beginning of the seventh thousand years since Adam, called the "Millennium."

Traditional Hebrew Celebration

[Begin with one long and loud blast on the shofar (or any horn), to get everyone's attention.]

The Feast of Trumpets is traditionally a more solemn occasion than other feasts because it symbolizes the Judgment Day when the Creator judges each person. It became traditional to use a trumpet made of a ram's horn, called a shofar, which is often translated "cornet" in the Bible. Although each person is judged on this day, most have 10 days to repent of their sins, until the Day of Atonement, which the judgment is sealed. Here is how the Jewish Rabbi Akiba describes it:

During the year man is apt to grow callous as to his transgression, therefore the cornet is sounded to arouse him to consciousness of the time which is passing so rapidly away. "Rouse thee from thy sleep," it says to him, "the hour of they visitation approaches." The Eternal wishes not to destroy His children, merely to arouse them to repentance and good resolves.

Three classes of people are arraigned for judgment: the righteous, the wicked, and the indifferent. To the righteous the Lord awards a happy life; the wicked he condemns, and to the indifferent ones he grants a respite. From New Year's Day until the Day of Atonement His judgment He holds in abeyance; if they repent truly they are classed with the righteous for a happy life, and if they remain untouched, they are counted with the wicked.

Rabbi Saadiah declared the God commanded us to sound the cornet on New Year's Day for ten reasons.

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
First, because this day is the beginning of the creation, when God began to rule over the world, and as it is customary to sound the trumpets at the coronation of a king, we should, in like manner proclaim by the sound of the cornet that the Creator is our King. As David said, "With trumpets and the sound of the cornet, shout ye before the Lord."

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Secondly, as the New Year's Day is the first of the ten penitential days, we sound the cornet as a proclamation to admonish all to return to God and repent. If they do not so, they at least have been informed, and cannot plead ignorance. Thus we find that earthly kings publish their decrees with such commitment, that none may say, "We heard not of this."

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Thirdly, to remind us of the law given on Mount Sinai, where it is said (Ex. 19:16), "The voice of the cornet was exceeding loud." To remind us also that we should bind ourselves anew to the performance of its precepts, as did our ancestors, when they said, "All that the Lord hath said will we do and obey."

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Fourthly, to remind us of the prophets, who were compared to watchmen blowing the trumpet of alarm, as we find in Ezekiel 33:4, "Whosoever heareth the sound of the cornet and taketh not warning, and the sword cometh and taketh him away, his blood shall be upon his own head; but he that taken warning shall save his life."

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Fifthly, to remind us of the destruction of the temple and the fearsome sound of the battle cry of our enemies, "Because thou hast heard, oh my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war" (Jer. 4:19). Therefore, when we hear the sound of the cornet we should implore God to rebuild the temple.

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Sixthly, to remind us of the binding of Isaac, who willingly offered himself for immolation, in order to sanctify the Holy Name.

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Seventh, that when we hear the terrifying sound, we may, through dread, humble ourselves before the Supreme Being, for it is the nature of these material instruments to produce a sensation of terror, as the prophet Amos observes, "Shall a trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be terrified?"

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Eighthly, to remind us of the great and terrible Day of Judgment, on which the trumpet is to be sounded, as we find in Zephaniah (1:14-16), "The great day of the Lord is near, and hasteneth much, a day of the trumpet and shouting."

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Ninthly, to remind us to pray for the time when the outcasts of Israel are to be gathered together as promised in Isaiah (27:13), "And it shall come to pass in that day, the great trumpet shall be sounded, and those shall come who were perishing in the land of Assyria.

[Sound a short blast on the shofar or shout Hallelujah, if none available]
Tenthly, to remind us of the resurrection of the dead, and our firm belief therein. "Yea, all ye that inhabit the world, and that dwell on the earth, when the standard is lifted upon the mountain, behold, and when the trumpet is sounded, hear!" says the prophet Isaiah.

Therefore should we set our hearts to these seasons, and fulfill the precept that the Bible commands us, as it is written, "And the Lord commanded us to do all the statutes . . . That it might be well with us at all times.." (Deut. 11:32)

New Celebration

Song: "Oh, That I Were an Angel" by Wanda West Palmer, or "An Angel From On High."

Seven angels come out on stage, from both sides, each dressed in white, and each with a large number from 1 to 7 pinned on. Each is blowing a trumpet, and moving around the stage as if flying while sounding the trump. At the signal from number 7, they line up in order, 1-7.

All seven angels say in unison:
"Prepare ye, prepare ye, O inhabitants of the earth; for the judgment of our God is come. Behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him." [D&C 88:92]

[Optional] Then Angel #1 steps forward and says:
"The wicked who have persecuted the saints of God are like the evil weeds which grow among the righteous crop of wheat. Now that the wheat has been harvested, it is time to burn the field." [D&C 86:7; 88:94]

Angel #1 then gives a LONG and LOUD blast on the trump (this only happens once):

First Angel: I am the first angel, who presided over the first thousand years of history. [Optional] My name is Uriel, meaning "Light of God." In life I was known as Peter, which means a "stone", that is, a "seer stone", which shines with the light of God. My principal duty is to lead all of those who are valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ and who desire eternal life. At the sound of my trump, they will rise on the morning of the first resurrection, who are worthy to inherit the celestial kingdom of God, with a glory which is bright like the sun. They will be caught up to meet the Messiah, Jesus Christ, at his Second Coming. [D&C 88:97]

Angel #2 sounds the Second Trump (A short blast).

Second Angel: I am the second angel, who presided over the second thousand years of history. [Optional: My name is Raguel, meaning "Friend of God." In life I was known as the prophet Moses.] My principal duty is to prepare the honorable people of the earth to accept Jesus Christ at his Second Coming, if not his first. At the sound of my trump, they will rise on the afternoon of the first resurrection, to inherit a terrestrial glory in the Kingdom, which is bright like the moon. [D&C 88:99]

Angel #3 sounds the Third Trump (A short blast).

Third Angel: I am the third angel, who presided over the third thousand years of history. [Optional: My name is Sariel, meaning "Prince of God." In life I was known as Abel, the son of Adam and Eve who was slain by my brother Cain. I was the first man to arrive in the spirit world.] My special calling is to teach those who were evil during this life, and who continue to resist the laws of God. The spirits in prison over whom I have presided will have to wait an extra thousand years until after the Millennium to come forth in the morning of the second resurrection at the sound of my trump. But in the end, the ones who finally repent and give glory to God will receive a telestial glory, which is as bright as the stars [D&C 88:103].

Angel #4 sounds the Fourth Trump (A short blast).

Fourth Angel: I am the fourth angel, who presided over the fourth thousand years of history. [Optional: My name is Raphael, meaning "Healer of God." In life I was known as the prophet Enoch, who led my righteous city to be translated into heaven before the Great Flood destroyed the wicked. ] One of my duties is to try to help those who know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true but choose to be wicked anyway and refuse to repent, and remain filthy. In God's mercy, they too will resurrect in the afternoon of the second resurrection, at the sound of my trump, but they will not receive any glory, but will be cast out with Satan at that last day.

Angel #5 sounds the Fifth Trump (A short blast).

Fifth Angel: I am the fifth angel, who presided over the fifth thousand years of history. [Optional: My name is Phanuel, meaning "Face of God." In life I was known as the prophet Joseph Smith.] My duty is to teach the gospel in its fulness to every nation, kindred tongue and people. My trump is unto everyone in the first four groups, whether in heaven, or on the earth, or in the spirit prison, for every ear shall hear it and every knee will bow and every tongue confess, at the sound of my trump, saying "Fear God, and give glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, forever and ever; for the hour of his judgment is come." (D.&C. 88:104, Rev. 14:6-7)

Angel #6 sounds the Sixth Trump (A short blast).

Sixth Angel: I am the sixth angel, who presided over the sixth thousand years of history, which just ended. [Optional: My name is Gabriel, meaning "Man of God." In life I was known as the prophet Noah.] At the sound of my trump, I will gladly declare, "She is fallen who made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her wickedness; she is fallen, is fallen!" (D.&C. 88:105, Rev. 14:8)

Angel #7, Michael, sounds the Seventh Trump (A short blast).

Seventh Angel: I am the seventh angel, who presides over the seventh thousand years of history which is now beginning. My name is Michael, meaning "Like unto God." I am the archangel, who presides over these seven holy angels. In life I was known as Adam, the first of all men. At the sound of my trump, I will declare "It is finished; it is finished! The Lamb of God hath overcome and trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God." (D&C 76:107, 88:106, Rev. 16:1-17).

Here, "And the Trumpet Shall Sound" is played from Handel's Messiah.

Then Angel #7 gives the signal and the seven angels rearrange into this formation, with Michael nearest the front of the stage:

1           2

  3       4

    5   6

      7

Then Michael asks in a loud voice, "And what is the gift of God to those who overcome?"

Angel #1 steps forward and says: "Those who overcome will be given to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Rev. 2:7). Then he steps back.

Angel #3 steps forward and says: "Those who overcome will shall not be hurt of the second death." (Rev. 2:11). Then he steps back.

Angel #5 steps forward and says: "Those who overcome will be given to eat of the hidden manna, and will receive a white stone, and on it shall a new name be written, which no one else knows except he who receives it." (Rev. 2:17). Then he steps back.

Angel #7 steps forward and says: "Those who overcome will be given power to rule the nations with a rod of iron, and will be given the morning star." (Rev. 2:26-28). Then he steps back.

Angel #2 steps forward and says: "Those who overcome will be clothed in white and their names shall not be blotted out from the book of life, and Jesus will confess their names to his Father and the angels." (Rev. 3:5). Then he steps back.

Angel #4 steps forward and says: "Those who overcome will be made pillars in the temple of God, and shall go no more out. They will have the name of God, the name of the city of God, even the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus Christ." (Rev. 3:12). Then he steps back.

Angel #6 steps forward and says: "Those who overcome will sit down with Jesus Christ on the throne to reign, even as he has sat down with his Father to reign." (Rev. 3:21). Then he steps back.

Then Satan appears on the stage, circles the group while he laughs a hideous, satanic laugh of pride, and points to Michael, and says: "You will all fail for I am Satan, and I have the world chained up in my power. I have deceived people into believing there is no God and that whatever they do is no sin." Then he laughs again.

Michael replies, "Satan, you have deceived the nations long enough." He then turns to Angel #4 and says, "Here is the key to the bottomless pit, and a great chain. Bind Satan, that old serpent, hand and foot and loose him not for the space of a thousand years. Cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled." (D&C 88:110, Rev. 20:1-3)

Angel #4 then says in a loud command: "Satan, I command you to come here," pointing to the ground near him.

Satan comes cowering over to him in fear, his whole body shaking with fear, and pleads, "No, no, do not chain me for a thousand years. Don't cast me into the bottomless pit."

Angel #4 replies, "It must be, for you have deceived people long enough, and we must prepare for Jesus to reign on the earth for a thousand years." He then binds him hand and foot and drags him off the stage with angels 1, 2 and 3.

Then Michael and the remaining angels all cheer and clap and motion for the audience to do likewise.

Then Michael announces, "Now there shall be time no longer, and the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory." (D.C. 88:110, 10th Article of Faith).
Michael then announces, "The wicked have been destroyed and the righteous shall live and reign with Jesus Christ for a thousand years." (Rev. 20:4)

All seven angels reappear on stage and Michael says,
"Let's all shout Hallelujah, for the Lord is coming to reign for a thousand years."

He then leads the audience in shouting "Hallelujah" three times.

Then the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah is played as everyone stands for the closing hymn, followed by a closing prayer.

Carrot Cake Recipe

3 cups flour 2 cups sugar 2 tsp. soda 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 2 Tbsp. grated orange rind 1/2 cup coconut

2 cups raw carrots, grated 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 1 small can crushed pineapple and juice 3 eggs 1 1/2 cups nuts 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all dry ingredients together. Add grated carrots, oil, pineapple, beaten eggs, nuts, coconut and vanilla. Bake 1 hour in 350° F oven, or until done, in thick layers or long drip pan.

Frosting for Carrot Cake

Blend all together and spread on cake.