The communications director for Mesa Temple Events, Jill Bishop Adair, on their historic Mesa Easter Pageant

<p>For over eight decades, the <a href="https://mesatemple.org/2023-mesa-easter-pageant-dates-announced/">Easter Pageant at the Mesa Arizona Temple</a> of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has entertained and uplifted generations of people as it boldly declares the reality of the resurrected Christ. Performed the two weeks before <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/easter?lang=eng">Easter</a> each year, the annual pageant draws more than 100,000 people <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/4/9/23217562/mesa-easter-pageant-returns-to-temple-grounds-presented-as-gift-to-community">to celebrate</a> the life and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This episode of the Church News podcast explores the roots and branches of this beloved community event with Jill Bishop Adair, who serves as communications director for <a href="https://mesatemple.org/">Mesa Temple Events</a>, has<a href="https://www.mesaeasterpageantbook.com/about-the-book"> written a book about the pagean</a>t and whose love for the pageant began in 1979, when, as a high schooler, she was cast into the production.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">The Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Host <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/sarahdeseretnews-com">Sarah Jane Weaver</a>, reporter and editor for <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">The Church News</a> for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by <a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/">KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>