Less protesters present at this year's Easter pagaent

By Megan Martin
March 19, 2008

Faiths collided at the end of a busy crosswalk Tuesday night, as visitors to the Mormon temple in Mesa were greeted to the annual Easter pageant by Evangelical protesters.
This is the 70th year the Church of Latter Day Saints has presented an Easter pageant for the public. Free of charge, and a non-denominational approach, have made the event a popular fixture for families in the weeks prior to Easter.
The event has also been a popular outlet for Evangelical Christians to picket on the city sidewalks surrounding the pageant.
“There have always been people out here,” said Stephen Smith, a member of the Mormon Church and attendee at the Easter pageant. “I remember one year they literally surrounded the temple’s sidewalk. There were so many.”
Smith also remembered how tense the conversations between the Evangelicals and Mormons could get, “a few years ago, it was unimaginable. I heard someone got shot with a BB gun.”
Mesa Police confirmed that an incident had occurred during the 2002 Easter pageant, during which an Evangelical was struck by a pellet gun while standing on the sidewalk outside of the temple. No arrests have been made.
Despite a tumultuous past, this year’s pageant has solidified what many frequent attendees had noticed – where have all of the protesters gone?
“It seems like every year, there aren’t as many coming here. It used to be insane, you could barely get past them. Now, there’s only three or four. It’s not nearly as intimidating as it has been,” said Chuck Brackett, who has run a water stand on the perimeter of the pageant for the past four years.
The group, while small, did attract a significant amount of people, some of which decided to engage in a theological debate.
“I just don’t understand why they’re here. We don’t bother them at their church,” said Melody Craft, a member of the Mormon Church.
“We are battling for souls,” said Mike Palmer, as he attempted to explain himself and his actions to passers-by like Craft.
Some members of the Mormon Church are optimistic that the reduced number of protesters has a bigger meaning that the evangelicals are becoming more tolerant.
“I can only hope this means that they no longer feel the need to badger us for our beliefs,” said Smith, “I cannot prove the Church is true… I’m getting tired of the ecclesiastical pissing contest.”