Animated Stories from the Book of Mormon
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The Animated Book of Mormon (formerly, Animated Stories from the Book of Mormon) is a 1987-1992 video series produced by J.S. Publishing, Inc (formerly Liahona Productions, Inc, formerly Nest Family Entertainment and originally Family Entertainment Network), and Rich Animation Studios with The Living Scriptures, providing dramatic retelling of Book of Mormon stories..[1]. (Hanho Heung-Up Co., Ltd. contributed the animation, along with Mihahn Animation. The series was created to be a Latter-day Saint-specific version of the nondenominational Christian Animated Stories from the New Testament, an educational tool for parents, caregivers, and educators. The Book of Mormon-based stories were produced by the same creative team that produced Animated Stories from the New Testament, with similar goals in mind.[2]
The series features twelve stories from the Book of Mormon, including the emigration of Lehi's family[3], his dream of the Tree of Life[4], the predictions of Samuel The Lamanite regarding Jesus' birth[5], with the death and resurrection from the perspective of the Nephite and Lamanite colonies in America[6]. The series also includes an episode about Alma the Younger and his missionary journeys[7], as well as the stories of Mormon and Moroni in their struggle to preserve and pass on the Nephite history[8]
The series aims to tell stories from the perspective of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while also being accessible to the nonsectarian audience in general, with an Advisory Board similar to those who reviewed the New Testament series.
Originally conceived for and released directly to video, the revenue stream model was in direct marketing subscription sales to families, much like the old Columbia House Records Club. Since then, the movies were re-released for individual purchase by The Living Scriptures on video, and the movies are now available on DVD from Candlelight Media Group and Echo Bridge Home Entertainment. Several of the episodes are now on a limited broadcast run on BYUtv, along with The Animated stories from the New Testament. Both series are available for streaming as direct purchases on Youtube.
Over the years supplementary learning materials have been added to the series designed to help develop core curriculum knowledge and skills, and aiming to build what the series' creators regard as positive character traits. These materials are sold directly to home educators and families. In addition public schools, LDS Meetinghouse media centers, and libraries in comparative religion curricula use them. The Living Scriptures editions of Animated Book of Mormon Stories are not recognized as an official publication of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Like the Animated Stories from the New Testament, the series was directed by Richard Rich, the former Disney director who worked on Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too, and Mickey's Christmas Carol, the Animated Hero Classics and Animated Stories from the Bible. The series screenplays were written principally by Orson Scott Card, the author of Ender's Game, and Brian Nissen. Music throughout the series is written by Lex de Azevedo, composer of Saturday's Warrior, and Janice Kapp Perry. And, as with the Animated Stories from the New Testament, Hanho Heung-Up, the Korean studio known for providing animation for Alvin and the Chipmunks, Star Wars: Droids, The Real Ghostbusters, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Magic School Bus, Kim Possible, The Spectacular Spider-Man, and Bob's Burgers, contributed the animation for this series.
Popular Use[edit]
The videos have garnered unofficial, affectionate, widespread use among Latter-day Saint families, particularly in the Intermountain West.
Episodes[edit]
- Nephi and the Brass Plates (1987)
- Journey to the Promised Land (1988)
- Abinadi and King Noah (1988)
- The Conversion of Alma the Younger (1989)
- Ammon, Missionary to the Lamanites (1989)
- The Brother of Jared (1990)
- The Savior in America (1989)
- Samuel the Lamanite [aka Samuel and the Sign] (1990)
- Helaman's Stripling Warriors (1991)
- Alma and the Zoramites (1991)
- The Tree of Life (1991)
- Mormon and Moroni (1992)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]
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