The Testaments
| The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd | |
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| Directed by | Kieth Merrill |
| Produced by |
Gary Cook Scott Swofford |
| Written by | Kieth Merrill |
| Starring |
Rick Macy Jeremy W. Hoop Arianna Marsden Joy Gardner Mowava Pryor Joseph Paur Theo Coumbis Al Harrington Tomas Kofod |
| Music by | Merrill Jenson |
| Cinematography | T. C. Christensen |
| Edited by | Jerry Stayner |
| Distributed by | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
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Release date
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Running time
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67 min. |
| Language | English |
The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd is a 67-minute film produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Testaments depicts the life of Jesus in Jerusalem while also depicting the events described in the Book of Mormon from approximately the same time period. The film's climax occurs after Christ's resurrection, when Jesus appears in the Americas.
The movie was originally shown in the Legacy Theater of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (JSMB) on a 62x31 foot screen and was shot with 65 mm film. It replaced Legacy: A Mormon Journey as the flagship JSMB feature in March 2000. The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd was later replaced in the theater by Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration, a film commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Smith.
In ancient America, Helam witnesses the star heralding the birth of Christ, and 33 years later he faithfully awaits the promised coming of the Messiah despite persecution for this belief. Helam's son, Jacob, is interested more in the ways of the world, including the lovely Laneah, and when his abilities as an artisan bring an offer to work for the wealthy and powerful Kohor, he jumps at the chance and is estranged from his father's house.
Kohor is plotting to destabilize the existing government and become the absolute ruler.
In contrast, Amaron, a holy man, preaches to people of Christ, whose ministry and miracles are concurrently taking place across the seas in The Holy Land. As Jacob becomes more immersed in the secular life of Kohor's house, Laneah becomes more interested in the humble faith he is forsaking. Her conversion to Christ, and the death of Amaron at the hand of Kohor's men, brings Jacob to his senses, but he knows of Kohor's plans and is imprisoned when he refuses to join the conspiracy. In Jerusalem, Jesus is crucified and the far away city of Zarahemla is plunged into darkness and destruction as Helam pushes through the crowds and ruins to help his son. All seems hopeless when he is blinded and thinks that he will not see the Messiah. However, the Messiah restores his sight when he comes to minister to the people of the Americas.
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