When he’s not acting, Stevens is hard at work with Zion Bags, which he co-founded when he couldn’t find a high-quality bag for his youngest son’s mission. On May 9, 1986, a small ranching community in Wyoming experiences a divine intervention when a couple detonates a bomb inside a crowded classroom. For instance, The Cokeville Miracle Foundation’s 2005 book Witness to Miracles: Remembering the Cokeville Elementary School Bombing and the Wyoming State Archives oral history project called “Survivor is My Name” both focused on the reconstructing of this narrative as a miracle … I was a counselor in a bishopric and it fell on me to conduct and, by assignment from my bishop, to deliver a talk to everyone assembled. Based on a true story, children held hostage in their elementary school tell stories of miraculous things, but adults are skeptical that the Cokeville Miracle ever truly happened. “He [Christensen] wanted everyone who sees the film to be able to identify with the story and claim ownership of the experience so no one refers to me as bishop. Get Seats for a Sneak Peek Screening of The Cokeville Miracle! I drew my inspiration from an actual situation that happened to me the first Sunday following 9/11. Now the number one best selling bag in Utah missionary outlets, Zion Bags is quickly making a name for itself within the LDS community. For the survivors, seeing the new movie is an emotional trigger. The Cokeville Miracle is an inspirational and nail-biting film based on an extraordinary miraculous true story. The Cokeville Miracle ein Film von T.C. The character of Bishop John Teichert is one of the few characters in the film that represents numerous people. Young, a former Cokeville town marshall fired for misconduct years earlier, had returned to start a revolution and create a “brave new world” where he would be leader. Go to Homepage. The book is well written and well paced. The filmmakers have been very frank with movie-goers on social media, reminding them that the more seats that are filled, the more theater owners will have faith to put the film on screens. The Cokeville Miracle recounts the real story of those involved in the incident when a real life terrorist took a a school full of children and a few teachers hostage. In the midst of what many see as a renaissance of Mormon cinema, The Cokeville Miracle represents the concentrated effort of LDS filmmakers to put power, testimony, and true entertainment back into their industry. Christensen (“17 Miracles,” “Ephraim’s Rescue,” “Work and the Glory”) about his new film, “The Cokeville Miracle.”. In 1986, David Young and his wife took Wyoming's Cokeville Elementary School hostage. June 3, 2015 A woman came into Kam Wixom’s six grade classroom in Cokeville, Wyoming on May 16, 1986 telling him and his classmates that she had a surprise for them waiting in room 4. “She said the bomb was going to go off. “He contacted me and said he’d like me to be in his next movie. You can follow them on their Instagram (@zionbags) and Stevens’ own account (@missionarymoments). It’s cheaper than a train, more expensive than a bus. I didn’t recognize her but she led me out by the hand and told me not to go back.” Later, in about the fifth grade, Johnson said she was looking in a family photo album and recognized the "teacher." This title may not be available to watch from your location. In 1986, in a Wyoming town called Cokeville, a deranged couple took a school hostage with a bomb. newsletter, October 2008, general conference, "The Ministry of Angels". Although the request seemed strange, the teachers complied and soon the 30 foot by 30 foot room was packed full of all 154 children and 13 teachers. It has been more than 150 years since a president of the United States skipped the inauguration of their successor. Many, along with their children, worked as extras in the film. She now works full time as a marketing and product manager, writer, and editor. On May 16, 1986, in the small, ranching community of Cokeville, Wyoming, David and Doris Young took an elementary school hostage for several hours before detonating a bomb inside a classroom that held every teacher and student in the school. “Those who love us and have passed on are near us,” she said. "At age 15 I saw her photo the way I saw her (as a child) so I would recognize her.”. Religious leaders call for peace amid election turmoil, Who is President Russell M. Nelson? Drama 2015 1 hr 33 min. At the core of the presentation were the experiences of a number of children who were held hostage by a deranged husband and wife with guns and a bomb at an elementary school on May 16, 1986, in Cokeville, Wyoming. It was her deceased aunt who had died several years before the events in Cokeville. Many forests in the West are adapted to fire, but scientists are increasingly worried the hundreds of thousands of acres that burned in massive wildfires may never grow back. Based on the true story of a school taken hostage by an armed couple, who threaten to blow the place away with bombs. The Cokeville Miracle is the true story of the May 16, 1986 incident in Cokeville, WY, where a lunatic and his wife entered the local elementary school with a bomb and an objective to blow up its students into a better hereafter. “In other words, they didn’t want investigators to question if I was a paid actor just reading lines or if I was a real convert speaking from the heart,” Stevens said. If I tell you anything about it you will not believe, so I can say based on a true story it's a worth while sneek into … On May 16, 1986, in the small, ranching community of Cokeville, Wy, David and Doris Young took an elementary school hostage for several hours before detonating a bomb inside a single classroom that held every teacher and student in the school. “After the bomb went off, I thought one of the teachers at the school was helping me. The Cokeville Miracle recounts the real story of those involved in the incident when a real life terrorist took a a school full of children and a few teachers hostage. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times” (October 2008, general conference, "The Ministry of Angels"). In 2006, the Cokeville Miracle Foundation compiled a book of recollections about the day from parents, emergency workers and former hostages. Here are the details, COVID-19 eviscerated the global price of oil, inflicting pain on Utah. Miraculously, when the bomb goes off, the only two people killed are the perpetrators. Based on real events, The Cokeville Miracle tells the story of an elementary school in Cokeville, Wyoming that is taken hostage by a deranged bomber and his wife. If it wasn’t making money the films wouldn’t be being made. He is also appreciative of what The Cokeville Miracle represents for the film industry. Sheriff Ron Hartley will overloo… Sign In The Cokeville Miracle. ————————————————————————————————————————————————-, Shawn Stevens is a convert to the Church, having been baptized at the age of 19 one week after having met with LDS missionaries. What happened next proves to be nothing more than genuine miracle. Based on real events, The Cokeville Miracle tells the story of an elementary school in Cokeville, Wyoming that is taken hostage by a deranged bomber and his wife. Sometimes the messages are more private. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. The film focuses on the town’s police chief Ron Hartley, a man who struggles with his faith in God due to the lack of humanity he sees in his crime-ridden line of work. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. EN. Entertainment. I am grateful to be a witness to angels.”. Utah Gov. What this NAACP leader and pastor learned from Martin Luther King Jr. “Most children that had a spiritual experience said it was an ancestor that helped them,” said Christensen. Stevens hopes that The Cokeville Miracle “will cause people to look to God first, not after all we can do!” He also hopes audiences will feel the real power of prayer and the truth that miracles still happen today and are all around us. And he demanded a ransom of $2 million per child. Having just completed production on Ephraim’s Rescue he indicated that his next production would be in a couple of years. It was an experience I’ll never forget and it inspired the choices I made and my delivery of that scene.”. Is it the solution to canyon gridlock? The authors children were in the school so they are writing of their own experiences. The Cokeville Miracle. “The ones in white,” said the child. Katie Walker Payne, one of the child survivors from Cokeville, also spoke at the presentation. Later in the movie, the young boy identifies the woman in white he spoke with from a family photo album as his dead grandmother. “I know that our Heavenly Father is very mindful of each of us and wants us to utilize the gifts and talents He’s given us for good purposes. Several years later, she identified her grandmother in a family locket. The Cokeville Miracle is a truly inspiring and heartwarming story. The events began unfolding just after lunch on May 16, 1986 when an unknown woman walked from classroom to classroom, interrupting the teachers lessons, and announcing that there was an emergency in Room 2and that the teachers should rush the children there right away. On a sunny Friday afternoon in 1986, the unthinkable happened in the small town of Cokeville, Wyoming. … If I stood by the window. This must-see movie by the renowned filmmaker T.C. Stevens, who plays the bishop of the local community in Cokeville, may be recognized for starring in the church film “Our Heavenly Father’s Plan.” After completing the film, Stevens was asked to consider putting his acting career aside so it wouldn’t interfere with the work and rollout of the film. Even after meeting T.C. The Cokeville Miracle, the true story of a town facing a terrible tragedy, and the Sheriff’s investigator who struggles with his faith as he gathers evidence that defies easy explanation. But true to his word he did call and here I am today.”. I guess that’s also part of my takeaway from the story…don’t underestimate Heavenly Father’s concern for each one of us. Copyright © 2020 Deseret News Publishing Company. In May of 1986, The Cokeville Elementary School in Cokeville, Wyoming, was the location of a frightening, and to some, miraculous series of events. On May 16th, 1986, in the small town of Cokeville, Wyoming, David and Doris Young entered the local elementary school with a bomb and held the entire school hostage in one room. The film looks at the real life miracle that happened in the … The balanced scoring was a really nice thing to see from the Jazz with Jordan Clarkson having a quiet but super efficient team-high 23 points. The guy who plays David Young is scary. Jenny Oaks Baker Releases New Music Video for “The Cokeville Miracle”, Accomplish Your Goals Through Small and Simple Things | 19 January 2021, My Soul Delights in the Scriptures | 18 January 2021, God Has a Work for Me to Do | 17 January 2021, 8 LDS Siblings With Viral Christmas Videos Strike Again. Christensen about his new film, "The Cokeville Miracle." Get inspiring LDS messages, news, and events sent to your email inbox daily, weekly, or monthly! The incident was detailed in the book The Cokeville Miracle: When Angels Intervene by Hartt Wixom and his wife Judene, published by Cedar Fort, Inc., which formed the basis for a CBS made-for-TV movie titled To Save the Children. A clip from the movie shows an interchange with one of the school children, a young boy, and an adult discussing what happened. “There was one day that was particularly emotional for me. “It’s a great comfort to testify to you that they are true. I don’t know where to go. Christensen mit Jasen Wade, Sarah Kent. Let them know by sharing this article or a post of your own with the hashtags #zionbags and #seemiracles. Will I see my family again?’ I was really … Related: Read our in-depth review of the film here. To be on a movie set in front of the camera was something I never thought I’d get the opportunity to do again.”. As a religious leader in the film, Stevens had the opportunity to do scenes in which his character seeks to comfort and guide others who are struggling. However, if the above account is accurate, the Cokeville miracle seems to parallel the famous “miracle of the seagulls,” another faith-promoting story that involved thousands of seagulls that descended upon millions of crickets, destined to destroy the crops of the Mormon pioneers in 1848. Two people walked into the local elementary school and took the town’s children and teachers hostage. … Usually such beings are not seen. Never be afraid to follow your righteous dreams! The morning of July 31, attendees at the 47th annual Conference on Family History and Genealogy packed a huge conference room on the campus of BYU to hear from Mormon filmmaker T.C. And as a mom with a very young elementary aged child I had a hard time with the beginning of the movie. I know He brought this opportunity to me but I still had to reach for it. Start your day with the top stories you missed while you were sleeping. Today we got invited to a screening for The Cokeville Miracle movie. In truth, there were many church affiliations represented among the children and adults.”. A man of heart, compassion and faith, Election division gets a clarion call to civility, diversity and unity, Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ condemn ‘violence and lawless behavior’, How Latter-day Saints worldwide responded to the church’s annual #LightTheWorld initiative, Andy Reid harkens back to his BYU days for critical fourth-and-1 play call, College basketball: For better or worse, every Division I team in Utah just had a significant week, Utah State Aggies get vote in AP Top 25 poll, Letter: I don’t agree with Mike Lee often, but this speech made me proud, New COVID-19 variant discovered in Brazil. Children who were held hostage in their elementary school tell stories of miraculous things, but many adults are skeptical that the Cokeville Miracle ever truly happened. In the wake of the madness, Ron Hartley, whose children were inside the classroom, must fight his skepticism and unbelief as he hears eye witness … He’s there and willing to help if we need him! “You mean the teachers?” asked the adult. Sign In; Website Language - EN. “I began to wonder, ‘What happens if I die today? Go to amazon.com to see the video catalog in United States. As he read his nonsensical manifesto, “Zero Equals Infinity,” children began to cry, including Williams. Christensen quoted Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as his emissaries in conveying love and concern for his children. PROVO — Attendees at the 47th annual Conference on Family History and Genealogy packed a conference room and overflow area July 31 on the campus of Brigham Young University to hear from Mormon filmmaker T.C. Ex … Sheriff Ron Hartley will overloo… Based on the true story of a school taken hostage by an armed couple, who threaten to blow the place away with bombs. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Shawn Stevens on The Cokeville Miracle, Doctrine and Covenants FHE Lesson – God Has a Work for Me To Do, Doctrine and Covenants FHE Lesson – The Voice of My Servants, 5 Free Christmas Coloring & Activity Pages for Your Family, Our Favorite Christmas Gifts for LDS Missionaries, 25 Easy & Safe Ways to Light the World in 2020, The Best LDS Black Friday Deals – 2020 Edition, Church Leaders Condemn Violence and Lawless Behavior During Times of Unrest, Tallahassee Florida Temple Rendering & Location Announced, Children Invited to Participate in First-Ever Friend to Friend Event, Elder Gong Extends Three Invitations to Young Adults in the New Year, Elder and Sister Soares Experienced Mild Cases of COVID-19, 2021 Youth Theme Album, Other Resources Released, Primary General Presidency Releases Video on Creating Meaningful Experiences for Children, How to Discover the Work God’s Called You To Do, 10 LDS Quotes About Joseph Smith’s First Vision, 10 Facts About the Doctrine and Covenants – Everything You Need to Know, 3 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Empower Women at Church, Why Our Service Needs to Move Beyond Social Media, How to Let Your Trials Drive You Towards Your Promised Land, What 16 Shining Stones Teach Us About God’s Miracles, Salt Lake Temple Plaza Renovation Gets Underway, Car Accident Takes the Life of a Young Missionary in Arkansas, Latter-day Saint Missionary in Nigeria Passes Away, Beauty for Ashes: The Provo Tabernacle Fire 10 Years Later, Elder Soares Encourages Respect and Love for Those With Whom We Disagree, President Oaks Speaks on Racism, Anxiety, & Other Latter-day Troubles, Utah Gubernatorial Candidates Make Headlines for Unique Political Ads, First Look at New Film “WITNESSES” Released, The Bonner Family Sings Stirring Rendition of “O Holy Night”, Church Releases “Light of the World” Music Video Featuring Eclipse 6, Watch This Touching Cover of “Homeless” from The Forgotten Carols, The Piano Guys Release Touching Version of “What Child Is This”, Remember the True Joy of Christmas with “The Forgotten Carols”, Celebrate Christmas on Temple Square With This Special Broadcast, https://www.ldsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/cokeville-miracle.mp4, School Bombing Survivor Converted after Priesthood Blessing.