Brigham Young Page #9

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I can't.

There's nothing left

to believe in.

- What areyou doing?

- Well, the boys are eatin' 'em...

and-and the Indians

eat 'em and--

You kids get in the house.

Go on. Hurry up.

Get!

Jonathan!

Hello,Jonathan.

I'm glad to seeyou.

- What's the matter?.

- You promised to take care ofzina.

She's so sick over there,

she hasn't even got

the strength to eat.

She doesn't care

whether she lives or dies.

I don't believe God

would let that happen.

- God?. What's he got to do with it?.

-Jonathan!

Ifthere is a God,

where has he been?.

Where is he now?.

-Jonathan!

- You said you'd take care ofher.

You said a heap of other

things, too, butyou sayin' 'em

didn't make 'em so.

But me, I believed 'em

just because it was you sayin' 'em.

Ifyou'd told meyou was

God Almighty himself...

I reckon I'd

have believed that too.

But not now,

not anymore.

Pa dead. Ma dead.

Everything that I ever loved dead.

Just becauseyou said God

wanted it that way.

And now zina.

We were plannin' to go

to California like the others.

I told herwe would.

We had it all fixed up

between us, but no.

You wouldn't let us go.

You said God wanted us

to come down here.

He wouldn't let us starve.

And I thoughtyou meant it.

I thought God was talkin'

toyou every step ofthe way.

God talkin'toyou--

Maybeyou andhim

don'tspeak the same language.

I know you and I don't,

not anymore.

Why did you do it?.

Why didn't you leave us alone?.

Why did you have to take

everything that we love--

even God?.

Brigham!

Brigham!

Brigham, come on. There's bugs--

crickets-- millions of'em!

- Where?.

- Comin' down the mountain.

They're in the wheat already.

- They're eating the wheat.

- Halfthe fields are covered already.

Crickets in the fields!

Hurry!

(Pounding)

Hurry! The crickets

are ruining the wheat!

( Man Shouting )

Come on! The fields

are full of crickets!

What areyou gonna do?.

I don't know.

Go on out

to the grain fields.

Listen, people!

Don't wasteyour time here!

Let's save the grain!

Come on!

Here, you children, get away

from there. Let's hope we can

find your ma. Come on.

( Banging )

- Food?.

- Run and get some wood

and start a fire.

Mary, you get

some clean water in a pot.

Honey, a plague

has struck the place.

Crickets are overrunning

the fields.

As soon as you get

your strength back,

we're gonna get out ofhere.

We're going to California

like I promised.

Brigham!

Brigham! Look!

Millions andmillions--

the hills are black with 'em!

They're too much for us, Brigham.

It's no use.

Might as well try to push back

the ocean with a broom.

I told you what would happen

ifwe stopped in this valley...

butyou wouldn't

listen to me!

You ran offwith a false prophet!

That's why this happened!

It's true.

We're all gonna die!

You brought us out

into this place to starve,

you--you devil you!

But we've one chance!

Repent and throw him out ofhere!

- It's true. You ought

to be run out ofhere!

- Yes, you!

( Angry Shouting )

I wouldn't do that

ifl was you!

And I'll plug

the first one ofyou that moves!

( Inhales Deeply)

It's true.

I lied to 'em, Lord.

I told them thatyou said

I was to run things.

Butyou and I know

you didn't.

Do anything

you want to me, but--

but save them, especially now

when they need you most.

Onlyyour strength

is left.

I'm licked.

I'm all done in.

From now on,

it's up toyou.

What am I going to do,

Mary Ann?.

I meant to do

so much for them.

I've got to tell 'em

the truth...

even if

they kill me for it.

I've got to tell 'em.

(Bell Ringing)

(Ringing Continues )

( People Murmuring )

- ( Murmuring Continues )

- ( Young ) Listen to me, people.

You've a right

to know the truth.

I told you that the Lord

wanted me to run this church.

I said he wanted you to build

your homes in this valley.

And Ipromisedyou in his name

thatyou wouldn't starve...

that no harm

would come toyou.

- I used the Lord's name.

- ( Gulls Squawking)

( Man )

Seagulls!

- (Squawking Continues )

- ( Excited Chatter)

The sky is black with seagulls.

They're headed toward the fields.

Look!

They're eating the crickets!

( Excited Chatter)

- Oh, our crops are saved!

- Look at them eat!

There are more coming!

Hallelujah.

- What is it?.

- zina, you'll have

to see it foryourself.

You see, Brigham?.

He was talkin' toyou

all the time.

Maybe that's

theway it is.

Maybe he's ready to say

something anywayyou turn...

ifyou only know

how to listen.

Maybe talk--

speech like we use--

maybe that's

not his language at all.

I know

whatyou're thinking.

Maybe we were both wrong.

There is something

to live for.

(Young)Andsomeday, good Lord,

we'llbuilda great cityhere...

on the shores ofSalt Lake.

And when we do,

we'll erect a monument...

to the glory ofGod...

and to the symbol

ofhis benevolence--

the seagull.

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