Windows of Heaven (1963)

In 1899 an aging President Lorenzo Snow is deeply troubled by the Church's crippling debt, left over from the anti-polygamy crusades of the 1880s. He feels prompted to travel to St. George, which is experiencing a tremendous drought, and while preaching in the Tabernacle there he receives a revelation to re-emphasize the law of tithing as the solution to the Church's financial troubles. Furthermore he promises rain in St. George if they will faithfully pay tithing. A reformation is begun throughout the settlements, and eventually St. George receives rain and the Church climbs out of debt.
Because of an excessive building program and other causes, in the late 1950s the Church was once again in a financial crisis. The Presiding Bishopric hence commissioned this film of the BYU Motion Picture Studio to help in a reformation similar to that in 1899; the brief was for a film on tithing, and Scott Whitaker struck upon this particular story.
Both the scope of production and publicity for the film were the greatest of any BYU film up to this point. The thirty minute commission grew into a fifty minute production--their longest yet--and hundreds of Church members were involved, including Harold B. Lee, who scouted for period locomotives. The members in St. George, including some who had been present in the actual meeting with President Snow, were particularly stalwart in creating this film, which they saw as their story. President David O. McKay, who had also known President Snow, was greatly moved, and after a St. George premiere it was distributed throughout the wards and missions and became BYU's most popular film; it effected a similar retrenchment in tithing, and the financial crisis was solved.
Scott Whitaker's script was based primarily on the writings of Lorenzo Snow's son LeRoi. In a famous article, E. Jay Bell discusses several of the differences between the historical and the filmic events, foremost among them the facts that President Snow never mentioned anything about rainfall in connection with tithing, that the drought did not actually end until years after Lorenzo Snow had died, and that President's Snow's health was not mentioned as poor by contemporary accounts.

[@daybird2]

I have been looking for a copy of this version for years. I showed this so many times in the early 70s while on a mission. In later years I purchased a video tape and found it had been updated (1979 version) with some of the music changed, and some deletions in the video. I was so disappointed. This is how I remember it. Thank you so very much!

[@tamaitioleloleula_mutiatele01]

This is my favorite story about tithing. I was a young man when I was told about this story. This is where I first heard about St.George and had no idea where is located. Growing up in the island I experienced taking the best banana, the best taro, best looking pig, best looking chicken, out of my grandparents farm to pay for their tithing. I know this story to be true because the Holy Ghost testify it to me over and over to have faith, pay my tithes faithfully, and the blessing will come. I have seen it with my own eyes happened in my life and continue to do so. Thank you President Lorenzo Snow for your example of trust in the Lord. The Law of tithing is a Heaven Design and it’s for the benefits of all of His children. Thank you for uploading this story. Keep up the good work.

[@pontiacsuperchief9532]

Amen, my friend.

[@ParkerJacobs]

My uncle David (plays Lorenzo's son) and grandfather (bowler hat at 31:01) are in this! My dad told me stories of them shoveling dirt over the pavement in the streets of St. George. Thanks for posting.

[@BurgerCity]

Every time I rewatch this channel, I think perhaps other video will be shared. Thank you for sharing these historical videos.❤

[@harveysagario4289]

It's COVID for 3 months, there's no employment. People are lockdown. I'm so grateful to see this video. Tithing is TRUE❤️

[@linuxturtle]

Thank you so much for obtaining and digitizing this film! I've seen the 1979 version many times, but never seen this one before!

[@samuelonthewall]

Good job converting this from the old format!

[@lindamoses3697]

I remember seeing this many many years ago and have never forgotten it's message. It has encouraged me to pay tything when in the beakest state of financial trouble.

[@lindamoses3697]

The windows of heaven have been opened to me pouring out many blessings.

[@groverwashington1480]

-*its

[@IWDTC]

Wonderful video...thank you for posting...

[@kingbenjamin22]

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass!

[@stingray4real]

Francis L Urry played the Storekeeper in Johnny Lingo.

[@carolswarbrick1722]

It is such a blessing that I pay my pay my Tithes and Offerings. I sleep soundly. 37:08

[@user-rp7cf3dc6v]

I pray that I will literally need to know about Zion and what I need to know about the wrong I can I will see strong the adversary against me. It's hard

[@kogware]

You actually found the long version! Loved this as as kid because it took up the whole class time. The spiritual closing that really didn't happen? Pshh.

[@HardtoFindMormonVideos]

I actually was able to digitize it straight from an old reel of film due to some very kind assistance from many other people. I'm hoping to get more reels digitized soon!

Kevin Petersen Thank you for sharing with us one of the most valuable videos, brother. I am learning so much from the faith and moral values of the people in your videos.

[@klarity1111]

It was the Priests and Levites who were robbing God of the tithes. They were helping themselves instead of bringing it all to the storehouse. I'm talking about Malachi's time.

[@hard2getitrightagain314]

Tres apropos en c'est moment If y'all will excuse me, I need to get my act together.

[@jasondraper2829]

"The members in St. George, including some who had been present in the actual meeting with President Snow, were particularly stalwart in creating this film, which they saw as their story." How does this statement reconcile with the allusion to an article claiming that none of the events happened? Seems like this E. Jay Bell ( of whom I have not heard or seen the article; the only author named Jay Bell I could find with a Google search writes gay fiction apparently, so hardly the most reliable source for assessing historicity)is grinding an ax more than anything else.

[@nocoolnametom]

The article by E. Jay Bell (atom.lib.byu.edu/smh/9379/) doesn't say that none of it happened, but does go over the nuance involved between the recorded history and the remembered history.

[@optenbill627]

All around the worlds believe window of heaven

[@lukeslc-xd8ds]

I was not familiar with this version.

[@waldemarsilas6675]

How many wives he had?

[@JustTrying87]

9

[@waldemarsilas6675]

@@JustTrying87 Poor man! That many mother-in-laws 😳

[@Escadeus]

Such a disgusting video. Thank you for posting all these.

[@vampov]

I think your auto-correct may have put in the wrong word.

[@waldemarsilas6675]

@@vampov I don't think so..

[@zelphx]

Is this "revelation" supposed to impress anyone? People with debts to pay have these sort of "revelations" each time they pay bills. This drama is nothing short of embarrassing.

[@carolswarbrick1722]

These are matters which build your faith in God, amen. God bless you. 49:45