Liken

The Liken Series is a continuing musical based on events in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Holy Bible, as well as stories from the Book of Mormon. The series is popular among many LDS/Mormon families. They have a Bible Site,[1] a Scriptures site,[2] a Studio Site,[3] and a Beta TV Site[4] where you can watch select movies and clips. It remains unannounced as to whether they might create musicals based on stories in the Doctrine and Covenants or Pearl of Great Price.

Current Liken Logo
Old Liken Logo
Liken.TV Beta Logo
Current Lightstone Studios Logo
Logos From Lightstone Studios

Intended audience

According to the Liken website, "If you're concerned about what is going on in today's mainstream media, we think you'll like what you find here at Liken", because "we don't believe "family friendly" means it has to be boring." Further, "you'll find movies and music that will not only entertain your family, but uplift and inspire them as well."[5]

Reception

According to LDS Cinema Online, which reviews films from a Mormon perspective, "if you’re looking for spiritually challenging, deeply insightful cinema for adults, Liken is far from your ideal. Neither is any of these films a paragon of cinematic technique, acting, comedic or musical performance, etc. The films have their weaknesses to be sure", but "Whatever the case, the filmmakers have gotten something right. It’s a formula that catches kids’ attention and causes them to remember what they see".[6]

A Herald Extra writer wrote "From the beginning, the “Liken” films have been noted for their energetic, catchy music, which is a major element of “Jonah and the Great Fish."[7]

Theme Song

Their theme song appears in multiple movies. It emphasizes the mood and tone of the scene.

Characters

Characters are listed by movie release order. A full cast list is not included. Go to Liken for more information.

Dreamers

  • Spencer
  • Amelia
  • Devon
  • Chloe

Story Tellers

  • Spencer's Primary teacher.
  • Spencer's brother.
  • Amelia's Parents.
  • George (Butler to Amelia's family and later as Devon's Grandfather)
  • Amelia's choir teacher.
  • Missionaries
  • Chloe's Father.

Main characters

Episodes

Release Dates[8]

Old Testament

Title"Dreamer"Story TellerProtagonistsAntagonistsSongsRelease Date
David and GoliathSpencerSpencer's DadDavidGoliathI’m Gonna Be King, The Lord Sees What’s Inside, It’s Not That Easy Being King, Give Me Just One Chance, I am David, The Lord Sees What’s Inside (Reprise), I Am Goliath, The Lord Is My Shepherd, One Smooth Stone, I Used To Be Like You, One Little Light, Is He The One2005-03
Esther and the KingAmeliaAmelia's MotherEsther, Mordecai, King Ahasuerus, Most ServantsHaman, Haman’s Wife, Some ServantsThere Is News, What More Could A King Want, Can You Love Me, Together, It’s Great To Be The King To Be, What Would I Give, A Little Bit More, Grateful, Can You Love Me (Reprise), There Is News (Finale)2006-03
Daniel and the LionsDevon (First Appearance)George (Devon's Grandfather)Daniel, King Darius, Angel, Servants, LionsOther Presidents, LionsI Need Professional Help, You Can’t Keep A Good Man Down, Because Of Thee, Give Us A Break, Meat’s on the Menu Tonight, What Have I Done, Victory, Peace, I’m A Vegetarian Now, Because of Thee (Reprise)2006-09
Jonah and the Great FishChloe (First Appearance)Chloe's Father (First Appearance)Jonah, The Great Fish, Small FishJonah, Sharks, NinevitesWhose Side Are You On?, Night of Nineveh, No Way, The Great Deep Blue, A Place Where I Belong, Because of You, Stout-Hearted Mariners, Thou Hast Brought Me Up, I'll Obey, A Heart That's Open2011-11

New Testament

Title"Dreamer"Story TellerProtagonistsAntagonistsSongsRelease Date
The First ChristmasAmeliaAmelia's ParentsAngel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Wisemen???Joy to the World, Everything We Need, A Hand To Hold, Blessed (Mary), The Handmaid of the Lord, My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord, Blessed (Joseph), A Hand To Hold (Reprise), A Place For Him, Glory To God, He’s Born, Finale2005-11

Book of Mormon

Title"Dreamer"Story TellerProtagonistsAntagonistsSongsRelease Date
Nephi And LabanSpencer Anderson (First Appearance)Spencer's Primary Teacher (First Appearance)Nephi, Lehi, Sam, SarahLaban, Laman, LemuelLife Could Not Be Better, His Arms Around You, I Love My Things, Here Waiting, Thy Arms Around Me (plus a Reprise & Ballad)2003-09
Ammon and LamoniSpencer AndersonMcKay Anderson (First Appearance)Ammon, Abish, Lamoni, ServantsLamanite Robbers (Off-Screen), Brother of Robber’s LeaderThis Light / It’s Always Been this Way, A Mighty Change of Heart, I Know That I Must Change / A Mighty Change of Heart (Duet), We Are Dead, We’re Alive, Uprising, Finale2004-09
Alma and King Noah's CourtAmelia (First Appearance), Spencer (Offscreen)McKay Anderson (Missionary) & Companion (Not Speaking Part)Alma, AbinadiKing Noah, Wicked PriestsJust Say Yes (Performed & a Capella), Something More, We Are The Best / Turn Unto The Lord, It’s All Right, Turn Unto The Lord (Reprise), Turn Unto The Lord (2nd Reprise) / He Must Die, All He Asks Me / Something More (Reprise), Something More (2nd Reprise), All He Asks Me (Reprise), All He Asks Me (Finale).2005-09
Samuel the LamaniteAmeliaAmelia's Choir TeacherSamuel, Nephi, Lehi, Misc. PeopleSchool’s Superintendent, N.A.C., Misc. PeopleAll’s Well in Zion, Lonely, The N.A.C., Look to the Light, His Love, Another Year, Enough, The Time Has Come, His Love (Reprise)2006-09

Notable Cast

NameOccupationBest KnownMovieCharacter
Alex BoyeActor/Singer* Private Perry in Saints and Soldiers: The Void
* Heavenly Host in Saturday's Warrior
* Singer specializing in both LDS music and popular songs (with an African twist)
David and GoliathAbinidab
Thurl BaileyPublic Speaker/Broadcast Analyst/Actor/Singer* NBA player for the Utah Jazz (1983-1991; 1999) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (1991-1994)David and GoliathGoliath
Summer Naomi SmartActress* Kerra McConnell in Passage to ZarahemlaEsther and the KingEsther
Larry BagbyActor/Musician* Ernie/"Ice" in Hocus Pocus
* Marshall Grant in Walk the Line
Nephi and LabanLaman
Kaycee StrohActress/Singer/Dancer* Martha Cox in High School Musical, High School Musical 2, and High School Musical 3: Senior YearAmmon and LamoniDancer
Brady BluhmActor* Billy in 4C in Dumb and Dumber and Dumb and Dumber To
* Christopher Robin in three Winnie the Pooh films (1997-1999)
Alma and King Noah's CourtElder Johansen (non-speaking role)
Dallyn Vail Bayles Actor/Singer * Hyrum Smith in Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration

* Hyrum Smith in Emma Smith: My Story

Alma and King Noah's Court


The First Christmas


Esther and the King

Alma


Joseph


King Ahasuerus

References

  1. "Liken The Bible". Lightstone Media. December 25, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  2. "Liken The Scriptures". Lightstone Media. December 25, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  3. "Lightstone Studios". Lightstone Media. December 25, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  4. "Liken Beta TV". Lightstone Media. December 25, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  5. "Liken Series". Welcome to the World of Liken. Lightstone Pictures. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  6. "LDS Cinema Online". Why I’m Likin’ Liken… Like a Lichen. motleyvision.org. August 23, 2010. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  7. "Whale of a tale: Newest 'Liken' the Scriptures' DVD sleeps with the fishes". Whale of a Tale. heraldextra.com. December 10, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  8. "Liken The Scriptures DVDs". Lightstone Media. December 25, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
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