How to host a Book of Mormon Murder Mystery Dinner

If you’re looking for a fun, engaging LDS youth or ward activity, a Book of Mormon Murder Mystery Dinner is just what you need. This activity so interactive, plus I’ve already put everything together for you (printables included) so you don’t have to. It’s so fun. You’re going to love it!

The cool thing about this murder mystery is that the clues and the entire storyline come from Helaman 8 & 9 in the Book of Mormon. However, you don’t have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to play this murder mystery. It’s generic enough that you could throw it for a family or friend party as well. So, just follow these five easy steps below to throw your own murder mystery.

Step #1: Print your Book of Mormon Murder Mystery Dinner instructions

I fully admit that I did not compile this murder mystery. A friend of a friend put together the clues years ago and I redesigned and re-wrote into an easy-to-read format that you can download and print in your own home. First you’ll want to click on the link below to download your PDF of the complete instructions.

Click here to download your Murdery Mystery instructions

The instructions include everything that you will need to complete your murder mystery. It includes:

• Instruction page – This will explain how the murder mystery is going to work.
• Emcee script – Give this page to your emcee. You’ll want to choose someone who can make it fun and exciting (preferably someone who can speak in a British accent)
• Name Tags – Print this page directly onto a label page that has 4″x2″ labels. I designed the page so the names are already laid out in the right dimensions and ready to be printed. If you don’t want to print them on labels, you can just cut the names out and pin or tape them to participants’ shirts.
• Clues – There are three sets of clues that go with each course of the dinner. Cut each individual clue out. You’ll need to cut out as many sets of clues as their are tables.
• Place Cards – You should have six place cards per table. Print out the place cards for each murder suspect, cut, fold and then place on the table.
• Verdict Cards – Print and cut each verdict card to size. Place them in a manila folder marked, “Confidential” and have the emcee show the cards at the end when he/she reveals the murderer.

Step #2: Send out your invites

I designed these vintage Murder Mystery invitations that you can email, text or print. Send them to your guests to get them super excited about this fun evening. This invitation is completely customizable. Just click on the link below.

Click here for your Murder Mystery Dinner Invitation

Step #3: Gather supplies and decorate

As you’re planning to decorate for your murder mystery, picture a1920s lounge. We were expecting a group of about 50 youth and adults. So, we decided to hold our dinner in the Relief Society Room in our building. It was more cozy, easier to serve the food and we didn’t have to deal with a microphone or anything like that. Here’s what we did:

• Centerpieces: Dark green round table cloths, flameless LED candles, fairy lights(most of these items I just borrowed)

• Food: cracker and cheese boards (appetizers), pizza (main course), brownies and ice cream (dessert). We tried to keep the food as simple and as inexpensive as possible and the girls loved it!

• Emcee display: Over-sized armchair, artificial tree, side table, small lamp. This display was where the emcee sat and presented throughout the evening. It gave out such a fun mystery vibe.

Step #4: Tips for during the dinner

In order for the entire evening to go smoothly, you’ll want to have as many leaders helping you as possible. I assigned a table leader to each table. After all of the girls had chosen a place to sit, a table leader placed a name tag on their shirt. We just made sure that we had the same six suspects sitting at each table. We had to do a little shuffling around but it worked. You should have eight table settings at each table: six for the participants, one for a leader and then one extra for people who show up late.

When each course is served, the table leader hands out clues #1 – 3 accordingly. Each person on the table needs to read their clue and then everyone can discuss. By the end of the third clue, as people are eating their desserts, the girls started to get really into it. Everyone was trying to decide who the murderer was.

At the end, one person from each table stands up and gives a guess as to who the murderer is. Then, the emcee pulls out the names of the suspects one-by-one until he divulges the murderer at the end. All of the girls LOVED it!

Step #5: Conclusion

After the murderer is revealed, the conclusion is probably the most important part. I got up and explained to the group that this entire story comes from the Book of Mormon. A lot of them were shocked. Then I encouraged them to read it for themselves in Helaman 8 & 9 and then go and find their own favorite story in the Book of Mormon.

I hope this helps you with your next Book of Mormon Murder Mystery. Send me a message if you have any questions. If you didn’t see the link to the printable instructions, here they are again below:

Click here to download your Murdery Mystery instructions

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