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This was originally written for a YW activity, but it might work for a ward party.  Murder Mystery Dinner Theater (for combined AP/YW activity)  Hope your kids will enjoy this as much as ours did- we turned out the lights and used flashlights, etc- it was great!

This murder mystery is taken from the Book of Mormon.

Instructions for set up:

This activity should be set up in groups of eight. In each group you will have one youth to represent each character and an adult leader to read the clues. And we put an eighth chair at each table so that if a youth showed up late we put them at a table and let them read the clues and the adult leader stayed and helped. (They will need help).  Make up a set of character name tags for each table. As the kids come in give them name tags and seat them so you will have one "set " of suspects at each table.  Copy the clues for each table. Cut the clues apart and put them in corresponding envelopes. All clue #1 (one for each character) in one envelope labeled clue #1. All clue #2 (one for each character) in a second envelope labeled clue #2. And all of clue #3 in a third envelope labeled clue #3. In other words, if you think you will need five tables, you will need to copy and cut up five pages of clue #1, five of clue #2, and five of clue #3. Don't give out the clues until you are instructed to later in the activity. When the adult hands the clues to each character (at the appropriate time) they should not show them to each other.  The murder mystery is set around a three course dinner

Round 1- salad course    or maybe chips and salsa
Round 2- main course    or maybe taco bar
Round 3- dessert course

Pre assign someone to set the scene and reveal the murderer. They will need to so some preparation to be ready to do this, so assign them ahead of time so they can be prepared. We had our bishop do it.  Now you are ready to begin-  Have someone read this introduction:  You are about to become a murder suspect and so is everyone else involved in this activity. You can prove your innocence only by proving that someone else is guilty. The people at your table must work together to solve the mystery. As the evening progresses, each person will receive an outline of their character and pieces of information that will be known only to them. You must be sure to clearly and accurately reveal all the facts that you know about yourself and the other suspects in each round. You may not lie about the clues you are given. When someone reads a clue that places suspicion on you, then you need to read your clue which will change the subject and raise suspicion on a different character.

This activity is divided into three rounds.

Round 1- first meal course and clue #1
Round 2- second meal course and clue #2
Round 3- dessert and clue #3

Do not go on to the next round until you are told to do so. (All tables should stay on the same schedule of staring and finishing). At the conclusion of the three rounds, you should decide as a table who you believe is the murderer.

The solution will be revealed after the final round.

Remember, you are out to catch a murderer.  Be inquisitive! Be aggressive!

Be suspicious!  Now, set the scene:

The scene is the home of Judge Jones, a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. On this Tuesday evening (or whatever evening you are meeting) Judge Jones was found murdered. He had multiple stab wounds and was found lying in a pool of blood. There are six suspects, all with a motive for the murder. They are: (Have the youth stand as their characters are called)  Mr. Enn-- He has always been a fine, upstanding member of the community  Judge Black--A very high ranking, but corrupt judge. He hates Mr. Enn and would like to see him behind bars, but he fears a public outcry.  Sean Jones, J.D.-- He is the brother of the murder victim, Chief Judge Justice Jones. He is also a powerful attorney.  Mr. Mult-- An average citizen who is a friend of Mr. Enn.  Mr. Fife- Works for Chief Justice Jones (the dead man) and Judge Black.  Maid-- Works for Chief Justice Jones (the dead man)  Give the adult leader at each table the envelope labeled clue #1

Tell them to pass them out to the appropriate character. Have them choose one character to go first reading their clue. Their clue will accuse another character. Then that character can read their clue to try to cast suspicion at a different character. Have them continue in this manner until each character has read their clue #1  Each table will play the game at the same time, but separately.  As soon as each table is finished you can serve your first course of food.  After all the tables are finished eating-------  Give the adult leaders at the tables the clue envelope #2. Have them read them just like the last clue. As they finish, serve course #2,  After all of the tables are finished eating-------  Give the adult leaders at each table clue envelope #3. Have them read them just like the last 2 clues. As they finish, serve dessert.  While they are eating their dessert have each table decide who they think is the murderer. Have them choose one person as a spokesman and have them stand and tell who they think did it and why.  Now, have the bishop (or whoever you choose) reveal the murderer.

Clue pages:

Clue #1 for Mr. Fife:

I know that Mr. Mult knows that there is a great deal of animosity between Mr. Enn and Judge Black. I know Mr. Mult is a great friend of Mr. Enn and would do anything to help him.  Clue #! for the Maid:

I know that the judge's brother, Sean, was always jealous of  Judge Jones position as Chief Justice. He always wanted the position for himself.

Clue #1 for Mr. Enn:

I have discovered that Judge Black is part of a secret group who are striving to put themselves in power. I know he has been covering up crimes for his friends.

Clue #1 for Sean Jones:

I know my brother was always very hard on his employees and that his maid was fed up with the poor treatment she was receiving. She feared Judge Jones and was tired of his abuse.

Clue #1 for Mr. Mult

I know there are a lot of bad feelings between Mr. Enn and Judge Black. Judge Black is angry that Mr. Enn is in the process of exposing him and his corrupt group of friends. I believe Judge Black would do anything to get revenge.

Clue #1 for Judge Black:

Mr. Fife has been a trusted employee of myself and Chief Justice Jones. Mr. Fife has access to the homes and offices of us both.
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Clue #2 for Mr. Fife

I saw the maid running out of the house screaming "the judge has been murdered!", as I was approaching the house.

Clue #2 for the Maid

I found the body lying in a pool of blood.

Clue #2 for Sean Jones

Tuesday evening I issued a press release announcing that my brother, the Chief Justice, has been murdered.

Clue #2 for Mr. Mult

I found Mr. Fife lying unconscious next to the judge's dead body when I entered Judge Jone's home. I had him arrested and charged with murder.

Clue #2 for Mr. Enn

At the press release you saw blood splattered on Shawn Jones’ clothing.

Clue #2 for Judge Black

Tuesday afternoon I heard Mr. Enn say that the Chief Justice had been murdered. I sent Mr. Fife to see if it's true.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- --------------------------------------

Clue #3 for Mr. Fife

I believe that the maid is the murderer. I saw her running out of the Chief Justice's house as I was approaching it. I know she hated her boss. I believe she ran out screaming that the judge had been murdered in order to throw suspicion from herself.

Clue #3 for the Maid

I heard Judge Jones confront Judge Black about his involvement in a group conspiring to oust him from his office. I know Judge Black is corrupt and wants to be more powerful than he is. I believe Judge Black killed Judge Jones so that he could have his seat and also to prevent Judge Jones from exposing and punishing Judge Black and his group. (Try to convince everyone that Judge Black is the murderer!)

Clue #3 for Mr. Enn

I knew how badly the judge's brother, Sean, envied his position as Chief Justice. I know he always wanted the position for himself. I believe he killed him so that he could have position and power for himself, thus fulfilling his life long dream. I believe the blood you saw on his clothing was his brother's blood. (Try to convince everyone that Sean Jones is the murderer!)

Clue #3 for Sean Jones

I heard Mr. Enn say that Judge Jones was dead before the press release has been issued. I believe the only way that he could have known that he was dead prior to its being made public in the press release was if he was involved the murder himself. I believe Mr. Enn hires Mr. Mult to kill Judge Jones and since Mr. Mult was the "hit man" I believe Mr. Mult should be charged with murder!

Clue #3 for Mr. Mult

I found Mr. Fife lying unconscious next to Judge Jones corpse. I believe this proves that he killed him. Why else would he be there? (Strive to convince everyone that Mr. Fife is the murderer.)

Clue #3 for Judge Black

I heard Mr. Enn say that Judge Jones was dead before the press release had been issued. I believe that the only way that he could have known that he was dead prior to the press release was if he was involved in the murder himself. The problem is, he was with me at the time of the murder, so I know he couldn't have actually stabbed him. I figure he hired someone else to commit the actual murder, but because it was all his idea I believe that Mr. Enn should be charged with the crime of murder!
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THIS PAGE IS TO BE SEEN ONLY BY THE PERSON ORGANIZING THE MYSTERY AND THE PERSON CHOSEN TO REVEAL THE MURDERER.

This murder mystery is taken from the Book of Mormon. But none of the participants will realize that. Study Helaman 8 and 9. At the conclusion of the murder mystery dinner, use your scriptures and relate the story in Helaman to solve this murder.  Mr. Enn is Nephi (Helaman 8 and 9)

Judge Black is all the other judges (Helaman 9:13)
Sean Jones, JD, is the murderer, Seantum  (Helaman 9:26)
Mr. Mult is the multitude  (Helaman 9:19)
Mr. Fife is the 5 men who went and saw the dead man (Helaman 9:1-6)
The Maid is the servants who ran  (Helaman 9:6)