Moses appears in rural Ark. community

Skeptics are calling it a hoax. Religious officials say it’s a miracle. But no matter who you talk to in Morrilton today, all agree that the appearance of a man claiming to be the Biblical Prophet Moses is the biggest thing that ever hit this community.

The man appeared at approximately 10 a.m. Sunday morning on Petit Jean Mountain, making his way into Morrilton — a community of approximately 10,000 — later that afternoon, according to local officials.

“I just cannot believe it. I want to believe it’s real, and I feel that it is, but I have to see proof,” said long-time Morrilton Mayor Stewart Nelson. “Once I see proof with my own eyes, I reckon I’ll believe it.”

That proof may come soon, as Moses says he will part the Arkansas River late Tuesday evening in a show of his divine power. At a press conference outside the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce Monday morning, Moses, his long, dark locks flowing in the spring breeze, assured area residents that God sent him to this sleepy town that sits on the foothills of the Ozarks.

“This is God’s will,” said Moses, as he clutched two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. “God has sent me to Morrilton to let everyone know that He still reigns.”

Already, satellite trucks from across the country are swarming Morrilton, and a flood of telephone calls into the city has shutdown all phone lines. In a mad rush, residents jammed he local Wal-Mart , which has sold out of bottled water, milk, bread and almost all of its canned goods.

Nelson urged area residents not to panic, and assured everyone that this is not a sign of the Apocalypse or the end of the world. “As soon as he parts the Arkansas River, we will believe that he truly is Moses. But for now, we are getting ready to lock his butt up if he doesn’t do some kind of miracle,” said Nelson. “My town is in an uproar right now."