Loren Erickson

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Better known as "Father in Heaven, We Do Believe" from the LDS hymnal (#180), "Baptism" is movement 5 of 12 from "The Restoration".  The second quarter of this work, movements 4 through 6 deals with specific things Joseph Smith restored as "the prophet of the restoration".  As I was looking for a foundation upon which I could build a movement about Joseph's efforts in restoring the Aaronic priesthood to the earth, I ran across this hymn, which is frequently sung in LDS sacrament meetings.  The words in particular caused me to realize that the change of heart that prepares us for making the covenants of baptism is just as important as the authority by which that ordinance is performed.  So this hymn, which describes a persons journey to the baptismal waters perfectly, became the symbol of the ordinance itself.  This composition is written for a Capella choir, and includes a special part for a youth choir who alternate between singing the main themes and singing a lovely descant.  The adult SSAATTBB choir swells at the end with the thrill of the promise of being "made one" with the Saints."

Baptism

SATB Octavo

Awakening is the first of 12 movements that make up "The Restoration," an epic work that depicts the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  This movement is an arrangement of How Long, O Lord Most Holy and True from the 1985 LDS hymnal, and represents the religious upheaval in the early 1800s that motivated the 14-year old Joseph Smith to seek the truth concerning the nature of God and the various sects that were competing for his attention.   Other movements of "The Restoration" will be available here once they are completed.

Awakening

This exciting combination of Christmas favorites Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! and Angels We Have Heard on High contemplates a slightly less orderly version of the celebration at the birth of Jesus Christ, crowned by concourses of angels, singing and praising God.  A strong percussion rhythm drives a SSAATTBB choir and full symphony orchestra through these two hymns at a brisk pace to a triumphant finish.  Running time is about 5:45.    This work requires a strong percussion ensemble.  Up to eight percussionists are playing at a time.  The percussion lines are really the highlight of the composition.This composition is destined to become part of a larger work called The Gift that will tell the story of the significance of the Savior's birth from the prophecies that preceded it, to the moment He comes again into the world.  Angels is movement 2 of that work.  Other movements will be published here as they are completed.

Angels

Instrumental Parts

Prayer is the second of 12 movements which comprise "The Restoration" which depicts the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  This movement represents 14-year old Joseph's discovery of the promise recorded in the bible, James 1:5: If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who given to all men liberally and upbraideth not,...and it shall be given him.  In Joseph's own words: Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine.  After reading and pondering this scripture Joseph determined to do just what the scripture says: to pray.

Prayer

Son of Man is movement 9 of 12 from The Restoration, a depiction of the life of the prophet Joseph Smith.  This movement is the Lord's response to Joseph's humble prayer from the depths of Liberty Jail (represented in movement 8, Majesty in Chains).  Rather than immediately delivering Joseph and the suffering Saints from their afflictions, the Lord instructs Joseph that if even the jaws of hell should open wide before him, that all these things would be for his good.  And far more importantly, the Lord reminds Joseph that the son of man, even Jesus Christ, has descended below all things, art thou greater than He?  This composition is written for a Capella SSAATTBB choir, and has a very wide dynamic range, which should be strictly observed.  Otherwise it is meant to be very rubato throughout.   The one place where a more rigid rhythm should be adopted is in the fugue of ifs.  You'll know it when you see it.

Son of Man

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No stranger to affliction, Joseph Smith was imprisoned in Liberty Jail where he and other leaders of the restored church suffered many afflictions, including hunger, thirst, sickness, cold, and verbal persecution by their captors.  A story is told of the moment when Joseph had heard enough of his jailor's tales of exploits against members of church.  In that moment Joseph stands and, straining against the chains that bound him, commanded his tormentors to be silent.  This is not that story.  We also know that while in the depths of misery in these awful conditions Joseph read many letters that told of the afflictions many Saints were suffering at the hands of persecutors throughout the land.  The true nature of "majesty" is manifest in what we choose to do when we confront this kind of adversity.  In his case, Joseph offers a humble prayer asking God to "remember his suffering Saints".  In that prayer more was asked for those outside the walls of Liberty Jail, than for those within.   This is the nature of majesty.

Majesty in Chains

Unison Octavo

Instrument

In the spring of 1820 Joseph Smith, then a 14 year old boy, after having been profoundly inspired by reading James 1:5, resolved himself to ask God which of the many churches preaching near his home he should join.  Early one morning he retired to a grove of trees and knelt to pray.  In his own words:   "After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.  But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destructionnot to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any beingjust at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.  It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other, This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! Joseph Smith, History 1:15-17.  This composition for full orchestra, youth 2-part choir, and adult SATB choir, is an arrangement of the popular hymn from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints called "Joseph Smith's First Prayer".  Be advised: the string, piccolo, bassoon and other parts are quite vigorous in places.

Vision

Full Orchestra Score & Parts

Two Cities (with apologies to Tolstoy), tells the tale of two locations that play prominently in the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Based on Once in Royal David's City and O Little Town of Bethlehem, this arrangement explores the deeper meaning of the lyrics to both popular Christmas songs.  The first city is obvious: Bethlehem.  But what about the second?  What exactly is the wondrous gift that is silently given?  And what exactly is required for God to impart to human hearts the blessings of his heaven?  The answer comes in the final verse: then at last our eyes shall see Him through his own redeeming love.  The second city is Jerusalem, where our Savior began the process of atoning for the sins of all mankind.

Two Cities

SATB Vocal Score

This energetic composition is a mashup of Hark, the Herald Angels Sing and Angels We Have Heard on High.  A strong percussion line drives a full symphony orchestra and SSAATTBB choir through these two Christmas favorites at a brisk pace, culminating in a grand finish.  This composition is intended to be part of a larger work, titled The Gift, which proposes to celebrate all aspects of the timeless gift of a Savior, for all mankind.  The work will span history from the prophecies of His coming, to His eventual return to earth in glory.   A strong percussion ensemble is required.  Up to eight percussionists are playing at a time.  Controlling the dynamic range will be key to ensure that the explosive finale realizes its intent.  Watch for other movements of The Gift here.

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