The Last Days

This is a cantata for SATB choir and piano, with Text from the Doctrine & Covenants, one of the sacred texts of the LDS Church. (Text is shown below.) This cantata has 3 sections (movements). Part One has 6 numbers (songs), Part Two has 5 numbers, and Part Three has 6 numbers.

An odd fact about this work is that I composed Part Three first. I wrote the theme for the opening of 3-1 in 1983, and did not finish 3-1 (and the rest of Part Three) until 2001. I let the text for Parts One and Two lie 'fallow' for 15 years... then started 1-1 in early 2016 and finished the rest of Parts One and Two by Sep 2016. I don't know why I wrote things in that order, with such a long time between writing Part Three and the rest - but that is what happened. (To quote Beethoven, 'When the Muse speaks, I listen'. Perhaps I was not listening carefully enough...)

Text for the cantata:

“The Last Days”

Part One – Voice of Warning

(1-1) “Voice of Warning”

The voice of warning unto all people in these last days. They shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them.

(D&C 1:4, 5)

(1-2) “Hearken, O Ye People”

Hearken, O ye people of my church; hearken ye people from afar; ye that are on the isles of the sea, listen together. For the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape.

(D&C 1:1, 2)

(1-3) “All the Ends of the Earth”

For I shall bare my holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of their God.

(D&C 133:3)

(1-4) “Go Ye Out from Babylon”

Go ye out from Babylon. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.

(D&C 133:5)

(1-5) “Call Upon the Name of the Lord”

Let every one call upon the name of the Lord.

(D&C 133:6)

(1-6) “Prepare Yourselves”

Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord.

(D&C 133:10)

Part Two – Hour of Judgment

(2-1) “My Everlasting Gospel”

I have sent forth my everlasting gospel... unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

(D&C 133:37)

(2-2) “Judgment Is Come”

Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come.

(D&C 133:38)

(2-3) “The Earth Shall Tremble”

The earth shall tremble and reel to and fro; the sun shall hide its face; the moon shall be bathed in blood; the stars shall cast themselves down.

(D&C 88:87)

(2-4) “All Things Shall Be In Commotion”

All things shall be in commotion; men's hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.

(D&C 88:91)

(2-5) “Holy Places”

Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord comes.

(D&C 87:8

Part Three – A New Song

(3-1) “A New Song”

Lord, when thou come, thou shalt meet them who rejoice and work righteousness, who remember thee in thy ways. (D&C 133:44)

Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. The wonders of eternity shall they know. Their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven.

(D&C 76:6, 8-9)

(Remaining text is from D&C 84)

They shall sing a new song:

The Lord hath brought again Zion;

The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel,

According to the election of grace,

Which was brought to pass by the faith

And covenant of their fathers.

(3-2) "Satan Is Bound”

(Lord, when thou come.)

The Lord hath redeemed his people;

And Satan is bound and time is no longer.