The Redeemer Cometh

Cantata for SATB, Soloists, and Piano

by Roy E. Howard

 

Note to the choir:

"And I give unto you, who are the first laborers in this last kingdom, a commandment that you assemble yourselves together, (join the choir), and organize yourselves (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and prepare yourselves (come to practice), and sanctify yourselves (be in tune)... that I may make you clean... from the blood of this wicked generation" (D&C 74-75). It is clear that the Lord expects a great deal of us, who are preparing the way for His return in Glory to reign upon the earth. Yet we are all "unprofitable servants" (Mosiah 2:21) and in need of constant retrospect. Much is expected of us because we have been given great talents, resources, and tools (D&C 43:8-10), By performing this Cantata, we contribute to the preparation work by following the admonitions of D&C 43: "teach the children of men" (verse 15); and if we work at it, we will receive help from above: "sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power" (verse 16).

Though the text of the cantata refers to our ancient traditions, our purpose is to hasten the work of the Kingdom to come: "hearken ye, for behold, the great day of the Lord is nigh" (43:17); "for the day cometh that... the heavens shall shake and the earth shall tremble, and the trump of God shall sound..., and He shall say to the sleeping nations: Ye Saints arise and live; ye sinners stay and sleep until I shall call again" (verse 18). You may perform with confidence that the "elect" will hear His voice (D&C 29:7).

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" (Revelations 14:6). Key phrases are offered in English and Spanish, to encourage all to seek personal revelation by the Spirit. The purpose of the singing and the music is to invite the congregation to receive Christ and desire to serve others.

 

Prophecy of the Coming of the Redeemer

We are the Lord's Covenant people (El Pueblo de Dios). Our ancestors looked forward to their Salvation as exemplified by Psalm 121: I will lift up mine eyes unto the Lord, from whence cometh my help (mi socorro viene de Jehová):

1 I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes Unto the Lord SATB Psalm 121

 

All the prophets since the beginning of time have testified that we need and would have a Savior. Nephi heard the angel declare (1 Nephi 11:18): "behold the lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!" (He aquí, el cordero de Dios, sí, el Hijo del Padre Eterno). "For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all - for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people":

2 The Son of God Comes Unto the Earth Solo Alma 7

3 He Shall Go Forth SAB Alma 7:11-12

4 Ye Must Repent SAB Alma 7:14

   
   

The Birth of Christ

 

(Luke 1:35)- Mary was told: "that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God (el Santo Ser que nacerá será llamado Hijo de Dios). (Luke 2: 8-10)- "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them":

5 Good Tidings TTB Luke 2:10-12

 

(Luke 2:21-38)- At the age of eight days, the child was brought to the temple so the consecrating ordinances could be performed. "And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon...; and it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ... And there was one Anna, a prophetess. She was of great age, serving God with fastings and prayers night and day":

6 Praise God Duet Luke 2: 28-38

 

The Ministry of Jesus

 

After being tempted by Satan, Jesus began his public ministry. He taught that there are two great commandments: first, to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength; and second, to love others as we love ourselves His life is an example of how we should obey these two commandments. Jesus spent his life serving others. (Jesús vivió en servicio de otros):

7 Let the Little Children Come Unto Me Solo

3 Nephi 17, Doctrine and Covenants 50, Moroni 8, Mathew 18, Mosiah 3

 

John 13- "Now, before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end... He rose from the supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel...":

8 He Washed Their Feet TTBB with Solo John 13:4-10

 

Jesus loved others with all His heart (Jesús amaba a los demás con todo corazón). Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment, that they love one another after He was gone. Simon Peter said unto Him, "Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards:

9 In My Father's House SATB John 14

10 I Am the True Vine SA John 15:1-10    

   

The Atonement of the Savior

 

Jesus Christ "came into the world... to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; that through Him all might be saved" (D&C 76:41-42). The great sacrifice he made to pay for our sins and overcome death is call the Atonement (La Expiación). It is the most important event that has ever occurred in the history of mankind:

11 In the Garden of Gethsemane SATB Roy E. Howard

 

Discipleship

 

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (La Fe en Cristo) is the first principle of the gospel. It is necessary for our salvation. This faith can give us the strength to face the challenges of life. Nephi's brother's complained that their father had asked them to do a hard thing, but Nephi said, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded me, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which He commandeth them":

12 Blessed of the Lord SA 1 Nephi 3, 12

 

Faith in Jesus Christ naturally leads to repentance. We all need to repent (Todos tienen que arrepentirse). "The most beautiful principle of the gospel is Repentance. Our Father in Heaven loves us, no matter what may happen. His Son Jesus Christ died for us that we might be able to repent":

13 Repentance Solo. Words: J. Janeen Howard

 

Baptism (Tó bee alzh) (El Bautismo). "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Alma taught the words of Abinadi concerning that which was to come (Mosiah 18), and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, "which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and His resurrection and aascension into heaven. And it came to pass that he said unto them: behold, here are the waters of Mormon... ":

14 The Water's Edge Solo Mosiah 18: 4-10

 

The Apostle Paul said that following our baptism we should begin a new life: "We are buried with Him by baptism;... even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4) (...nosotros andemos en vida nueva). We come forth from the waters as newborn babes:

15 Spiritual Sacrifices SATB 1 Peter

 

Summary testimony on these themes or as inspired:

There is a God (Hay un Dios).

The Atonement was necessary for our Salvation (La Expiación era necesario para nuestra Salvación)

On the third day after His crucifixion, Christ took up His body again and became the first person to be resurrected. "He is not here, for He is risen, as He said" (No está aquí, pues ha resucitado, como dijo).

As true followers of Christ, we must serve others (hay que servir a otros).