An original musical work honoring the Prophet Joseph Smith will be performed for the first time in its entirety at 8 p.m. June 23 in the Salt Lake Tabernacle by the Mormon Youth Chorus and Symphony.

"Joseph" was composed last year by Robert C. Bowden, conductor of the chorus and symphony, to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the prophet's martyrdom. It was presented at a concert in September, but one portion of it, "The Vision," had not been finished then.Brother Bowden explained that for him, the First Vision was the most difficult aspect of the Prophet's life to approach with music because of its sacred and sensitive nature. Thus, it took until this year to complete that portion of the work.

He said he drew almost exclusively on the biography written by George Q. Cannon, The Life of Joseph Smith the Prophet. He was obliged to consult other sources when composing the portion of the work about Emma, the Prophet's wife, as the biography did not provide him sufficient material on her. He drew upon letters written to her husband and to others.

The 35-minute work begins with an overture representing prophecies about the birth and mission of Joseph Smith.

"Come and Be Saved" picks up the Prophet's life at the time of the great religious revival going on during his youth. It depicts the conflicting beliefs of the religious groups existing at the time and their zealous desire to obtain converts.

The 14-year-old Joseph's bewilderment, and his seeking and obtaining guidance from the scripture in James 1:5 is portrayed in "I Will Listen to the Lord."

"The Vision" follows.

"The music starts out very calmly, and grows very heavy as it recounts Joseph's tongue being bound as thick darkness gathered over and he thought he was absolutely going to be destroyed," Brother Bowden said. "And then the music comes out of the darkness as I depict the appearance of the Father and the Son."

"The Serpent Did Rage" depicts the persecution and violence suffered by the Prophet because of his testimony.

The next portion is "Emma," a tender, loving tribute to her husband: "Parted by walls and by bars, hills, prairies and running streams. Unfailingly intense, I'll defend you all my life. Joseph, my love, my crown; I desire with all my heart to honor and respect my husband as my head."

"His Witness is Sealed," the final portion of the musical work, depicts the dramatic events of the martyrdom: three of Joseph's brethren at his side, shots being heard, the cane used for defense against the pistols thrust through the door, John Taylor being wounded and the Prophet and his brother being murdered.

Brother Bowden said the work draws on several different styles of music, including some that are Hebrew in flavor.

"I would say it's an extremely dramatic work," he said.

The concert will also include A. Laurence Lyon's, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief: a Sacred Cantata" based on the hymn written by George Coles and James Montgomery and sung by John Taylor moments before the martyrdom.