Standing on the Promises

Standing on the Promises is a choral work written by Cristian Torres, with music by Kevin West. It features many hymns from the new hymnbook, including Standing on the Promises, When the Savior Comes Again, Look Unto Christ, and Softly and Tenderly. It also features music by CJ Madsen, including I Saw A Pillar of Light and Ask of God. The production runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

The music is orchestrated in a style that is both folksy and cinematic. You can listen to a thrilling snippet of the overture here. The choir sings in the majority of the songs, and many characters also have short solos. Characters include: Thankful and Parley P. Pratt, Sister and Brother Allen, Joseph and Emma Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Grandison Newell, a midwife, Warren Parrish, John Taylor, Mary Fielding, Thomas Marsh, David Patten, and William Smith.

The story is narrated by Thankful Pratt, the wife of Parley P. Pratt, and follows Parley's character arc as he suffers great losses from the collapse of the Kirtland Safety Society, becomes disaffected from the prophet Joseph Smith, explores the reasons for his own faith, converses with his Canadian converts and fellow apostles, and ultimately makes his way back to the body of the Saints. Audience members who are experiencing their own crises of faith will find strength and validation in Parley's experience—while family members and friends of those being tested will also learn about what it means to support those on their own faith journey.